FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar 06, 2012
TARS Fills Gap Between Classroom and In-Flight Training
SAN DIEGO – 6 March 2012 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today introduced the Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Simulator (TARS), a software-based training capability for Lynx® Multi-mode Radar operators that can be run on a laptop computer.
“TARS bridges the gap between classroom training and cost-prohibitive aircraft flight training, combining Lynx command and control simulations with synthetic EO/IR [Electro-optic/Infrared] video simultaneously,” said Linden Blue, president, Reconnaissance Systems Group, GA-ASI. “This cost-effective training software also uses satellite imagery and 3D models to generate SAR [Synthetic Aperture Radar]-like products in real-time, alleviating the need for costly operational imagery.”
This revolutionary, new low-cost training tool—which was developed on internal funds—allows Lynx instructors to conduct simulated SAR/Ground Moving Target Indicator (/GMTI) exercises that feature real-world combat scenarios and utilize a rapid, automatic cross-cueing capability between the Lynx radar system and the Full-Motion Video (FMV) camera system. In addition to providing hands-on multi-sensor Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) simulation, TARS offers the flexibility to build instructor-driven scenarios from scratch and to tailor the system configuration for diverse training environments.
Prior to product launch, TARS underwent rigorous testing to fine-tune the system to meet user needs. TARS received high marks from customers throughout numerous product demonstrations held during initial evaluations.
Featuring photographic-quality resolution, the Lynx Multi-mode Radar detects time-sensitive targets and offers a long-range, wide-area surveillance capability that can provide high-resolution SAR imagery slant ranges well beyond EO/IR sensor range. Lynx also incorporates a broad area GMTI scanning capability to detect moving vehicles, operating day and night. The radar is currently operational with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Army, Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force, and the Iraqi Air Force.
Hi-resolution photos of TARS are available from GA-ASI’s media contact listed below.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing unmanned 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 unmanned 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 UAS 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 unmanned 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.
Lynx, Predator, Gray Eagle, Avenger, and Claw 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