On 31 July 2024 the first EagleEye multi-mode radar came off the production line of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), the company announced on 23 August.
The new EagleEye radar is a high-performance system that delivers high-resolution, photographic-quality imagery that can be captured through clouds, rain, dust, smoke and fog at multiple times the range of previous radars. The system will be a ‘drop-in’ radar enhancement for the US Army’s current Gray Eagle Extended Range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and is part of the initial configuration for the new Gray Eagle 25M, of which the Army National Guard has ordered 12.
“The EagleEye radar has improved range and multi-mode performance, which is tailored to the deep sensing capability required for multi-domain operations (MDO),” Jeff Hettick, vice president of GA-ASI’s Agile Mission Systems business, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “We look forward to delivering the EagleEye to our U. Army customer in the near future,” he added.
Earlier this year GA-ASI announced the development of a new active electronically scanned-array (AESA) and associated software for EagleEye, which will deliver significant mode enhancements. The radar’s increased range and optimised multi-mode performance allow the UAV carrying it to operate well outside the effective range of most threat systems while still collecting high-resolution imagery from its sensors.
Using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) EagleEye enables operators to look in detail through atmospheric conditions that might obscure a purely visual sensor. Additionally, for the first time on the Gray Eagle platform, EagleEye delivers a radar-based full-motion video (FMV) capability called ‘Video SAR’, which enables live visual tracking of moving targets – even during heavy cloud cover. As part of the EagleEye development, GA-ASI has improved target detection range using real-time artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) software that runs on board the aircraft.
The EagleEye radar also performs moving target indication (MTI), detects changes, builds stripmaps and yields other precise insights to analysts, commanders and operators using industry-standard data formats.
With its maritime wide area search (MWAS) mode, EagleEye also provides a dedicated maritime MTI mode for tracking and targeting vessels. This further supports the MDO mission set of the US Army, particularly in support of US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The same mission is a focus for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where there is an increased need for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition, which is “critical to achieve information dominance and overmatch”, GA-ASI noted.
