U.S.-based UTC Aerospace Systems and Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company, have signed an agreement to offer a TacSAR (tactical synthetic aperture radar) to complement the proven DB-110 EO/IR sensor. The European company will adapt its Seaspray 7500 radar to fit in the center third of the pod that houses the UTC DB-110 on fighter aircraft.

The two sensors cannot both be carried in the pod at the same time. But the TacSAR pod would provide radar-imaging options (spot SAR, strip SAR and GMTI) in poor weather. Or, two aircraft could fly a mission, one equipped with DB-110 and the other with TacSAR. The DB-110 is mostly found on F-16s, although it is also on Saudi F-15s, Japanese P-3s and a business jet.

Kevin Raftery, vice-president ISR and space systems, UTC Aerospace Systems, said that the TacSAR pod can “integrate seamlessly into existing [DB-110] operations using the same aircraft interfaces, real-time datalinks, and intelligence exploitation systems [on the ground].”

Bob Mason, vice-president sales for Selex ES’ radar and advanced targeting business, said the TacSAR would retain the existing Seaspray antenna and processors, and include maritime operating modes. “Our big antenna will give the long-range resolution of the EO/IR system, and offer a wide field of regard,” he explained.

The companies’ target market for the modification comprises those dozen-plus countries that have already bought the EO/IR system.

Upgrade to U-2 Imaging Sensor

UTC also revealed an upgrade to the SYERS-2 imaging sensor carried by the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, and from which the DB-110 EO/IR sensor was originally derived.

The SYERS-2C adds three more visible wavebands to the seven already provided (three visible, two shortwave and two midwave). The spectral resolution and image interpretability of this high-end multispectral sensor are also improved.

According to current Pentagon plans, the U-2 will be replaced by the Global Hawk UAV from FY2016. But the Global Hawk cannot carry the SYERS-2, and such is the value placed on the sensor’s capability by the combatant commanders, that they have objected to the plan.

Northrop Grumman says that it can adapt the UAV to carry SYERS for about $50 million, but the U.S. Air Force estimate to do the work is much higher. The U-2 retirement plan is also being challenged in Congress.