Radar-optronic tracking experiment for short and medium range aerial combat

The combination of optronic and radar sensors significantly improves combat aircraft potential. After having studied the fusion and estimation algorithms required by this combination, Thomson-CSF has set up a ground experiment in order to evaluate the performance of a combined radar-optronic system in short and medium range aerial combat. A system of this type can be used in combination with fire-control systems (gun or missile). The experiment combines an RDM radar and an ATLIS TV tracking pod, and will be completed later with an ASPIC IRST (infrared search and track) sensor. The potential interest of the combined use of radar and optronics is presented with the experimental conditions and the main results obtained