Large Bandwidth Antenna for Electronic Attack

A novel high power steered array antenna design is provided to replace the plethora of individual antennas currently employed on the AN/ALQ-99 Electronic Warfare System. The new array antenna incorporates numerous new features which give it some unique properties. These include a frequency response much lower than traditional arrays could ever hope to achieve, a huge bandwidth in excess of 9:1 and potentially even greater, complete elimination of grating lobes throughout the band, and steering of high power RF input into the antenna. This is all achieved with low loss so that when combined with the high gain, much higher ERP on target is achieved. The new electronic steering enables new EW capabilities for the Warfighter, such as 360 degree hemispherical coverage, simultaneous servicing of multiple independent targets, and redundancy for reliable mission accomplishment, all while requiring as little as only one EW pod. The new array antenna is light weight, highly produceable and sturdy for airborne applications.