Radiation patterns of an N x N microstrip array mounted on a cylindrical body are analyzed using a full-wave approach. Theoretical results are also verified by the experiments. A significant curvature effect on the radiation pattern in the roll plane is observed, with the sidelobe level strongly dependent on the cylinder radius. On the other hand, the curvature effect on the radiation pattern in the axial direction is small and can be neglected. Details of the results are presented and discussed. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.