This odd looking aircraft helps to test the new sensor fit for the Global Hawk.
This has been going on for some time.
Recent progress has this to say.
“At this point we’re delivering on the promise of advanced radar capability for the Global Hawk with completion of GMTI and SAR modes,” said Col. Jim Shaw, commander of the 851st Electronic Systems Group, which is leading the effort. “This is a capability that the warfighter needs in the overseas theater today.”
Radar system level performance verification testing on the advanced electronically-scanned array radar system verified performance of the Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, and Ground Moving Target Indicator, or GMTI, modes. SAR imagery includes collection of high-resolution spot images, while GMTI focuses on moving ground targets. The testing was conducted on a Proteus test aircraft.
“The sensor performed very well on SAR, and clearly exceeded warfighter requirements in the GMTI modes,” the colonel said.
The testing included 186 flights with 1,063 flight hours on Proteus. Of those, 64 flights and 376 flight hours were needed to complete the testing, referred to as RSLPV, after a focus on calibration issues in late August and early September 2008.
Program managers hope to incorporate the sensor onto the first production Block 40 Global Hawk.
Model 281 Proteus is actually a multi-mission vehicle,designed by Burt Rutan to investigate the use of aircraft as high altitude telecommunications relays, able to carry various payloads on a ventral pylon.The Proteus can orbit a point at over 65,000 feet for more than 18 hours. Scaled, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, is offering a fully unmanned version of the Proteus, labeled Model 395, as part of the competition for the USAF Hunter-Killer competition.
You can see some great photos of Proteus loaded with the MT-RTIP radar at this very nice blog created by Alan Radecki on the Mojave Airport/Spaceport. Many of Burt Rutan’s interesting projects can be see flying here:
http://mojaveskies.blogspot.com/