Then: Array Radars: A Survey of Their Potential And Their Limitations (May 1962)

First published in May of 1962, this piece originated a Microwave Journal series devoted to electronic lobing, simultaneous scanning and tubes for distributed amplifier arrays

May, 1962

Editor's Note — The array type of antenna has come from a little used concept in World War II to an item of major importance today. Fixed beam arrays with electronic lobing are being used to replace fire control dish antennas, multiple beam arrays are being used for airport surveillance, large electronic scanning arrays are being used for target detection and tracking.

The Microwave Journal is pleased to announce a series of articles on Phased Arrays and Electronic Scanning. Covered in the series will be electronic lobing, simultaneous scanning, tubed for distributed amplifier arrays, and other subjects. The following article by J.L. Allen initiates the series.

The present traffic of satellites, space probes and missiles has placed increasing demands upon radar performance. More radiated power, larger precision antennas, greater receiver sensitivity and improved extraction of information are required. Thus, radars have grown from the "heavy" radars of World War II, of which Figure 1 is typical, to "space age" installations such as that of Figure 2 in which the surveillance radar antenna is greater than that of a football field.