Digital image synthesizers: are enemy sensors really seeing what's there?

For a successful enemy maneuver, their most important action is the ability to identify, locate, and track their correct target. High-resolution imaging sensors such as the inverse synthetic aperture radar perform this action in the most effective way and are especially useful against low radar cross-section targets. Once the correct target is acquired and identified, the decision to engage is made and the weapons are selected. Counter-targeting is the attempt to prevent (or degrade) the engage-and-launch-weapons decision by the enemy. This paper describes an all-digital image synthesizer technique capable of generating realistic false-target images for counter-targeting using modern digital radio frequency memory technology. Uses in counter-lock on for coherent seekers in the terminal mode are also discussed. Examples of the output false target image capability are presented.