The trinational AMSAR programme: CAR active antenna architecture

The work described is being carried out on the European AMSAR programme for an Airborne Multi-role, Solid-state Active array Radar undertaken by GTDAR (GEC Thomson Dasa Airborne Radar, EEIG) under contract to the French Authorities acting on behalf of the United Kingdom, France and Germany Ministries of Defence. It was undertaken by the three Industrial Members of GTDAR, GEC Marconi Avionics, Thomson-CSF Radars & Contre-Mesures and Daimler-Benz Aerospace/Sensor Systems. One main stage of the programme is the definition, manufacture and flight trials of the CAR Radar Demonstrator. The CAR (core antenna radar) active antenna is a full size, fully functional X-band airborne equipment; it includes new generation (Mark 2) transmit/receive modules (TRMs) and air-capable technology. The antenna architecture, based on proven and advanced principles, complies with all the mechanical, thermal and functional stringent requirements of an active array dedicated to advanced multi-PRF airborne radar. It represents a cost effective definition capable of providing a generation of high performance and affordable systems. The article gives the main principles behind the AMSAR antenna architecture, applied to the airborne demonstrator, the rationale which lies behind the options and the predicted benefits.