Northrop's DAS for F-35 demonstrates BMD capabilities
The AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) is a high resolution omni-directional infrared sensor system that provides track and warning capabilities for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Caption: Distant rocket launch as seen by Northrop Grumman's AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System
BALTIMORE (BNS): The AN/AAQ-37 DAS for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter has successfully detected and tracked a two-stage rocket launch at a distance exceeding 800 miles during a routine flight test.
DAS detected and tracked the rocket during a nine minute, two-stage, flight period from horizon break until final burnout through multiple sensor fields of regard, Northrop Grumman said in a statement.
The AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) is a high resolution omni-directional infrared sensor system that provides advanced spherical situational awareness capability, including missile and aircraft detection, track and warning capabilities for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
"The DAS could fill critical capability gaps in the area of ballistic missile defense (BMD)," said Dave Bouchard, program director for F-35 sensor.
“With DAS, we've combined instantaneous 360-degree spherical coverage, high frame refresh rates, high resolution, high sensitivity powerful processors and advanced algorithms into a single system. The number of possibilities is endless," he said.
DAS detected and tracked the rocket during a nine minute, two-stage, flight period from horizon break until final burnout through multiple sensor fields of regard, Northrop Grumman said in a statement.
The AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) is a high resolution omni-directional infrared sensor system that provides advanced spherical situational awareness capability, including missile and aircraft detection, track and warning capabilities for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
"The DAS could fill critical capability gaps in the area of ballistic missile defense (BMD)," said Dave Bouchard, program director for F-35 sensor.
“With DAS, we've combined instantaneous 360-degree spherical coverage, high frame refresh rates, high resolution, high sensitivity powerful processors and advanced algorithms into a single system. The number of possibilities is endless," he said.
