General Atomics’ EagleEye multi-mode radar is being upgraded with the addition of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna and associated software.
The drop-in antenna will more than double the radar’s range of 50 miles (80 kilometers).
“The increased range and optimized multi-mode performance of the radar are perfectly tailored to provide deep sensing capability in multi-domain operations,” General Atomics VP of Agile Mission Systems Jeff Hettick said.
“That will allow the aircraft to operate well outside Weapons Effects Zone of most threat systems, adding a layer of survivability supporting the Stand-Off survivability with Stand-In effects of long-range sensors. This is a key component of the Gray Eagle 25M Unmanned Aircraft System being developed for the US Army.”
Lab Prototype By End of 2024
Moreover, an AESA antenna features a solid-state, all-electronic emitter compared to the mechanically steered dish antennas, improving the radar’s repairability and reliability.
A working lab prototype of the AESA antenna is expected to be ready by the end of this year, with planned flight tests in 2025 followed by operational demonstrations on the new Gray Eagle 25M drone.
EagleEye Radar
The synthetic aperture radar is being developed for the upcoming Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aerial system, the latest iteration of the MQ-1C drone.
The EagleEye is capable of looking through clouds, smoke, dust, haze, or other conditions, unlike a purely visual sensor.
It also features visual tracking of moving targets and the maritime wide area search mode to track and target vessels.