Multifunction phased array radar advanced technology demonstrator nearfield test results

Since 2007, MIT Lincoln Laboratory (LL) has been developing low-cost phased array panel technology in support of the Multifunction Phased Array Radar (MPAR) program. The MPAR program targeted the development of affordable active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs) for the civilian applications of aircraft surveillance and weather forecasting. Over the last decade, in a teaming with MACOM, Lincoln Laboratory has developed an S-band, 64-element dual-polarization (pol) panel with a peak radiated power of 6W per element per pol. The 3
^rd
generation (Gen3) panel will be used to populate a 4m-diamter, 76-panel fully polarimetric AESA radar. This radar, the MPAR Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD), will be fielded at the National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) at the National Severe Storm Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, OK, with IOC scheduled for 2018. This paper summarizes the development of the MPAR panels, the ATD, and the nearfield characterization of the ATD scheduled for the latter half of 2017.