A RADAR SYSTEM TO ALERT HELICOPTERS TO SMALL-ARMS ATTACKS

Radar technology is well suited to solutions such as those to protect helicopters. The CSIR was approached by SAAB Grintek Defence, a leading supplier of aircraft self-protection suites, to collaboratively develop a radar-based hostile fire indicator sensor to add to its existing platform protection system for helicopters. The radar solution developed has been proven through flight trials of a concept demonstrator which detects bullets passing within a 50 m radius of the helicopter, providing a warning ‘bubble’ around the aircraft. The system alerts the pilot and crew that they are being fired on and indicates where the shooter is located, allowing the immediate initiation of evasive or reactive tactics. 

The radar-based hostile fire indicator system consists of four radar sensors, positioned around the helicopter, each covering a 90° sector of the surroundings. The radar sensors transmit radio frequency energy and sense the echo returns from objects in the environment. The system can discard returns from other objects by measuring several key parameters, such as range and velocity, to discern the distinctive signature of a bullet. A central computer receives the data from each sensor and processes it to detect the presence of a bullet. Threat information is provided to the pilot on a cockpit display in real time.

Having proven the technology with a sensor size valid for market uptake, funding is required for taking the concept demonstrator to the prototype stage, followed by industrialisation, flight certification and scaled-up production.