Archived | GRA2000 Low Probability of Intercept

Altimeter (LPIA)
Date Posted: 2012-05-11

Publication: C4ISR & Mission Systems: Air

Type

Flight instrumentation, altimeter.

Description

BAE Systems' GRA2000 LPIA was selected by the US Joint Services Program Office to replace
the AN/APN-194, -171, -209 and -232 series altimeters on the majority of tactical jet, helicopter
and transport aircraft employed by the US Department of Defense.

The core design is based on a very simple durable design employing a single I/F down-convert and
specialised algorithms to provide exceptional stealth and jam resistance; the system is a derivation
of the UK AD-1990 SARA system installed in Tornado aircraft.

A highly effective waveform and advanced signal processing allows the LPIA to extend altimeter
accuracy, performance envelope (roll, pitch, and altitude), jamming resistance, and LPI
capabilities beyond legacy systems. High gain, achieved in the receive signal processing, allows
for very low power output, resulting in a very simple RF design, eliminating multiple power
amplifier circuits.

The LPIA modular design allows for 100% backward compatibility with existing installations of
the APN-194, APN-232, APN-209 and APN-171, eliminating A-kit costs by using
interchangeable front panels, mounting plates, analogue I/O cards and allowing re-use of existing
airframe antennas.

High reliability and extensive BIT coverage support maintenance activities, with minimal
replacement and pipeline spare parts requirements. A common design reuses five of the seven sub
assemblies in all variants of the GRA2000.

© 2021 Jane’s Group UK Limited. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form Page 1 of 1
without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
Waveform and signal processing are all software controlled, allowing customised performance;
software is field-reprogrammable, minimising maintenance costs.

Specifications

Dimensions: 185.4 × 97.3 × 77.5 mm

Weight: < 3.2 kg
Reliability: 6,800+ hours
Accuracy: ±2 ft or 2% (1{sigma})
Performance: 0 to 35,000 ft AGL

Status

In production and in service.

Contractor

BAE Systems North America,

Greenlawn.

BAE Systems' GRA-2000 LPI altimeter

0002221

© 2021 Jane’s Group UK Limited. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form Page 2 of 2
without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
© 2021 Jane’s Group UK Limited. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form Page 3 of 3
without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.