Definition
An antenna made up of many small radiating elements arranged in a fixed pattern, where the direction of the transmitted or received beam is steered electronically by adjusting the timing (phase) of the signal at each element rather than by physically moving the antenna.
Plain English
An antenna built from many small pieces working together. Instead of swinging the dish around to point the beam, the system slightly delays the signal at each piece, and those delays add up to aim the beam in whatever direction is needed.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft radar and other electronic systems that need to aim a signal quickly and accurately.
Derivation
Phase refers to the timing of a wave -- where it is in its up-and-down cycle. Array means an organized group. So a phased array is a group of antennas whose signal timing is coordinated to shape and steer the beam.
Why Pilots Care
Electronic beam steering allows faster scanning, greater reliability, and reduced mechanical wear compared with traditional rotating antennas.
Analogy
Picture a row of people clapping. If they all clap at exactly the same instant, the sound travels straight ahead. If each person claps a fraction of a second later than the one before, the wave of sound angles off to one side. A phased array steers radio beams the same way, by timing rather than movement.
Grounding Statement
Picture a flat antenna panel that points its radio beam by changing signal timing inside the panel, not by rotating the panel itself.
Intuition Check
“Phased” does not mean the antenna is installed in phases or stages. Here it means the timing of the radio waves is controlled so their combined signal points where the system needs it.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft's new weather radar uses a phased array antenna, so the beam scans the sky electronically without the dish having to swivel.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight inspection the technician verified that all phase shifters in the phased array antenna were functioning within tolerance.