Innovative Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI) for Hypersonic Air Vehicles

ABSTRACT: A large number of innovative and state-of-the-art technologies are analyzed to determine their applicability Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar from a hypersonic platform. Particular attention is paid to the environment encountered by a radar integrated into a hypersonic platform. The applicability number of innovative techniques such as MIMO radar, unambiguous waveforms and Electronic-Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) and the associated signal processing to is analyzed. A trade study covering a wide range of radar hardware and software techniques is performed to determine the best hypersonic radar architecture. A preliminary system design is developed and its performance modeled, and a program plan recommended for the development of a hypersonic radar simulation. Technology gaps are identified and recommendations made for future technology development. Aspects of the resulting hypersonic design may be applicable to other high-altitude platforms and/or supersonic platforms and space-based radar systems. BENEFIT: In addition to hypersonic aircraft many of the results will benefit other high altitude, supersonic or spaced-based radar systems. Many such systems are used for civilian/commercial applications such as environmental modeling.