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DARPA Begins Advanced Radar Program
Arlington VA (SPX) Oct 04, 2004 The first phase of the Affordable Adaptable Conformal Electronic Scanning Antenna Radar (AACER) program began this summer when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded funding to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (Baltimore, Md.), and Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (El Segundo, Calif.). Raytheon was awarded $6,057,431 and Northrop Grumman received $5,781,583. The AACER program will develop extended range ground moving target indication (GMTI) radar combined with a high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and integrated communications to be used on tactical-level unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the U.S. Army's Class IV UAV or the A-160 Hummingbird. The radar will provide unprecedented, high update rates for tracked targets, and persistent stare over large areas with high update rates. The affordable, adaptive and conformal electronic scanning antenna developed under the AACER program will provide the U.S. Army with enhanced GMTI/SAR systems for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and tracking missions. During the initial 12-month phase of the AACER program, the contractors will demonstrate key electronic scanning antenna technology and develop preliminary designs for each radar concept. In phase II, the program will down-select to a single contractor to complete a system design and build key sub-assemblies that meet weight and form factors for the Army's Future Combat Systems Unit of Action Class IV UAV. During phase III, the program will perform a final system integration and flight test demonstration that will bring forth a new capability for the Army's Future Combat Systems Unit of Action. Although the AACER program is focused on a future Army ground unit capability, the AACER capability may also be useful to other ground forces such as the U.S. Marine Corps and special operations forces. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links DARPA SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Military Space News at SpaceWar.com
Space Group To Activate New Unit
Colorado Springs CO (SPX) Jan 6, 2006Air Force Reserve Command's 310th Space Group will travel deeper into the space program when it activates a new unit Jan. 7. Headquarters Reserve National Security Space Institute will be a Reserve associate unit to the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo. The institute is the Department of Defense's focal point for providing education about space power in joint warfighting. |
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