Joint Stars, Success in the Desert, What Next?
Abstract
Joint STARS may be simply described as an upside-down Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) which provides a ground display of an entire battlefield. Of course, there is more to it. There are several main components of Joint STARS. The first is the ground mapping radar which is carried and controlled on a modified Boeing 707. The radar has two primary modes. The moving target indicator (MTI) detects vehicles which are moving in a certain speed range. The synthetic aperature radar (SAR) provides a ground 'picture' capable of discriminating specific items such as vehicles, buildings, and aircraft, but without highlighting moving targets. The MTI can be directed to scan an area of several hundred kilometers in what is called wide area surveillance or smaller sectors whose dimensions are selectable. The second main component is the ground station module (GSM). This is the main Joint STARS data receiver. It is carried on a 5-ton truck (3:9). With the GSM, the ground commander can task the airborne system operators to search a particular area, and he can get an answer almost immediately. The primary means of sending requests and data is via the third main system component, the Surveillance and Control Data Link (SCDL).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA258360
Entities
People
- Douglas M. Carlson
Organizations
- Air War College