Ultra low-noise CFA design and development for the AN/SPY-1B/D radar

Summary form only given. This paper reports on the latest results of the low-noise crossed-field amplifier (LNCFA) program at Litton. Intra-pulse noise (IPN), output power, and efficiency data on a series of experimental LNCFAs are presented. This work is directed toward producing a LNCFA that meets the future needs of the AEGIS Weapons Systems with substantial improvements in IPN, jitter, and spurious emission. These improvements are In response to a need for better MTI capabilities. Clutter attenuation (MTI improvement factor) and pulse compression effectiveness are typically limited by transmitter noise and pulse time jitter. Earlier LNCFA work was successful in reducing the noise emitted by the CFA, but further improvements in both noise and jitter performance were needed.