SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 2 May 2012. General Dynamics C4 Systems and STAR Dynamics Corp. recently demonstrated an X-band Space Time Adaptive Radar (XSTAR) system's ability to track the launch and flight of a multi-stage test missile. The tracking information captured and recorded by the XSTAR system is useful to engineers and scientists for developing and testing airborne products and weapons systems traveling at very high speeds, including munitions, rockets, missiles, bombs and aircraft.

General Dynamics and STAR Dynamics are working together to modernize instrumentation radar systems on military and government test ranges. Combining radar systems from STAR Dynamics with General Dynamics'  manufacturing and logistics and maintenance support, XSTAR instrumentation radar systems deliver test-data accurately and in detail.

For the demonstration, the XSTAR radar tracked a test missile traveling over than 5,000 mph through all three stages of deployment. The XSTAR radar tracked and recorded the various stages of the missile's launch, separation of the first and second stage boosters and payload deployment, as well as debris that separated from the missile.

The XSTAR radar system can track and collect detailed test data on one or more flying objects that require time, space and position measurements used for system test and evaluation. XSTAR radar systems' design and software-based architecture incorporates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, which enables individual radar systems to be customized based on a user's needs.

The XSTAR system fact sheet can be found here: Fact Sheet