Airborne and ground radar

Although this subject is wide enough to write a volume alone about it here are listed the main operative and research apparatus used by the luftwaffe for the n/f operations.

It is, generally speaking, common to think that the 'Radar' was a secret weapon of the Allied forces. This is mainly due to the good publicity and employ the RAF made of it, and because of its important role during the Battle of Britain.
The development of Airborne Electronic Interception and Homing devices was parallel in both sides of the Front. What is very little known is that during this time Germany had the crème of technology in communications. Again, spoiling the efforts of German scientist, is to blame the High Command of the Eh. Luftwaffe for its incapability to give priority to the development in the field of electronics during the early etage of war. In early 1940 Telefunken had made progress in what to consider the ancestor of the German radar. It was then Gen. Martini, of Communications branch of the Eh. Luftwaffe to discover these devices and propose them for the use in night interception. AEG Telefunken, Lorenz, Siemens, these are the names that made it possible. That was the beginning of the German radar.

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SPANNER I-IV

IR light detectors developed by AEG. Spanner I used an IR searchlight, Spanner II used passive detection only. Only Spanner I was used mainly in Dornier heavy night fighters and some experimental Bf 110 (the first one was a Bf110 D-1/U1).

FuG 202 “LICHTENSTEIN BC”

Developed by Telefunken, the “Lichtenstein“ is first tested for military purposes in august of 1941. It enters production during the Spring of 1942. It was ther first AI device largerly used employed by the Nachtjagd. Its aerials were mounted in four main masts in the nose of Me 110 or Ju 88 at a downward angle of 5° ca. An "X"-formed frame on the tip of each main mast supported the vertical dipole elements (see illustration below). The radar operated at 490 MHz, with a range of 200-218 m to 5000 m and a power of 1,5 kW. The vision angle was 70°. The FuG 202 was replaced both by the FuG 212 and later the FuG 220 due to enemy jamming problems.

FuG 202 “LICHTENSTEIN BC/S”

It was an experimental device whose main aim was to increas the operating angle from 70° to 120° by means of side antennaes.

FuG 211? “LICHTENSTEIN O”

This was an upwards aiming device for night operations. It worked at 490 mHz using antennaes similar -perhaps even the same- as the “Lichtenstein B/C”. One single prototype was build in 1943.

FuG 212 LICHTENSTEIN C-1

This Telefunken AI device entered production during the late Spring of 1943 as a simplified version of the FuG 202. The performance was approximately the same as FuG 202. Its aerials differed in having longer main masts and a newly sharp shaped mast tip.The FuG 212 operated at 91 MHz and had a range of 200 m to 6000 m. Since August 1943 the frequency could be changed by means of a selector from 420 to 480 mHz. It felt in disuse when the RAF discovered efficient methods for jamming this and the FuG 202 devices. Production stopped in November 1943.

FuG 212 “LICHTENSTEIN C22”

Development of FuG 212 with improved short range capabilities. It was discontinued and substituted by the SN2 proyect. FuG 214 “LICHTENSTEIN BC/R” Tail warning experimental device. Discontinued and substituted by the FuG 216. FuG 215 “PAUKE A” Telefunken aiming device. It worked with six frequencies from 410 to 490 mHz using two types of antennaes. The first prototypes used a single mast dipole antennae, similar to “Weitwinkel” one. Later devices used a ø 70 cm dish installed in the fuselage under a plywood teardrop cover. Only 10 units were build.

"LICHTENSTEIN C-1 WEITWINKEL"

Substitute for the FuG 220 SN-2b to improve short range interception. It featured a single mast antennae and a 120° vision angle as results of FuG 214 research, but its range was only 2000 m.

