On July 31, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully completed the manufacturing process of the very first EagleEye multi-mode radar from their production line. The new radar is a high-performance system that can capture high-resolution, photographic-quality imagery with a range that is multiple times greater than that of previous radars. This imagery can be captured through clouds, drizzle, dust, smoke, and fog. EagleEye will be a “drop-in” radar enhancement for the U.S. Army’s current Gray Eagle Extended Range Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and will be included in the initial configuration of the new Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M) UAS. Twelve GE 25Ms have been acquired by the Army National Guard.
GA-ASI vice president of Agile Mission Systems, Jeff Hettick, stated that the EagleEye radar has enhanced multi-mode performance and range, which are specifically designed to meet the deep sensing requirements of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).
GA-ASI announced the development of a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna and associated software for EagleEye earlier this year. This technology will provide significant mode enhancements and increase the range of the device. The aircraft can operate outside the Weapons Effects Zone of most threat systems due to the radar’s optimized multi-mode performance and increased range. This adds a layer of survivability that supports the Stand-Off survivability with Stand-In effects of long-range sensors, a critical component of the Gray Eagle 25M being developed for the U.S. Army.
EagleEye is a multi-mode radar that is the result of years of pioneering expertise at GA-ASI. EagleEye utilizes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to provide operators with the ability to observe atmospheric conditions in detail that may be obscured by a strictly visual sensor. EagleEye introduces “Video SAR,” a radar-based Full-Motion Video (FMV) capability that enables the live visual tracking of moving targets, even in the presence of significant cloud cover, for the first time on the Gray Eagle platform. GA-ASI has enhanced the range of target detection in the EagleEye development by utilizing real-time Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) software that is installed on the aircraft.
Using industry-standard data formats, the EagleEye radar performs Moving Target Indication (MTI), detects changes, creates strip maps, and provides analysts, commanders, and operators with other precise insights. EagleEye also offers a dedicated maritime MTI mode for monitoring and targeting vessels in its Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS) mode. This lends additional credence to the U.S. Army’s MDO mission set, particularly in its support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The same mission is a focus for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, where there is an increased need for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, which is essential for achieving information dominance and overmatch.
