Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensor

The Advanced Enclosed Mast / Sensor (AEM / S ) is a program of the United States Navy, which aims to reduce the radar cross section of warships.

Such Advanced Enclosed Mast / Sensor is around 28 meters high and the extent of up to 10.6 meters thick structure, are housed in the radars. It is octagonal in shape and is made of composite materials that transmit radar beams at the frequencies used. The absence of conventional pole or lattice towers particularly reduces the radar cross-section, also the plants from wind and salt water are protected, which reduces the necessary maintenance.

The program has been running since 1995. 1997 was installed a prototype of the system in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on the Spruance destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford (DD -968 ). The first regular use of the AEM / S will take place on the ships of the San Antonio class that hold two such towers.