Virtual radar is a simulated radar system used in training aircraft, which due to cost constraints, are not usually equipped with radar. The basis of the virtual radar system is a closed loop data network, where participants can share their
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of the global navigation satellite sy ...
positioning data and supplemental Air Data Computer (ADC) data to calculate targeting information. It utilizes an airborne bus such as
Ethernet
Ethernet () is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in ...
or
MIL-STD-1553
MIL-STD-1553 is a military standard published by the United States Department of Defense that defines the mechanical, electrical, and functional characteristics of a serial data bus. It was originally designed as an avionic data bus for use w ...
.
Background
Due to size and cost limitations, Trainer Planes are not able to accommodate a traditional
radar
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, w ...
system. ”Virtual Training” capability consists of implementation of a virtual radar capability as well as a ground-based mission management and debriefing capability. This provides an affordable solution to radar training to flight students and support future pilot training.
The airborne component of the “Virtual Radar” provides
radar
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, w ...
capability for both Air-To-Air (A/A) and Air-To-Ground (A/G) radar modes without the use of radar system.
The system provides data via airborne bus such as
Ethernet
Ethernet () is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in ...
or MIL-STD-1553B, to the Mission Display Processor (MDP) that simulates unclassified radar data. The system may also provide RS-170 video synthesizing A/G radar maps – Real Beam Maps Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) maps etc.
The basis of the virtual radar system is a closed loop data network. All participants in the Network can share their
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of the global navigation satellite sy ...
positioning data and supplemental Air Data Computer (ADC) data to calculate targeting information like a radar system. All participants in the network must have a virtual radar system to either receive target data or generate target information to other participants.
The Ground-based portion of the Virtual Training must support training mission management when it is an active participant in the data network as well as provide post training mission debriefing capabilities with video and data review from data recorded on a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). The data network must support all virtual radar requirements with or without the participation of a Virtual Training Ground system.
External links
S-Band Datalink network for Virtual Radars
Radar