The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has conducted tests on a new sensor capable of capturing real-time video through clouds.

The flight tests were carried out under DARPA’s video synthetic aperture radar (ViSAR) programme.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Launched in 2013, the programme is aimed at developing an extremely high frequency (EHF) targeting sensor to operate through clouds as effectively as current electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors operate in clear weather.

The testing took place aboard a modified DC-3 aircraft that flew at low and medium altitudes.

During the tests, researchers could collect and compare data from the ViSAR, EO and IR sensors mounted on standard sensor gimbals.

DARPA Strategic Technology Office programme manager Bruce Wallace said: “The recent flight tests of the ViSAR sensor marked a major programme milestone toward our goal, proving that we can take uninterrupted live video of targets on the ground even when flying through or above clouds.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“The EO/IR sensors on board the test aircraft went blank whenever clouds obscured the view, but the synthetic aperture radar tracked ground objects continuously throughout the flight.”

“Refining the ViSAR sensor’s visualisation software to provide operators a representation they’re used to seeing is the next step in the programme.”

The cloud-penetrating EHF sensor in a moveable gimbal can provide high-resolution, full-motion video for engaging moving ground targets in all weather conditions.

Wallace added: “Refining the ViSAR sensor’s visualisation software to provide operators a representation they’re used to seeing is the next step in the programme.

“We don’t want operators in the back of an aircraft to need special radar training to interpret the sensor’s data—we are working to make the visual interface as easy to interpret as existing EO/IR sensor displays.”

DARPA seeks to integrate the sensor into an aircraft that includes a complete battle management system, as part of the next phase of the ViSAR programme.