monopulse tracking radar

technology

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Monopulse tracking radar is a highly accurate radar system that determines a target's angular direction by comparing signals from multiple simultaneous receiving beams. These beams are slightly offset from the antenna's central axis, allowing the system to pinpoint a target's location with precision, often to within a fraction of a degree.1

Developed after World War II, monopulse radar was a significant advancement in tracking technology. By the 1950s, systems like the AN/FPS-16 demonstrated angular accuracy of about 0.1 milliradian. This technology is crucial for automatically following a single target to determine its trajectory and predict its future path.213

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Robert Morris Page
He invented the monopulse tracking radar, which is still the preferred approach for precision tracking radars and for military applications. He also obtained the patent on the widely used plan position indicator (PPI) radar display, which provides the location and direction of a target on a maplike presentation…
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He invented the monopulse tracking radar, which is still the preferred approach for precision tracking radars and for military applications. He also obtained the patent on the widely used plan position indicator (PPI) radar display, which provides the location and direction of a target on a maplike presentation…
Read More