FuG 320 Luftwaffe buoy/signals-homing-

Anyone know of this device(s) used as a buoy/markers for U-boots and maritime a/c ?

thanks guys/gals !!

E

 

Checked the net and found some evidence from other sites/forums:

There was at least one naval homing buoy in Luftwaffe use. That was the
Zielmarkierungs-Sender (Target marking transmitter or something) FuG 302 "Schwan-See" (Swan Lake). The FuG 302 looked like a normal bomb and was usually carried on a 250 kg bomb rack. However it was actually a floating radio buoy with a telescoping antenna which extended from the 302's tailcone after the buoy was dropped. The buoy had no braking
device and was therefore released at low altitude and slow speed: max. 300 m, 250 km/h. After the buoy was dropped it sent a radio signal for 10 minutes to enable the launch aircraft; e.g. a FW 200 with a Hohentwiel radar for target acquisition; to check that the buoy was operating correctly. After the initial transmission the buoy stopped transmitting the homing signal until being reactivated after a pre-set
(1...29 h) delay whereupon the buoy sent the signal again for a longer
period; ca. 5 hours. To avoid the buoy falling into enemy hands, it was
sunk with an explosive charge ignited with a long delay time fuze
El.A.Z. 17 A after a pre-set 2...72 h delay. AFAIK the FuG 302 was the
only air-dropped naval homing radio buoy used during the war; pyrotechnical buoys and target markers OTOH appear to have been more common in naval use.

The Germans developed several homing devices, but the one that was used
operationally was FuG 302C "Schwan-See". It was formed as a bomb, but had an
antenna in the tail. Its length was 1.92 m., diameter 34.5 cm.
It was developed in 1942, and first used in the North-sea. It had battery
for 6 hours operation, and had a self-destruction charge. Its range was 20
km from a height of 50m, 50km from 300m and 75km from 600m. From a U-boot
the range was 12 sea-mile.

Source: F.Trenkle: Bordfunkgeräte,
Sönke Neitzel: Der Einsatz der Deutschen Luftwaffe über dem Atlantik und der
Nordsee 1939 - 1945.

the correct German designation is :
Der Zielmarkierungs-Sender FuG 302 " Schwan-See "

Operation :
After dropping into water :
1) after 1 x minute it will transmit a test for 5-10 ( pre-set )minute for
the aircraft to check the buoy
2) then the buoy shut off
3) after " off " postion of 1 - 29 hours ( pre-set ) it will transmit for 5 x hours
4) after 2 - 72 hours ( pre-set ) it will self - destruct and sink to the bottom

The Schwan are used from ca 1943 with German reconnaissance aircraft fitted with radar.

http://www.ku.edu/~libsite/hughes/19981001.mil/msg00018.html

 

Kai :

Yes I found this site right after I posted my question but never got back to replying with the info. Thank you ! The unit was dropped by Fw 200's of KG 40 and also Ju 290's of FAGR 5. This of course was in co-operation with the U-boat arm and was also used for rescueing down fliers. In January 2003 I am attempting to purchase a schematics book on the funny little beacon from Deutschland, the same firm where I purchased copies of the FuG 217 Neptun handbuch

E