Lockheed Martin Completes Design Review for Tactical Reconnaissance and Counter-Conce

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Lockheed Martin Completes Design Review for Tactical Reconnaissance and Counter-Concealment Enabled Radar
UNITED STATES - 14 APRIL 2010

Podded Reconnaissance Radar Design Acceptable for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- A synthetic aperture radar system with the capability to operate in all types of weather, day or night, is one step closer to providing warfighters with high resolution reconnaissance imagery. A recent review has concluded that the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Tactical Reconnaissance and Counter-Concealment Enabled Radar (TRACER) system is acceptable for integration onto manned and unmanned aerial platforms.

“This milestone means that we can soon field this much needed ISR capability to those who need it most,” said Jim Quinn, Vice President with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Services-Defense. “By migrating this advanced sensor technology to unmanned aerial systems and other platforms, we can help warfighters combat contingency operations around the globe.”

The Critical Design Review (CDR) focused on the design and integration details associated with the radar's operation on an unmanned aerial system and concluded that the TRACER podded design is acceptable for use on the Predator B platform. The review was conducted for the United States Army Communications-Electronic Research Development and Engineering Center Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD). This successful CDR paves the way for the first flight of TRACER on an unmanned aerial vehicle scheduled for late summer.

TRACER addresses the Army’s critical need to detect enemy targets, equipment and facilities under obscuration. Incorporating both a VHF and UHF band within the synthetic aperture radar system, TRACER provides images to ground units in all-weather, day or night conditions. The system also incorporates provisions for a data link that allows airborne processed results to be down-linked to ground stations immediately.

The system’s design is predicated on Lockheed Martin’s proven foliage penetration (FOPEN) technology. FOPEN was developed specifically to detect vehicles, buildings, and large metallic objects in broad areas of dense foliage, forested areas, camouflage netting and wooded terrain.


Source: Lockheed Martin

The Critical Design Review (CDR) focused on the design and integration details associated with the radar's operation on an unmanned aerial system and concluded that the TRACER podded design is acceptable for use on the Predator B platform.

File Photos: U.S. MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) Hunter Killer UAV

 

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UAS Roadmap, Full-Spectrum CABs Hot Topics at Army Aviation Convention
UNITED STATES - 15 APRIL 2010

FORT WORTH, Texas --- Day one of the annual Army Aviation Association of America convention in Fort Worth, Texas, opened April 15 with remarks by AAAA president, retired Brig. Gen. Rod Wolfe, and a welcome from the host commander, Maj. Gen. William F. Grimsley, who serves as acting commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas.

Aviation Branch Chief Maj. Gen. James O. Barclay III gave opening remarks and introduced keynote speaker Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli.

Barclay gave an update on Aviation Study II, which reviewed the findings of a previous aviation study and helps chart the course for the future of the Aviation Branch.

One of the significant findings of the study is the Full-Spectrum Combat Aviation Brigade Design that will standardize the make-up of CABs over the next three to five years. The study recommended a modular design that delivers the maximum aviation capability in the most timely and flexible manner. The design includes unmanned aircraft systems, Barclay said.

Barclay said the proposed courses of action resulting from the study are due to the Office of the Secretary of Defense this month.

Barclay added that Army Aviation is moving rapidly and continuing to meet its challenges, and he encouraged attendees to be proud of the fact that that the Army supports the Army Aviation community.

"This team we've put together, this (Aviation) enterprise...we wouldn't be able to accomplish these things if we didn't do it with a team approach, to make things happen," he said.

Chiarelli announced the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap - the "game changer" document that serves as the way ahead for Army UAS for the next 25 years.

"We're integrating UAS into all our formations downrange...but I think the biggest thing to come out of this discussion is an opportunity to sit back and think about this idea of the full-spectrum combat aviation brigade - the ability to go ahead and integrate unmanned platforms along with manned platforms. That's the direction the Army's going," Chiarelli said.

He noted the nature of the roadmap is not budgetary or programmatic. Rather, it is a conceptual, or living document that captures where the Army is with UAS and how the systems will fit into formations in the future.

Chiarelli called the roadmap "truly a remarkable document" that required a "herculean effort" by many of the people who listened to him speak in the convention's ballroom.

"There have been many technologies introduced during this 8 1/2 years of war. However, I don't think any has made a greater impact than UAS. It's always important when you have a game changer like this that you step back, take some time to think about it and lay out your future. That's what we've tried to do in this very first UAS Roadmap," Chiarelli said.