Current test results for the Athena radar responsive tag

Richard C. Ormesher; Ana Martinez; Kenneth W. Plummer; David Erlandson; Sheri Delaware; David R. Clark

doi:10.1117/12.664623

8 May 2006 Current test results for the Athena radar responsive tag

Richard C. Ormesher, Ana Martinez, Kenneth W. Plummer, David Erlandson, Sheri Delaware, David R. Clark

Proceedings Volume 6210, Radar Sensor Technology X; 62100K (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.664623
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

Sandia National Laboratories has teamed with General Atomics and Sierra Monolithics to develop the Athena tag for the Army's Radar Tag Engagement (RaTE) program. The radar-responsive Athena tag can be used for Blue Force tracking and Combat Identification (CID) as well as data collection, identification, and geolocation applications. The Athena tag is small (~4.5" x 2.4" x 4.2"), battery-powered, and has an integral antenna. Once remotely activated by a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or Moving Target Indicator (MTI) radar, the tag transponds modulated pulses to the radar at a low transmit power. The Athena tag can operate Ku-band and X-band airborne SAR and MTI radars. This paper presents results from current tag development testing activities. Topics covered include recent field tests results from the AN/APY-8 Lynx, F16/APG-66, and F15E/APG-63 V(1) radars and other Fire Control radars. Results show that the Athena tag successfully works with multiple radar platforms, in multiple radar modes, and for multiple applications. Radar-responsive tags such as Athena have numerous applications in military and government arenas. Military applications include battlefield situational awareness, combat identification, targeting, personnel recovery, and unattended ground sensors. Government applications exist in nonproliferation, counter-drug, search-and-rescue, and land-mapping activities.

Citation Download Citation

Richard C. Ormesher, Ana Martinez, Kenneth W. Plummer, David Erlandson, Sheri Delaware, and David R. Clark "Current test results for the Athena radar responsive tag", Proc. SPIE 6210, Radar Sensor Technology X, 62100K (8 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.664623

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