AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central
( Keith Hammerbeck photo)
The MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central was an India band automatic tracking radar operating in the 8500 to 9600 MHz frequency range. The radar had an 8 foot diameter parabolic dish with a hyperbolic subreflector. This configuration is called a Cassegrain antenna. This design improved the overall antenna gain and beamwidth as compared to a fresnel lens or a parabolic dish without the subreflector. The system was capable of skin or beacon tracking. Using skin tracking the maximum range was 200,000 yards (200 Kyds), roughly 100 miles. In the beacon track mode, a beacon transponder on the aircraft was utilized. This doubled the maximum range to 400 Kyds, or 200 miles. The 77 was contained in a 33 foot semi-trailer, making it mobile. A "cousin" to the 77 was the TSQ-81. In this configuration, the equipment cabinets and antenna were mounted in/on transportable shelters.
(Jeff Brochu photo)
Here's a look at an MSQ-46 (left) and an MSQ-77 (right).
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