SARA Proposal 003-2025-9220 - High Power Microwave Phase Shifter STTR Phase I

The beam steering capabilities of phased arrays make them extremely appealing for Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs). Proper phase control can support dynamic pointing and tracking of targets without bulky mechanical steering. The ability to dynamically track and maintain lock facilitates dynamic target engagement and delivery of multiple pulse trains as attack angle varies in real time.  This is especially important for counter-electronics and against other targets for which multiple hits may be needed to ensure sufficiently high probability of effect. A sufficiently flexible phase control system may also be capable of dividing (virtually) the array into multiple subarrays, such that multiple targets can be tracked/engaged simultaneously (vs. sequentially). Another benefit of phased array technology is ease of integration into airborne and maritime platforms by adjusting the aperture phase distribution to conform to an arbitrary surface. For the case of Passive Electronically Steered Arrays (PESA), the above benefits are made possible using phase shifters, which allow for the phase of each antenna element to be set individually.This STTR represents a unique opportunity to advance the state-of-the-art in HPM-capable phased arrays through development of novel, high-peak-power capable (> 100 MW) X-band phase shifters and associated feed networks. In meeting the technical challenges posed under this STTR topic, we will be putting new tools into the hands of HPM DEW system designers. Toward that end, Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA) has partnered with Texas Tech University (TTU) to propose an ambitious yet realistic plan to be executed by a well-qualified and experienced team.  In Phase I Base, we will seek to develop and demonstrate, via analyses and numerical models, feasibility of the proposed next-generation HPM-capable compact phase shifter along with fabrication and testing in both the Phase I Base and Option.