Howard Gethin/LONDON
The Royal Air Force is considering the possibility of giving its Eurofighter EF2000 and Panavia Tornado fleets a new all-weather day and night penetrating reconnaissance role early in the next century.
The UK Defence Research Agency (DERA) has been tasked with conducting a technology demonstrator programme and design study for a podded synthetic-aperture radar and ground moving target indicator (SAR/GMTI) for the aircraft.
The technology demonstrator pod will "-assess the capabilities, limitations and costs" of such a system, which is likely to include a medium to high resolution SAR capable of spot and strip modes, plus a precision navigation capability. A design study phase contract is likely to be awarded early this year.
Tender invitations for the study have been made to Ericsson Microwave Systems, IAI Elta Electronics, Marconi Electronic Systems and Lockheed Martin Tactical Defence Systems.
The contract will include studies for antenna and transmitter options, leading to a radar design study phase and construction project, followed by a trials programme by DERA.
The project underlines the RAF's interest in SAR/MTI radar technology, which is the core of the UK's ASTOR ground surveillance radar programme.
The size of such systems has been reducing in recent years, with the US joint surveillance target attack radar system (JointSTARS) requiring a Boeing 707 airframe, and the newer Ericsson Erieye and UK ASTOR systems mounted on regional and business jets.
The Northrop Grumman-led US radar technology insertion programme, an upgrade for JointSTARS, has a sensor 4.2m long - 3.1m shorter than the existing JointSTARS radar.
Source: Flight International
