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Article
Publication date: 27 March 2020

George-Konstantinos Gaitanakis, George Limnaios and Konstantinos Zikidis

Modern fighter aircraft using active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radars are able to detect and track targets at long ranges, in the order of 50 nautical miles…

Abstract

Purpose

Modern fighter aircraft using active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radars are able to detect and track targets at long ranges, in the order of 50 nautical miles or more. Low observable or stealth technology has contested the radar capabilities, reducing detection/tracking ranges roughly to one-third (or even less, for fighter aircraft radar). Hence, infrared search and track (IRST) systems have been reconsidered as an alternative to the radar. This study aims to explore and compare the capabilities and limitations of these two technologies, AESA radars and IRST systems, as well as their synergy through sensor fusion.

Design/methodology/approach

The AESA radar range is calculated with the help of the radar equation under certain assumptions, taking into account heat dissipation requirements, using the F-16 fighter as a case study. Concerning the IRST sensor, a new model is proposed for the estimation of the detection range, based on the emitted infrared radiation caused by aerodynamic heating.

Findings

The maximum detection range provided by an AESA radar could be restricted because of the increased waste heat which is produced and the relevant constraints concerning the cooling capacity of the carrying aircraft. On the other hand, IRST systems exhibit certain advantages over radars against low observable threats. IRST could be combined with a datalink with the help of data fusion, offering weapons-quality track.

Originality/value

An original approach is provided for the IRST detection range estimation. The AESA/IRST comparison offers valuable insight, while it allows for more efficient planning, at the military acquisition phase, as well as at the tactical level.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1961

D.J. Ritchie

PHOTOGRAPHIC details of various aircraft and missiles recently released in conjunction with the Soviet air show at Tushino Airport on July 9, 1961, has provided a basis for the…

Abstract

PHOTOGRAPHIC details of various aircraft and missiles recently released in conjunction with the Soviet air show at Tushino Airport on July 9, 1961, has provided a basis for the start of an evaluation of Soviet air‐to‐air rocket weapons. These pictorial data, coupled with Russian textbooks, as well as evidence of Soviet interest in the guided‐missile work of the Western Powers, indicated by the material that has been translated from English into Russian,1 has led to this brief evaluation of their work in this field.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 33 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1970

Accles & Pollock Ltd. of Oldbury, Worcestershire, a TI Steel Tube Division company, will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of precision steel tube and tubular products…

Abstract

Accles & Pollock Ltd. of Oldbury, Worcestershire, a TI Steel Tube Division company, will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of precision steel tube and tubular products, including plain, annularly convoluted and thin wall tube, at Farnborough.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 42 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2013

Shaofei Chen, Hongfu Liu, Jing Chen and Lincheng Shen

The purpose of this paper is to plan the penetration trajectory for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the presence of radar‐guided surface to air missiles (SAMs).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to plan the penetration trajectory for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the presence of radar‐guided surface to air missiles (SAMs).

Design/methodology/approach

The penetration trajectory planning problem is modelled based on four aspects of radar tracking features. As penetration just utilizes the low observability of radar cross section (RCS) to satisfy temporal constraints of tracking, the problem is formulated as multi‐phase trajectory planning with detected probability (MTP‐DP). While utilizing both the low observability of RCS and the radial velocity blind area of radar, the problem is formulated as multi‐phase trajectory planning with detected probability and radial velocity (MTP‐DP&RV). The pseudospectral multi‐phase optimal control based trajectory planning algorithm is proposed.

Findings

The results of the examples illustrate that the multi‐phase trajectory planning method can finely utilize the radar tracking features to optimize the comprehensive efficiency of penetration. The pseudospectral multi‐phase optimal control based trajectory planning algorithm could effectively solve the trajectory planning problem.

