We propose to develop a very quiet precision landing system for the CVX carrier that is based upon an aircraft beacon emitting a low ERP FMCw waveform and a shipboard passive multibeam radar based on a low cost focal plane array technology. As part of an ongoing Navy Phase II SBIR, called TPALS, we are developing a MMW radar sensor technology to augment DGPS in support of the evolving Navy JPALS. A key technology that is being pursude is mostly passive MMW shipboard radar concept that offers the potential to support stealthy CVX aircraft carrier development. Two parts of the TPALS Phase II SBIR serve as a basis for this new CVX Phase I SBIR proposal. The first is an error analysis simulation that forms the basis for detailed radar model for the CVX> The second is hardware that is being assembled to demonstrate the critical aircraft and shipboard technology. This hardware can serve as the base for a prototype system for the CVX Phase II. On this proposed Phase I, the system concept for a quiet landing system will be developed. The output of this Phase I will be detailed concept fully modeled via simulation and a detailed design of the Phase II prototype system. This proposal will develop a stealthy automatic carrier landing system for the new CVX class carriers. It will augment DGPS on JPALS providing a jam resistant landing approach. The technology can be adapated to other landing applications such as commercial airports.
