And Now They Can See Better Than Ever
Raytheon Company has successfully
integrated and demonstrated its SeaVue maritime surveillance radar
and AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-A) aboard a General
Atomics Aeronautical Systems Mariner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV),
a derivative of the Generals Atomics Predator B UAV.
"The successful April flight demonstration from El Mirage (CA),
is a perfect example of what a motivated team can accomplish," said
Jack Kelble, presiadent of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "In
order to meet an important demonstration request, we installed and
integrated the SeaVue and MTS-A mission systems, and then performed
the necessary flight verification tests in only three weeks. This
is a remarkable engineering achievement."
In addition to demonstrating the Mariner UAV's performance and
operational flexibility at various altitudes, the flight
highlighted the sensors' combined maritime surveillance
capabilities and network connectivity when operating together on
one platform. This flight demonstrated many of the capabilities
outlined in the U.S. Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance
requirement.
The SeaVue family of radars is designed to detect small maritime
targets in high seas and provide superior maritime situational
awareness. The system's flexible architecture enables it to meet a
wide variety of surveillance requirements and support multiple
missions. Depending on the configuration, typical missions include
maritime surface search and target tracking, ship imaging and
classification, overland mapping, search and rescue, weather
avoidance and navigation, harbor and economic zone surveillance,
and environmental monitoring such as oil spill detection and ice
flow mapping. SeaVue was designed as a light weight, low cost,
surveillance radar that can be easily installed on smaller
aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned vehicles. To date, more than
100 SeaVue radar systems are in operation around the world.
The AAS-52 MTS-A is a multi-use electro-optical, infrared, and
laser detecting-ranging-tracking set, developed and produced for
use in military systems. Using state-of-the-art digital
architecture, this advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system
provides long-range surveillance, target acquisition, tracking,
range finding, and laser designation for all tri-service and NATO
laser-guided munitions.