OVERVIEW: The P-15 radar aka 1RL13 aka Tropa (NATO name: FLAT FACE A) is a mobile, 2-D early warning radar designed for use against aircraft flying at low-to-medium altitude. It operates in the "C" (IEEE: UHF) Band.

DETAILS:     The P-15/FLAT FACE A is an early warning radar associated with the SA-2 GUIDELINE, SA-3 GOA and the SA-60 57mm AAA gun weapon systems.  The P-15 uses two open frame elliptical parabolic antenna accomplishing both transmission and reception, each antenna being fed by a single antenna feed.  To mitigate active jamming, the P-15 can quickly switch between four pre-set operating frequencies. 

Because of its mobility and quick set up time, it was frequently used as a gap-filler radar.

Because of their low power-aperture ratings this family of radars is not regarded as being very effective against low-observable aircraft and drones.
 

Specifications:

Frequency: 		810-850/880-905 Mhz (C-Band)
Power output: 		300 kW (peak)(some sources report 370-390 kW peak); 
		                     270 W (average)
PRF:			200-800; 600-880 pps(some sources report 500-680pps)
Accuracy:			2° azimuth/2000m range
Resolution:		4° azimuth/2500m range				
Run up time:		4 minutes
Set up time: 		10-20 minutes.  (One credible report of 55 minutes, although this may possibly refer to the SQUAT EYE configuration)

Detection Ranges (Fighter size aircraft)	
  	300 m altitude:	38nm/70 km 
	3000 m altitude: 	76nm/140 km
 	10000 m alt.:	113-135nm/210-250 km

 
NOTES: IOC 1955. The FLAT FACE is frequently associated with the PRV-11 SIDE NET E-band height-finding radar. A variation of the P-15, the P-15M SQUAT EYE radar, has the antenna mounted on a 20-30 m mast for improved low altitude coverage.



SOURCES: Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems, "P-15/P-19 series early-warning radars", 22 October 2004;  Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed March 8, 2015. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-15_radar ; "Radar Basics." Grundlagen Der Radartechnik. Accessed March 8, 2015. http://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/karte908.en.html ; "P-15 FLAT FACE." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. Accessed March 8, 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/flat-face.htm ; http://pvo.guns.ru/rtv/p15.htm ; "Russian / PLA Low Band Surveillance Radar Systems (Counter LowObservable Technology Radars)." Air Power Australia. Accessed March 8, 2015. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-Low-Band-Radars.html#mozTocId6430.; US Army Training and Doctrine Command. "P-19 (Flat Face B) Russian Mobile 2D UHF Radar." Accessed August 8, 2023. https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/P-19_(Flat_Face_B)_Russian_Mobile_2D_UHF_Radar.

