The Past, Present, and Future of Electronically-Steerable Phased Arrays in Defense Applications

This paper will present a study of past issues associated with electronically-steerable phased array antenna systems and methods employed to overcome these issues. It will discuss the current state-of-the-art in these type systems and the benefits to defense applications that have resulted as these technologies have matured. It will conclude with a discussion of barriers and problems that still exist - inhibiting a full integration of phased array technologies in military communication systems, fire control and illumination radar systems, and missile seeker systems. The many benefits and high performance of these systems have caught the eye of many possible users and it is important to quickly deliver to the soldier these advanced technologies. Thus quick, solid technology maturation and problem solving is a must. An example of the barriers that will be explored in depth include the use of MEMS as a low-loss phasing network solution, strap-down guidance issues, radome problems, fabrication and integration issues and heat dissipation techniques. Possible solutions to the barriers discussed will be presented and explored and future directions in phased array technology development will be proposed.