Missile defense technology now under development by the U.S. is designed to counter all types of ballistic missiles – including short, medium, intermediate, and long ranges. Phased-array antenna technology sets these defense systems apart from mechanical radars, which require being physically aimed at an object for tracking and observation. Phased-array antennas remain in a fixed position using high performance electronics aiming or “beam steering” being done in millionths of a second by electronically controlling the timing or “phase” of incoming and outgoing signals.
By controlling the phase through the numerous segments of the antenna system, the beam can be rapidly projected in different directions to enable interweaving of tracking pulses with surveillance pulses – so multiple targets, indicative of a massive missile attack, can be tracked at once.
Credit to Sally Cole at Mil Embedded Systems
