Range Instrumentation Radar Roadmap

Tim Boolos

Ira Ekhaus

Mike Kurecki

BAE Systems Instrumentation Products and Sustainment

Introduction

• Ground Based Test Instrumentation is the foundation of Test and Evaluation on Ranges throughout the World

• Monopulse Tracking Radar • Long history of providing precision metric data for airborne test objects as

well as providing primary range safety support

• More complex tracking scenarios in today’s missions• Requires new technology is moving forward to fill the gaps

Starting Point• Test ranges began in the 1940s

• Among the first instrumentation test radars was the repurposed SCR-854 (Set, CompleteRadio or Signal Corps Radio)

• Gun directing radar using first practical cavity magnetron

• Automated tracking mode employing Bell Labs M9 automated computer

• S-band, 4 degree beamwidth, 1 mil (0.06 deg) AZ/EL accuracy

• 250 kW, Conical Scan for tracking, helical scan for search

http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/historic/nws/wea01233.htm

Monopulse Trackers• Test ranges moved from repurposed tactical sensors to special to

purpose Test Instrumentation Radars

• Among the first of these was the FPS-16 developed by NRL and RCA beginning in the late 40’s

• About 10 times more accurate than the previous repurposed Tactical Radars

• Addition of beacon track mode• Extended maximum tracking range• Increased accuracy

• High power magnetron for echo track

• Lower power, tunable magnetron for beacon track Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12067886

Improvements to Range Instrumentation

• 1970’s Range Instrumentation Radars • Improved with computational improvements• Digital trajectory acquisition• Higher frequency radar for improved range discrimination

• 1980’s radar improvements included data recording for post processing “no drop” bomb scoring

• 1990’s improvements included Digital Moving Target Indication (DMTI)• Digital backplanes augmented data capacity • Computer-controlled optics were integrated • All solid-state 1 Megawatt modulator

• Early 2000’s advances • Networked operation• Multi-source correlation of TSPI data• Remote control of full suites of Range Instruments

• Instrumentation capability has expanded • Wide Band Imaging Radars• Low-Cost Velocity Domain Trackers • Automated Optical Tracking Systems

Test Range Missions Were Evolving

• More complex tracking scenarios:• Higher velocity weapons• Longer range weapons and targets• Stealth• Multiple target of interest• Frequency encroachment• Safety – tracking/operational/personnel

• Instrumentation considerations:• Mobile or relocatable systems• Remote control• Move to latest technologies

• Increased data storage/net-centric/data fusion/HD video

• Challenges• Fixed and aging assets• Obsolescence & sustainment• Cyber security• Budget

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Complex Multi-Tier Mission

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• Critical:• Deep range coverage• Multiple-object track capability• Track surface objects with clutter• Non-cooperative or cooperative tracking• Non-interference with weapons systems• Discriminate targets • Early acquisition• Range safety update rate • Product safety• Cyber security

• Desirable:• Track exo-atmospheric vehicles• Remote operability• Mobility• Fully coherent radar• Waveform agility for added range discrimination

Evolving Range Missions

• 1998 the Range Commander’s Council in the US surveyed the future testing needs and range capabilities

• The original envisioned an “Ultimate Instrumentation Radar”

• In 2013 The RCC Roadmap was revised to acknowledge that no single Radar would fulfill all range needs – a family of radars types and capabilities was envisaged• The primary unfilled need was a modern affordable multiple object tracking

radar with high TSPI accuracy

Constraints on Multiple Object Tracking Radars

• Principles of phased array antennas• Known since 1909 when Karl Ferdinand Braun included in his Nobel Lecture

• Tactical systems now incorporate massive phased arrays • Capable of tracking many targets with a fire control quality track

• Limitations make the tactical transition to range use problematic• Size, weight, and power

• Ranges continue developing capabilities data products based on their customers’ testing needs• Increasing accuracies• Flexible configurations• Rapid deployment

iMOTR: Interferometric Multiple Object Tracking Radar

• Range of Technology Tools is being applied to the Radar Range Challenge

1. Extended Baseline Interferometry with advanced waveform and ambiguity suppression

2. Technology Borrowed from MTI (Moving Target Indicator) and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar)

3. Advanced Kinematic Trackers and Visualization Tools

4. Target, radar and performance models Next-Gen range experiment design software

Comparative Technology Options

• Using the Technologies in the RCC Radar Roadmap

• System technology performance evaluated against the following criteria:

• All weather

• Interoperable – frequency deconfliction

• Velocity based acquisition and tracking

• TSPI level accuracy

• Independent multiple targets

• Clutter rejection sea surface

• Full Range at Large Open Air Range

• Full Range at Smaller Munitions Range

• Early acquisition

• RCC 262-14 beacon tracking

• Discriminate targets in velocity, range and angle

• Remotely operable

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Technology Options Compared To Requirements

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SuperiorExcellentGoodMarginalUnacceptable

EO CTR/EO CW DopplerCurrent

MonopulsePulse Doppler

Digital Beamforming

ArrayiMOTR

All Weather

Interoperable

Velocity Based Acquisition and Tracking

TSPI Level Accuracy

Independent Multiple Targets

Clutter Rejection Sea Surface

Full Range At Large Open Air Ranges

Full Range At Smaller Munitions Ranges

Early Acquisition

RCC 262-14 Beacon Tracking

Discriminate Targets in Velocity, Range

AND Angles

Overall Rating

Test Missions Mapped to Supporting Technologies

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SuperiorExcellentGoodMarginalUnacceptable

EO CTR/EO CW DopplerCurrent

Monopulse Pulse DopplerDigital

Beamforming Array

iMOTR

Air to Surface Weapons Firing

Artillery and Missile

UAS Development T&E

Large Scale Air-to-Air

Large Scale Air-to-Surface

Large Scale Surface-to-Air

Large Scale Surface-to-Surface

Large Scale Complex Multi-Tier

Overall Rating

Summary

• Multi-Object Tracker using Interferometric Processing of AESA• Major step up in capability for ranges

• Allowing versatile addressing of range needs

• Upgraded monopulse tracking radars• Cost-effective way to maintain basic capability and range safety

• Electro-optical systems and velocity domain trackers• Augment the data products

• Provide acquisition aide

• iMOTR offers the mix of measurement capability and versatility

iMOTR – Next Step on the Range Instrumentation Roadmap