A suite of QinetiQ's advanced signal processing algorithms for improved target detection, has been included and trialled in the (Advanced Radar Target Indication, Situational Awareness and Navigation) ARTISAN 3D medium range radar demonstrator at BAE Systems at Cowes. This is part of the ongoing joint activities to demonstrate and potentially supply a new Naval Medium Range Radar (NMRR) system for the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates and aircraft carriers.

The ARTISAN 3D Radar has been developed to address the need for a capable primary naval sensor operating in complex littoral environments and delivering greater situational awareness. Already the result of a 24-month development programme, it uses latest technology based on proven technology from SAMPSON and Commander Radars. Optimised for medium to long range air and surface surveillance and target designation, it has an architecture specifically developed to exploit and embody future developments in radar technology.

QinetiQ used novel techniques in its signal processing to increase the Doppler processed instrumented range, providing greater radar coverage than would be possible using conventional techniques. Demonstration of these algorithms at Cowes during August 2007, confirmed the benefits of cutting edge technology from current research programmes and showed more than three times the range coverage of the existing Doppler processing channel.

Radar performance was further improved by using adaptive clutter filtering techniques to greatly reduce clutter breakthrough enabling enhanced small target detection. The new algorithms avoid problems in traditional clutter filtering which rely on fixed filters that are matched to the worst case of expected clutter. The result of using the new processing was to provide the operator a much cleaner radar picture and enhanced target detection.

"The ARTISAN 3D team was particularly delighted with the minimal effort required to implement the algorithms for the radar and insert them into the system," explained Andrew Bailey, MD for QinetiQ's Sea business. "The ease of insertion of our algorithms also demonstrates the benefits of an extensible, flexible software architecture. The algorithms provide a direct benefit to the ARTISAN 3D radar, building on the teams unique experience, expertise, pedigree and heritage and pulling-through the successes of the research programme, to deliver world-beating performance. The aim is to maintain this performance via further incremental capability enhancement opportunities as part of the ARTISAN 3D through life capability management strategy."

The ARTISAN 3D team comprises BAE Systems as the prime system integrator and system design and development authority, QinetiQ as the radar capability and research partner that brings cutting edge techniques in radar signal processing and depth of understanding in combat system integration and Roke Manor Research as the subsystem design authority for the electronic protection measures.