AMSAR active phased array antenna

The European AMSAR programme (Airborne Multi-role Solid-state Active Array Radar) undertaken by GTDAR, a company owned by Thales (France), SELEX SAS (UK) and EADS (Germany) under contract to the French Authorities acting on behalf of the French, German and United Kingdom Ministries of Defence, aims to demonstrate the capabilities of AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) based airborne radar systems. The programme started in 1993 bilateral with France and UK whereas Germany joined 1995 during Phase 1. Phase 2 started in 1999 and is divided into three Sub-phases 2A, 2B and 2C with a duration planned to at least 2010. The main objectives are the demonstration of airborne AESA technology in flight, including real time AESA Software and Adaptive Beam-Forming (ABF) techniques. The programme content as well as current achievements are described in this paper.