Raytheon Develops Technology to Help Aircraft Protect Ground Forces


(Source: Raytheon Company; issued May 14, 2008)


EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --- The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has authorized Raytheon Company to demonstrate target recognition technology designed to increase protection for ground forces without compounding risk to an aircraft stalking enemies who threaten those forces.

First in a laboratory and then aloft, the company expects to show how its Air-to-Ground Radar Imaging II program would permit aircraft at a safe distance to detect, track and target hostile forces in motion on the ground. The laboratory demonstration is expected in autumn 2008, followed by a flight next spring aboard a Raytheon test aircraft.

Advanced high-resolution radar can monitor activity from distances of more than 50 miles. Raytheon expects the demonstrations to prove software the company developed for a target recognition system mounted on a manned or unmanned aircraft will permit current radar technology to accomplish this new mission. Raytheon leads a team that includes BAE Systems and SAIC.

"We want to protect the warfighter in the air and on the ground as much as possible," said Nick Uros, vice president for Advanced Concepts and Technology at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "One way is to use an automatic target recognition system at a stand-off location. We're proud to be able to help the Air Force develop this important technology."