Successful Tests Demonstrate Textron Systems' Laser Radar Capabilities for U.S. Army Tactical Battlefield
WILMINGTON, Mass.---A series of successful tests during the past two years has demonstrated Textron Systems' Laser Radar capabilities for long-range (20 to 1,000 kilometers) detection, tracking and imaging of hard (missiles) and soft (chemicals) targets. These capabilities provide essential intelligence required for achieving 21st century battlefield situational awareness.
This testing has been done under the U.S. Army Field Ladar Technical Transition Demonstration (FLTTD) program for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Alabama. The testing conducted at the Maui Space Surveillance Site (MSSS), Mt. Haleakala, Hawaii was performed to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of transferring coherent, high power, infrared transceiver technology to the tactical battlefield for missile defense and other battlefield countermeasures.
Dr. John Boness, Textron Systems, Vice President Business Development, Military Products said that, "The results of these tests make a strong case for the use of Laser Radar to support the battlefield. Service sponsorship is needed to do further development for specific military applications.''
Laser Radar, or LADAR, provides a more accurate imaging capability than traditional radar because it measures length in addition to range and velocity, and is capable of measuring complex-motion targets. Tests have demonstrated a ladar's ability to measure complex-motion targets and to generate helicopter discriminants including helicopter main to tail rotor separation, blade length, geometry and rotation rate. Its length measuring capability has been used to help identify decoy targets that are used to defeat anti-air defenses. Initial testing of Laser Radar for chemical detection has effectively detected relevant battlefield simulates at distances of 20 kilometers.
Concurrently, the Army program has been extending algorithm, modeling and simulation capabilities to enhance target detection, improve metrics precision, upgrade speed processing and provide more robust imaging. These tests have been performed using the capabilities provided by the Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC).
Textron Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is a leading supplier of advanced systems, components and materials for use in defense, aerospace, automotive and industrial applications. Textron Systems is an ISO 9001 registered manufacturer.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion, global, multi-industry company with market leading businesses in Aircraft, Automotive, Industrial and Finance. Textron has a workforce of over 65,000 employees and major manufacturing facilities in 27 countries.
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Successful Tests Demonstrate Textron Systems' Laser Radar Capabilities for U.S. Army Tactical Battlefield
