US Navy completes first independent testing of ICX Radar Systems's OASYS Radar
The First Commercial OASYS RADAR
San Diego Sept. 20 2001 - ICX Radar Systems Communications - The US Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, CA, has completed preliminary testing of the ICX Radar Systems OASYS Radar with convincing results. These were the first independent tests of the new system.
The US Navy is looking at the potential for several applications of the advanced 35GHz technology from ICX Radar Systems. Applications include obstacle avoidance for aircraft as well as autonomous collision avoidance for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's).
In the Van Nuys testing, the radar was flown aboard a commercially leased helicopter. Profiles simulating helicopter military missions as well as UAV flight were flown. In the UAV related testing, the radar easily detected other airborne aircraft. The potential application is for a UAV to be able to take evasive action on its own when in conflict with other aircraft. This key requirement of the FAA to allow UAV's to share civilian airspace is commonly referred to as "Detect, See and Avoid" or DSA. China Lake conducted some of these tests in conjunction with a project sponsored by NASA to evaluate DSA sensors comprehensively.
Further, the OASYS Radar again proved its capability as a helicopter obstacle avoidance radar, detecting wires, towers and buildings. Flights were flown in "city canyons" of buildings and through power transmission line laden valleys. The radar detected virtually all of the targets presented to it.
The San Diego testing was completed "beachside" for an undisclosed application. In these tests, various surface and airborne targets were tracked by the radar. Also a "reference" test, using a small reference target tethered to a balloon showed that the radar could track a Cessna-172 sized aircraft at over 6 miles "The radar could be modified with simple changes to extend that detection range significantly," said Yves Lamontage, ICX Radar Systems's director of system integration, who supported all of the testing in California. This reference test is intended to further support the ability of the OASYS Radar to be adapted to the UAV DSA role.
ICX Radar Systems anticipates that the US Navy, as well as other military and civilian operators of helicopters will recognize the safety enhancing potential of the OASYS Radar in its primary role as a helicopter obstacle avoidance radar.
It is anticipated that these tests will pave the way towards more elaborate testing of the radar by the Navy, and potentially a procurement program in the future. "These tests have demonstrated to the Navy what our technology can do. We believe that various opportunities will arise from these tests," said Martin Bissonnette, President of ICX Radar Systems.
"As ICX Radar Systems approaches civil certification of the OASYS Radar, we're pleased with the results of these first independently run tests," added Bissonnette. "ICX Radar Systems is earning recognition one customer at a time, and we are lined up for more customer testing before the end of the year. Two commercial helicopter operators will be installing the system prior to certification in the early New Year in the obstacle awareness role."
The radar was loaned to the Navy by Electricore Inc. of Indianapolis, IN under the terms of a Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA). Electricore in turn contracted for the loan of the unit from ICX Radar Systems along with supporting personnel. Airborne tests were carried out in Los Angeles County, San Diego and surrounding areas.
ICX Radar Systems is a privately funded company with a primary mission to develop and market advanced and innovative technologies for the aviation industry.
Electricore, Inc. is a non-profit organization which bridges technologies, companies and government programs, for diverse applications.
ICX Radar Systems
3440 Francis-Hughes
Suite 120
Laval, Quebec
Canada H7L 5A9
Tel: +1 450 663 6404
Fax: +1 450 663 7134
radars@icxt.com
