Weather Detection with an AESA-Based Airborne Sense and Avoid Radar

Modern radar systems shall provide multifunctional capabilities because airborne applications typically demand sensor equipment, which has optimized size, weight and power. Therefore the use of multifunctional sensors is necessary and efficient. This work represents the first weather radar data of flight tests of such an multifunctional AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) based combined Weather and Sense and Avoid (S&A) Radar for airborne application in UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) of class HALE/MALE (High/Medium Altitude Long Endurance). To achieve feasible results, appropriate clutter suppression is needed. The outcome is compared with ground weather data from the Deutscher Wetterdienst.