Resources
Radar Systems Engineering
Jacobs Sula's radar systems engineering expertise covers all domains and all stages of the equipment lifecycle. Our pragmatism, innovation and extensive knowledge allow us to deliver high-quality solutions and exceptional value to customers ranging from the MoD and prime contractors to academia and small enterprises.
Our Expertise
Radars are found in the airborne, maritime and land-based domains, with functions such as
surveillance, imaging, tracking, guidance and navigation. Jacobs Sula's expertise encompasses all
of these areas, and includes activities such as research, data processing, analysis, modelling,
requirements managment, trade studies, trials, commissioning, in-service operation and mid-
life upgrades.
Jacobs Sula has experience, from within industry and the armed services, of a wide range of radar and radar
related projects, together with operational expereince of modern Air Force and Navy, air, ground and sea
based defence systems, for MOD, NATO and armed services around the world.
The following examples illustrate some of our radar systems engineering capabilities.
Multi-Function Radars
Modern Mutli-Function Radars (MFRs), such as the SAMPSON carried by the Type 45 destroyer, allow operating parameters to be varied on a pulse-by-pulse or scan-by-scan basis. This brings new opportunities and challenges, both of which have been and continue to be studied by Jacobs Sula.
Jacobs Sula has undertaken a number of surveillance optimisations studies for SAMPSON. By examining, the impact on a series of performance metrics, the key operating parameters were identified and their effects characterised. We then developed an effective five-step radar resource management process to determine the most appropriate parameters, taking mission needs into account, at any given time.
In order to enhance the overall effectiveness of naval MFRs within a taskgroup, Jacobs Sula investigated the benefits of coordination, including by increasing radar resources in high-threat sectors to improve detection and tracking performance or to conduct non-standard searches for difficult targets. Benefits given by distributed multi-platform radar architectures were also examined.
The substantially higher transmit duty cycle of MFRs compared to traditional radars give rise to the possibility of significant interference with other systems. Jacobs Sula conducted a series of studies into the potential for mutual interference between MFRs within a force, and also the likely impact of MFRs on conventional radars and navigational aids. This research investigated potential effects at timescales ranging from pulse lengths measured in nanoseconds through to multiple scans covering serveral tens of seconds.
Airborne Radar Research
Jacobs Sula is currently researching a novel Synthetic Aperture Radar technique that allows high-resolution imagery to be produced from manoeuvring aircraft. Following detailed mathematical analysis and modelling, we have successfully conducted a series of flight trials to demonstrate this technique in practice.
We have also, on behalf of QinetiQ, undertaken a series of studies into Ground Moving Target Indication and radar resource management techniques for a combat aircraft radar with an active electronically-scanned antenna.
Future Aircraft Carrier
Jacobs Sula supported the Carrier Alliance by developing the air defence, self defence and air traffic control requirements for the various radars on the Future Carrier. Through our extensive contacts with industry, we also developed a pragmatic solution that met the stringent affordability contraints imposed on the programme without compromising user needs.
Air Defence
Jacobs Sula has acted as the MoD customer friend on the Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP) programme. We provided independent technical assurance of this complex system, and played a significant role in the radar trials and subsequent analysis and performance assessments.
As part of the Team Assure consortium, Jacobs Sula is responsible for technology management for Network Enabled Air Defence and Surveillance (NEADS). This concept phase programme includes the investigation of next-generation sensor networks including a wide range of battlefield air surveillance, artillery locating and long range airspace surveillance radars.
Our role includes the assessment of these different systems, identifying emerging technologies and proposing technology maturation strategies to deliver these improvements within the timescale of the programme.
Jacobs Sula has also provided independent technical assurance on behalf of the MoD, for the development, verification and validation of the radar tracker model for the SeaWolf Mid-Life Upgrade.
Data Processing & Analysis
Jacobs Sula has conducted radar data analysis for a number of systems, including the analysis of the MFR trials data for a classified radar counter-stealth research project.
We also provided specialist technical support to the MoD for the Automated Software Adaptive Radar (ASAR) programme to upgrade the existing RN Type 996 radars, replacing existing dedicated signal processing circuitry with processors running a range of adaptive radar signal processing algolrithms.
Jacobs Sula has been involved in other, prestigeous programmes including-over-the-horizon surveillance (JORN and Overseer radars in Australia), and the S1850M and Martello 743 surveillance radars.
