Beam squint can affect phased-array SEW systems by causing what problem when bandwidth is broad?

• A. Increased data rate
• B. Reduced anti-jam power
• C. Longer mission duration
• D. Different steering angles for different frequencies

Answer: (D)

Beam squint happens when the phase differences used to steer a phased-array beam become frequency dependent. In a wideband system, each frequency component across the array sees a slightly different phase delay, so the direction where signals add constructively shifts with frequency. That means the beam points at one angle for some frequencies, another angle for others, causing the steering direction to differ across the bandwidth. This is exactly what the option describes: different steering angles for different frequencies. The other ideas—higher data rate, less anti-jam power, or longer mission time—don’t capture why the beam’s pointing changes with frequency in a wideband array.