Future Surface Radar technology: From Air

Defence to Air and Missile Defence

Odile Adrian
THALES Air Systems, Surface Radar
Hameau de Roussigny 91470 Limours, France

Abstract-This paper describes how Air Defence radars are carrying conventional or unconventional (biological,
evolving from general Air Defence missions (single-mission radar) chemical) warheads,
to Air and Missile Defence missions (multi-mission radar) in I
order to cope with news threats for Homeland Defence and
External Theatre Defence. After a description of the radar
targWeapon Cotr mso the-radar has to supply
target tracking data and target pre-acquisition data for
requirements for general Air Defence and Missile Defence, Missile weapon systems to improve their fighting capabilities.
Defence impacts on radar sensors are explained. It is shown that The employment spectrum comprises Homeland Defence
conventional Air Defence radar cannot completely meet at the operations within a fixed Air Operations Command and
same time both Air Defence and Missile Defence requirements. Control System (AOC2) as well as operations in an External
The present multi-mission, multifunction MASTER A developed
by Thales is described. The final parts explain the Thales Theatre as a mobile element within a deployed AOC2.
portfolio evolution from MASTER A to M3R and the related That means that these missions have to be fulfilled in a
S Band product policy. context of networking operations and everywhere in the world.
In addition, there is an increasing pressure coming from the
I. INTRODUCTION civilian world to respect ecological constraints. As a
Air Defence involves numerous threats today: Planes, consequence, future Extended Air Defence radars must be
helicopters, UAVs, RPVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles... multi-mission, networking, affordable, available, transportable
These threats are new, diverse and multiform: they can be and "green
stealth or not; they can have high or low speed. They can be III. MISSILE DEFENCE IMPACT ON RADAR SENSORS
manned or unmanned; they can fly at very low altitudes or very
high altitudes. Nevertheless, they must be handled globally TBMs arediner dic to defeat. Characteristics
through a unique system of defence. This is the principle of velocity a short time flight which leads to reduced notification
the "Extended Air Defence" in which Anti Tactical Ballistic v
Missile Defence (ATBM) plays a central part. time for defending forces and a variety of warheads that are
This paper shows the evolution of requirements for Extended difficult to kill (often mixed with penetration aids).
Air Defence and the consequences on radar design. These TBM potential trajectories, range, time flight are shown in
trends are illustrated with a description of the MASTER A Fig. 1.
radar product and M3R radar design. The conclusion is a focus
on Thales radar product policy.60-
II. RADAR REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTENDED AIR DEFENCE 500

airspace withoult any gaps and futlfil the task of Exstenlded Air 30
Defence in which radar missions are multiple: ¢20__1 lI
* Air Surveillance is the permanent delivery of radar O \
detailed air situation picture that is the basis for

* Air Defence and Tactical Mssile Defence iS air

space search and track, for air-breathing targets
0 500 1000. 1500
Dsac kn
2000 2500 3000

