SmartRadar pod system flight trials with GMTI onboard real-time processing

Cassidian's SmartRadar system integrated into a pod and EASA certified for operation on a Lear Jet 35 platform had its very successful maiden flight in 2011. SmartRadar (an acronym for scalable multipurpose aerospace radar technology) sensor technology is aimed for ground surveillance applications. Its flexible design allows the operation of many different state of the art radar modes such as High Resolution SAR, GMTI, or Maritime Surveillance. Apart from the command and control console, which is located inside the cabin, the pod system includes all analogue and digital hardware, a three channel active electronically scanned array antenna (AESA), and data storage for optional offline processing and in detail data analysis. Also integrated is a self-contained cooling system, enabling immediate adaptation to other mission aircrafts. A radar processor is installed inside the pod enabling onboard processing. Already demonstrated in 2011 was the processing of high resolution SAR images in near real-time. In 2012 the space-time-adaptive processing (STAP) of three channel GMTI data in real-time onboard the pod was demonstrated successfully in several flight campaigns during the year. This paper gives some insight into the GMTI mode and processing relevant issues. Results of the flight trials in 2012 emphasize the sensor's capabilities.