Aircraft radar antennas

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Aircraft radar antennas

Schrank, H.E.

Many changes have taken place in airborne radar antennas since their beginnings over forty years ago. This lecture includes a brief historical overview of the advances in technology from mechanically scanned reflectors to modern multiple-function phased arrays. However, emphasis is not on history but on the 'state-of-the-art' technology and trends for future airborne radar systems. The status of rotating surveillance antennas is illustrated by the AN/APY-2 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) slotted waveguide array, which achieved a significant breakthrough in sidelobe suppression. Gimballed flat-plate arrays in nose radomes are typified by the AN/APG-66 (F-16) antenna. Multifunction phased arrays are represented by the Electronically Agile Radar (EAR) antenna, which has achieved significant advances in performance versatility and reliability. Trends toward active aperture, adaptive, and digital beamforming arrays are briefly discussed. Antennas for future aircraft radar systems must provide multiple functions in less aperture space, and must perform more reliably.