Multi Mode LADAR/RADAR Active Transponder Systems for Tracking Very Long Operation Ranges Cooperative Targets

Tracking of cooperative airborne targets is very important for numerous applications especially for space missions. Previous researches have shown that tracking Laser RADAR (LADAR) offers very high precision and reliability but their operation range is limited to 40 km for good visibility and much less for adverse propagation conditions. Higher operation ranges under all weather conditions require a high power and costly RADAR and/or a light compact tactical low cost RADAR system using active transponders (on the cooperative target) at different frequency bands. In this paper a multimode LADAR/RADAR/Transponder system is investigated. Providing optimum performances and maximum operation range of hundreds of kms up to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites or space shuttle orbits. These performances are obtained without reducing significantly the tracking accuracy.