Detection Chain Model Designed for Aircraft Concept Development

Abstract

Simultaneous design of an aircraft and its sensor systems offers advantages over integrating standard sensors because the need for sensor function can be balanced against the integration issues. A model of the detection chain is here defined as mathematical representations of the sensors, the wave propagation, and the signatures of the target. When used in aircraft concept development in a design space exploration context, the model of the detection chain needs to be simple yet detailed enough to sufficiently describe both the sensor performance and the impact it has on the infrastructure of the aircraft. In this paper a detection chain model for radar is introduced. It includes the detection range, search volume, and signature together with implications in terms of the aircraft infrastructure the parameters of mass, the volume, and power and cooling requirements as a function of antenna size. The best choice of radar cannot be determined by the sensor function alone; it has to be evaluated together with the aircraft in tactical simulations in order to obtain the complete picture. The benefits of a larger antenna can, to some degree, be counteracted by the changes to the aircraft that affect its flight performance.