DORNIER AND THOMSON-CSF have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate on the provision of future synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based airborne reconnaissance systems. The initial target for the Franco/German partnership is a proposal to supply the SARTO all-weather reconnaissance system for German air force Panavia Tornados. Dornier's Information and Communications Systems division will integrate the SAR system. The radar, which also has a limited moving-target-indicator capability, is based on technology originally developed for the SLAR 200, which the French air force has had in service since the late 1980s. Radar technology will be provided by Thomson-CSF and Dornier Sensor Systems. The company's hope to offer the reconnaissance technology for other applications in the future, including unmanned air vehicles.
Source: Flight International