FuG 216 “NEPTUN”

This research tail warning/AI device, developed by FFO, was used on Bf 109 G6's and Fw 190 A6's single engine night fighters of JG 300, 302, 10 and 11 for experimental purposes only and in very small series. There were two versions: the FuG 216 R1, used as tail warning, with 1 kW power working at 182 mHz, and the FuG 216 V, AI, with 1,2 kW at 125 mHz. It had a range of 500 to 3500 m at a search angle of 100°. Antennaes were fitted to the outer panels of upper and lower surface of the middle part of both wings.

FuG 217 “NEPTUN”, R2, J2

This was a search AI developed by FFo in two versions: the R2 and J2. Tests were undertaken in Werneuchen over Me 109 G-6/R7 (PP+??). In 1./NJGr 10 a Fw 190 A-6/R11 and A-8/R11 and R12 were also fitted with the FuG 217 (black 8 is an example). The R2 was a tail warning device while the J2 was specifically developed as AI for single engine night fighters. The “Neptun” operated with two fixed frequencies, 158 and 187 mHz with a range of 400 to 4000 m at a 120° vision range. Its antennas consisted in groups of three or four vertical elements installed in rows over the top centerline of the fuselage in front and behind the canopy (4 front, 3 rear) and three rows in the upper surface of the middle part of both wings. These typical arrangements of three vertical antennas gave the FuG 217 the name of Neptun.

FuG 218 “NEPTUN”, R3, J3, V/R, G/R

This set was developed during sumer of 1944 both by Siemens and FFO together, to substitute the SN-2 as the Allies discovered new countermeasures against the latter. It was a derivative of the FuG 217 from which it kept the name. Four versions were provided.

These versions of the “Neptun” had a range of 120 to 5000 m and operated with six fixed frequencies ranging from 158 to 187 mHz. The FuG 218 was mounted in a "X" support similar to the earlier SN-2 antennaes but smaller. The dipoles -of two different lenghts- were mounted on this "X" support which was installed on a single main mast mounted on the centerline of the nose of Ju 88 or Me 110. The support was niknamed Hirschgeweih (Stag's antlers) name also given to the big SN-2 antenna. The Neptun entered service during the last months of 1944 and featured also tail warning capabilities using a small curved mast with two horizontal elements all installed on the tip of the vertical fin. A version with four sets of three in-line vertical antennaes was fitted to some Fw 190 A-6 for “wilde Sau” operations. A further development increased the power of the G/R transmitter from 30 to 100 kW.

FuG 219 “WEILHEIM”

This was a further development of the “Neptun” carried out by Siemens. It operated with a 100 kW power at 172-188 mHz. Its range was supposed to be about 15000 m.

FuG 220 “LICHTENSTEIN SN-2”

This Telefunken AI device was parallely developed with the FuG 202 and 212 in 1943. This was one of the most sophisticated radar’s used by the Luftwaffe. It entered mass production in September 1943. The SN-2 could not be jammed by window but in its models "A" and "O" it had a minimum range of (547 yards) which was a problem for close interception. To solve this problem FuG 202 or 212 sets were carried together with the FuG 220; this produced a massive antennae nose with a strong speed drag. When later with the SN-2 "B" model was enhanced its close range capabilities the FuG 202/212 sets were definitively removed allowing the interceptor a 300 m to 4000 m range.(3,125 miles). Early FuG 220 operated with three fixed frequencies: 73/82/91 Mhz, later it operated with a variable range of frequencies from 37.5 to 118 mHz. The SN2 had a power of 2,5 kW and featured the large 120° vision angle. Its larger antler antennas were composed by four main curved masts in the nose of Me 110 or Ju 88, each mast supported two vertical dipoles. A refinement in the design of the SN-2 dipoles consisted in mounting flat section dipoles instead of tubular ones. It is not sure if this kind of aerial is related to the SN-2 or its derivative the SN-3.

