The Naval Research Laboratory has partnered with a General Atomics subsidiary to embed NRL-built inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging software into the company’s Lynx multimode radar system.
NRL and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will work to build integrated radar technology for joint warfighter missions under a cooperative research and development agreement, according to an article published Tuesday on the U.S. Navy website.
Thomas Pizzillo, head of NRL’s radar analysis branch, said he believes adding a maritime-ISAR mode to the Lynx radar is a “cost-effective” approach to bring the capability into MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles.
Pizzillo added the lab has performed ISAR imaging formation upgrades in an effort to help end users access high-quality imagery in environments that involve complex target motion.
GA-ASI designed the Lynx radar technology to integrate with remotely piloted aircraft systems and to generate high-resolution imagery through obscurants.
Lynx comprises a synthetic aperture radar, ground and dismount moving target indicator and robust maritime wide-area search modes.