A cylindrical array employs rectangular planar array segments which extend in the axial direction when assembled on a cylindrical conducting plate having flat longitudinal portions to which the planar array segments are attached. Each planar array segment comprises two columns of planar transducer elements with each column extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. The acoustic center of each transducer lies on the circumference of a right circular cylinder. The acoustical requirements of a cylindrical array are satisfied to allow multiple beams to be formed with a minimum of complexity and with the same versatility as in the curved array segment cylindrical array embodiment.