Spectral target classification with SOSTAR-X

The SOSTAR-X project has developed a demonstrator dedicated to the surveillance of both fixed and moving targets on large coverage areas, target activity analysis on dedicated areas and classification on designated targets. In this project, The Netherlands contribution has been in the areas of Spectral Classification (SPC mode), SAR SPOT mode autofocus, antenna harness, and ground target coordination during the flight campaign in the Netherlands. This paper focuses on the topic of Spectral Classification. The so-called SPC mode is a dedicated mode activated on a designated target, which classifies the target as wheeled, tracked (treaded), rotary wing, or rotating antenna. This is achieved by producing a high resolution Doppler profile, containing modulations caused by moving parts of the vehicle, and classifying on the basis of this profile. The SPC mode has been designed, implemented in the sensor and the Radar Processing Unit, and validated during extensive flight trials, in the Netherlands, Germany, and France.