(ABT), including those with very small radar-cross-Fiue1BalscrnsletJcois

sections and also for Tactical Ballistic Missiles (TBM) Fgr :Blitcmsietaetre

1-4244-0284-0/07/$20.OO ©2007 IEEE 49

 For the radar system, that means: Defence radar in order to have an efficient
Large elevation coverage nearly up to 90' surveillance volume and a high probability of TBM
Long detection range (at least up to 1000 kin) detection and tracking,
High update rate (a few seconds) * Receive beams narrow enough to produce accurate
After Ballistic Missile initial detection, to ensure a angular measurements,
successful engagement the radar must in a timely manner: * An update rate high enough to produce accurate
* Form high accuracy tracks on all detected objects at tracking measurements.
very long range, Furthermore, the radar bandwidth must be large enough to
* Maintain unique plot to track associations against extract Ballistic Missile (BM) target features which can be
closely spaced objects, used to identify the target (discrimination warhead/other
* Extract object signature characteristics for objects).
discrimination against time dependent constraints, To meet both Air Defence and Missile Defence requirements,
* Select target and estimate the launching point and future radar will be based on multi-function technology. They
the impact point for weapons system allocation and will have:
weapon employment. * 2D (azimuth & elevation) electronic scanning with
Although Missile Defence introduces a new set of radar rotating (high rotation speed of about 15 rotations
challenges, traditional task remain part of the mission per minute) modes and staring modes,
requirements with target identification, processing and * Fully active distributed antenna, multiple beam
conditioning suppression ground, weather, ECM,
/ of Chaff (long time analysis) and adaptive digital beam
and other clutter including reflections. forming (high protection against jamming),
IV. CONSEQUENCES FOR RADAR DESIGN * Improved digital antenna and signal processing
(extract more information from signal and counter
Conventional Fixed Air Defence Radar (FADR) can have clutter, jamming electromagnetic interference),
ATBM capabilities as illustrated in Fig. 2, however limited in * HIEgh waveform/algorithm flexibility and
surveillance volume (low elevation/medium distance adaptability, flexible space- time management (to
surveillance and tracking volumes allowing ballistic missile ensure that the radar applies in each direction the
detection and tracking measurements only in the beginning of optimal algorithm for detection),
the ascending phase which have to be extrapolated after), * Limited number of packages (mobility design and
update rate, range and discrimination warhead/other obj ects. quick deployment time),
As a result, cueing accuracy delivered to a weapon system * HiEgh transmit power (detection range),
like SAMVP/T is too poor to ensure a successful missile * HiEgh dynamic range (clutter, jamming, interference
engagement. suppression),
* HiEgh stability signal and waveform generation
300 (stealth target detection),
* Wide bandwidth (tracking accuracy, target
250 classification).
These design requirements lead to breakthrough everywhere
200~~~~~~~~~~~....................... in radar technology i.e in radar architecture concepts,
~~ ~200~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~poesn
..................ad.ecie.soid (macineandalgritms).antnnadesgn,trasmi
sttep we.a plfir,fon.ed.ac agn
.........A..............an.inegatin,.ico-w
...................and..coding....
ve sig al disrib tin), ge eraio

50 ...............................S..Band......Mu....tifunction... ..Radar.........This.....choicepoc
...
..vo...m......S..band...product.....policy....considering......that.. this...band...is..the...best. ssngleadsendalotohs)developesgn
tan ma

..........comonents.are.no.available.o.the.market.ad.they.are.a
~ ~
Distance ~ ~ ~ andrelibeiavteL( ansolid Statpo
er complfe,ronets Ond thekother
Fiur.1Baliti.mssletrjetoie binldsrbto) eertween
and Sntebatind technoloyofesagodcmpoie

That mens alsothat th ATBM dfence rdar mus have. TBMD Tands mobluity onsEtrants. Ait giveneisbasufednt
A owe x perure rodct t aleve ofat easte bandwitfroruBM targetfosieatresg etracthionband ABT Nonbes
time (1 dB)tha an clasicl LngRngeAirchoieopertiveiTarge Rcogtnitehion(cTR) deecind
itse. offer an
0~~~~~~~~~~~5
coverage large enough to allow an autonomous surveillance
capability and a track accuracy meeting requirements for Air
Defence and TBM fire control; its allows a valuable tactical
mobility for a deployment on an External Theatre.
VI. MASTER A MULTI-MISSION RADAR Defence

ThalesRaytheonSystems MASTER A (Fig. 3) is a unique,

field proven, Extended Air Defence radar.
y

X Rotating Fence
sector

Figure 4: MASTER A Rotating ATBM mode

The staring mode (Fig. 5) is based on a TBM detection fence

combined wit a TBM acquisition and tracking inside and
outside the detection domain.
MASTER A has a surveillance coverage of near to 400 kin,
w' . i n~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ can detect and tack a TMin te wole detection range wit a
tracking elevation coverage up to 60'.

