Man-portable radar is a lightweight surveillance radar system that does not require vehicle support to transport or operate. Man-portable radars were developed to introduce radar to remote areas where vehicle support is not feasible.
Examples
editGO 12 "BAT"
editThe Ground Observer 12 (GO 12) is a medium-range pulse-doppler radar for ground and coastal surveillance. The system (MTBF > 7100 h) is made in Ditzingen, Germany. The main component, the sensor unit, only weighs 16 kg, which makes it a highly mobile system.
The GO 12 uses mechanical scan technology with a continuous coverage of an angle of > 360 °. Its capability to use a wide range of frequencies provides the user with options against electronic counter measures (jamming).
The GO 12 was introduced to the French Defense Forces under the name "Murin" (bat) in 2019 and immediately sent into combat to the Sahel region, where it performed stunningly well.[1] It was certified to be air-dropped by the French Defense Forces and thus is in use with the French 35th Airborne Artillery Regiment stationed in Tarbes, France.[2] Moreover, the Ukraine Defense Forces have already received a total number of more than 66 GO 12 ground surveillance radars in 2023/2024, which makes it the predominant ground surveillance radar in the ongoing war against the Russia.[3][4]
PPE PGSR-3i ‘Beagle’
editThe PPE PGSR-3i ‘Beagle’ is a unique lightweight man-portable radar designed and produced by Pro Patria Electronics in Hungary. It is capable of intercepting, detecting and tracking targets moving on or close to the ground. It can also classify and differentiate targets based on their size and movement characteristics.
The PPE PGSR-3i ‘Beagle’ can operate on standard Bren Tronics military batteries as well as from a vehicle or mains power source.
The PPE PGSR-3i ‘Beagle’ can scan from 11 to 360 degrees with a continuous 360-degree scanning.
The PPE PGSR-3i ‘Beagle’ has automatic and manual doppler audio mode, artillery correction mode, continuous 360-degree scanning mode. The Beagle has detection ranges of 40 km for very large vehicles, 25 km for vehicles, and 10 km for pedestrians. It has an 5-minute setup time; it can be deployed very quickly. It works with FMCW radar technology, so it has a very low probability of intercept. It has its DSP integrated, so it can even be used with a suitable ruggedized tablet.
Blighter B202 Mk 2
editThe Blighter B202 Mk 2 radar from Blighter Surveillance Systems (a Plextek Group company) is an advanced E-Scan radar with no moving parts for high reliability in the field. Its weight is about 15 kg and is therefore truly man portable, about the weight of a machine gun and less than half the weight of other man-portable radars.
Blighter B202 Mk 2 can operate off small batteries, unlike others in its class which are really vehicle bounded. Blighter B202 Mk 2 is phase coherent and has very low probability of intercept due to its very low peak power.
Blighter B202 Mk 2 also includes high-quality Doppler audio and is a "Multi-Mode and Multi-Role" radar. The modes including radar modes for quick scan ('Vortex Fast-Scan') with audio for fast search and long dwell modes small scan for high probability of detection of crawlers also can be used with Doppler audio for target recognition. Most suited to covert ops and border surveillance as multiple Blighter radars can coordinate in ad hoc networks and sequence their radar emissions to form border surveillance over very long lines of control ('Blighter MultiWatch').
MSTAR
editMan-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR) provides long-range, wide-area surveillance and detection in an over-watch capability. The weight is about 30 kg.[5]
SpotterRF
editSpotterRF Compact Surveillance Radar (SpotterRF) is a new class of surveillance radar called Compact Surveillance Radar that provides range and azimuth measurements of moving objects. It tracks moving people and vehicles from 500 to 1500 meters away in a small, lightweight package. Different variants of the system range from 3 to 5 pounds. SpotterRF systems are easy to use and only require 30–60 minutes (according to SpotterRF's marketing material) to train personnel on how to use the system. SpotterRF systems can also integrate with programs such as Exacqvision, Milestone, VideoNext, RaptorX, and Google Earth for an effective and easy visual experience. Combined with SpotterRF's radar management system, NetworkedIO, systems can actively cue cameras on moving targets spotted by the system. Compact Surveillance Radar (CSR) applies the technology used in the telecommunications industry to reduce the size, weight and cost of radar..[6]
References
edit- ^ Lagneau, Laurent (2019-05-22). "Barkhane : L'armée de Terre a déployé le nouveau radar de surveillance tactique MURIN au Sahel". Zone Militaire (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ Lagneau, Laurent (2019-04-12). "L'armée de Terre a reçu ses premiers radars de surveillance tactique MURIN". Zone Militaire (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ "Waffen und militärische Ausrüstung für die Ukraine | Bundesregierung". Die Bundesregierung informiert | Startseite (in German). 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ "Flugabwehr Iris-T: Berlin sendet Kiew neue Militärhilfe". ZDFheute (in German). 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ MSTAR Datasheet[permanent dead link]
- ^ SpotterRF web site
External links
edit- Ground Observer 12 Video
- Blighter B202 Mk 2 E-Scan Radar Blighter(tm) B202 Mk 2 E-Scan Radar Information
- Blighter Video Blighter(tm) E-Scan Radar Video