General Atomics to build Predator UAV radar systems
SAN DIEGO, 1 Aug. 2005. U.S. Air Force officials are asking General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems in San Diego to build nine Lynx synthetic aperture radars for the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
General Atomics is doing the work under terms of an $13.9 million contract awarded July 29 from the Air Force Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The contract number is FA8620-05-C-3013.
Experts at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., designed the Lynx radar for General Atomics for applications in reconnaissance and surveillance in bad weather.
The sensor produces a strip map of one- to ten-foot resolution, and spotlight resolutions of four inches to 10 feet at ranges of 15 to 53 miles, depending on conditions. The radar also has near-real-time coherent change detection capability.
The contract includes ground-support equipment, spare parts, and a option for training manuals. Work will be finished by November 2007.