Antenna alignment fixture

An alignment apparatus for aligning an elevation system of a radar array antenna comprising:

• a generally planar, rigid frame for mounting to a front face of the antenna;
• first, second and third legs rigidly attached to said rigid frame and configured to rigidly attach to the antenna;
• a flexible member associated with said rigid frame;
• a fourth leg associated with said flexible member and configured to rigidly attach to the antenna;
• an optical source;
• and
• a target,
• wherein one of said optical source and said target is associated with said flexible member,
• wherein the other of said optical source and said target is associated with said rigid frame, and
• wherein said optical source and said target are configured to cooperatively indicate any misalignment of said flexible member relative to said rigid frame.

A method for adjusting planar alignment of a front face of a radar array antenna, the method comprising the steps of:

• rigidly mounting an alignment apparatus spanning across the front face of the antenna, said antenna being in a stowed position, wherein said alignment apparatus comprises:
• a rigid frame configured to be mounted to said antenna;
• first, second, and third legs rigidly associated with said rigid frame;
• a fourth leg flexibly associated with said rigid frame;
• a flexible member for flexibly associating said fourth leg with said rigid frame, said flexible member being flexible relative to said rigid frame,
• an optical source;
• and
• a target,
• wherein, one of said optical source and said target is associated with said flexible member and the other of said optical source and said target is associated with rigid frame,
• causing an actuator to raise the antenna from said stowed position to a generally deployed position;
• causing said optical source to emit a light beam generally toward said target;
• and
• if said light beam is not incident upon said target, further causing said actuator to adjust the position of the antenna until said light beam is incident upon said target.