Phased Array Radar and the Detection of Low Cross Section Targets

The reduction in the radar cross section of military targets has been widely reported. In this paper the implications with regard to phased array radar are examined. The benefits of phased array radar are outlined and it is shown that this form of radar makes the optimum use of power and aperture and is an increasingly attractive approach for the detection of small targets. The possibilities for the generation of high powers with solid state phased arrays are demonstrated and the potential performance of a solid state active phased array radar is presented. The related technical issues - high power sources, efficiency, duty factor and heat removal, together with the increased levels of clutter associated with high sensitivity radar, are discussed