DARPA FORESTER
Encyclopedia
The DARPA FORESTER is a technology development program sponsored jointly by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA) and the U.S. Army intended to produce an advanced airborne UHF radar system that can track personnel and vehicles on the ground when they are hidden by foliage. FORESTER is an acronym for FOPEN Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar (FOPEN itself is an acronym for FOliage PENetration).
system with a resolution of 6 meters that is mounted inside a 21.5 feet (6.6 m) long pod and designed to be carried under an A160 Hummingbird
helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV). The system is able to detect vehicles and walking soldiers underneath tree cover from a distance of 30 miles (48.3 km), giving battle planners the ability to detect potential ambushes. The pod is designed to swivel from its stowed in-line position 90 degrees to its deployed position. From a helicopter UAV hovering at 20000 feet (6,096 m), FORESTER can cover a 155 square miles (401.4 km²) area.
According to FORESTER project manager Lyndall Beamer, "Employing the sensor system on the DARPA/U.S. Army A160 Hummingbird
unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] helicopter or other suitable platform will provide a robust, wide-area, all-weather, standoff capability."
Cost is anticipated to run US$2.5 million per unit, with a production goal of US$1 million per unit in quantities of 50 or more.
at their Syracuse, NY, headquarters. The initial prototype for the FORESTER was flight tested using a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter because the A160 had not yet completed its Phase 1 flight test program. Test flights with the A160 began in August 2008.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military...
(DARPA) and the U.S. Army intended to produce an advanced airborne UHF radar system that can track personnel and vehicles on the ground when they are hidden by foliage. FORESTER is an acronym for FOPEN Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar (FOPEN itself is an acronym for FOliage PENetration).
Description
The FORESTER is a GMTI radarMoving target indication
Moving target indication is a mode of operation of a radar to discriminate a target against clutter. In contrast to another mode, stationary target indication, it takes an advantage of the fact that the target moves with respect to stationary clutter. The most common approach takes advantage of...
system with a resolution of 6 meters that is mounted inside a 21.5 feet (6.6 m) long pod and designed to be carried under an A160 Hummingbird
Boeing A160 Hummingbird
The Boeing A160 Hummingbird is an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter. Its design incorporates many new technologies never before used in helicopters, allowing for greater endurance and altitude than any helicopter currently in operation.The development of Hummingbird was begun by Frontier Aircraft...
helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
(UAV). The system is able to detect vehicles and walking soldiers underneath tree cover from a distance of 30 miles (48.3 km), giving battle planners the ability to detect potential ambushes. The pod is designed to swivel from its stowed in-line position 90 degrees to its deployed position. From a helicopter UAV hovering at 20000 feet (6,096 m), FORESTER can cover a 155 square miles (401.4 km²) area.
According to FORESTER project manager Lyndall Beamer, "Employing the sensor system on the DARPA/U.S. Army A160 Hummingbird
Boeing A160 Hummingbird
The Boeing A160 Hummingbird is an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter. Its design incorporates many new technologies never before used in helicopters, allowing for greater endurance and altitude than any helicopter currently in operation.The development of Hummingbird was begun by Frontier Aircraft...
unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] helicopter or other suitable platform will provide a robust, wide-area, all-weather, standoff capability."
Cost is anticipated to run US$2.5 million per unit, with a production goal of US$1 million per unit in quantities of 50 or more.
Development
The FORESTER program is being managed by DARPA's Information Innovation Office (I2O), and the hardware is manufactured for DARPA by SRCSRC Inc
SRC Inc, formerly Syracuse Research Corporation, is an independent, not-for-profit research and development company that develops solutions for customers in the defense, environment and intelligence industries...
at their Syracuse, NY, headquarters. The initial prototype for the FORESTER was flight tested using a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter because the A160 had not yet completed its Phase 1 flight test program. Test flights with the A160 began in August 2008.
External links
- DARPA CG animation video showing FORESTER on the Boeing A160 HummingbirdBoeing A160 HummingbirdThe Boeing A160 Hummingbird is an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter. Its design incorporates many new technologies never before used in helicopters, allowing for greater endurance and altitude than any helicopter currently in operation.The development of Hummingbird was begun by Frontier Aircraft...