Fibre optics in radar systems: Advantages and achievements

The promises made by the Microwave Photonics (MWP) in the last 25 years are becoming reality in devices and systems that use the optical carrier in radar and EW applications. This article aims to define new architectures and approaches for the adoption of fiber optic functionalities and technologies to radar and EW, moreover it aims to review the results achieved in prototypes and actual products, both at subsystems and system level, also highlighting the findings in terms of limitations and needs for further development.