Late developments of the SN-2 led in 1944 to additional tail warning capabilities with two different tail antenna installations: the one was a mast below the tail rudder fixed on the Ju 88 G's to the fuel-jettison housing; the other, easier to install, consisted in direct installation of the dipoles on the vertical fin eliminating any mast. Also attempting to eliminate the speed drag of the SN-2 antennaes was developed the Morgenstern arrangement. It was of a different installation consisting in a main center line mast with the dipoles directly attached in "X" configuration (Ju 88 G-6 C9+AC of II./NJG 5 for example). This allowed the optional installation of a plywood cone nose over the whole installation. Variations consisted in the FuG 220 C series, without wide-angle antennae, and FuG 220 D series, with slanted dipoles and no tail warning mast.

FuG 221 “FREYA-HALBE”

Passive homing device by Siemens. This device was used for homing enemy a/c sending radio disturbing signals against the German “Freya” radio beacons. It worked at 115-135 mHz with a range of 100 km. Small series production.

FuG 221-A “ROSENDAAL-HALBE”

Passive homing device by Siemens. This device was designed to recognize and intercept the signals of the “Monica”, “ASV” anti-ship, “Rosendaal” and “Magic Box” tail-warning transmitters. It had a 100 km range and worked with 190-230 mHz frequencies. The “Rosendaal-Halbe” never entered mass production.

FuG 222 “PAUKE S”

Telefunken aiming device. It worked with frequencies from 3250-3330 mHz with a range of 300-10000 m. Vision range of 100° horizontally and 20° vertically. The device was connected to an electrical ReVi device and monitor. Only 3 apparatus were build. FuG 226 NEULING IFF experimental device by Lorenz. Me 262A Wrk.Nr. 170056 was equipped with this ground-to-air and air-to-air IFF device together with the FuG 218 Neptun. FuG 227 “FLENSBURG” It was a passive homing device developed by Siemens. The Flensburg could detect from a distance of 65 Kms (45 miles) the emissions of the “Monica” tail-warning radars of the RAF bombers. Production of this set began in Spring of 1944. The Flensburg antennas were installed in both the wings: at the top and bottom panels of the starboard wing tip and in the leading edge of the port wing. When on 13.7.44 the Ju 88 G-1 of 7./NJG 2 felt under Allied hands its FuG 220 and 227 sets were rapidly examined and countermeasures developed against them. Three different Ausführung with many improvements were delivered for a total of 250 apparatus.

FuG 228 “LICHTENSTEIN SN3”

This was a long-range 20 kW AI device developed by Telefunken. Its range was from 250 to 8000 m at 120° horizontal vision angle and 100° vertical vision angle; it was operating in frequencies from 115 to 148 mHz. Its antennaes were very similar to thos of SN-2 except for the thicker dipoles. Only 10 devices were completed and nothing is known about their eventual use in battle. Research was also carried out to use “Morgenstern” antennaes with 1/2 and 1/4 of wavelenght.

FuG 240/1-4 “BERLIN” N1A, N2-4

This was the latest developed AI device. Only approx. 20-30 sets were built and used during the last month of war. The Berlin radar had no aerials since it featured an adjustable advanced dish antenna; this reduced drag problems because the dish could be covered with a light plywood nose cone.

The “Berlin” used a wavelength of 9 cm 3250-3330 mHz (see table above) and had a 500-5000 mts range and was mounted almost exclusively on Ju 88 G-6's (3c+NM of NJG 4 for example). It is said that it was based on captured examples of the British cavity magnetron. The most advanced version of the “Berlin”, the N3, used a single “panoramic” screen to show both height and range of the target; it also featured a rotating parabolic dish.The top of the research in the “Berlin N3” was developed into the FuG 244 “Bremen 0”. The N4 version consisted in a research apparatus for night flying control a/c; it was supposed to give a global panoramic view of enemy a/c over the whole hemisphere of the sky. The N4 was thus designed to be a rotating dish fitted in a teardrop in the shoulder of the control a/c instead of its nose. This was the very first “AWAC” project by Telefunken in 1944.

