DRDO to test image sensors on aircraft

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed development of an imaging satellite, which, according to sources, is in the process of integration with the aircraft for testing.

 
V K Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister had said earlier this week that he was in discussion with the Indian Air Force about the same.

“...We have a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems programme. Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), one of our labs here, is developing it,” he had said.

One SAR is already complete and will be tested onboard a Dornier aircraft.
It has gone through the ground testing already and is ready for flight evaluation that could begin anytime.

An active sensor, synthetic aperture radar can image both in day  and night. It has an all-weather capability. “SAR images are characterised by shadows, highlights, corner reflector effect, layover and shortening,” DRDO said.

Sources added that SAR, being sensitive to surface roughness and topography, can easily detect constructed areas and camouflaged objects.

 It has the advantage of low revisit time due to steerable beam and cloud penetration capability.