The future of Italian ground and naval active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) radars

Abstract

New operation capabilities are deemed necessary for ground-based, shipborne and airborne radars. Depending on the applications, it is valuable to mention the following: • Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM), nowadays crucial due to the increasing use of this threat and considered a priority by potential Users. • Fire Control perceived fundamental for the out of area operations. • Enhanced ability of identifying targets to support the protection against asymmetric threats (such as small aircrafts operating at low altitudes and low speeds, even unmanned). • Reduction of Radar Cross Section (RCS) of the vessels and aircrafts. • Operational flexibility with respect to various conditions, such as (i) surveillance in coastal environment, (i.e. in support of ground operations), and (ii) operation in deeper waters to counteract more effectively even underwater threats. • Integration with other devices such as Electronic Support Measures, Communications and Electro-optics. • Autonomous capability of performing Electronic Attack. Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) have become a recognised solution in both the surface and airborne radar marketplace due to the manifold improvements and opportunities that AESA radars offer when compared to mechanically scanned system (Ref 1, Ref 3). This paper describes the latest Leonardo-Finmeccanica achievements in developing AESA technologies and algorithms for ground and naval applications. At the end, results achieved in a dual-use application of AESA radars will be also briefly presented.