ESA quadrant mechanical reconfiguration

A system for mechanically positioning an electronically scanned array (ESA) panel, comprising:

• at least two rotational ESA panels onboard an aircraft, the at least two rotational ESA panels configured for a rotation, the rotation at least about a vertical axis, the aircraft having a longitudinal axis;
• each of the at least two rotational ESA panels individually operational in a first azimuthal position having a first boresight and collectively operational in a second azimuthal position having a common boresight, the second azimuthal position of each of the at least two rotational ESA panels being equal, the first azimuthal position distant from the second azimuthal position by the rotation;
• an actuator coupled with each of the at least two rotational ESA panels, the actuator configured to mechanically cause the rotation;
• a radar display available to one of a pilot and an autopilot of the aircraft;
• a controller operatively coupled with each of the at least two rotational ESA panels and the actuator;
• a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored therein that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to:
• receive a rotation trigger for commanding the actuator to rotate the at least two rotational ESA panels, the rotation trigger one of:
• an altitude trigger, a mission trigger, and a threat trigger;
• command the actuator to rotate the at least two rotational ESA panels from the first azimuthal position to the second azimuthal position without stopping in an intermediate azimuthal position;
• electronically couple the at least two rotational ESA panels while in the second azimuthal position to coherently operate as a single aggregate ESA having the common boresight;
• receive a radar signal from the single aggregate ESA having the common boresight;
• display the radar signal on the radar display;
• receive a de-rotation trigger to rotate the at least two rotational ESA panels from the second azimuthal position to the first azimuthal position;
• and command the actuator to de-rotate the at least two rotational ESA panels from the second azimuthal position to the first azimuthal position.