The design and positioning of aircraft radar aerials for metric wavelengths

The needs of airborne search radar and navigational aids on metric wavelengths led to the development of a variety of aerial systems specially designed for fitting on aircraft. These aerial systems may be classified according to the angular coverage which they are required to provide. The most common types are all-round-looking aerials, homing aerials and search aerials. Apart from developing a suitable design of aerial an important part of the problem of providing efficient aerials on aircraft is in determining the best positions for the aerials on the aircraft. The principles of design of aircraft aerials for metric wavelengths are described and also the technique of positioning the aerials. The need for rapid switching between two or more aerials on an aircraft is common to both radar and navigational applications and the means of achieving this are briefly discussed.