Distributed ISAR for enhanced cross-range resolution with formation flying

The use of multiple radar, carried by a set of air platforms flying in formation, is demonstrated to be able to provide ISAR images of rotating surface targets with increased cross-range resolution, up to the number of considered radar systems. The distributed ISAR processing technique is presented and demonstrated both on simulated data sets and on experimental data collected by a ground based radar operating together with a rotating platform. Also the use of a multistatic distributed ISAR is considered, where only a single transmitter is present and multiple receivers appropriately displaced in angle. This scheme is especially suitable to the application of ship target imaging in the presence of very limited rotation (low sea state) using a hovering helicopter carrying a transmit/receive device and a set of UAV carrying receiving only devices.