Prospects on low-cost phased arrays using RF and optical MEMS

This paper discusses the current research ongoing at the US Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama concerning phased arrays for tactical missile seeker systems. The purpose of the research is to identify possible ways to reduce the time needed for gimbaled seeker systems to steer the radiation beam by using electronically steerable arrays. Electronically steering of the radiation beam has many advantages over the traditional gimbaled system including faster beam steering time and increased space savings. This research involves work in the area of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) for use in RF seeker systems and for use in optical LADAR systems.