Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Northrop Grumman plans to demonstrate bistatic-radar airborne early warning to extend the range of the Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
Using the company's Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV) as a receive-only platform in a bistatic-radar application would "almost double the range of the AWACS", says Bill Adams, vice- president of Northrop Grumman's Airborne Surveillance Systems' business, which manufactures the APY-2 AWACS radar.
Radar returns from targets beyond the detection range of the AWACS would be received by the Global Hawk and relayed back to the E-3. The UAV would be positioned at the limit of the AWACS detection capability to extend its effective range. The technique could also be used to circumvent jamming, Adams says.
Further in the future, he says, the bistatic approach could allow E-3s and Global Hawks to see targets illuminated by a space-based radar.
The US Air Force is funding a technology demonstration effort under which Northrop Grumman will fly company-funded bistatic-radar hardware and software on its BAC One-Eleven testbed in the second quarter, "transitioning to the Global Hawk by year-end", says Adams. For the demonstration, the test aircraft will receive returns from targets illuminated by an AWACS radar.
Adams says the USAF is interested in bistatic radar, "but there's no programme yet". Boeing and Northrop Grumman are trying to interest the USAF in buying at least eight 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to augment its AWACS fleet.
The companies are proposing that the USAF use E-3 AWACS and 737 AEW&C aircraft in a "hi-lo" mix to provide coverage of the continental USA and Mexico. This would relieve pressure on the overstretched E-3 fleet, says Adams. "We think they're interested, but they've got to find the budget."
The 737 AEW&C, which uses Northrop Grumman's MESA active-array radar, has been launched with a seven-aircraft order from Australia. An offer for four to eight aircraft has been submitted to Turkey, with a decision due later this year. Other near-term prospects include Israel, Italy and Spain, all seek at least four aircraft, Adams says.
Source: Flight International
