Electronic trajectory measurements group the radar roadmap
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- MOTR vis-à-vis the Multiple-Object UIR
- The Radar Roadmap (i.e., the plan)
Real-Time Control. In real-time, the MO-UIR will be controlled in a variety of ways. First, it will be controlled in general by a human operator. Second, it will be controlled by the radar control language which will be programmed and activated by the human operator. Third, it will be guided by an expert system. Fourth, it will be synchronized with other radars by a central control facility so that the high-duty pulses of one radar do not interfere with another radar. And fifth, it's overall operation and data products, raw or finished, will be coordinated by the central control facility in charge of the test. Data from all sensors will be collected and fused in real-time at a central site. (Applicable to SOT and CW.)Reliability. The MO-UIR will be designed and built to be reliable, -- both the equipment and the calibration of the radar. Present instrumentation radars are maintained and operated by highly skilled on-site technicians who are constantly repairing and/or calibrating to keep the radar in top condition. Future radars will have to be more reliable because (1) they may have to be operated remotely and (2) the number of highly-skilled technicians will be reduced to reduce labor costs. Improved reliability will mean added initial costs but the engineering to achieve the reliability is straightforward. A reliable design should also use modular units, as this eases maintenance and improves the availability of the system. The design should also avoid, as much as possible, components or subsystems that the marketplace does not support. The use of reliable, modular, and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components should be a goal of new radar subsystem designs. (Applicable to SOT and CW.)Polarization Diversity. The MO-UIR probably will not have polarization diversity. It would be extremely difficult to implement in a phased array. It may be used in some SOTs, however, where measurement of polarization is important to the test (e.g., verifying missile seeker characteristics). (Applicable to SOT.)MOTR vis-à-vis the Multiple-Object UIRThe first Multiple Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) was designed in the mid-80s and delivered to WSMR more than a decade ago. If a MOTR were to be built today using the original specifications, it would be out of date. However, MOTR has been almost continuously improved since it became operational. All four DOD MOTRs have been modified to track 40 objects, whereas the original MOTR could only track 10. The system PRF has been increased from 1280 to 2560 samples per second. New data recording systems and new computers have been installed. The capability of recording multiple range gates, for measuring miss distance and characterizing debris after intercept, has been incorporated. And new improved calibration software has been added. All of these improvements should be folded into any MOTR that is purchased in the future. Ongoing MOTR studies and prototype developments will further increase the MOTR's capabilities. Coherent clutter rejection, aelotropic tracking filters, Doppler tracking, wide bandwidth and semi-automated operator consoles are either under development or have been extensively studied. All of these improvements can be added to any new MOTR with very little additional development. Thus, the MOTR, rather than being an obsolete radar has been modernized as we've gone along. It is now the state-of-the-art mobile multiple-object instrumentation radar, and is fully capable of meeting the requirements of many test and training ranges. MOTR now has (or will have) many of the key elements of the MO-UIR, -- features such as multiple-object tracking, full coherence and multiple range gates. It's not yet a MO-UIR, since it does not have an active array, digital beam forming, wide bandwidth, and so on, but if it continues to be systematically improved, it can be expected to evolve into an MO-UIR. In fact, it is our belief that all MOTR improvements should, as much as possible, incorporate features of the MO-UIR, while avoiding features that are incompatible with it. The Radar Roadmap (i.e., the plan)This plan addresses what we see as the relevant radar solutions to the perceived requirements of 10, 20, and 30 years into the future. It includes many excellent cost-effective solutions that are already in existence, and it includes various developments that are needed to meet the more stringent requirements anticipated for the future. Multiple-Object Ultimate Instrumentation Radar (MO-UIR). The MO-UIR will take several years to develop and should be pursued as a tri-service effort. The development of the active phased array, with digital beam forming, should be begun immediately because it is the highest risk, longest lead time item. An operational radar should be possible within ten years. MO-UIR developments should be closely coordinated with the MOTR developments, working toward the point where the two converge (i.e., where any MOTR can be upgraded to become an MO-UIR). Designing for ultra reliability should be a very high priority.Multiple-Object Trackers. Where requirements now exist for multiple-object trackers, the modernized MOTR should be purchased. It is a very versatile radar, capable of tracking forty objects and collecting data in multiple range gates. It is a fully coherent, 1 MW radar with system PRF of 2560 and pulse widths of ¼, ½, 1, 3 1/8, 12½ and 50 µs. Its major deficiency is the lack of bandwidth (i.e., range resolution). It is also a very costly radar, but the cost varies considerably with the number purchased. The manufacturer has recently quoted the following prices: $30M for one, $50M for two ($25M apiece) and $60M for three ($20M apiece). The three services should go together to purchase at least three MOTRs so the price savings can be realized. Actually, we have already identified the need for 7 to 9 additional MOTRs: WSMR, NM (2), ESMC at Cape Canaveral, FL (1), WSMC at VAFB, CA (1), NAWC at Pt Mugu, CA (1 or 2), PMRF at Barking Sands, HI (1 or 2), and AFWTF at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico (1).Existing MOTR-class radars will have to be updated, particularly in the console and computer areas. The consoles need to be completely replaced and the computers need additional processing capability. It would also be wise to separate the basic radar functions from the control functions, and put them on separate computers. Therefore, the three services should arrange for an on-going product improvement program for the MOTRs. This program would prevent obsolescence such as has occurred with the consoles and provide improvements such as was done in adding in the 124 range gates. The MOTR product improvement program will also provide some of the early development for the MO-UIR. In fact, all of the advanced technologies except the active array and digital beam forming could be incorporated through relatively straightforward engineering in the next few years. The MOTR is already fully coherent so no development is needed here. Automated setup and calibration have been incorporated to a large extent but will be increased. High range resolution, including digital waveform generation, and radar control language have been studied for implementation. Real-time data recording, processing and display and real-time control will naturally grow as the high range resolution and radar control language are implemented. And improved reliability -- both equipment and calibration -- should be a high priority for all upgrades. Directory: RCCsite -> Documents -> 265-06(Supp) Radar%20Transponder%20Antenna%20Sys%20Eval%20Handbook 265-06(Supp) Radar%20Transponder%20Antenna%20Sys%20Eval%20Handbook -> Range safety group range safety criteria for unmanned air vehicles white sands missile range Documents -> Certification process white sands missile range kwajalein missile range Download 0.55 Mb. Share with your friends:
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