MAS Bulletin. PILOT - A Radar for Covert Operations
Abstract
Radar is an indispensable sensor for naval operations at night and under conditions of poor visibility. However, conventional pulsed radar, has a distinct disadvantage: it can easily be detected at long ranges. Electronic support measures (ESM) can detect and identify transmission of radar pulses with high peak power. Similarly, platforms operating with pulsed radars are threatened by antiradiation missiles (ARMs) that home in on these high-peak- power transmissions. One way to circumvent this problem is to use a low-power, continuous wave (CW) radar. Because the ESM range is determined by the radar's peak power, this CW radar reverses the relationship between ESM- and radar- detection range. In the case of CW radar this means that the ESM range is significantly smaller than the radar's detection range. Therefore, this type of radar enables the operator 'to see without being seen'. Using this principle, Philips has developed PILOT, the unique naval radar that is virtually undetectable by ESM and ARMs. PILOT's performance equals that of a conventional pulsed navigation radar and offers all advantages of radar-aided operation during radar silence conditions. Pilot has been tested extensively, both in the laboratory and on a land-based tower, as well as during sea trials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA270687
Entities
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research