TECHNOLOGY SERVICE CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF161-144

Description

ABSTRACT: TSC and KEYW propose to develop novel methods of increasing the detection sensitivity of air-to-air modes by using a single, long Coherent Processing Interval (CPI) that eliminates the need for multiple Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) waveforms. TSC will investigate three highly innovative approaches in Phase I. One approach is to coherently integrate all of the pulses from the current multiple PRF waveforms out to the maximum range of interest for enhanced radar detection performance. In other approaches, TSC will focus on tracking algorithms to resolve the inherent range ambiguities when multiple PRFs and CPIs are employed.Each of these techniques will be evaluated during the proposed Phase I effort and quantified with respect to overall target detection and tracking performance improvement, computational complexity and implementation difficulty. KEYW will provide previously collected high PRF data from their Sahara testbed on aircraft targets for algorithm development and testing. In Phase II, TSC will mature the most promising algorithm(s) and experimentally demonstrate the new High PRF techniques using a selected radar testbed. Further work includes working with a radar prime contractor to transition the algorithms into an Air Force program of record.; BENEFIT: This technology can greatly improve the detection range, angle measurement accuracy and overall tracking performance of modern fighter radars against low RCS targets in sidelobe clutter, such as for tail-chase, look-down encounters with low observable cruise missiles. This will provide fighters such as the F-15E, F-35A or future F-X 6th generation fighter with an enhanced capability to detect, track and destroy advanced low-observable threats that are currently being developed and fielded by our adversaries, and will increase the security of the US and its allies.