AFRL DEVELOPS WASSAR TO DETECT MOBILE TARGETS Published Dec. 11, 2006 By Plans and Programs Directorate AFRL/XP WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- AFRL is developing state-of-the-art weaponry that users can launch into the vicinity of mobile targets to autonomously find and defeat them. This capability provides increased survivability, multiple kills per pass, and minimal pilot workload. Since there is an inherent delay between observing a target and subsequently launching a weapon, users require the capability to rapidly search a large area. Additionally, they need a weapon that can operate day or night and in adverse weather. Under the Wide-Area Search Synthetic Aperture Radar (WASSAR) program, AFRL and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (Baltimore, Maryland) are refocusing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) weapons technology development addressing the need to perform wide-area searches for mobile and relocatable targets in adverse weather. The research team transformed a SAR device into a breadboard multimode radar seeker, combining SAR technology with ground moving target indicator (GMTI) and high-range resolution (HRR) radar signal processing. Users will employ these modes to perform autonomous target classification to increase probability of kill. The scientists developed a demonstration system using the tactical unmanned air vehicle radar (TUAVR). The TUAVR system includes the radar, the data collection system, and both SAR and GMTI software. The modified system incorporated a new, 6-inch-round antenna and a new HRR waveform. The team also developed the required ground-based data analysis suite, which involved an adaptation of existing automated target recognition algorithms. The wide-area search capability is a requirement due to the uncertainty that arises regarding a mobile or relocatable target's location after its initial detection. Based upon several factors, scientists calculate that a target's new position will be located anywhere within a 50 km2 area. Scientists tested the modified system 12 times, with successful results. The effort demonstrated all program objectives, including the capability for a weapon-quality radar seeker to search a 50 km2 area for stationary and moving targets in less than 2 minutes and under adverse weather conditions