Application Note: Design And Analysis Of A Proximity Fuse Antenna For An Air Defence Missile

Air defense missiles typically require a proximity fuse, priming the missile warhead to detonate when the missile is close enough to the target. One of the ways that such a proximity fuse can be implemented is with a small radar that is used in short-range low power mode. The antenna for such a radar requires relatively good gain in the main lobe and side lobe levels (SLL) that are well below the main lobe level. This antenna is mounted conformal to the airframe of the missile and has a main lobe squint angle directed towards the nose of the missile. This article demonstrates how a design for an applicable antenna may be created and simulated in its operating environment with two popular software applications.