New Capabilities of Lynx Multi-Mode Radar Tested on U.S. Northern Border with CBP |
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
14200 Kirkham Way
Poway, CA, 92064
USA
Press release date: September 6, 2012
Radar Tracks People and Slow-Moving Vehicles from Predator B
SAN DIEGO - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced that it has completed the successful integration and operational testing of its Lynx® Multi-mode Radar, a next-generation capability that integrates Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI), and Dismount Moving Target Indicator (DMTI) radar.
Testing was conducted in May by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) out of its National Air Security Operations Center in Grand Forks, N.D. CBP continues to utilize an earlier Lynx variant in day-to-day border search operations aboard its Predator® B RPA, also manufactured by GA-ASI.
"Utilizing the Moving Target Indicator mode for detecting people walking or slow-moving vehicles from an RPA is a cutting-edge capability," said Linden Blue, president, Reconnaissance Systems Group, GA-ASI. "The real paradigm shift is DMTI, which allows agents to detect extremely slow-movers, ranging from walkers or people on bicycles."
The Lynx Multi-mode Radar expands agent situational awareness significantly, enabling them to detect, locate, and improve high geo-location accuracy of a much wider range of moving targets. It also enhances the system's ability to cross-cue Predator B's other onboard sensors to pursue high-value targets and allows for improved target tracking.
Integrated into CBP's Predator B, Lynx Multi-mode demonstrated several significant performance achievements during the test, meeting all of CBP's required specifications for the radar. The DMTI mode allowed agents to detect both very slow-moving vehicles and personnel moving (dismounts). In addition, the ability to select a GMTI/DMTI target and cross-cue the target to Predator B's Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor Field-of-View (FOV) was demonstrated.
The new Lynx Multi-mode Radar is a two-channel variant of the existing single-channel Lynx Block 20 Radar. It utilizes enhanced radar techniques and a Space Time Adaptive Processor (STAP) that permits a target to be imaged using a matrix rather than a linear array. This is a significant technical enhancement that improves the radar's MTI capabilities, enabling the detection of people.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company's Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle®, and the new Predator C Avenger®. It also manufactures a variety of solid-state digital Ground Control Stations (GCS), including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for RPA field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw® sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and remotely piloted aircraft. It also develops and integrates other sensor and communication equipment into manned ISR aircraft and develops emerging technologies in solid-state lasers, electro-optic sensors, and ultra-wideband data links for government applications. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Lynx, Predator, Gray Eagle, Avenger, and Claw are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Kimberly Kasitz
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 312-2294
kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com
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