New STARE Technology Creates Timely, Actionable Tactical Intelligence
BERLIN AIR SHOW – 12 September 2012 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced its successful participation in NATO’s Unified Vision (UV12) Trial at Orland Main Air Station in Brekstad, Norway, June 18-29.
Sponsored by the NATO Joint Capability Group on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (JCGISR), the Joint ISR (JISR) trial focused on the enhancing the interoperability of national ISR assets, sharing ISR data, and improving NATO JISR tactics, techniques, and procedures. UV12 was attended by over 1,200 participants from 21 NATO commands, member nations, and associated government organizations.
GA-ASI participated in the trial for the first time, demonstrating a Predator® B/MQ-9 Reaper surrogate (manned King Air 200) with a Block 30 Lynx® Multi-mode Radar, a FLIR Star SAFIRE 3800HD Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor, and Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL), along with GA-ASI’s new System for Tactical Archival, Retrieval, and Exploitation (STARE) and Link 16 integration.
“We were honored to help fill the ISR gap for this year’s trial with a surrogate RPA and to have the opportunity to demonstrate the game-changing capabilities of our new STARE ISR data processing technology,” said Linden Blue, president, Reconnaissance Systems Group, GA-ASI. “We look forward to continuing to develop STARE to meet the needs of the customer community.”
GA-ASI’s involvement centered on ensuring that the assets were actionable to “the warfighter” and was highlighted by the effectiveness of its new STARE technology, which filled critical gaps in data distribution, archiving, and retrieval during the various trial vignettes. This was accomplished by simultaneously processing sensor feeds from multiple systems, including the Reaper surrogate, AeroVironment’s Puma Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), and Lockheed Martin’s Persistent Threat Detection System (aerostat). STARE was used to collect, exploit, and disseminate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, stationary and moving target information, and High-Definition (HD) video to NATO networks.
The Reaper surrogate successfully demonstrated all-weather capabilities with the Lynx radar and participated in all mission profiles, including flights during inclement weather. Onboard the aircraft, GA-ASI’s Claw® sensor control and image analysis software provided command and control of the radar and FLIR sensor and processed data through the data link. On the ground, STARE provided the exploitation and fusion of all ISR sensor data, as well as HUMan INTelligence (HUMINT) and Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) reporting. This included ingestion, exploitation, and display of Full Motion Video (FMV) and Moving Target Indicator (MTI) data from the Persistent Threat Detection System in Yuma, Ariz., along with other FMV and MTI feeds from disparate local NATO trial participants.
STARE was also utilized to rebroadcast and share Reaper and other NATO ISR data successfully via Cross-Domain Solutions to unclassified and classified NATO network partners and provide “Reaper” Link 16 tracks to all NATO air assets participating in the trial.
STARE is a GA-ASI development effort that is designed to provide a system to create timely, actionable intelligence at the tactical level. STARE addresses a gap at the tactical level for archival (storage of tactical ISR feeds and products), retrieval (dissemination of all data products to STARE and external users), and exploitation (environment to bring ISR data together for tactical exploitation). STARE can store data for 30 days, retrieve and fuse various data sources, exploit and create actionable intelligence, and connect to the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) for data dissemination.
A STARE data sheet and accompanying high-resolution photo are available upon request to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact listed below.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely operated aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely operated aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle®, and the new Predator C Avenger®. It also manufactures a variety of solid-state digital Ground Control Stations (GCS), including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for RPA field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and aircraft. It also develops and integrates other sensor and communication equipment into manned ISR aircraft and develops emerging technologies in solid-state lasers, electro-optic sensors, and ultra-wideband data links for government applications. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Predator, Lynx, Claw, Gray Eagle, and Avenger are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For more information contact:
Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.312.2294
kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com