Coastal radars and passive sensors with associated relevant networks

Topic description

Specific Challenge:

EU requirements for increased maritime surveillance calls for a capability to detect and track stealth targets and targets difficult to be detected by conventional radars, without running a risk of being detected and jammed. In this regard, the solution of passive bistatic/multistatic radars is considered as a promising alternative.

Additionally maritime surveillance should take into account archipelago, harbours and coastal urban areas, the surveillance of which requires the deployment of a dense network of sensors. Passive radars are by nature of lower cost because they do not include high power transmitters and the associated modules (i.e. high voltage power supplies, cooling circuits, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to comply with the above mentioned requirement by using a large number of passive radars which will exploit existing RF transmissions (transmitters of opportunity).

The proposals must address the development of a passive, highly performant, resilient, reconfigurable and deployable radar system, with respect to multiple defence application scenarios and diverse target specificities.

The proposals must address at least the following points:

• detection of sea and air targets at all altitudes. Current commercial solutions respond only to lower tier targets;
• efficiency assessment of candidate transmitters of opportunities;
• capability to fuse detected cues using different type of illuminators;
• demonstration of the capability of operation in network (multiple sensors exploiting one common or multiple transmitters of opportunity);
• where possible, use of COTS technologies currently available from European supply chains;
• development of SDR (Software design radio) modules tailored for PCL (Passive coherent location) technology;
• assessment of innovative antenna configurations;
• reconfigurable technologies to achieve long term adaptability and application migration.

Targeted activities

The proposals must cover the study, design, prototyping and testing of the proposed solution, not excluding downstream activities.

The targeted activities must in particular include:

• feasibility study, CONOPS definition, technology/system specification, detailed requirements review (DRR); analysis of possible extensive cognitive capabilities.
• detailed design of the technology/system, including the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and ending with the Critical Design Review (CDR);
• development of small-scale technological demonstrators, in order to support decision making during the design phase of the final prototype;
• development, testing and validation of the final prototype system;

A detailed planning of subsequent project phases must also be generated, including the identification of implementation priorities according to operational needs of the EU and its Member States.

Main high-level requirements

The proposed system should fulfil the following requirements:

• detect sea and air targets at all altitudes, including RPAS and low observable targets;
• measure target’s bearing, distance and speed;
• assistance to the point / areal air defence of navy units and coastal infrastructure;
• provide limited cognitive capabilities (i.e. eliminating clutter and multipath);
• improved CFAR (Constant false alarm rate) responses within a multistatic network for the detection of low observable / low RCS (Radar cross section) targets;
• develop target classification database based in bistatic target RCS and target behaviour in the range-Doppler map.

• Develop critical technology enablers for counter low observable air and sea targets including RPASs and aircraft flying hidden by geographical profile;
• Reinforce interoperability between EU Member States’ armed forces and reinforce cross force protection;
• Improve maritime situational awareness for the security of the EU and its Member States;
• Increase EU technological sovereignty (in terms of hardware and software) in a critical defence area.