2-10] 



DESIGN OF AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM 



69 



ready reference, the selected system parameters and the predicted system 

 performance compared with the operational requirement are shown in 

 Table 2-1. 



Now, the problem is to find the combination of variable elements which 

 in combination with the fixed system elements will allow the desired value 

 of A^ to be achieved. 



The first phase of this process is to hypothesize a specific AEW system 

 that provides the required functional capabilities by techniques that 

 experienced judgment deems reasonable. The specific parameters of the 

 assumed system are then derived from the overall problem requirements. 



State-of-the-art and schedule limitations are not considered in this 

 analysis (see Paragraph 1-8). The only restrictions arise from the fixed 

 problem elements, laws of nature, and the basic nature of the assumed AEW 

 system concept. The latter element is variable. In an actual design study, 

 a number of possible AEW system concepts would be examined in this 

 manner with the object of determining which provided the best solution 

 to the system problem. We shall investigate only one possibility to 

 illustrate the nature of the analysis problem. The AEW system selected 

 as an example is not intended to be an optimum solution to the AEW 

 problem presented by the hypothetical air defense system being examined 

 — or to any other AEW problem. It is presented only to illustrate the 

 types of problems that must be considered in any AEW system design; 

 t\\e. form of the specification for an AEW system; and the nature of the 

 interrelationships of AEW parameters and other system elements. 



Table 2-1 SUMMARY OF SYSTEMS ANALYSIS 



Note. Selected parameters allow the operational requirements to be met or exceeded. 

 Sensitivity of the system performance to parameter changes are shown in Figs. 2-11 and 2-13. 



