Accession Number:

ADA142417

Title:

Evaluation of U.S. Coast Guard Forward-Looking Airborne Radars

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Feb 1983-Feb 1984

Corporate Author:

COAST GUARD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER GROTON CT

Personal Author(s):

• Ketchen, H. G.
• St. Martin, J.
• Hover, G. L.
• Mazour, T. J.

Report Date:

1984-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

86.0

Abstract:

During CY 1983, the U.S. Coast Guard RD Center conducted field experiments off Fort Pierce, FL and Oregon Inlet, NC to evaluate the small- target detection capabilities of three forward-looking airborne radars FLARs the ANAPS-127, the ANAPS-133, and the ANAPN-215. Field data from these experiments and from a West German field test of the ANAPN-134 FLAR were compared to each other and to theoretical detection range predictions promulgated by NADC. These data were used to analyze the potential of each system to fulfill the Coast Guard Search and Rescue SAR and Enforcement of Laws and Treaties ELT missions. Targets of 1-square meter and 100-square meter radar cross sections were considered in the analysis. The ANAPS-134 was found to be clearly superior to the other three candidate FLAR systems in its capability to fulfill SAR and ELT mission requirements. In sea states 3 and above, the ANAPS-134 is the only FLAR among those evaluated with any significant ability to detect 1-square meter targets. Recommendations are made for conducting FLAR search operations and for future research and development efforts.

Descriptors:

• *SURFACE TARGETS
• *SEARCH RADAR
• DETECTION
• PREDICTIONS
• THEORY
• AIRBORNE
• FIELD TESTS
• RADAR
• X BAND
• FORWARD LOOKING
• COAST GUARD
• INLETS
• HELICOPTERS
• CROSS SECTIONS
• RADAR CROSS SECTIONS
• SEARCHING
• OPERATION
• TREATIES

Subject Categories:

• Active and Passive Radar Detection and Equipment

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE