Cassidian, the defence and security
division of EADS, has developed what is known as “passive radar” that
can locate even difficult-to-detect flying objects such as stealth
aircraft, and that itself is practically undetectable.
In contrast
to conventional radar, passive radar doesn’t emit any radiation, but
instead analyses radiation reflections from other emitters, such as
radio and television stations, to detect objects.
“The principle of passive radar has been known for a long time,” says Elmar Compans, Head of Sensors & Electronic Warfare
at Cassidian. “However, we have now integrated the latest capabilities
of digital receiver and signal processing technology to significantly
enhance range and detection accuracy by monitoring various emitters at
the same time.”
With its passive radar, Cassidian is focussing on
the requirements of civil and military airspace control which until now
could not or not sufficiently be met using active emitting radar. In
civil application, passive radar makes cost-effective air traffic control
possible without any additional emissions and without making demands on
transmission frequencies in short supply. In military applications, the
system enables large-area surveillance using networked receivers, while
offering the decisive operational advantage that passive radar cannot
be located by hostile forces.
The particular characteristics of
the omnipresent radio signals used for operation enable detection of
even objects that are difficult to detect, such as stealth aircraft or
stealth ships. A further advantage of the new technology is its
increased detection capacity in areas of radar shadow such as
mountainous terrain and its capability to locate extremely slow and low
flying objects.
A demonstration system has already been delivered to the German Federal Office of Defense Technology
and Procurement (BWB). Cassidian’s passive radar can be used for mobile
deployment in a vehicle of the size of a commercial van and thus can be
moved very quickly and with little logistical effort. After successful
testing, including at Stuttgart Airport, the plan is to set up a
production prototype system and to carry out evaluation programmes by
both Cassidian and the customer by the end of the year.
Cassidian,
an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and
systems, providing Lead Systems Integration and value-added products
and services to civil and military customers around the globe. In 2011,
Cassidian – with around 28,000 employees – achieved revenues of € 5.8
billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related
services. In 2011, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and
Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 49.1 billion and employed a
workforce of more than 133,000.
