Threat radar detection using flash correlation of radar and radar warning receiver data

摘要

Multi-sensor correlation apparatus (10) and methods (30) for flash correlating data derived from a radar (13) and a radar warning receiver (14) to more accurately determine the direction to a threat radar (12) that emits a reflection beam in the same direction as its transmit beam. Data association is performed by comparing the intercept timing of the main transmission lobe of the threat radar (12) as observed by the radar warning receiver (14) with the intercept timing of the main reflection lobe of the threat radar (12) observed by the radar (13). The radar apparatus (10) comprises the radar (13) for detecting the reflection bean, and the radar warning receiver (14) for simultaneously detecting the transmit beam. A flash correlator (15) detects the time coincidence of the two detection events and correlates radar data generated by the radar (13) and the radar warning receiver (14) using the time coincidence detection. More specifically, the radar (13) is caused to look for a range Doppler cell that consistently jumps in magnitude at the same time the radar warning receiver (14) detects the transmission main lobe intercept of the threat radar (12). Thus, the radar (13) is cued to look for a reflection lobe at the same time the radar warning receiver (14) detects a transmission lobe. <IMAGE>