Multilayer Fighter AESA
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Saab AB - Saab Surveillance, Göteborg |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 450 000 |
| Project duration | October 2019 - September 2023 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | National Aeronautical Research Program 7 |
| Call | Research project in aviation technology - spring 2019 |
Purpose and goal
The project aimed to investigate the possibilities of designing an antenna element that can be used to place an IFF array antenna in the same aperture as a phased array radar antenna, without degrading the radar antenna´s performance. This makes it possible to co-locate several antenna functions and reduce the need for several apertures in the hull. Prototypes for antenna elements have been constructed and successfully verified experimentally.
Expected results and effects
The antenna element has been shown to provide low scattering in verification measurements, and appears to be fully implementable by industry as part of future products. In addition to industry´s possible product development, the university is carrying out its own implementation of the elements as an array antenna, and intends to verify their function when placed in front of a radar antenna. This is done in order to increase the impact of one further article.
Planned approach and implementation
The project has been carried out in close collaboration between industry and academia with regular project meetings. The pandemic has led to the initial meetings taking place digitally, but since the restrictions have been released, physical meetings have also been possible to be held. A PhD student has done the detailed design and experimental verification, based on requirements from industry and support from an academic supervisor. The collaboration has worked well, despite the limitations caused by the pandemic.