RADAR Program

What Is It?

RADAR, an acronym for "Radio Detection And Ranging," is a method of locating distant targets by sending bursts of electromagnetic radiation and measuring their reflections. It can be used for determining both the location and speed of an object.

 

How Does It Work?

RADAR senses the environment by detecting and characterizing electromagnetic radiation that is reflected from objects within the environment. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) research has the objective of an affordable, fully automated network of timecoordinated mono-static, bi-static and passive surveillance sensors providing real-time tracking, identification, and engagement information with persistent wide area awareness.

 

What Will It Accomplish?

RADAR provides a long-range, all-weather, day/night capability to detect, locate, track, classify, identify, and engage traditional and irregular threats.

 

The Navy has long been a leader in recognizing, developing, and applying cutting edge radar system capabilities to seize and maintain tactical, operational, and strategic advantage. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) continues this legacy through fully automated, robust long range detection, tracking, classifi cation, identification, and engagement support to maintain America’s lead.

Recent examples include:  The APY-6 RADAR is the result of a multi-year effort that was initiated in ONR’s Discovery & Invention (D&I) program, and refined within Future Naval Capabilities(FNC), ultimately achieving more than 500 hours of operational and fleet testing prior to selection by the Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program. The system provides 360º maritime surveillance coupled with Synthetic Aperture, Inverse Synthetic Aperture, and High Range Resolution capabilities.

The concept for ONR’s Digital Array RADAR was initially developed within D&I and is currently maturing as an FNC effort to support CG(X). Although not yet complete, various research products have already substantially improved the design and performance of the AN/SPY-1, SPY-3, and SPQ-9B radars.

 

Research Opportunities:

  • Need for affordable high performance radars; RADAR comprises more than 50 percent of a modern combat system cost
  • Improve sensitivity, clutter rejection, and flexible energy management
  • Need for fully automated RADAR-based contact mensuration, feature extraction, and classification
  • Need to improve radar performance in the modern tactical environment, including: presence of man-made jamming and interference; unfavorable maritime conditions including sea surface propagation, and littoral land-sea interface; and unstable atmospheric and Ionosphere propagation effects

 

Michael Pollock
(703) 696-4202
michael.a.pollock@navy.mil

 

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