Modeling and Simulation Technologies to Support Physics Based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar Models in Training Systems

ABSTRACT: This SBIR will develop and demonstrate an innovative modeling solution, STADIUM, to accurately represent Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) and related radar techniques (Track-While-Scan, multiple antenna beams, interleaved multiple modes, and RF and/or PRF agility) and their interaction with advanced jammer technologies such as DRFMs in Distributed and networked Training Simulations. This solution includes Waveform Interactive Model and Platform Utilization models and timelines to handle the interactions between various platforms and within systems on a single platform. It includes the capability to address non-radar like functions in an AESA such as i) passive detection for Electronic Support Measures, ii) active Electronic Attack and iii) high gain, narrow beam communication links. Specific objectives of Phase I are to identify an innovative approach to model AESA radars and their complex interactions with DRFM jammers in distributed simulations. An initial concept for a generic AESA constructive simulation for interactive demonstration will be developed. Prototype interactive standards for these simulations will be identified. In the Phase II effort, a prototype system is developed and demonstrated to proof the concept of the generic AESA functionality coupled with several instantiations of DRFM jammers and targets to fully exercise the models in a multiple target environment. BENEFIT: The key benefits this integrated multiple ASEA and the DRFM jammer model interactive simulation approach provides to the government are 1) Minimized traffic on simulation networks by filtering Electronic Emission (EE) PDUs, or similar messages, generated by agile emitters and advanced jammers. 2) Minimized performance impacts on traditional simulators by eliminating the need to process and evaluate all EE PDUs unless they are emissions of interest. 3) An electromagnetic emissions simulation environment"a Waveform Interaction Manager (WIM) - to manage the distribution, interaction, and evaluation of electromagnetic emissions between local agile emitter and advanced jammer simulators and external simulation systems as they adapt and change over time a. Dynamically applies effectiveness models of different fidelity levels between electromagnetic emissions of emitters and jammers to determine the success or failure of specific jamming techniques. b. Can be extended by third-party effectiveness models that can be selectively or dynamically applied to certain emitter-jammer interactions. c. Has the ability to model additional real-world effects including but not limited to occlusion, multi-path, propagation losses, or spectral warping. 4) Generic capability and architecture to model AESA radars, active phased array radars, and other agile scanning radars, and DRFM and other advanced radar jamming systems whose technical parametrics, performance data, attributes, and signal parameters are user-defined or derived from repositories such as EWIRDB, KILTING, or NGES. 5) Can represent AESA capabilities for passive detection and directed electronic attack as part of an integrated multi-system platform. 6) Interacts with other simulation entities or external components to present user interfaces and controls for agile radars, advanced jammers, and ESM systems. 7) A distributed system that can be expanded horizontally to add additional processing power to grow with distributed simulation needs and can be expanded vertically to manage different spectrums or mediums depending upon specific computational complexity. 8) Can integrate with legacy emitter and jammer simulation systems. 9) An Integrated approach of physics-based, rules-based and effects-based models Potential commercial applications include all DoD EW / Radar Distributed Training Simulations and networked training systems. RAS will apply our corporate commercialization strategy of developing key algorithms and processes instantiated in real-time software modules or FPGA cores as IP for use in ongoing and future programs. Our goal is to provide an easy transition path to insert advanced algorithms and concepts into COTS or Non-Developmental Items and enable their use in open architecture, rapid deployment applications. The end-items are can be licensed or sold individually to either the government and / or other contractors. Customer or application dependent interfaces are funded separately as part of the production program. This enables a more rapid transition to operational use without the need for a small company to develop the manufacturing or testing logistics best handled by larger companies. If the proposed concept gains traction within the training community, the opportunities for the AESA / DRFM interaction and platform modeling paradigm will grow significantly. RAS will actively pursue, with the COTR, such a training capability in several regions within the United State to produce a cost-effective capability to maximize critical combat training opportunities. Potential candidates include the thirteen Primary Training Ranges (PTRs) consist of Electronic Combat Ranges, Electronic Scoring Sites, and Bombing and Gunnery Ranges at locations throughout the continental United States. Initial targets will be the training system at Nellis AFB and the Utah Test and Training Range, along with any training facility in which large threat simulations such as XCITE are significant elements in the training experience. From there, we will expand to other electronic combat ranges. One other interesting application is the modeling and training of operators for Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs). These remotely piloted sensor-and-weapons systems will play an increasingly important role as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, including the ability to penetrate IADS such as might be in modeled in an interactive simulation. As EA and ES functions (in addition to other existing sensors) are added to such platforms, the concept developed herein will be able to directly applied via the platform manager and interactive waveform concept to extend training to these operators. On the commercial side, the technologies developed can support simulations for civilian communications and FAA training systems. Emergency response is one such application.