Editing Phased array (section)

=== Radar ===
Phased arrays were invented for radar tracking of ballistic missiles, and because of their fast tracking abilities phased array radars are widely used in military applications.  For example, because of the rapidity with which the [[Beam steering|beam can be steered]], phased array radars allow a warship to use one [[radar]] system for surface detection and tracking (finding ships), air detection and tracking (finding aircraft and missiles) and missile uplink capabilities. Before using these systems, each [[surface-to-air missile]] in flight required a dedicated [[fire-control radar]], which meant that radar-guided weapons could only engage a small number of simultaneous targets. Phased array systems can be used to control missiles during the mid-course phase of the missile's flight. During the terminal portion of the flight, [[continuous-wave]] fire control directors provide the final guidance to the target. Because the antenna pattern is [[Beam steering|electronically steered]], phased array systems can direct radar beams fast enough to maintain a [[fire-control system|fire control quality]] track on many targets simultaneously while also controlling several in-flight missiles.

[[File:APAR.jpg|thumb|[[Active Phased Array Radar]] mounted on top of [[Sachsen-class frigate|''Sachsen''-class frigate]] F220 ''Hamburg's'' superstructure of the [[German Navy]]]]
The [[AN/SPY-1]] phased array radar, part of the [[Aegis Combat System]] deployed on modern U.S. [[cruisers]] and [[destroyers]], "is able to perform search, track and missile guidance functions simultaneously with a capability of over 100 targets."<ref>{{cite web|title=AEGIS Weapon System MK-7 |publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]] |date=2001-04-25 |url=http://www.janes.com/defence/naval_forces/news/misc/aegis010425.shtml |access-date=10 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060701055247/http://www.janes.com/defence/naval_forces/news/misc/aegis010425.shtml |archive-date=1 July 2006 |url-status=dead }}.</ref> Likewise, the [[Thales Herakles]] phased array multi-function radar used in service with [[France]] and [[Singapore]] has a track capacity of 200 targets and is able to achieve automatic target detection, confirmation and track initiation in a single scan, while simultaneously providing mid-course guidance updates to the [[MBDA Aster]] missiles launched from the ship.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=April 2006 |title=Singapore Moves to Realise Its Formidable Ambitions|journal=Jane's Navy International |volume=111 |issue=4 |pages=42–49}}</ref> The [[German Navy]] and the [[Royal Dutch Navy]] have developed the [[Active Phased Array Radar]] System (APAR). The [[MIM-104 Patriot]] and other ground-based antiaircraft systems use phased array radar for similar benefits.

Phased arrays are used in naval sonar, in active (transmit and receive) and passive (receive only) and hull-mounted and [[towed array sonar]].

{{See also |SAMPSON |Active Phased Array Radar |SMART-L |Active Electronically Scanned Array |Aegis combat system |AN/SPY-1 |Passive electronically scanned array }}