A new configuration of a compact low profile tapered antenna array has been proposed to reduce the first side lobe level (FSLL) in both the orthogonal planes using a small number of non-identical rectangular microstrip antenna (RMSA) elements. The tapering coefficients corresponding to Cosine-Square distributions over pedestal have been used to realize amplitude tapering in both the orthogonal planes of an array for suppressed side lobe levels. FSLL of -17.5 dB in the E-plane and -15 dB in the H-plane is practically achieved. The simulated results are verified experimentally, which are in agreement.