Patent ID: 8446326

Claim:
A reconfigurable phased array radar system, comprising: a base, a plurality of antenna radiating elements positioned on a foldable frame in a main array, said main array having a given aperture when said frame is positioned in a single plane, an assembly positioned on said frame to mechanically fold and separate into a first frame portion having a first plurality of said elements thereon defining a first sub-array and a second frame portion having a second plurality of said elements thereon defining a second sub-array, said first frame portion rotatably connected to said base via a coupling and provides a first aperture less than said given aperture to enable antenna radiation in a first direction and said second frame portion provides a second aperture also less than said given aperture to enable radiation in a second direction, and wherein rotating said first frame portion with respect to said base via said coupling in a first mode, causes the elevation angle of the main array to be altered with respect to said base while maintaining said frame in a single plane, and in a second mode, causes said frame to be folded and separated into said first frame portion and said second frame portion.