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QuaSAR lightweight SAR radar is under
development by EADS Astrium for UAV applications in
MALE or tactical UAV platforms. This radar will be based on Common Radar Elements
(CORE) program derived from previous satellite SAR satellite programs. QuaSAR's CORE based subsystems will include the radar electronics,
front ends antennas, datalink and image processing. The targeted
weight of QuaSAR will be around 30 kg (up to 100kg in maximum
configurations), which will position it at an advantage compared with
contemporary systems. Unlike similar SARs, operating mainly in the Ka
and Ku bands, QuaSAR is designed adaptable to operate over a wide
frequency range, including L, S, C, Ku and X bands, offering "submetric"
(0.3 – 3 meter) spatial resolution images and efficient MTI
capability. An X Band technology demonstrator of QuaSAR was flown in
2003.
From an altitude of 60,000 feet, QuaSAR will
be able to cover an area 20 – 115 km long, with a swath of 3.5, 7 or
20 km wide at resolutions of 0.3, 1 and 3 meters respectively. When
operating on TUAV at an altitude of 15,000 feet, QuaSAR will cover an
area of 10 – 55 km long by swaths of 2, 5 and 20km wide depending on
the resolution. The radar is designed to detect moving objects at a
velocity as low as 1.8 km/h.
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3 m' imaging, used for area surveillance
and feature detection.
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1 meter imaging will be used for feature
classification
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0.3 meter resolution will be used for
feature identification
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GMTI , combined imaging and MTI and wide
area maritime imaging modes will also be provided.
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