Munitions Research, SAR" For AFRL MNG"

AF03-143 (SAR) for AFRL, MNG BranchThe US Air Force has a desire to place a SAR seeker on a LOCAAS type munition. The resolution that is sought for full weapon's effectiveness is that currently achieved in UAV SARs and not currently practical or affordable on a munitions platform. One ofthe key driving requirements is the SAR antenna and processing algorithms. FIRST RF Corporation in conjunction with Dr. Soumekh is proposing an innovative design for both that has the potential to be the enabling technology to reach the Air Force visionof a high resolution low cost SAR. This technology is fully complementary with ongoing SAR efforts at AFRL. Advanced Signal Processing techniques and ever improving signal processors present the opportunity to consider alternate synthetic aperture radarantenna systems, eliminating the need for active electronically scanned or mechanically scanned antenna systems. The focus of this effort is the study and design of antenna systems and associated signal processing for future weapon systems and munitions.The proposed SAR sensor can be configured to process in SAR and Moving Target Indication (MTI) modes, which enables the same sensor to be used for acquiring and tracking, stationary and moving mobile/re-locatable targets. Overall, the benefits of a SARseeker for a PGM application are clear but the implementation on the munition size platform to date has been the challenge. The desire is for a small size (6