Military and Defense Systems
Advanced Radar & EW Interconnect Solutions
An active array has as many RF feeds as it has elements, and an electronic warfare receiver has to stay honest across a decade of frequency in one sweep. Both push interconnect harder than almost anything else: extreme density on one side, extreme bandwidth flatness on the other.
AESA
SSMP
2–18 GHz
Phase-Matched
High Density
DC–65 GHz
SSMP Coverage
±3°
Phase Match
1,000+
Element Feeds
Design Notes
Feeding an Array and a Receiver
Five constraints that dominate radar and EW interconnect design.
01
Element Pitch
Array spacing is set by the operating frequency, and it sets the connector envelope. At X-band and above, only micro-miniature push-on formats physically fit behind the aperture.
02
Phase Consistency
A phased array steers by controlling relative phase. Feed-to-feed variation is a direct error term in the beam pattern, so the feeds are specified as a matched set.
03
Broadband Flatness
An EW receiver cannot have a favourite frequency. Ripple across 2 to 18 GHz matters more than the best-case number at any single point.
04
Isolation
Transmit and receive channels share very little space. Crosstalk through the interconnect sets the dynamic range the system can actually use.
05
Thermal Load
Active arrays dissipate real power behind the aperture. The interface has to hold its match while the structure behind it runs hot.
Reference Data
Typical Array and Receiver Requirements
Programme specifications govern. These are representative.
| Parameter | Typical Requirement | Relevant Series | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Element feed format | Micro-miniature push-on | SSMP, SMP | Pitch-driven choice |
| Frequency | To 65 GHz | SSMP series | Headroom above the aperture band |
| Phase matching | ±3° across the set | Phase-matched assemblies | Specify the set, not the part |
| EW bandwidth | 2–18 GHz flat | Broadband assemblies | Ripple is the figure of merit |
| Isolation | ≥ 90 dB typical | Shielded assemblies | Sets usable dynamic range |
| Temperature | -65 °C to +165 °C | Defence series | Active aperture thermal load |
Our Role
What We Supply for Radar and EW
01
Micro-Miniature Feeds
SSMP and SMP interfaces at the pitch a real aperture allows, in the detent variants the vibration spec demands.
02
Matched Feed Sets
Element feeds supplied as a phase-matched set with measured data, so the array is calibrated against known numbers.
03
Traceable Production
Lot traceability and material certificates throughout, which defence procurement requires as a condition of supply.
Selected Products
Interfaces for Arrays and Receivers
Typical starting points for radar and EW interconnect. Send us the pitch and the band and we will propose the feed.
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2.92mm Female 4-Hole Flange Mount RF Connector – Field Replaceable, 8.64mm Hole Spacing, 0.23mm Pin Diameter
$23.00 Add to cartQuick View -
SMP Male Smooth Bore RF Connector – Stub Terminal, Thread-In, Solder
$22.00 Add to cartQuick View -
SSMP Female to SSMP Female RF Adapter
$22.00 Add to cartQuick View -
SSMP Male Smooth Bore Coaxial Connector – Stub Terminal, Thread-In, Solder
$22.00 Add to cartQuick View
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Market Overview
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The full picture: ruggedised RF interconnect across radar, EW, airborne and guidance programmes.
Radar Engineering Support
Designing an Array Feed Network?
Send us the element pitch, the band and the phase tolerance, and our engineers will propose the interconnect.