(B2431) wrote in message ...
I have seen phased array aircraft radars that look as if they still
mechanically sweep the dish. I thought the entire reason for phased arrays was
so they wouldn't need to mechanically move. I know how phased arrays work in
principle, but that's as far as I go. What am I missing here?

Phased arrays might buy you 60 degrees of beam steering each way. If
you want 360 degree coverage you need multiple arrays like on the
TICOs and BURKEs, or you can rotate one array. In the latter case, a
phased array buys you scanning in elevation to determine target
altitude, and if you're sneaky you can scan side to side independently
of the antenna rotation as an ECCM technique.

-jake