PHASED-ARRAY RADARS

An attempt is made to give an introduction to the subject of phased array radars. It is argued that phased array radars are finding serious applications and are perhaps now 'coming of age'. In general, we are likely to see a more extensive deployment of phased-array radars in the future. However, a general application will only result when costs are substantially reduced. So far, phased arrays have been explained mainly in defence applications, where operational imperatives justify the cost of the advantages which phase arrays confer. For these advantages to be exploited in other applications, means of achieving the performance advantages at lower cost must be found and MESAR and Multi-Fire are development efforts under way to achieve this aim.