The insane engineering of the F-35 AESA radars!

We use the announcement of the APG-85 to replace the APG-81 as an excuse to dive a bit deeper into AESA radars and their properties.

Enjoy!

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[ronbridegroom]

As an engineer involved in the design and production of the APG-65 Radar (flat plate antenna) I am really appreciating you great explanation of AESA antennas.

[BasedF-Pilot]

I'm an F-15C pilot. Believe it or not, the APG-63v3 radars are significantly better for air to air missions than the APG-81 1. more TRMs and 2. no air to ground TRMs. Multi-role radars hamstring the air to air effectiveness of detecting and tracking. Size real estate (# of TRMs) is also a big factor, as you covered in your video. These advantages routinely allow jets with the biggest radars to shoot down opponents before opponents were even aware they were in danger, as AIM-120 doesn't alert the other jet's RWR until it goes pitbull. This is one of the biggest reasons for the push for data links, allowing smaller jets to get information from AWACS or larger jets. There is a reason why Owls have huge eyes. Bigger is better. Bigger airframes also have more space for cooling. We also maneuver better in the cons (thin air above 30k feet) because big wings catch and hold more air. F-16 and F-35 skate around like a hot knife through butter up high.

[craigwroth]

Wow, I am an electronics engineer and I learnt something. A+++ technical video. So I think this should be part of the training for real pilots.

[arthurwilliamson]

Another excellent video. Thank-you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[ftboomer]

AESA can also be a communication antenna. Great video. Thank you!

[chadbernard]

Great episode, I enjoy the longer ones much more. So much more knowledge to be gained from these kind of in depth episodes.

[davidkillens]

Thank you very much. I know I can never be an expert on this field, but this one video has expanded my knowledge of radars by a quantum level. I will have to watch this video a few times to digest everything and come to a basic understanding, but it will be worth the time and effort. Once again, thank you for this video.

I have a folder in my bookmarks named "Science and Understanding", and this one video now resides there.

[MostlyPennyCat]

There was a paper with a subsequent practical implementation for active self-interference cancellation, allowing simultaneous transmit and receive on the same antenna.
Uses similar techniques to noise cancelling earphones.
No doubt this is already in the latest radars.

[mimas]

It was absolutely splendid presentation Mill 7! One of my favorites on your entire channel.

[cliffordterry]

Always among the most informative videos to watch, and yet, entertaining as well. Thank You!

[phelansa]

I love the way you present very complex information in a way anybody can understand. Great video. Thank you.

[cannonfodder]

A simply superb explanation of radar technology. Summed it up in 17 minutes and in a way even dumb old me could understand.

Wonderful video.

[dirtyfnd]

Thank you so much for this. I have always been so curious how these systems work. You have provided such a clear and concise explanation that's easily digestible. You are a boss!

[scaling_slav]

Excellent video, I'm in no way an expert, just like to know more about fighterjet technology, and I understood everything here, which is a sign of your superb skill to transfer the knowledge. Thank you

[evilpandakillabzonattkoccu]

I LOVE tis channel! I've been obsessed with aircraft since I was kid and this channel keeps that obsession alive!

Thanks for posting such in depth information!

[amzalkamel]

The next step on fighter radars is digital beamforming which was impossible until recently due to size and weight constraints but electronics miniaturization has done it's thing...though I wanted to see your take on the APG-85 like you said in the title, but it maybe for the next video

[NonEuclideanTacoCannon]

GaN is pretty exciting stuff. For example, the old motor controller on my electric motorcycle was standard silicon, it was heavy and about the size of a tissue box. It overheated and died. New one features GaN components. It's 1/4 the size and weight, with an extra 1000 watts output. Similarly, my new phone charger block is the size of a standard iPhone charger, but charges at 65 watts.

[Vikingca]

Once again an extremely complex topic lucidly explained. Bravo and thank you.

[michaeldenesyk]

Bravo! Great presentation and masters class on what is out there!

[sirdamianmental]

Outstanding thanks I worked on OTH radars in a different life but I nearly understood some of that ! A credit to your ability to explain mind melting concepts to the less mentally agile.