The high performance are simply because of the high power of the TRM and large number of modules.
And the effects i mentioned..it is significant especially for Early warning application where STC can actually prevent detection of low RCS target and long pulsewidth means low minimum range (thus the radar cannot detect target that are actually close) and possibility of target lost due to eclipsing.
I really do not recommend using it for ground based radars due to those variables that i haven’t take account in. Unless suitable modifications or at least some clear statements about limitations of the calculations.
Another issue not related to range could be..Whether it would make a practical system.
4000 modules of planar array would result in about 4×4 meter antenna. Might be practical for ground based but quite bizzare for AEW might end up making the plane look like Chile Phalcon. There could also be cost issue that made this Radar unsuitable for general air defense. It would be more suitable for ABM.
The cost of radar hardware could be roughly estimated as follows :
Cost=Nt*Ct+PaV*CaV*Nt
Nt=Number of Trm
Ct=Cost of Trm
PaV=Average Power
CaV=Cost of producing that average power (let’s assume this to be U$ 1)
The cost of typical TRM in S-band is about U$ 200.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]256226[/ATTACH]
Thus the radar would cost about :
Cost=4000*200+80000*1*4000
Cost=320800000
320 Million dollar radar. Would make sense for ABM applications.
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