Figure 3:MASTER A Multi-Function Extended Air Defence Radar

It is the first S band radar in the world which is, at the same
time, multi-mission, multifunction, and mobile, with a 2D
electronic scanning capability on a wide azimuth and elevation
angle.
With a mass of 30 tons, MASTER A is divided into four
loads (one load for the platform, another one for the antenna, y
two loads for ISO 20 ft shelters) and can be deployed in
p

ninety minutes. It has benefited from continuous

improvements since its first year of production in 1995, and is
completely operational with TBMD functions and sold on
export market. X

Management" (optimal waveform, space, time and beam

management) whose objective is the real-time optimisation of Figure 5:MASTER A Staring ATBM mode
radar operating mode according to an assessment of the current
environment conditions and taking into account tactical MASTER A active antenna uses a vertical signal distribution
requests from an external centre in order to manage coverage which splits the low level signal in order to feed the Solid-
(angular and range) by regulation of radar time budget. Its State transmit amplifiers. Each one is linked to a line of
ultra-short response time is matched to netted operation and radiating elements (Fig. 6) through a horizontal distribution.
weapon guidance requirements. The 2 D electronic scanning is realised by diode phase shifters.
ATBM function is available in rotating or staring market.
export modes. I x \ .I~~5
The surveillance rotating mode (Fig. 4) can combine TBM
fence detection sectors and Air Defence search sector in a data
rate of 4 seconds.
 ja e I>Radatwii
em^- elements

I ifiodules~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I
Trafisthit

Figure 6: MASTER A architecture

Figure 7: Fully distributed active technology
VII. M3R MULTI-MISSION RADAR
S band Multi-mission M3R radar is the As a result, M3R is packaged into three loads (one for the
ThalesRaytheonSystems next step in Extended Air Defence. It platform, two loads for the antenna, one ISO 20 ft shelter) and
is designed to ensure higher performance against new threats can be deployed in less than three hours.
not only in MASTERA-like missions (ABT air surveillance, As antenna concept is modular with blocks of 8 octopacks
ATBM surveillance, alert and cueing for surface to Air Missile transmission modules each (the number of blocks can be
Systems) in rotating or staring modes but also in fire control tailored for any application), M3R offers a scalable, multi-
mission for future, higher ATBM performances systems (high function, multi-beam architecture.
endo-atmospheric or exo- atmospheric interceptor).
Range performances are doubled with respect to
MASTERA. M3R surveillance function is compliant with L vR&OI
NATO standards for Long Range Air Defence and performs -I - - - - - - - - - -I - - - -

TBM detection and tracking in a 1000 km range domain. The ISPACE TIME PROCESSING
tracking elevation coverage is up to 85'.
Of course, M3R uses MASTER A field-proven principles I Digital Pulse
such as electronic scanning in azimuth and elevation, Beam Fo M
Intelligent Radar Management, but also the following M beams fitr Fitrn
additional concepts:
* Maximise receive antenna surface and limit as
much as possible the radiated power in order to | Ant Jam in
minimize expenditure of power consumption and DBF
cooling, i Coefficients
* Use a fully distributed active array technology (as
illustrated in Fig. 7, each transmit module feeds a
radiating element) with high power amplifiers for . COR

etectionrange purposes, selection Matrixt

* Decrease the number of loads in order to have a
superior mobility,
* Simplify the cooling system (air instead of liquid) . . . .
-i . . .
i . . . . . . . . . . .

allowing higher availability, lower maintenance and

easier deployment, Radar Pl1t
* Detect with simultaneous multiple receive beams System
interface
Extractioni
~&
CFAR
Detection
which means long time-on-target allowing detection traficng
of smaller target in clutter,
* Form Adaptive Digital Beam Forming (ADBF) for
advanced Electronic Counter-Counter Measures Figure 8: M3R ADBF processing
(ECCM) as illustrated in Fig. 8.

