Sunday, September 22, 2013

UAVs Unleashed | 2013-08-15 | Microwave Journal

UAVs Unleashed | 2013-08-15 | Microwave Journal
Interesting overview of UAV technology. The Predator C payload may include the Lynx radar or an AESA radar, but I doubt you could fit both in the nose radome without using a pod and compromising RCS. The UCLASS variant of Predator C (Sea Avenger) may be larger. GA has reported work on an X band AESA for "due regard" or "sense and avoid" which would need to be cover the forward hemisphere to support the UCLASS mission.

The Lynx Ku band radar was actually originally designed by Sandia in the mid 90's, which has done several other SAR/GMTI radars since. It is not low RCS at all, with a large reflector dish, and its characteristic chirp emission is easily detected. Processing will need to be upgraded to handle the higher speed of a jet platform compared to the prop driven Predator A & B. GMTI, particularly at broadside squint, may have high MDV when operating at jet speed.

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