AN/AAQ-37 DAS detects multiple rocket launches VIDEO

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 21 Jun 2012, 16:18

AN/AAQ-37 DAS detects multiple rocket launches VIDEO h/t SNAFU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF29GBSp ... r_embedded

"Published on Jun 21, 2012 by northropgrummanmedia
The AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System and AN/APG-81 radar detects, tracks and targets multiple rocket launches during NASA's ATREX event at Wallops Island."

Scorpion82 · by **Scorpion82** » 21 Jun 2012, 16:35

That robotic NG speakers voice sounds horrible. Nice video however, seems that the EODAS has repeatedly lost the missile, but it was continuously tracked by the radar most of the time and EODAS re-acquired it.

stereospace · by **stereospace** » 21 Jun 2012, 17:58

The link doesn't work for me. It tells me the video is private.

aceshigh · by **aceshigh** » 21 Jun 2012, 18:01

stereospace wrote:The link doesn't work for me. It tells me the video is private.

+1

spazsinbad · by **spazsinbad** » 21 Jun 2012, 22:18

Video was public - oh well. Screenshot from: http://snafu-solomon.blogspot.com.au/20 ... f-art.html

neurotech · by **neurotech** » 22 Jun 2012, 08:14

Not the same video, but here is the one where they track the Falcon 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZrvAFRhQZc

firstimpulse · by **firstimpulse** » 22 Jun 2012, 13:30

neurotech wrote:Not the same video, but here is the one where they track the Falcon 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZrvAFRhQZc

Incredibly interesting stuff. Any idea what altitude the F-35 was at?
Considering the deep weapons bays, this might be a good ASAT launcher!

neurotech · by **neurotech** » 22 Jun 2012, 18:44

firstimpulse wrote:
neurotech wrote:Not the same video, but here is the one where they track the Falcon 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZrvAFRhQZc

Incredibly interesting stuff. Any idea what altitude the F-35 was at?
Considering the deep weapons bays, this might be a good ASAT launcher!

It was from a BAC 111 with F-35 nose (CatBird) for testing the F-35 systems. I'm not sure the altitude.

firstimpulse · by **firstimpulse** » 23 Jun 2012, 02:47

neurotech wrote:
firstimpulse wrote:
neurotech wrote:Not the same video, but here is the one where they track the Falcon 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZrvAFRhQZc

Incredibly interesting stuff. Any idea what altitude the F-35 was at?
Considering the deep weapons bays, this might be a good ASAT launcher!

It was from a BAC 111 with F-35 nose (CatBird) for testing the F-35 systems. I'm not sure the altitude.

A quick wiki search says the BAC One Eleven tops out at 35-37 thousand feet- which means that an F-35 would have an extra two miles less atmosphere to look through to see objects above it or in space. So the picture might even be clearer...

neurotech · by **neurotech** » 23 Jun 2012, 05:04

I found the video looking for the other one, and didn't research the CATBird maximum altitude before posting a response. If absolute image quality was required, they could have used a ER-2 (U-2 variant) and get even clearer images.

I think this was more PR from Northrop-Grumman than practical imaging and tracking for NASA/SpaceX

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 26 Jun 2012, 15:20

The video is back on YouTube and now has a PR to go with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF29GBSp ... r_embedded

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/northr ... 2012-06-26

LINTHICUM, Md., Jun 26, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC -0.55% recently demonstrated the ballistic missile detection, tracking and targeting capabilities of the company's AN/AAQ-37 distributed aperture system (DAS) and AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, both of which are featured on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.

A video accompanying this release is available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/qF29GBSpRF4 .

Leveraging NASA's Science Mission Directorate-sponsored Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment launch operation, the demonstration was coordinated with NASA and the U.S. Air Force to ensure that it did not impact NASA's primary science mission goals. The systems were demonstrated in flight onboard the company's BAC1-11 testbed aircraft.

Northrop Grumman's DAS and APG-81 autonomously detected, tracked and targeted multiple, simultaneous ballistic rockets. The DAS autonomously detected all five rockets, launched in rapid succession, and tracked them from initial launch well past the second stage burnout.

"Northrop Grumman demonstrated these ballistic missile tracking modes with only minor modifications to the baseline F-35 JSF radar and DAS software," said Jeff Leavitt, vice president of Northrop Grumman's combat avionic systems business unit. "Since DAS is always staring simultaneously in every direction, an operator does not have to point the sensor in the direction of a target to gain a track. The F-35 pilot could continue the primary mission while the sensors automatically observe ballistic missile threats."

The APG-81 AESA radar demonstrated the ability to provide acquisition and weapons quality tracks independently, and also via pointing cues from DAS for expedited and extended range target acquisition. The radar maintained each track from initial acquisition until the rocket exited the radar's field of view.

Leavitt added that Northrop Grumman is currently exploring how the existing DAS technology could assist in several additional mission areas, including irregular warfare operations.

The multifunction AN/APG-81 AESA radar is capable of the full range of air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities complemented by significant electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance functions. The AN/AAQ-37 DAS provides passive spherical awareness for the F-35, simultaneously detecting and tracking aircraft and missiles in every direction, and providing visual imagery for day/night navigation and targeting purposes.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Northrop Grumman Corp.

CONTACT: Alleace Gibbs
(410) 765-1294
alleace.gibbs@ngc.com

megasun · by **megasun** » 26 Jun 2012, 18:55

Cool, any idea, how far distance is that?

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 26 Jun 2012, 19:29

Unfortunately not. We do not know the type of sounding rocket (likely considering the short burn 1st stage) used either.

SpudmanWP · by **SpudmanWP** » 26 Jun 2012, 19:48

I ID'd that second rocket as a Terrier MaleMule and the third as a Terrier Orion. Not sure on the first.

http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/mpl/w_terriermalemute.html

wrightwing · by **wrightwing** » 27 Jun 2012, 14:00

neurotech wrote:I found the video looking for the other one, and didn't research the CATBird maximum altitude before posting a response. If absolute image quality was required, they could have used a ER-2 (U-2 variant) and get even clearer images.

I think this was more PR from Northrop-Grumman than practical imaging and tracking for NASA/SpaceX

Did you factor in that the image quality was perhaps degraded for purposes of wide dissemination, much like imagery from satellites is downgraded before being shown to those without the proper clearance.