Support apparatus for an active aperture radar antenna

A radar antenna, comprising:

• a plurality of radiating elements for transmitting microwave signals;
• heat sink means coupled to said radiating elements;
• and
• a plurality of modules for producing said microwave signals, said plurality of modules being removably attachable to said heat sink means wherein said modules are both cooled by said heat sink means and electrically coupled to said radiating elements when said plurality of modules are selectively attached to said heat sink means.

An active aperture radar antenna comprising:

• a plurality of T/R modules for producing and processing microwave signals;
• a plurality of radiating elements electrically coupled to said modules, for transmitting said microwave signals toward a target object and receiving signals reflected from said target object;
• and
• support means for supporting said modules and said radiating elements in predetermined relative positions, said support means including a first external surface in supporting contact with said radiating elements and a second external surface in supporting contact with said modules, and said support means defining at least one flow passage disposed between said external surfaces, wherein said support means is actively cooled by the flow of coolant through said flow passage.