Q&A Forecast International Radar, TPS-79, courtesy Lockheed Martin. Radar and its many roles Radar systems form an integral part of military communications systems. Radar assumes many roles within the battlefield and these roles are constantly being expanded and capability evolved. Helen Jameson was fortunate enough to speak to Forecast International analyst Bill Ostrove, an authority on military radar systems, to find out more about this fascinating technology. Question: What are the most common uses of radar technology in the military? Can you tell us about the main types of radar used on the battlefield? Bill Ostrove: Radar has many uses on the battlefield. Radar systems are used by ground forces to detect enemy mortar and artillery units. Counter-fire radar systems, such as the Enhanced TPQ-36 being developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Army, can detect incoming artillery or mortar shells, and then use advanced algorithms to calculate where the artillery or mortar units are. Ground forces also use radar as part of air surveillance and air defense systems. Radars are vital to detect incoming aircraft, cruise missiles, or UAVs. These radars can then cue surface to air missiles. Recently, these types of radar have been selling very well. The US Air Force has begun a programme to develop a replacement for the TPS-75, known as the Three-Dimensional Expeditionar y Long Range Radar (3DELRR). Other radars being marketed in this category include the ThalesRaytheon Ground Master family of radars, and the Lockheed Martin TPS-77 and TPS-79. Airborne radar systems are used in fighter aircraft to detect enemy targets, both in the air and on the ground, and then cue onboard weapon systems to engage those targets. These are some of the most common types of radars, as all advanced fighter aircraft include a fire control radar. Some of the most important on the market today include the Raytheon APG-63 (F-15), APG-79 (F/A-18E/F), and APG-82 (F-15E), Northrop Grumman APG-68 (F-16), APG-77 (F-22), and APG-81 (F-35), Thales RBE2 (Rafale), 6 w w w.satellite-evolution.com | October 2009 forecast.P65 6 01/11/2009, 20:24