Thermal Management of Active Electronically Scanned Array Transmit/Receive LRU (Line Replaceable Unit)

A "Dry LRU" mechanical architecture has been developed which minimizes the T/R Module and related component conductive path to the coolant without requiring coolant flow directly through the LRU. First designed and implemented by Lockheed Martin in an antenna for a Navy demonstration radar, the "Dry LRU" has since been re-designed and proven in the Volume Search Radar (VSR) EDM Antenna, part of the Dual Band Radar (DBR) destined for the Navy's new DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyers. The configuration of this LRU and the associated antenna level interfaces are described in this paper as well as the prototype and production thermal validation experiments used to verify the improved thermal performance. The "Dry LRU" is shown to be capable of providing thermal management for the high power T/R Modules required for the Navy latest Radar Systems.