RARF (Radome, Antenna, and RF Circuitry) Retest and Reliability Evaluation.

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 gainsidelobe 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.