In 1952, Sanders Associates, Inc., worked with McDonnell Aircraft Company to develop a radar using phased array concepts. This led to the PANoramic Array Radar (PANAR) contract with the U.S. Air Force. Its key design element—multibeam phased arrays—is the basis of present-day radar defense and surveillance systems.
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.