Man-portable counter mortar radar system

• US 20060092075A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syracuse Research Corporation
• Original Assignee: Syracuse Research Corporation
• Inventors: Wilson, Thomas A., Bruce, Steven E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,248,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/175
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/4463 using phased arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/48 using multiple beams at emission or reception
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/0245 Radar with phased array antenna
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/02 of systems according to group G01S13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1235 Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26

Abstract

The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack. MCMR comprises an antenna for radiating the radar pulses and for receiving the reflected target echoes, a transmitter that produces the radar pulses to be radiated from the antenna, a receiver-processor for performing measurements (range, azimuth and elevation) on the target echoes, associating multiple echoes to create target tracks, classifying the tracks as mortar projectiles, and calculating the probable location of the mortar weapon, and a control and display computer that permits the operation of the radar and the display and interpretation of the processed radar data.

Claims

1. A portable radar, comprising:

a housing for securely storing antenna electronic components therein;

a plurality of antenna panels each interconnected to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic components; and

a ground engaging member on which said housing is removably mounted.

2. The portable radar according to claim 1, wherein said housing is cylindrical in shape.

3. The portable radar according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of antenna panels each extend in a respective plane, all of which are vertically oriented when said panels are connected to said housing.

4. The portable radar of claim 3, wherein said plurality of antenna panels are arranged in circumferential relation to said housing with each panel extending radially outward from said housing and in spaced relation to adjacent panels by a predetermined radial amount.

5. The portable radar of claim 4, wherein said predetermined radial amount is about 15 degrees.

6. The portable radar of claim 1, wherein said ground engaging member is a tripod.

7. The portable radar of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ground planes each of which is connected between adjacent ones of said plurality of antenna panels.

8. The portable radar of claim 1, further comprising a scope attached to said housing for aligning the radar.

9. The portable radar of claim 1, further comprising a first ring having a plurality of radially extending, spaced apart slits formed therein, attached to said housing, wherein each of said slits is adapted to receive a respective one of said plurality of antenna panels therein.

10. The portable radar of claim 9, further comprising a second ring, each of said first and second rings having a plurality of radially extending, spaced apart slits formed therein, and connected to said housing.

11. The portable radar of claim 10, wherein said housing has a top end and a bottom end, said first ring is positioned adjacent said top end, and said second ring is positioned adjacent said bottom end.

12. The portable radar of claim 11, wherein said first and second rings are positioned with their respective plurality of slits aligned in respective common vertical planes with one another.

13. A portable radar, comprising:

a housing for securely storing antenna electronic components therein;

a plurality of essentially planar, antenna panels removably interconnected to said housing and extending outward therefrom and in spaced relation to one another.

14. The portable radar of claim 13, wherein said housing is cylindrical and said plurality of panels extend radially outward from said housing and in radially spaced relation to one another.

15. The portable radar of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of ground planes each of which is connected between adjacent ones of said plurality of antenna panels.

16. The portable radar of claim 13, further comprising a scope attached to said housing for aligning the radar.

17. The portable radar of claim 13, further comprising a first ring having a plurality of radially extending, spaced apart slits formed therein, attached to said housing, wherein each of said slits is adapted to receive a respective one of said plurality of said panels therein.

18. The portable radar of claim 17, further comprising second rings, each of said first and second rings having a plurality of radially extending, spaced apart slits formed therein, and connected to said housing.

19. The portable radar of claim 18, wherein said housing has a top end and a bottom end, said first ring is positioned adjacent said top end, and said second ring is positioned adjacent said bottom end.

20. The portable radar of claim 19, wherein said first and second rings are positioned with their respective plurality of slits aligned in respective common vertical planes with one another.