A Ground S Band Hybrid Active Electronically Scanned Array: Concept, Design and Performance

The contribution talks about the application of AESA technology for telemetry ground antennas. The proposed AESA concept is a 1-axis electronically steerable antenna (elevation axis), while the azimuth axis remains mechanically driven. The design will lead to a 1m2 effective area antenna, dedicated to short - medium range telemetry, for target with high potential dynamics. The present paper describes the concept and the technology used during this development plan. The paper focuses on performances but also tries to compare this technology to the legacy antennas used in telemetry, to point the improvements test ranges could get with such innovative antenna. The contribution will cover the interests to develop an AESA antenna, the principle and technology chosen, the electromagnetic simulations, a comparison between a standard parabolic of flat panel antenna and this work, and a conclusion regarding the possible application of AESA technology for ground telemetry antennas.