Evaluation of U.S. Coast Guard Forward-Looking Airborne Radars

Abstract : During CY 1983, the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center conducted field experiments off Fort Pierce, FL and Oregon Inlet, NC to evaluate the small- target detection capabilities of three forward-looking airborne radars (FLARs): the AN/APS-127, the AN/APS-133, and the AN/APN-215. Field data from these experiments and from a West German field test of the AN/APN-134 FLAR were compared to each other and to theoretical detection range predictions promulgated by NADC. These data were used to analyze the potential of each system to fulfill the Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) and Enforcement of Laws and Treaties (ELT) missions. Targets of 1-square meter and 100-square meter radar cross sections were considered in the analysis. The AN/APS-134 was found to be clearly superior to the other three candidate FLAR systems in its capability to fulfill SAR and ELT mission requirements. In sea states 3 and above, the AN/APS-134 is the only FLAR among those evaluated with any significant ability to detect 1-square meter targets. Recommendations are made for conducting FLAR search operations and for future research and development efforts.