Polar Skywave Radar (PSR)
Abstract
The PSR project matured RF hardware and advanced radar processing algorithms to validate that over-the-horizon skywave radar is viable for a future surveillance system in the polar region. PSR focused on ten major tasks to extend skywave radar to the polar region, including deploying high frequency (HF) radar hardware for a scaled model and refining signal processing techniques. In FY 2022, PSR deployed transmit and receive equipment. Experiments were conducted to measure ionospheric backscatter of the polar ionosphere and begin development of processing techniques. Ionospheric models were compared to collected data for model verification and improvement. Work continues in FY 2023 with FY 2022 funds to perform additional data collections to assess the seasonal ionospheric conditions and their impact on performance. Techniques will be tested and improved against data from varying ionospheric conditions. Results will be used to improve system performance predictions before transitioning to the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for further development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 682866e04dfde1f0619ed74d4828ff39