Sensor/System to Counter Mortar, Rocket, and Missile Attack

The novel feature of the proposed firefinder radar system is an electronically steerable antenna (ERA) that does not require expensive phase shifters. This radar tracker can enhance the search, detect, and track scenario by permitting the search area to be tailored to specific missions, for example, detection and warning of incoming mortar, rocket, or missile rounds; tracking of the round's ballistic trajectory to calculate impact and launch points; support automated precision counter fire; and low probability of intercept operation in areas where it is desirable to deny the enemy knowledge that a radar is in operation. The antenna design can be tailored to transmit one or more narrow-beams, which can be steered to rapidly cover larger sectors, or to avoid illumination of prohibited sectors. The incorporation of an electronically reconfigurable antenna into the radar system enables the following advantages to be realized as compared to radars that use conventional transmit/receive-module apertures: - Dramatic cost reduction - 300 times lower - Weight reduction - 10 to 15 times lower - Digital beam forming for steering, tracking, nulling - Instant creation of individually controlled multiple beams - Extremely flexible reconfigurability of antenna beam patterns - Stealth operation