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The article discusses the latest developments in the design of ground-imaging sensors that could be used to examine the landscape in unparalleled precision as of December 2011. Among such sensors are the Raytheon Asars-2A ground mapping radar, the Goodrich ISR Systems Syers-2A long-range digital camera, and the Northrop Grumman APG-80 Aesa radar. It cites the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) scheme that was launched by the U.S. Army and Navy in 2003.

The article evaluates airborne radar systems used by the U.S. Navy including ASD-12V Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) by Raytheon Co., Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) by Lockheed Martin Corp., AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System by Northrop Grumman Corp.

The article reports on the necessity of installing powerful computers on the radar systems in the U.S. radar, which is called the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MPRTIP). Raytheon Co. is building the scanned array radar for Northrop Grumman Corp. MP-RTIP is modular, so they will build a large version for the E-lOA, a mid-sized version for NATO aircraft, and a small version for the unmanned aerial vehicle. Subcontractor Mercury Computer Systems Inc. of Massachusetts is building the computers. The computer is so dense that to dissipate the heat they use an approach called managed air.

The article reports on the proposed creation of global network of radar stations that would be used to address the problem of space debris, which pose risks to the safety of spacecraft. The US government has awarded 30 million U.S. dollars to Northrop Grumman, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon design a space fence that monitor and report movement of objects 5 centimetres wide and larger in medium and low-Earth orbits. S-band radars would be needed to track smaller objects in the gigahertz range.

Focuses on the development of MP-RTIP radar by Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co.in the U.S. Use of radar in the surveillance and intelligence gatherings aircraft; Attributes of the radar; Redefinition of MP-RTIP radar as a sensor.

Raytheon Co. has proposed a rail-mobile, operational phased array radar concept to serve as a Strategic Defense System mid-course sensor. The company, prime contractor for a ground-based radar experiment, believes the system would be more survivable and less expensive than space-based sensors. A ground-based system could be acquired and maintained over its lifetime for under $5 billion. Proposed system; Competition.

The article discusses electronic warfare technologies which could be used in the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) device. Technologies which are examines including active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, gallium nitride transmitters, and ram-air-turbine generators which have been used on models including the one built by the aerospace company Raytheon.

The article focuses on missile defense system research. It states Boeing's Ground-Based Interceptor failed to intercept missiles in two tests in 2010 due to a malfunction of the Raytheon Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle and the failure of a key U.S. Missile Defense Agency radar to address the rocket burn phenomenon of chuffing. It comments on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's decision to jointly develop medium-extended air defense systems with Italy and Germany assisting in development costs.

The article reports on South Korea's plans to retrofit an active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s in 2010. The pending competition is expected to pose some challenges for the U.S. administration in terms of technology release. While Raytheon has already been cleared to offer its Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar AESA, Northrop Grumman is still awaiting U.S. approval for its Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR).

Corrections to articles in previous issues are presented including the news that Chinasat 5B was the second commercial satellite launch of 2007 in the July 9, 2007 issue and the U.S. Navy's approval of the buying of 437 of the Raytheon-built APG-79 active electronically scanned radars in the July 9, 2007 issue.

The article discusses the collaboration of Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co. in a program to modernize the B-2 stealth bombers' radar system with an advanced antenna as part of the contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force. The team had delivered the first test model of the radar to the Air Force for integration, test and software development and completed a suite of tests that proves the compatibility of the hardware and software.

The article reports that the U.S. Air Force's Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will start receiving an upgraded sensor suite later this year as part of the service's spiral-development plan for the high-altitude, long-endurance UAV. The current Global Hawk Integrated Sensor Suite, produced by Raytheon Co., consists of electro-optical/infrared sensors and a synthetic-aperture radar/ moving-target indicator, linked through a sensor electronic unit and integrated processor. The Air Force eventually plans to purchase 50 Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suites, but only for the Northrop Grumman Corp.'s RO-4A4B Global Hawk--a larger variant, now in production.

The article reports on the 9.9 million dollars contract awarded to Raytheon Co. to perform concept studies of the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) for the U.S. Navy. It states that the system which includes S-band radar, X-band radar, and radar suite controller will be scalable to meet the Navy's mission requirements within its multiple ship platforms. It adds that the program will support the U.S. Navy's Future Surface Combatant including other ship classes and next-generation cruiser.

The article offers information on the performance of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar built by Raytheon Co. in the U.S. When the Missile Defense Agency and Lockhead Martin, THAAD prime contractor, performed an integrated flight testing at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, it performed successfully. The equipment radar played a critical role in discriminating the lethal object within the threat complex, leading to the subsequent interception of the lethal object. The performance of the equipment underscores the company's ability to meet the missile defense mission and provide a reliable and affordable terminal missile defense capability for the country.

The article reports on the creation of transmit-receive modules based on the advanced semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) by Raytheon Co. for use in future radar upgrades in the U.S. The author stated that the development is part of $11.5 million Next Generation Transmit Receive Integrated Microwave Module (NGT) contract, which is funded by the Missile Defense Agency's Advanced Technology Directorate. He added that the company is demonstrating that the transmit-receive modules using GaN-powered monolithic microwave integrated circuit amplifiers have a significant performance advantage.

The article reports on the role of Raytheon Co. in the successful destruction of a ballistic missile target during the flight test of Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system conducted by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Raytheon-built Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) has tapped the ballistic target in space over the eastern Pacific Ocean while the Raytheon-developed Upgraded Early Warning Radar has cut across the target system for about 15 minutes during its flight down range to the intercept point. The test has shown the capability of the system to launch a ground-based interceptor and demonstrate separation and delivery of the EKV to the demand point in space and time.