US Marine Corps Selects SAR Payload for Blackjack Tactical UAS

By Mike Ball / 09 Apr 2019
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RQ-21A Blackjack UAS

IMSAR has announced that its NSP-5 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system has been configured for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) usage and is currently in production as part of a Mission Kit for the RQ-21A Blackjack Program of Record operated by the United States Marine Corps. The payload project, named “Split Aces,” is a Synthetic Aperture/Ground Moving Target Indicator Radar Payload and has been given the prototype designation AN/DPY-2().

The NSP-5 is powered by operationally proven, Ku-band NanoSAR Synthetic Aperture Radar technology, which is housed in a pod with enclosed electronically scanned array antennas. The NSP-5 provides high-resolution SAR imagery, coherent change detection, and ground moving target indication.

Ryan Smith, President and CEO, said, “IMSAR is excited to provide America’s defense with a genuinely tactical, high-performance radar solution enabling true multi-intelligence for expeditionary platforms at such a critical time.”

The NSP-5 delivers high-performance capabilities despite its small size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics. Commercially, the NSP-5 is available in a standard pod configuration that measures 5.4 in. (13.7 cm) in diameter and 45.3 in. (115 cm) in length, weighs 16 pounds (7.3 kg), and consumes 150 watts of power.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact