Terahertz Sensing for Situation Awareness

The U.S. Army's vision for Robotic Combat Vehicles (RCVs) as a game-changer in warfare is contingent on overcoming current limitations in autonomous vehicle technology, especially in sensing capabilities. Existing technologies like cameras, LiDAR, and 77GHz radar are limited by adverse weather and lighting conditions. These challenges are exacerbated in off-road conditions, with issues like dust and vegetation obstructing sensors. To address these limitations and enhance vehicles like RCV, NGCV, and ATV-S, TeraDAR, in partnership with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (LM MFC), is working to improve sensor data output for integration with LM MFCÆs CAPSA system. TeraDAR developed a new terahertz (THz) high-resolution imaging radar on a chip, a groundbreaking technology offering advanced, all-weather perception capabilities. This solid-state, low-cost system functions effectively in various environmental conditions, such as rain, snow, fog, and varying light, due to its flexible, high-frequency phased array sensor system that combines optical and RF properties. This advancement is pivotal in making autonomous military vehicles viable in diverse and challenging environments.