The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) this week conducted an international experiment in Sydney to develop technology for detecting new generation radar systems.
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon said modern radars are becoming increasingly hard to detect and jam, and this week’s trial is an opportunity to use a realistic setting for collecting data.
“DSTO researchers are working with U.S. and Canadian defence scientists on the trial that will assist DSTO to develop techniques and equipment that could detect challenging radar systems coming on the market.
“Unless we have appropriate radar detection and exploitation systems in place, Australia will be seriously disadvantaged in a conflict situation,” Snowdon said.
A hired boat travels a zig-zag path out to sea and beams back radar signals that simulate the emissions from new generation radar. These signals will be intercepted by a passive receiver located on an elevated balcony overlooking the ocean at Coogee beach.
Snowdon said radar emissions from the boat are 100 times lower than emissions from the boat’s own radar, or from any other boats in the area, so there is no health risk.
There also was no risk of interference with electronic equipment in the area as the power levels used were very low and in frequency bands used by radar systems.
“These experiments are important to DSTO and our Defence Force as they will collect ‘real’ data that will help us to develop new radar detection technology,” Snowdon said.