High-resolution radar imaging by means of a versatile radar platform

Imaging radar systems in forthcoming surveillance and reconnaissance tasks have to meet increasingly severe demands. The next generation airborne SAR should comprise high resolution imaging capabilities, long range surveillance, moving target indication and the operation of sophisticated modes using multiple channels. This variety of tasks can be performed only by use of a phased array antenna together with a comprehensive wide band system design. To evaluate the achievable performance of such challenging radar systems FGAN-FHR has decided to build up a new experimental platform: PAMIR, the Phased Array Multifunctional Imaging Radar. In this paper the system design and the intended capabilities of PAMIR are described. First experimental results concerning high-resolution SAR and ISAR imaging are presented, too.