The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).
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(U) Bi-static Geosynchronous/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (GEO/UAV) Space-Based Radar (SBR)

-Description
-Initiatives
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-Requirements
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Overview (U):

(U) The Bi-static Geosynchronous/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (GEO/UAV) Space-Based Radar concept has been developed by ESC. This concept has the same GEO transmitting satellites as the GEO/MEO concept, but uses phased arrays mounted on UAVs instead of the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites as receivers. It is estimated that a fleet of at least 40 UAVs would be required to maintain 5 UAVs on station in each of 2 theaters, deployed from CONUS. This system has the advantages that few satellites need to be launched (only three or four), and that significant capability would be available from the time that the first GEO satellite is in orbit. The tradeoffs are the significant cost in deployment and logistics associated with the UAV fleet, and the deployment time to the AOR. This concept could be used as a stepping stone to provide capability while developing a GEO/MEO system. If the transmitting satellites were launched first, UAVs could provide coverage during the time that the MEO receiver satellite constellation was being launched.

Description (U):

(U) A Bi-static GEO Space-Based Radar would include a constellation of 3-4 GEO transmitters equipped with an L-band radar for airborne warning and control missions which would require a 100 m dish that would weigh 30,000 lbs and require 20 kw of power. A Joint STARS-like radar in geosynchronous orbit would function in the S-band and would require a 25 m dish which would weigh 6,000 lbs and require 2 kw or power.

(U) The UAV receive element would require a minimum of 25-40 unmanned aerial vehicles to ensure that five were available at all times to provide radar coverage of two theaters. The UAVs would be required to fly at 20 km altitude and would be fitted with a 6 x 1 m Rx array.

User Impact (U):

(U) None.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Concept/Technology.

(U) Organizations and Funding:

Images (U):

(U) None.

Related Initiatives (U):
NameTitle
BI-STATIC GEO/MEO SBRBi-static Geosynchronous/Medium Earth Orbit (GEO/MEO) Space-Based Radar (SBR)
Future Space-Based RadarFuture Space Based Radar (SBR)
MONO-STATIC SBRMono-static Space Based Radar (SBR)
This Table Is Unclassified.

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):
NameTitle
SBRSpace-Based Radar (SBR)
This Table Is Unclassified.

Road Map Placements (U):

NameTitle
SURVEILLANCE AND WARNINGSPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: SURVEILLANCE AND WARNING
This Table Is Unclassified.

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

(U) None.

Lead Office (U):

Air Force.

Point of Contact (U):

(U) National Security Space Road Map Team, NSSA, Open Phone: (703) 808-6040, DSN 898-6040.

Date Of Information (U):

(U) 21 November 1997


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(U) For comments/suggestions contact: Office of the National Security Space Architect (NSSA), 571-432-1300.

(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001

The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).