December
9, 2006: High resolution radar is being installed in a Global Hawk UAV. This
Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar consists of thousands of tiny
radars that can be independently aimed in different directions. An AESA radar
was used on the JSTARS aircraft, enabling it to locate vehicles moving on the
ground. A new AESA radar for JSTARS enables them to spot smaller, man sized,
objects. AESA type radars have been around a long time, popular mainly for
their ability deal with lots of targets simultaneously, and produce a more
accurate picture of what is out there.
A
sufficiently powerful AESA radar can also focus enough energy to damage
aircraft or missiles. The U.S. has already been doing this with the
high-powered microwave (HPM) effects generated by similar AESA radars used in
F14, F35 and F22 aircraft. This is sort of like the EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse)
put out by nuclear weapons. AESA has demonstrated that it can disable missiles
and aircraft. AESA in a Global Hawk could disable electronics on the
ground.
The
air force has said that the larger AESA radar it plans to install on its new
E-10 radar aircraft would be able to zap cruise missile guidance systems up to
180 kilometers away. The E-10 AESA is several times larger than the ones found
in fighters and the Global Hawk, so make your own range estimates.
