Australian Department of Defense,
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is conducting an international experiment in Sydney this week to develop technology for detecting new generation radar systems.
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, said that modern radars are becoming increasingly hard to detect and jam, and this week’s trial is an opportunity to use a realistic setting for collecting data.
“DSTO researchers are working with US and Canadian defence scientists on the trial that will assist DSTO to develop techniques and equipment that could detect challenging radar systems coming on the market.
“Unless we have appropriate radar detection and exploitation systems in place, Australia will be seriously disadvantaged in a conflict situation,” Mr Snowdon said.
A hired boat will travel along a zig-zag path out to sea and beam back radar signals which simulate the emissions from new generation radar. These signals will be intercepted by a passive receiver located on an elevated balcony overlooking the ocean at Coogee beach.
Mr Snowdon said the trial does not pose a health risk as there would be no radar emissions from the passive receiver. Radar emissions from the boat are 100 times lower than emissions from the boat’s own radar, or from any other boats in the area.
There also was no risk of interference with electronic equipment in the area as the power levels used were very low and in frequency bands used by radar systems.
“These experiments are important to DSTO and our Defence Force as they will collect “real” data that will help us to develop new radar detection technology,” Mr Snowdon said.
