TALONS 95 GHz radar sensor for autonomous landing guidance

TALONS (Tactical Avionics for Low-Level Navigation and Strike) is a pod-mounted 95 GHz radar sensor which was developed under a joint US Air Force Army contract. It incorporates a full polarization matrix, circularly polarized transmitter/receiver as well as an elevation monopulse. Ground tests of the Norden-developed TALONS 95 GHz radar sensor were conducted at the Wright laboratory in support of both the USAF autonomous landing guidance program and the FAA/USAF synthetic vision program. An independent test support contractor was used to conduct the tests, collect, reduce, analyze, and report on the data. The TALONS radar was operated under various adverse weather conditions including rain, fog, smoke, and snow. Radar backscatter data were taken of a runway/taxiway system at realistic depression angles in various weather conditions to determine the effects of precipitation and fog. The data were analyzed and utilized to produce radar imagery. Radar cross sections of several tactical targets were also measured