Radar and Electronic Warfare

The CSIR’s digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) technology has gained international recognition in the countermeasure industry for its ability to rapidly develop and implement new electronic warfare attack techniques. DRFM is an electronic method for capturing and retransmitting radio frequency signals digitally. This means circumventing operational evaluations – such as flight trials for airborne radars, by performing tests in a laboratory environment, significantly reducing costs and risks. Learn more.

The Enigma hardware-in-the-loop simulator generates a variety of scenarios with simulated platforms (radar skin echo) and advanced countermeasures. Its features include mobility, a very high level of programmability and a user-friendly interface. Data obtained from evaluations capture the effectiveness of the electronic warfare capabilities of operational radar and radar under development, prompting refinement and the development of new, advanced techniques.

The Electronic Warfare Mission Support System is a software-based product for joint pre-mission planning, in-mission support and post-mission debriefing for military training, test and evaluation exercises. The system was developed in partnership with Midnite Aerospace Solutions.

Our next-generation ground-based surveillance and classification radar monitors movement across wide areas, enabling the detection and tracking of intruders so that security forces can be deployed for timely interception. The system utilises CSIR-developed C-band phased array technology and incorporates artificial intelligence for radar-based target classification, allowing it to operate autonomously – automatically distinguishing between people and other targets and triggering alerts without the need for a human operator. Applications include wide-area security scenarios such as farms, production plants, mines and critical infrastructure or national key points.

We have an eight-decade track record in the development of surveillance radar. These systems provide persistent, ubiquitous surveillance of wide areas and are optimised to provide situational awareness in asymmetrical threat environments through optimised detection, tracking, classification, recognition, data fusion, situation assessment and intent estimation..

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is used in airborne systems, including those onboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as in spaceborne systems for high-resolution and wide-area imaging, reconnaissance, moving target detection and Earth observation applications. We have developed C-band SAR satellite payloads and a family of SAR sensors to provide UAVs of different classes with access to real-time, high-resolution imagery.

We develop bespoke integrated sensor systems to provide situational awareness in areas of interest. These systems detect and identify potential intruders to alert response teams. They feature advanced technologies and are optimised to meet each user’s specific requirements and scenarios.

Passive radar uses third-party illuminators and offers a cost-effective solution that requires no spectrum licensing and minimal equipment. It features low maintenance and reduced power consumption. We have developed an advanced passive radar system, including a multi-static passive radar facility with five nodes in the Gauteng area, which collects data for long-term passive radar performance characterisation.

Our track record in radar for platform protection includes the development of a compact short-range radar system for the detection, confirmation and alerting of missile threats and hostile fire. Our expertise includes systems designed for land-based and maritime operations.

Our suite of simulation tools, developed over decades, supports a wide range of scenarios – from hardware-in-the-loop simulations based on our market-leading, high-resolution digital radio frequency memory technology and electronic warfare mission support systems, to the Sensors and Electronic Warfare Engagement Simulation (SEWES) platform. SEWES allows for the simulation of any number of platforms, each equipped with multiple sensors and systems, engaging in complex operational environments. Learn more.

We characterise the electromagnetic signatures of aircraft, ships, decoys and emitters. This includes realistic system deployment, platform cross-sectioning, flight profiles and countermeasure techniques such as chaff and jamming power. We also measure key target features, such as jet engine cross-sections.

We use mobile, containerised equipment, dynamic airborne platforms and simulated scenarios supported by custom, complex software systems. Our wideband electronic warfare hardware in-the-loop system, ENIGMA, is used in operational test and evaluation. Our expertise spans hardware, software, signal processing, analysis and radio frequency design. Additionally, we provide operator training. Learn more.