Joint research by armasuisse S+T with NATO PfP research partners on reconnaissance technologies
In the week from 19 to 23 August 2024, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) tested the performance limits of drone-based radar systems, together with various national and international research partners as part of a NATO/PfP research campaign (Partnership for Peace). The drone-based radar systems were tested in various frequency ranges and on different drones, thus measuring their effect.
Sarah Trösch, Staff, competence sector Science and Technology
In brief
Together with researchers from Switzerland and the NATO countries Germany, France and Italy, armasuisse S+T performed the technological tests for drone-based reconnaissance in the military training village in Walenstadt (SG). The training village offers an ideal scenario for performing tests both in areas of vegetation as well as in urban terrain.
Radar technology for better reconnaissance
During the test week, the researchers analysed SAR imaging equipment on various different drones. SAR stands for synthetic aperture radar and uses radar waves to produce high-resolution digital surface models. Unlike visual or infra-red cameras, SAR devices can take high-quality pictures even in smoke, mist, camouflage fog or darkness, making them particularly interesting for reconnaissance purposes.
The main goal of this research campaign was to examine the performance limits of this promising, yet complex reconnaissance technology in various different military scenarios. What was special about this research week was that up to now the radar systems had to be attached to larger and more stable flying objects such as aircraft and satellite, but in this test week they were mounted on small drones.
The tests involved identifying static and moving vehicles and objects in rural and urban surroundings. Amongst other things, researchers looked at whether it is possible to spot vehicles camouflaged in vegetation or mines on and under the ground. The researchers were also interested in taking pictures through fog and whether it is possible to distinguish real objects from dummies. In addition, the researchers examined the damage assessment of destroyed buildings and trenches.
Phönix 94 – Example of an SAR system
The Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR from Germany was also involved in the research campaign. Their drone-based radar system is called Phönix 94. This is an imaging radar device – or SAR system – that has been developed for reconnaissance. The Phönix 94 system flies in linear movements, i.e. the drone flies sideways past the respective scene and at a constant height, thus enabling images to be created using the SAR procedure. What is special about the Fraunhofer system is that the radar images are generated directly live on the drone. This enables the transmitted data to be tracked and checked at a ground station in real time – for example, in a vehicle.
The number 94 in the name stands for 94 gigahertz, which is the frequency of the radar waves. This is a very high frequency for radar systems. The advantage of high frequency is that both small and fine structures are clearly visible.
In the near future, the researchers from Fraunhofer want to test even higher frequencies and at the same time explore the question of how the radar can be designed to be smaller and more compact.
Other tested systems come from the University of Zurich and the French research institute ONERA.
Conclusion and outlook
armasuisse S+T, representing Switzerland, regularly takes part in selected NATO research activities as part of the Partnership for Peace programme (PfP). The connection with international research partners thus affords, on the one hand, a better assessment of the technological developments for the Swiss Armed Forces, while at the same time making an important contribution to the security of Switzerland. However, these kinds of measurement campaigns also always require a lot of organisation. Andreas Zihlmann, scientific project manager in the area Sensory Analysis, noticed this in particular. He organised this type of measurement campaign for the first time, together with Dr Peter Wellig.
This first-time experience of being co-organiser of an international measurement campaign showed me what an enormous amount of effort is required and that you can plan everything down to the smallest detail but then it can still all turn out differently – for example, due to the weather conditions. At the end, it was very gratifying to see how, thanks to a motivated team, all the planned measurements could still be successfully performed
The measured data obtained will be evaluated over the coming weeks and the new methods and technologies assessed. The aim is to be able to use appropriate reconnaissance systems in difficult operating conditions in future and boost their ability to identify targets considerably.
Further informations
- Reconnaissance technologies: armasuisse tests performance limits of drone-based radar systems with NATO PfP research partners
- Insights into the two research programmes «Reconnaissance and surveillance» and «Communications»
- Research Programme 1 - Reconnaissance and Surveillance
- Sensory analysis
- NATO - Homepage