Handheld Real-Aperture Radar and EO Fusion for LO Vehicle RCS Verification in Uncontrolled Environments

Portable RCS verification systems that can be forward-deployed with low-observable (LO) aircraft, offer the potential to dramatically improve aircraft survivability and mission effectiveness. Modern LO aircraft with short- or vertical takeoff capabilities are designed to operate effectively without the need for runways and other facilities. Such an operational environment presents unique challenges to RCS verification equipment. ALPHATECH, and its subcontractor, ATK-Mission Research Corporation (MRC), understand these issues and propose a systematic design study that leverages our combined experience. ALPHATECH and MRC propose: Real aperture: We will investigate replacing SAR operation and processing with a real aperture approach. This approach may solve the challenges of data collection, motion compensation, image processing, and association of measurements with specifications. Miniature RF components: We plan to use RF components developed by the cell phone and wireless communications industry in our radar design. These components are small, cheap, efficient, and provide the building block to generate low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) waveforms. Radar/EO fusion: We will use a boresighted video camera to aid association of RCS imagery with an aircraft wireframe, RCS specifications, and previous RCS images.