aesa radars using dual-axis multibeam...
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COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
Saudi Symposium for RADAR Technology,
December 10th 2014
Nico de Bruijn
Thales Netherlands B.V.
AESA radars using Dual-axis
Multibeam Scanning
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COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
Functionality
Operational
Use
Technical
innovation
AESA and
Digital beamforming per element
Dual Axis Multibeam
Forward-backward scanning
Active tracking
Multi-mission Sensor
Thales AESA Radars Overview
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Operational Use
Wider spectrum of targets - Challenges for radar design
Conflicting requirements to be solved in single radar mode
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Operational Use
From challenges to radar design (naval domain)
Slow targets Conventional targets
Doppler processing is used to separate targets from
clutter
Small &
SlowChallenge: to find small
targets in clutter
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Functionality
Scanning strategy
Interleaved waveforms optimised per velocity domain
LRS: long range, high velocity, high PRF
MRS: short/medium range, low velocity, low PRF (high PRT!)
Longer dwell time required!
Slow targets Conventional targets
burst
MRSLRS LRS MRS ……
𝑉𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑 = ∙𝑃𝑅𝐹
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Functionality
Dual-axis multibeam
Single-axis multibeam
(e.g. SMART-S)
Dual-axis multibeam
(new generation)
Simultaneous receive beams in
elevation
Simultaneous receive beams in
azimuth & elevation
Ground-range
Transmitbeam
Elevation
Simultaneousreceive beams
Variety of
configurations
Dual-axis multibeam:
Increase of dwell time for same scan rate
Increase in azimuth accuracy (monopulse-like measurement)
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Functionality
Dual axis multi-beam
Benefits:
Solves conflicting requirements in one mode:
Long observation time for slow targets in clutter environment
High update rate for fast and high manoeuvring targets
High accuracy & improved resolution in azimuth/elevation
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Functionality
Specific techniques used as applicable
Forward / backward scanning
allowing Active tracking: Fast track initiation High track accuracy Track continuity outside the search
coverage areas
Forward/Backward scanning allowing
more scan speeds with same antenna
rotation rate: Long range => slow scan speed Medium range => high scan speed
Implementation depends on product requirements
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Technology
AESA with full controlled array – why?
Beam offset
DBF per element
Enables broad beam patterns for
Dual Axis Multibeam
Low sidelobes during off-
boresight scanning (e.g. for
active tracking)
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Thales AESA philosophy
How it all is connected…
AESA array with
full control over all
elements
“True AESA”
Wide coverage
beams
……
Interleaf different
waveforms
Detect a wider spectrum
of targets in clutter
Dual-axis
multibeam
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First contract
1997 2007 2012 2013
APAR(X-band)
SM400(S-band)
SMART-L EWC(L-band)
NS100(S-band)
Thales long history in naval AESA radars
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Dutch OPV - SEA MASTER 400
SEA MASTER 400
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Operational Feedback Dutch OPV
Anti-drugs operation Caribbean
Anti-drugs: Zr Ms Holland caught ~10% of total maritime drug traffic of the
whole year in the Caribbean, according to US Coast Guard.
Spotted 6 small airplanes smuggling drugs (never seen before – performed
thanks to the SM400 radar)
Performed multiple SAR cases and Coast Guard tasks (law enforcement)
UAV operations
Zr Ms Holland worked with MALE UAV - Guardian (Predator B) system
operated by U.S. Coast Guard.
SM400 radar and Non-Rotating IFF performance was such, that U.S.
officers decided that Zr Ms Holland could operate as a stand-alone unit in
cooperation with Guardian UAVs.
First time that a non-U.S. ship was allowed to take on this role.
OPV joining “Joint Warrior” exercises near Scotland “spoiled” enemy
manoeuvres as sensors revealed all threats.
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NS100
NS100
In Development & Production
Surveillance
mode
Update
rate
Air
surveillance4 s
Active tracks ≤2 s
Surface gun
fire control2 s
High elevation search
Low elevation search
(Surface & Air)
+ 1 beam for SLB
Slow target search
(Surface & Air)
+ 1 beam for SLB
Display video/
FC surface surveillance
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SMART-L EWC
Expand into fast domain (BMD) (in production)
SMART-L EWCPoint
Defence
Early
warning
2000 km mode
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Conclusion
Dual axis multi-beam: Next generation surveillance radars
AESA is not a goal in itself but a means to an end
Generate razorsharp radar image
Expand velocity domain of targets
Different band radars in development & production