Airborne metric frequency surveillance radar

This paper presents a new concept of airborne surveillance system using a low frequency band (metric wavelength) aimed at: detecting and tracking air targets with low radar cross section (RCS) such as stealth aircraft or missiles; and detecting and localising moving and non-moving ground targets, possibly hidden under foliage. The operational needs are first specified, underlining classic system limitations, then the choice of the frequency is discussed taking into account regulation and interference aspects on the one hand, antistealth property of these frequencies and the feasibility of antenna installation on the platform on the other hand. Then a concept of the system is presented by underlining mainly the following aspects: antenna radiating/fitting; and processing for ground clutter elimination.