1-7] 



THE AIRBORNE RADAR DESIGN PROBLEM 



29 



The information thus derived is examined and correlated to find — if 

 possible — the combinations of radar parameters which fulfill the pre- 

 viously derived radar performance requirements. Then and only then can 

 the designer proceed in an intelligent manner to design the radar hardware 

 for fabrication, evaluation, and service use. Often the proper combinations 

 cannot be found. State-of-the-art limitations, laws of nature, and other 

 factors may conspire to prevent a successful problem solution using the 

 assumed radar concept. In these cases, the parametric information generated 

 for the problem definition and the problem solution provide readily avail- 

 able means for ascertaining the most promising course of action — whether 

 it be a change in radar concept, the initiation of a new component develop- 

 ment, or a change in the overall weapons system concept. In extreme cases, 

 a failure to find a radar solution may justify abandonment of a weapons 

 system concept; in other cases an early display of seemingly irreconcilable 

 deficiency may provide the spur for the generation of a bold new radar 

 concept that performs as required. 



Summary and Discussion. Airborne radar performance usually 

 exercises a decisive influence on overall weapons system performance. 

 The approach to the design problem must therefore be an overall systems 

 approach, even though the radar is only a weapons system component. 



The two basic steps in the design process are problem definition and 

 problem solution as illustrated in Fig. 1-23. The first step derives the radar 



Fig. 1-23 The Airborne Radar System Design Problem Approach. 



requirements imposed by the complete weapons system and neglects 

 possible limitations of radar techniques. The second step is concerned with 



