Combat Controller (SOF) Parasitic Radar & Optical Fusion for Contested Airspace C2

Parasitic radar, a passive radar system, represents a highly advanced solution for austere air traffic control, especially in low-visibility and contested environments. This technology will utilize electromagnetic signals generated by jamming in GPS-denied environments, transforming potential threats into valuable data sources for air traffic control and situational awareness. By integrating parasitic radar with Thrust AI's Hybrid AI-Driven Radar and Optical Sensor Platform (“Harpo”) multi-spectral sensor suite, we enhance situational awareness through continuous, real-time tracking of airborne and ground targets, thereby improving safety and efficiency in terminal airspace at austere airfields. Parasitic radar systems exploit existing electromagnetic signals, such as commercial broadcasts and cellular networks. When jamming signals are introduced, they increase the ambient electromagnetic signals available for passive radar use. These signals, typically meant to disrupt GPS, can be harnessed by parasitic radar to detect and track objects, autonomously tasking Harpo’s optical sensors for operators.Harpo will utilize parasitic radar to detect reflections of ambient signals off objects like aircraft and vehicles. In GPS-denied environments with prevalent jamming signals, Harpo processes these strong signals, analyzing time delay, Doppler shift, and other characteristics to determine the position and velocity of objects accurately. The system can track multiple targets simultaneously by distinguishing between various jamming signal sources and their reflections, crucial for managing air traffic in terminal airspace at austere airfields. Harpo enhances its capabilities by integrating parasitic radar with electro-optical infrared (EOIR) sensors, computer vision (CV), and natural language processing (NLP). This fusion provides a comprehensive situational awareness solution, allowing for precise object identification and tracking even in GPS-denied conditions. The hybrid integration ensures robust detection, classification, and real-time tracking of targets, enhancing operational readiness and safety. Research has demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of parasitic radar in various applications. Advanced jamming techniques, such as smart noise convolution jamming, can be countered by parasitic radar, which uses signal processing to extract useful information from the noise. Additionally, methods like convolutional neural networks and fractional Fourier transform-based techniques improve the recognition and utilization of jamming signals for radar systems. Harpo will incorporate these advanced techniques to enhance its performance in complex electromagnetic environments.