Originality/value

This paper provides new structured method to plan UAV penetration trajectory for military application and academic study.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 85 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1966

THE Twenty‐fifth S.B.A.C. Flying Display and Exhibition is to be held at Farnborough during the week Monday, September 5, to Sunday, September 11, promises to be one of the most…

Abstract

THE Twenty‐fifth S.B.A.C. Flying Display and Exhibition is to be held at Farnborough during the week Monday, September 5, to Sunday, September 11, promises to be one of the most interesting yet held as for the first time member companies of the Society have nominated for entry aircraft from member countries of the European A.I.C.M.A. (Association Internationale des Contructeurs de Materiel Aérospatial) that are powered by British engines. Seven European aircraft will be taking part, four of them sponsored by Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd. and three by Rolls‐Royce Ltd. The dominant theme of the Show will be collaboration, and it is fitting that the foreign aircraft have been sponsored by the aero engine manufacturers as they have advanced farther along this road than the airframe companies. Between them, they have close associations with practically all the major engine manufacturers in the Western world. Apart from the models and displays which will be mounted by the major airframe and engine manufacturers reflecting their growing involvement with European projects, the stands of the Associate Members of the Society of British Aerospace Companies will have many examples of materials, techniques and equipment that these companies are producing in support of current programmes, some of which will be for the American military aircraft now on order for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 38 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1981

TERRY FORD

Evident at the Show were technological developments both in the new aircraft and equipment displayed, in the very advanced systems being incorporated in types that are due to make…

Abstract

Evident at the Show were technological developments both in the new aircraft and equipment displayed, in the very advanced systems being incorporated in types that are due to make their first flight shortly, and in the activity projected by many companies to take advantage of current progress in avionics. At the same time, the state‐of‐the‐art of a large programme such as the Space Shuttle was amply demonstrated both in the US Pavilion and on the various manufacturer's stands.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 53 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1982

Normalair‐Garrett Ltd., (Stand No. N31) part of the Westland plc Group of Yeovil, Somerset, is exhibiting a wide range of products which demonstrate the company's diverse…

Abstract

Normalair‐Garrett Ltd., (Stand No. N31) part of the Westland plc Group of Yeovil, Somerset, is exhibiting a wide range of products which demonstrate the company's diverse capabilities in control systems and precision components for the aerospace industry.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 54 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1974

Aeronautical & General Instruments Ltd, will exhibit their R 128 recording cameras, designed to photograph the information displayed on the cathode ray tube of an aircraft's…

Abstract

Aeronautical & General Instruments Ltd, will exhibit their R 128 recording cameras, designed to photograph the information displayed on the cathode ray tube of an aircraft's reconnaissance radar.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 46 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2022

Weishi Chen, Yifeng Huang, Xianfeng Lu and Jie Zhang

This paper aims to review the critical technology development of avian radar system at airports.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the critical technology development of avian radar system at airports.

Design/methodology/approach

After the origin of avian radar technology is discussed, the target characteristics of flying birds are analyzed, including the target echo amplitude, flight speed, flight height, trajectory and micro-Doppler. Four typical airport avian radar systems of Merlin, Accipiter, Robin and CAST are introduced. The performance of different modules such as antenna, target detection and tracking, target recognition and classification, analysis of bird information together determines the detection ability of avian radar. The performances and key technologies of the ubiquitous avian radar are summarized and compared with other systems, and their applications, deployment modes, as well as their advantages and disadvantages are introduced and analyzed.

Findings

The ubiquitous avian radar achieves the long-time integration of target echoes, which greatly improves detection and classification ability of the targets of birds or drones, even under strong background clutter at airport. In addition, based on the big data of bird situation accumulated by avian radar, the rules of bird activity around the airport can be mined to guide the bird avoidance work.

Originality/value

This paper presented a novel avian radar system based on ubiquitous digital radar technology. The authors’ experience has confirmed that this system can be effective for airport bird strike prevention and management. In the future, the avian radar system will see continued improvement in both software and hardware, as the system is designed to be easily extensible.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1963

ALTHOUGH the first formal specification for the TSR.2 was formulated in the shape of General Operational Requirement 339, in 1956, the industry and the Royal Air Force had for…

58

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the first formal specification for the TSR.2 was formulated in the shape of General Operational Requirement 339, in 1956, the industry and the Royal Air Force had for some time previously been ‘sketching’ the outlines for a Canberra replacement. The English Electric Canberra was designed to specification B.3/45 as a high‐altitude medium bomber and, since its conception, has been produced and operated in a wide range of roles; including bomber, photographic reconnaissance, trainer, night interdictor, and target drone.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 35 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

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