Insitu, GKN Aerospace and TNO have jointly developed a distinctive multifunction imaging radar system for the Integrator unmanned aerial platform.

The system is based on TNO's AMBER (affordable multi-beam radar) technology and combines in real time simultaneously several intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) functions, including zoom synthetic aperture radar, ground moving target indication and maritime capabilities, into the multi-mission radar ISR system. It says it is the first system in the market to offer this range of capabilities operated through a single payload radar system.

In combination with The Netherlands Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the collaboration aims to support Dutch industry while enabling Insitu to offer flexible and multifunctional capabilities to a wide variety of customers. The AMBER technology is being developed by TNO, the Netherlands organisation for applied scientific research. The Netherlands MoD awarded the short range tactical UAV contract to Insitu, acquiring three Insitu Integrator systems in 2017.

“For our global Defense customers, operational flexibility is critical,” says Curt Chesnutt, VP of global growth for Insitu. “This important collaboration demonstrates how continued innovation with allied partners will help us meet the changing demands of the future battlespace.”