This is an extensively updated report providing detailed information on the current status and (most importantly) forecast shipments and RF component market values in AESAs. AESAs3 is the latest updated report. Major new developments have occurred or are on the visible horizon, necessitating the generation of this update report. Probably the most significant new development is the LEMV project (Northrop Grumman – long endurance multi-purpose vehicle).

Active, electronically steered arrays (AESAs) are increasingly being implemented into (mainly military) systems currently and there is substantial mileage for important new developments. For some decades the potential advantages have been well known in terms of having a radar beam that could be scanned at orders-of-magnitude faster rates than available mechanically.

In earlier phased-array systems the fundamental high-power signal for phased arrays was obtained from a microwave tube source such as a TWT the output of which was separated to feed typically some tens through hundreds of individual antenna elements. The advent of MMICs for both transmit and also for receive functions has transformed the technology and functionality associated with such arrays. Therefore, with this updated report, we are concentrating exclusively on AESAs.

Demand for radars is steadily increasing—both commercial and (especially) military. The "War against Terrorism" and the campaigns in both Afghanistan and Iraq have continued to drive upwards electronics requirements in defense and security applications. This applies to airborne, battlefield, naval and space-based radars.

In this report we cover in depth a study of the various types of AESAs, their production and developmental status, specific examples of airborne, shipboard/naval, land-based, and spacebased phased array radars (SBRs). We also include a study of the components and subsystems used in such arrays and provide competitive assessments of key players in this industry—including the systems integrators and principal consortium members. Major examples are: Cassidian (previously part of EADS Defence Electronics), INDRA, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Company, Saab Microwave Systems, Selex Galileo (Sensors & Airborne Systems)—and Thales.

Underlying technology and impacts

Bearing in mind the importance in this segment of RF/microwave amplifiers and signal sources, specifically the modular products providing these functions, appropriate technologies are also considered from time to time in this report. This particularly focuses on the transmit-receive modules (TRMs) implementing MMICs built using selected chip-sets comprising, typically, GaAs and (increasingly) GaN.

Examples of references consulted for updated information include, mainly on the supply-side: exhibition-originated data (e.g. MTT-S 2010), on-going issues of the Microwave Journal, Microwaves & RF and Microwave Product Digest. On the Demand Side magazines such as Aviation Week & Space Technology and Janes Defense Review are regularly consulted. Important useful web links include: Military & Aerospace Electronics, Microwave Flash and RF Globalnet. Most importantly, regular contact is maintained with appropriate industry executives the majority of whom are well known to analysts.

Major changes since the previous report (AESAs2):

• Additional AESAs/AESA plans examined in detail within AESAs3:
-Artisan 3D (Europe)
-CAEW (Israel)
-CEAMOUNT (Australia)
-E-CAPTOR (Europe)
-EQ-36 (USA)
-Kronos 3D (LND and NV – Europe)
-LEMV (USA – relatively very large arrays).

• LEMV (Northrop Grumman – long endurance multi-purpose vehicle) represents a dramatic development in terms of AESA size. The first prototype LEMV (2014) is planned to have >100,000 TRMs and the final two systems will each have 7M TRMs.
• Changes resulting from defense budgetary pressures (notably in the USA and the UK but ironically often favourable to AESA implementations – especially upgrades).
• Changes resulting from specific new announcements (one outstanding example being that of the Eurofighter Typhoon radar with the E-CAPTOR development).
• Much more detail on UVs (specifically the larger UAVs and UCAVs) having current AESA implementations or the potential for such.
• Updated pricing (monetary values – internal costs) for T/R modules (TRM) and MMICs.
• Advances in the implementation of GaAs and (later) GaN MMICs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary of AESAs3.
ES.1 Introduction.
ES.2 AESAs Currently in Production or Advanced Development.
ES.3 Shipments and Monetary Values Forecasts.
ES.3.1 AESA Shipments and TMVs.
ES.3.2 TRM Shipments and TAMs.
ES.3.3 MMIC Shipments and TAMs.

Section 1 What is an AESA?

Section 2 A Selection of End-User Platforms
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 Some Particularly Significant Aircraft Programs.
2.2.1 F-35 JSF “Lightning II”.
2.2.2 EA-18G “Growler”.
2.2.3 Eurofighter “Typhoon” (pan-European).
2.2.4 Rafale (France).
2.2.5 Gripen (JAS-30).
2.2.6 Helicopters.
2.2.7 Unmanned Vehicles (UVs).
2.2.7.1 Mantis.
2.2.7.2 MQ-1C (“Grey Eagle”/”Sky Warrior”).
2.2.7.3 MQ-9 Reaper.
2.2.7.4 nEUROn.
2.2.7.5 Taranis.
2.3 Some Particularly Significant Ship Programs.
2.3.1 UK Royal Navy destroyers.
2.3.2 German Navy frigates.
2.3.3 Some Relevant US Ships.
2.4 Some Particularly Significant Spacecraft Programs.
2.4.1 COSMO-Skymed.
2.4.2 Partial Space Tracking and Surveillance Satellites (Partial STSS).
2.4.3 SENTINEL-1.
2.4.4 TerraSAR-X2.
2.4.5 Defense Surveillance Satellites.

