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Since World War 2, battlefield operations have changed dramatically, seeing huge technological advancements. Today, war is as much about technology as it is about operations. It is interwoven into every maneuver and radar has become an integral part of the fabric of modern defense technology. Combat has become more technology-based, and more remote with less of an emphasis on boots-on-the-ground and more emphasis on technological capability using detection, tracking, jamming, and other capabilities to overcome adversaries.

Huge advancements, particularly in airborne technology, have seen the introduction of helicopters, stealth aircraft, and UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) that offer increased ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities. These are combined with precision weapons and attacks today are multi-pronged, meeting the enemy from both air and ground. Huge leaps forward in communications technology enable operators to lift the fog of war and to give a detailed picture of exactly what is going on and where through imagery, video, sensors, and communications, helping to aid fast decision-making.

Overcoming Stealth Technology

Low Observable (LO), or “stealth,” is a set of technologies widely used today to enable decreased detection of assets in combat. Stealth works by reducing the distances at which an object can be detected by reducing its Radar Cross-Section, or RCS, thus minimizing vehicle, vessel, or aircraft detection. Stealth utilizes shaping features, coatings or materials to deflect the radar signal or active transmitters located on the structure of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.

Radar systems have had to evolve to overcome the challenges of stealth technologies using various techniques such as low frequency radar and UHF that utilizes much longer wavelengths than fighter aircraft which stealth technology is not as affective against. The offsetting of the receiver is another technique employed to overcome stealth. In a monostatic radar system, the transmitter and receiver are located in the same place and this is what stealth aircraft are designed to deflect. However, using a bi- or multi-static system, the transmit and receive components are separated, so that the returned waves can be detected instead of deflected.

Doppler radar can also be used to overcome stealth. The frequency variation caused by the Doppler effect can filter out stationary targets and isolate moving targets. However, the success of the Doppler effect depends on the angle of approach, such as a target traveling directly towards the radar. When this happens, signal processing can be used to take other sets of information such as speed and altitude to determine the track of the object.

Emerging Technology

Emerging radar technology is taking the field to another level of capability. An important technological development gaining ground is software defined radar (SDR) which forms an important part of our radar capability at STAR Dynamics.

Software defined radar promotes unrivaled versatility and flexibility for radar systems. Based on software defined radio architectures, it enables the reconfiguration of a radar system in real time, enabling it to respond and adapt immediately to its environment and threat situation and to respond to multiple missions. The system is able to change modes, waveforms, and frequency as required to enable advanced situational awareness, scanning, tracking, and communications.

As software defined radar systems mainly use COTs components, they are also very cost-effective to build and upgrades are easily performed through the software, ensuring that the technology is kept as up to date as possible. This also means that the systems can adapt rapidly to new or emerging threats without being taken out of service.

Innovation First

Radar remains fundamental to defense networks all over the world. At STAR Dynamics we continue to innovate and go beyond. By focusing on development and innovation and making new discoveries in the technology, we can strengthen security and help to make the world a safer place.

We design, develop, build, and support some of the world’s most advanced RF technology products, from powerful tracking and radar detection systems to leading-edge measurement and analysis software. We work very closely with our customers to ensure that we deliver the radar systems that best meet their complex and evolving requirements. By working through the applications they must fulfil, the environments where they will operate and the challenges they need to overcome, we can customize radar systems to meet and exceed their requirements.

Learn more about our products and services or contact us today to discuss your project.