52
 The "Delegation Generale pour l'Armement" (DGA) reduce lead time and Life Cycle Cost (LCC acquisition and
awarded ThalesRaytheonSystems a development contract as maintenance).
the first phase of M3R programme in September 2003. Within Thales S Band radar Platform principles include:
this contract, the global M3R radar architecture was defined * A concept support by general rules for
and the M3R antenna including mechanical infra structure and developments,
air cooling was designed. An antenna prototype partially * An ambitious and stable architecture enabling a
populated with transmit and receive blocks is being wide spectrum of application, giving generic key
manufactured and qualified. The acceptance test will take features to the products, simplifying
place in 2008. implementation of new radar,
The M3R complementary development should be launched * Off-The-Shelf interfaces and protocols for standard
during the next "Loi de programmation militaire" (LPM) in exchange between radar and subassemblies (radar
order to have an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2012. integration - validation tools included),
The connection between M3R and SAMP/T through the * Radar Building Blocks having a versatile definition
"Systeme de Commandement et de Controle des Operations for simple insertion in any kind of radar product, on
Aeriennes" (SCCOA) mobile component will give the system the leading edge of the technology, perfectly
of systems "SAMP/T capacite 1" an intercept capability on industrialised to enable quick manufacturing and
600 km range TBMs. low production cost.
In a longer term, if equipped with a missile up-link, M3R In the frame of the M3R contract, a stable architecture has
radar could evolve to a fire control radar. Under this been defined and BB or BB components (see Fig. 9) have been
assumption, the detection and guidance domain of M3R would developed.
be much larger than the present ASTER 30 fire envelope and a
more powerful interceptor should be required giving additional
capability to the System of Systems.
Another growth potential is brought by its intrinsic
capability to operate in network and in bi-static modes, giving
the ability to detect and track longer range ballistic missiles.
M3R is not only the most advanced radar system ever
developed in Europe, but also the first example of a "green
radar". DGA has introduced in the specifications particular
requirements for reducing the impact of the radar on the
environment in all phases of its life cycle: Production,
operational use, de-commissioning. Two domains are
particularly addressed:
* The power consumption is extremely low with
regard to the performance Figure 9: Building Blocks examples
* The development is compliant with the latest RoHS
standards and related European directives, BB such as the 8 octopack block, the radiating face, the
excluding or controlling with care all polluting GaAs air cooled amplifier, the inter subassemblies digital
components and substances. interface, the optical fibre links,.. will be qualified in 2007.
In this context, the use of S band allows to fulfil the BB such as Radar Signal Generation (RSG), Processing
Extended Air Defence mission with a single radar where other Machine, software BB for space-time processing, mechanical
choices of frequencies would lead to the deployment of several BB,... will be developed through other programmes.
types of radars, and generate much more harmful effects on Therefore, the Platform concept is a multi-layered concept,
environment without real operational benefit. which is applied to electric and mechanical architecture,
software, logistics, supply chain maximising a core frame in
VIII11. THALES S BAND PRODUCT POLICY Naval and Ground S band radar product development.
M3R development contract is playing a great part in Thales IX. CONCLUSION
S band radar new developments. Thales has developed for
years a successful product policy based on an S band Platform The recent history of Thales radar development has been
concept. The same Building Blocks (BB) are present in the described, focusing on a continuum of experience between
whole MASTER family of Air Defence radars, but also in the Extended Air Defence multi-mission, multi-function radars
latest SMART-S Mk2 multi-mission naval radar. M3R is MASTER A product and M3R future radar.
bringing one more step, making available new technologies It was shown that M3R development programme is a
that are progressively inserted in the Platform in order to powerful engine to promote and improve the S band radar

53
Platform which is the basis of Thales Surface Radar portfolio,
serving any kind ofNaval and Ground applications.
Thales anticipates that the Platform concept enlarges
potential international cooperation: It offers the possibility to
cooperate on new technology development with technology
oriented countries or new radar development in Air Defence or
Extended Air Defence or Naval domain with countries having
expressed similar requirements.
Procurement agencies should recognise Platform inherent
cost/performances advantages and more additional cost
benefits if organising joint procurements.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wishes to thank French DGA,
ThalesRaytheonSystems Management and Thales Management
for permission to publish this paper and also Thales radar
experts for advices and comments.

54