Aircraft deployable rotating phased array antenna

摘要

A stacked Yagi phased array is located within a foil-shaped enclosure that is connected to a rotary joint which allows rotation of the antenna over 360 DEG in azimuth. The radar is normally stored within the equipment bay of an aircraft and is deployed therefrom when radar surveillance by the aircraft is desired. When the antenna is stored, aircraft drag is reduced and radar signature is low. The combination of mechanical and electronic scan permits increased search in critical sectors of interest and allows skipping of other sectors. The rotary joint of the invention requires no RF power or analog signals to pass through it.