Demonstration of a high power W-band gyroklystron amplifier for radar applications

Summary form only given. There is currently a need for high-power, W-band amplifiers for millimeter wave radars. In response to this need, a four cavity, 94 GHz gyroklystron amplifier has been designed and constructed in a collaborative effort between the Naval Research Laboratory, Litton Electron Devices, Communications and Power Industries, and the University of Maryland. The amplifier was designed to produce 80 kW peak output power and 10 kW average output power at 20% efficiency with a bandwidth in excess of 600 MHz. The amplifier was constructed and low duty tests are underway. The gyroklystron has produced peak output powers up to 115 kW and 29% efficiency with -3 dB bandwidths exceeding 600 MHz. Experimental parametric studies and the results of upcoming high duty tests will be presented.