re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer
off the main axis of the planar array, the beam gets less resolution and power. energy per area.
that's phased array 101. you can compensate with a bigger array but still falls off rapidly at off axis.
Fords designer prob figured that since its primary mission for its radar system is volume/area search not fire control, and that this is a backup system anyways in instances where AWACS are not up, the less resolution is acceptable. and the weight savings of 3 vs 4 panels justifies the trade off in resolution.
I still think a rotating back to back SMART L would be nice for this application.
I always wonder why no one has tried a fixed three array triangular configuration similar to that used on the KJ2000 AWACS. You could build the arranges length wise into a main sensor mast to achieve large array size while spreading the weight along the mast rather than have it all at the top.
Theoretically, this will give you the best of both worlds.
off the main axis of the planar array, the beam gets less resolution and power. energy per area.
that's phased array 101. you can compensate with a bigger array but still falls off rapidly at off axis.
Fords designer prob figured that since its primary mission for its radar system is volume/area search not fire control, and that this is a backup system anyways in instances where AWACS are not up, the less resolution is acceptable. and the weight savings of 3 vs 4 panels justifies the trade off in resolution.
I still think a rotating back to back SMART L would be nice for this application.