Affordable S-Band Phased Array Radar Technology

Recent technology advancements in hypersonic weapons and the proliferation of missile technology have created an urgent need for additional sensors capable of detecting and tracking these weapons.  Whereas during the Cold War era the only viable flight path targeting the United States (US) for these weapons was from the North over the pole with very predictable flight profiles, emerging new weapons pose a significantly expanded threat as they can approach the US from virtually any direction.  Building a network of radar sensors to cover the possible ingress routes is prohibitively expensive with currently deployed technology.  A cost-effective, modular radar array could transform the equation by providing vastly improved threat monitoring capability to prevent strategic surprise. Additionally, there is a data deficit regarding locations and activities of objects in all orbital regimes, including low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), and cislunar.  LeoLabs has developed cost-effective promising two-dimensionally (2-D) electronically scanned S-band radar technology which can provide great benefit by supplying data to fill much of this shortfall.  Because many objects require relatively long integration times, a 2-D electronically scanned radar is ideal as it can maintain a beam on a target for the requisite time and then rapidly rescan and re-task to another target.  The cost effectiveness of the LeoLabs solution makes it viable for it to be more widely deployed to provide vastly enhanced space situational awareness (SSA). LeoLabs currently operates mostly one-dimensionally (1-D) electronically scanned radars that have a wide but fixed “fan” field of regard (FoR).  While ideal for predictable LEO objects which routinely fly through the FoR, tracking of maneuvering and longer-range targets is best suited for a 2-D scanned array with a “cone” FoR.  Because the beam is electronically scanned within this volume, it is much more agile than a traditional parabolic dish antenna that must be physically pointed and re-pointed. This proposed project will result in developing the technology required to build cost-effective, modular, 2-D electronically scanned S-band radars that can provide coverage in areas that otherwise would be unmonitored. LeoLabs proposes to build a modular demonstration 2-D S-band direct radiating array (DRA) prototype to assess its performance, cost, and feasibility as a missile tracking radar.  Built, operated, and maintained at a cost projected to be orders of magnitude lower than currently deployed radars, our solution could be rapidly deployed in large numbers to protect against the critical threat profile directions to the US.  However, these radars are also dual-purpose, as they can also perform the SSA and SDA missions more effectively than 1-D radars.  Therefore, modifying our technology for 2-D enhances the fundamental value of our radars.  ???????