RARF (Radome, Antenna, and RF Circuitry) Retest and Reliability Evaluation.
Mitchell, O. B., G.A. Lindauer, Gould, George · Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 1978
An objective of the program was retest and evaluate the performance of the RARF phased array subsystem after 7 years of integration and flight test as a part of the FLAMR (Forward Looking Advanced Multimode Radar). A further objective was to assess the operational reliability of phased arrays. Two major phases were included in the program: Antenna range tests under identical conditions to those performed in 1970 and compare performance; and remove and retest the 3600 phase shifter elements and compare with original element phase shifter data. After minor readjustments it was determined that gain/sidelobe characteristics were essentially unchanged after 7 years and 6000 hours of operation including 100 flight test missions. Detailed test of the phase shifter elements revealed only 92 defective units of 3600. It is suspected a majority of these element failures may have resulted from a lightning strike on the test facility before the elements were removed for individual test. As the result of these tests it is believed the predicted +15,000 hours MTBF for a RARF type phased array can be achieved. Total cost of ownership comparisons with present operational multi-function electro-mechanical antenna systems favor the RARF phased array by a factor of at least 2-1.