Israel Aerospace Industries is at an advanced stage of integration and ground testing for the ELM-2022ES: an active electronically scanned array (AESA) version of its widely-used maritime patrol radar.

Developed by the company's Elta Systems subsidiary, the enhancement implements the ELM-2022's existing operating modes with additional ones derived from the unique capabilities of AESA technology.

The system combines mechanical scanning in the horizontal plane with fine beam shifting, and full electronic scanning in the vertical plane. This will provide an improved detection capability, particularly at high sea states, and also enable efficient use of the radar in the air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, Elta says. It also cites a significant performance improvement when the sensor is used in inverse synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indication imaging modes.

Elta says the ES-model system is now undergoing qualification tests for airborne applications, and will be ready for delivery by mid-2015.

Source: FlightGlobal.com