ABSTRACT A 94‐GHz frequency‐modulated continuous‐wave radar system with an 8 × 8 focal‐plane array is developed. The angular coordinates of the object are determined from an image formed by a quasi‐optical objective at the focal plane, and the distance to the object is provided by the frequency‐modulated continuous‐wave radar technique. The influence of the frequency modulation waveform on the sensitivity of the radar system is theoretically and experimentally studied. An optimal choice of the modulation waveform leads to improving the detection range of the radar system up to about 100 m, which is comparable with the specification of other types of the millimeter‐wave array short‐range radar systems.