Bulging with radomes and bristling with antenna spines, the Lockheed Constellation has joined the Navy's rapidly growing stable of radar picket planes. The specially-modified Constellation is called the PO-1W (P for patrol, O for Lockheed and W for warning).
First PO-1W of an experimental order for two made its initial test flight at Burbank, Calif., last week. Second is expected to be flying shortly after stability problems caused by the bulging radomes are thoroughly explored.
New Requirement - The PO-1W is designed to fill a new Navy requirement for a combination long range radar picket plane and airborne combat communications center. As such the PO- IW can be used for four principal functions:
Radar Picket Plane - The picket plane is far superior to the destroyer radar picket ships now in use since it can carry the search radar to an altitude where the line of sight difficulties that limit coverage from surface radar sets are eliminated. The Constellation can provide 360-degree coverage using radar antennae on top of the fuselage, slung under the belly and installed in especially elongated nose and the tail. The range of the Constellation can be added to radar range to provide extremely early warning of either air attack or submarine activity.
With the increasing speed of jet fighters and attack planes, the Navy faces an urgent need for extending its radar range beyond the 100 miles of ship-borne radar.
Anti-Submarine Patrol Plane - The belly radar of the PO-1W is a special type developed by the Navy for use against the "schnorkel" type submarine which exposes only a small breathing device on the surface. Again the range of the Constellation is important since it can cover large areas on search missions and can carry more powerful radar than can be crammed into a smaller plane.
Radar Ferret - The PO-1W will be equipped with radar detection equipment and counter-radar equipment to jam enemy radar stations. Role of ferret planes in locating enemy radar installations and computing their operational frequencies preparatory to jamming them was an item of increasing importance in the closing months of the last war and is likely to be an even more important function in future air war.
Combat Communications Center - Use of VHF radio requires an airborne relay station to maintain ground to air communications over long distances. The PO-1W can function in that capacity. It can also, by virtue of information obtained from its search radar, function as a combat control center for fighter control against enemy air attack or against submarine activity.
The Navy has three other models of radar picket and search planes-the Grumman TBM modified with a triple tail fin to stabilize the "guppy" belly radome; the Grumman AF-1S a later development of the TBM series: and the Douglas AD-3W which also has a triple tail to counteract the belly radome. However these three planes are powered by a single engine and have a relatively limited range. They are designed for operation from a carrier on search missions aimed primarily at enemy submarines and surface ships.
Changed Plans - In contrast the PO-1W is land-based, has far greater range and is capable of carrying much more powerful radar and communications equipment. Navy originally planned to use the two Lockheed Constitutions for this type of work but later opened the project to competition that narrowed to the Constellation and the Douglas DC-6.
Navy preferred to buy off the shelf commercial transports for experimentation in this field to save money. Lock- heed won the competition primarily because of a much lower price.
The two Lockheed PO-1Ws are strictly experimental. Since the Navy is venturing into a broad new field, it is likely that any future requirement for a tactical production line aircraft of this type will be relatively slow in crystallizing.
.jpg)
Social Plugin