OVERVIEW:  The Sapfir-23MLA-2 aka HIGH LARK 2 aka "N008" radar is an airborne air-to-air fire-control radar operating in the NATO I band.

DETAILS: 
 The Sapfir-23MLA-2 aka HIGH LARK 2 is a significantly improved Sapfir-23MLA, featuring improved detection range, reliability, ECCM, and look-down/shoot-down over rough terrain.  For close-range AA combat, the radar had a vertical-scan capability and was capable of sending "slave" commands to the R-60, R-60M, R-13M and R-73 AAM seeker heads.  It features coherent pulse-Doppler detection, using a two-reflector Cassegrain antenna.  Like its predecessors, it was capable of all-aspect engagement of targets above 5000 feet.  However, it improved on the LD/SD capabilities earlier Sapfirs by allowing both front or rear aspect capability engagements in LD/SD mode. It was also capable of engaging low flying cruise missiles.


Specifications:

	Frequency:	9 GHz (approx.) (I-band (NATO))
	PRF:		1Khz
	Pulse width:	4 µsec(search), pulse width ~1 µsec(track)
	Power: 		60 KW (peak); 1kW (average) 
	Scan Limits:	56 degrees azimuth, +56,-42 degrees elevation.
	Range:		40.5/28nm search (bomber/fighter aircraft above radar)
			28/22 nm tracking (bomber/fighter aircraft above radar)
			12.5/12.5nm search (bomber/fighter LD/SD mode)
			12.5/8.2 nm tracking (bomber/fighter LD/SD mode)


NOTES:  Used in the MiG-23MLD.
 

SOURCES: Mladenov, Alexander. Soviet Cold War Fighters. Fonthill Media, 2017, location 3497 (Kindel ed.) ; Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems, "Sapfir Series Radars," 19 October 2000; 
"MiG Alley." Chicago Web Design Company Accessed December 12, 2021. https://toad-design.com/migalley/index.php/jet-aircraft/mig23/. ;"Modes - Soviet Aircraft Tech." Google Sites. Accessed December 12, 2021. https://sites.google.com/site/sovietaircrafttech/mig-23/n003e/modes. ;"RP-23 Sapfir." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified April 24, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RP-23_Sapfir.
