Patent ID: 7528613

Claim:
A radar system for an aircraft, the radar system comprising: an antenna mounting apparatus coupled to the aircraft; an antenna coupled to the mounting apparatus and configured to rotationally orientate for an azimuth scan and to electronically steer a radio frequency (RF) beam for a tilt scan; wherein the mounting apparatus comprises an upper arm and a lower arm, wherein the antenna is rotatably coupled to the upper arm and the lower arm; wherein the antenna comprises a first antenna panel, a second antenna panel, a first radar transmitter in communication with the first antenna panel, a first radar receiver in communication with the first antenna panel, a second radar transmitter in communication with the second antenna panel, and a second radar receiver in communication with the second antenna panel; wherein the first radar transmitter and the second radar transmitter are located between the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel; wherein the first antenna panel and the first radar transmitter are configured to perform a first radar scan by physically rotating the first antenna panel and the first radar transmitter about a single vertical axis; wherein the first antenna panel and the first radar transmitter are further configured to perform a second radar scan by electronically steering the RF beam without the use of a motor and/or gear train; and wherein the second antenna panel and the second radar transmitter are configured to perform a third radar scan, wherein the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel are physically coupled and oppositely located, wherein the physical rotation of the first antenna panel and the first radar transmitter about the single vertical axis also rotates the second antenna panel and the second radar transmitter.