Section 3 AESAs Currently in Production
3.1 Introduction—Some Methodological Aspects.
3.2 Airborne AESAs.
3.2.1 AACER.
3.2.2 AN/APG-63(V)3 and AN/APG-82.
3.2.3 AN/APG-77.
3.2.4 AN/APG-79.
3.2.5 AN/APG-81.
3.2.6 AN/APG-181.
3.2.7 CAEW.
3.2.8 E-CAPTOR.
3.2.9 EL/M-2052.
3.2.10 EP-X (P-8).
3.2.11 Erieye AEW&C.
3.2.12 LEMV.
3.2.13 MESA.
3.2.14 MP-RTIP.
3.2.15 Phalcon (EL/M-2075).
3.2.16 PicoSAR.
3.2.17 PS-05/A Mk 5.
3.2.18 RACR.
3.2.19 RBE2 (AA Version) (Radar à Balayage Electronique 2).
3.2.20 SABR.
3.2.21 Seaspray 7000E.
3.2.22 Seaspray 7500E.
3.2.23 Vixen 500E.
3.3 Land-based AESAs.
3.3.1 ATNAVICS (AN/TPN-31).
3.3.2 BMD.
3.3.3 EL/M-2080 “Green Pine”.
3.3.4 EQ-36.
3.3.5 FBX-T.
3.3.6 G/ATOR.
3.3.7 KRONOS 3D LND.
3.3.8 MEADS.
3.3.9 MMR (Also known as the EL/M-2084).
3.3.10 THAAD.
3.4 Shipboard AESAs.
3.4.1 AN/SPY-3.
3.4.2 APAR.
3.4.3 Artisan 3D.
3.4.4 CEAFAR.
3.4.5 CEAMOUNT.
3.4.6 EL/M-2248 (MF-STAR).
3.4.7 EMPAR.
3.4.8 KRONOS 3D NV.
3.4.9 SAMPSON.
3.4.10 SMART-L.
3.4.11 SPECTAR.
3.4.12 T-AGM Cobra Judy Replacement.
3.5 Space-based (“Spaceborne”).
3.5.1 COSMO-Skymed.
3.5.2 Partial Space Tracking and Surveillance Satellites (Partial STSS).
3.5.3 SENTINEL-1.
3.5.4 TerraSAR-X2.
3.5.5 Defense Surveillance Satellites.

Section 4 Current and On-coming Technologies
4.1 Current (Mainstream) AESA Technology.
4.2 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs).
4.2.1 Detailed Descriptions Concerning TRMs.
4.2.2 MMIC Chip Count Reduction.
4.2.3 TRM Packages.
4.3 RF/Microwave Semiconductors.
4.3.1 GaAs.
4.3.2 GaN.
4.3.3 SiC.
4.3.4 Summary Details on a Range of LNA and Phase-Shifter MMICs.
4.4 Digital Beamforming (DBF).
4.5 Other Promising Technological Approaches.
4.5.1 Advanced interconnect technologies applicable to AESAs.
4.5.1.1 Endwave Defense Systems’ MLMS™ (Multilithic MicroSystems).
4.5.1.2 Merrimac Industries’ Multi-Mix® Micro-Multi-Functional Modules (MMFM®).
4.5.1.3 Nuvotronics’ (originally Rohm and Haas’) PolyStrata™.
4.5.2 Arrays formed onto curved structures.
4.5.3 High-Power Microwave (HPM) Weapons.
4.6 Low-cost AESA.
4.7 SiC-based AESA (Lockheed Martin).
4.8 Raytheon ONR’s AESLA Project.

Section 5 The AESA Systems Supply Side
Critiques of Key Systems OEMs.

Section 6 Shipments, Prices and Monetary Values Forecasts
6.1 Introduction.
6.2 Product Categories, Application Segments & Frequency Bands.
6.3 Geographic Regions.
6.4 Definitions, Organization of the Data, Methodology and Forecasts.
6.5 Methodological Sequence for Generating and Processing Data.
6.6 Presentation of Data and Critique Commentaries.
6.6.1 AESA Data.
6.6.1.1 Overall Worldwide AESA Data.
6.6.1.2 Europe (including Israel) AESA Data.
6.6.1.3 N. America AESA Data.
6.6.1.4 RoW AESA Data.
6.6.2 TRM Data.
6.6.2.1 TRM Unit Prices (ASPs).
6.6.2.2 Overall Worldwide TRM Data.
6.6.2.3 Europe (including Israel) TRM Data.
6.6.2.4 N. America TRM Data.
6.6.2.5 (“Free-world”-friendly) RoW TRM Data.
6.6.3 MMIC Data.
6.6.3.1 MMIC Unit Prices.
6.6.3.2 Worldwide MMIC Data.
6.6.3.3 Europe (including Israel) MMIC Data.
6.6.3.4 N. America MMIC Data.
6.6.3.5 RoW (“West-friendly”) MMIC Data.
6.6.4 Tables of Data.

Section 7 Supply Chains – Semiconductors – TRMs – AESA Systems
7.1 Introduction.
7.2 Specific Examples of OEMs and their Supply Scenarios.
7.3 The Role of Distributors.
7.3.1 France.
7.3.2 Germany.
7.3.3 Italy.
7.3.4 The Netherlands.
7.3.5 Sweden.
7.3.6 The UK.
7.3.7 The USA.
7.3.8 South Africa.
7.3.9 India.
7.3.10 Australia.
7.3.11 Japan.
7.4 Summary of Typical Supply Chains.
7.5 A Selection of TRM and MMIC OEMs/ Foundries.

Section 8 Directory of Main AESA Players

Section 9 Directory of Prime Contractors

Appendix Glossary of Acronyms