An array antenna has elements spaced less than one-half wavelength in order to produce a spatial pattern which has both visible and invisible regions. The elements in their nominal state are weighted so as to define particular sidelobe levels. In the presence of failed elements which might otherwise degrade the sidelobe levels, the element weighting function is compensated so as to preserve the sidelobe levels within the visible region of the antenna pattern by placing most or all of the degradation of the sidelobe levels into the invisible region of the antenna pattern.