FuG 244 “BREMEN” 0

This Telefunken device was based on the “Berlin” N3. It used 3250 to 3330 mHz frequencies with 20 kW of power. Its range was from 200 to 5000 m at 100° of horizontal vision and 20° of vertical vision. Only one prototype was finished at the end of the war.

FuG 245 “BREMEN”

This device was a parallel development of the FuG 244 which it had to replace. Performance was similar to FuG 244. Only one prototype was built.

FuG 247 “PAUKE SD” - “BREMERHAVEN”

Aiming device project. It should have worked with 3 cm wavelenghts. Vision range of 120° horizontallyfor 10000 m range. The device featured a rotating dish in a 120° cone. The pilot could have an optical representation of the target on a monitor screen.

FuG 280 “KIEL”

The Kiel was a passive IR vision detector developed by Zeiss. It operated using lead-sulphite photo-cells amplified in a vision screen. Its range was about 4000 m, weighted only 42 kg. Only few devices were built.

FuG 350 “NAXOS Z”

The Naxos was a Telefunken passive homing device similar to FuG 227 the Flensburg. It was developed during the Sumer of 1943. Production began in the early months of 1944 and entered service together with the Flensburg and remained in use until the end of the war. Unlikely the latter, the Naxos detected the H2S ground mapping radar (as well as the H2X, AN APS 15) instead of the Monica tail warning radar. Models I, II and III using frequencies 82-84 MHz, IV, V, VI and VII 91 to 116 MHz. Its range was as far as 50,000 m in its best Ausführung, 10,000 in its very first versions. In whole 25 series were developed being the “Z” series the most successful with 700 apparatus built alone from “Z” to “ZR” series!

The “Naxos Z” were used in Ju 88 g's in combination with the covered Morgenstern antennaes because its elements could be easily installed inside the wooden nose cone or inside teardrop-shaped covers. Tests with Naxos were also carried in single engined Me 109 G's (NH+VZ for example) housed under a plexiglass dome on the second panel just behind the radio antenna mast behind the canopy.

These two drawings illustrate the whole sistem. SG 330 Za was fitted in the instruments panel, EN 636 M, EN 614 M and V 330b in the radio housing in the centre part of the fuselage and the rotating antennae behind the radio mast. The original legend in the Naxos drawings:
[electronics, right] a) Sichtgerät SG330 Za - b) Regler für Helligkeit - c) Regler für Scharfe - d) (connection point on rear side for the antennae) - e) Spannungsnetzgerät EN 636 M - f) Braunsche Rohre - g) Regler für Empfindlichkeit - h) Netzgerät EN 614 M - i) NF-Verstärker V 330 b
[Antennagerät ZA 290 M mit rotierender Antenne, top] a) Dipole - b) Antriebsmotor und Zweiphasengenerator - c) Regler für Scharfe - d) (connection point on rear side for the antennae) - e) Spannungsnetzgerät EN 636 M -

FuG 351 “KORFU Z”

The “Korfu” was a passive homing device (“Z” stands for Zielanfluggerät) developed by Telefunken. It was a “Naxos” with very long range capabilities, about 300 km. Very few devices were built but did see action against the enemy.

WURZBURG, FUMG 39/62

Short-range ground radar. Range 170 km, frequency 560 MHz, range precision 100 m, angle precision 0.2 degrees.

FUGM 80 “FREYA”

Long-range ground radar and beacon. Its range was of 120 km, and worked with a frequency of 125 Mhz. Its range precision was about 125 m with an angle precision 0.5 degrees.

FUGM 402 “WASSERMANN”

Long-range ground detection radar. Range 190 km, frequency between 120 and 158 MHz. Range precision 300 m, angle precision 0.25 degrees.

FUMO 51 “MAMMUT”

Long-range ground detection radar with a range up to 300 km. It operated with frequencies  between 120 and 138 MHz. Range precision 300 m, angle precision 0.5 degrees.