June 20, 2007: The U.S. Air Force has successfully
tested having an AESA radar double as a communications device, transmitting data
from an aircraft, via its radar, to a ground station. The speed of transmission
was about a hundred times faster than a typical high speed Internet connection
(2-3 megabit DSL). Using AESA like this takes a big load off satellite
communications, and allows aircraft to send video from their cameras, directly
to ground stations.
AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar
also can track vehicles on land, and ships at sea. Such radars are already
installed in JSTARS aircraft, Global Hawk UAVs and many fighters. AESA radar
consists of thousands of tiny radars that can be independently aimed in
different directions. A sufficiently powerful AESA radar can also focus enough
energy to damage aircraft or missiles. The U.S. has already been doing this
with the high-powered microwave (HPM) effects generated by similar AESA radars
used in F18, F35 and F22 aircraft. This is sort of like the EMP
(Electromagnetic Pulse) put out by nuclear weapons. AESA has demonstrated that
it can disable missiles and aircraft. AESA in a Global Hawk could disable
electronics on the ground.
