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Sentinel
R1/ASTOR surveillance reconnaissance intelligence aircraft |
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The
Raytheon Sentinel R1 is a Bombardier Global Express modified as an airborne
battlefield and ground surveillance platform for the British Royal Air
Force. Originally known as the ASTOR (Airborne STand-Off Radar) programme
the aircraft is operated by a RAF squadron manned by both air force
and army personnel. The first flight of the modified prototype was in
August 2001, which validated the modifications required for the ASTOR
system. The first production Sentinel R1 made its 4.4 hour maiden flight
on 26 May 2004. The aircraft entered operational service with V (Army
Co-operation) Squadron of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Waddington
and flew its first operational sortie in Afghanistan in February 2009.
The system provides a highly effective 24-hour surveillance and target
acquisition capability. It delivers wide area, all weather surveillance
and reconnaissance imagery in near real time for peacekeeping, warfighting
and homeland security needs. |
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| Technical Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Design | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bombardier
Aerospace-Short Brothers Global Express aircraft is an ultra-long range
business jet and was modified to accommodate the radars and communications
systems required by ASTOR. The modifications include a canoe-shaped
radome under the forward fuselage to house the radar antenna, a radome
on the upper fuselage to house the SATCOM antenna, a "bullet-fairing"
extension on the vertical stabiliser and delta fins under the aft fuselage.
The Global Express shares the Canadair / Bombardier Regional Jet's fuselage
cross section and is similar in length, but despite the size similarities
the two aircraft are very different due to the nature of their roles.
The Global Express features an advanced all new supercritical wing with
a 35° sweep and winglets, plus a new T-tail. |
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| Avionics and surveillance system | ||||||||||||||||||||||
At
the heart of the ASTOR system is a dual-mode synthetic aperture radar/moving
target indicator (SAR/MTI) sensor. The SAR provides high-resolution
images for decision makers and the MTI monitors the quantity, direction
and speed of moving targets for unparalleled situational awareness.
The imagery, which can be exploited both on board the aircraft and on
the ground, is passed by secure data links to ground stations at all
levels of command and control. By operating at high altitude, and at
considerable long range stand-off distances, the radar platform is able
to remain over safe territory while providing an excellent “look-down”
angle of the target area. The Sentinel cockpit has a centrally housed,
pull-down screen capable of displaying a moving map, Link 16 datalink
information and defensive aids subsystem (DASS) data. The DASS comprises
a towed radar decoy, missile approach warning system and chaff and flare
dispensers and can be operated in automatic, semi-automatic or manual
mode. The main radar is a Raytheon Systems dual-mode Synthetic Aperture
/ Moving Target Indication (SAR/MTI) radar known as Sentinel Dual Mode
Radar Sensor (DMRS). The aircraft is equipped with the Defensive Aids
Group (DAG) integrated electronic warfare suite from BAE Systems Information
& Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) of Nashua, New Hampshire. |
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| Propulsion | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The
Sentinel R1 is Powered by 2 BMW/ Rolls Royce 710 engines. Each can produce
14,750 lbs thrust at ISA +20. Max Operating altitude is 49,000 ft but
usually flies at endurance at 40,000 ft. Max speed is M.89. |
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| Combat use | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sentinel
R1 was originally intended for conventional war-fighting operations,
to track armoured formations and conduct strategic reconnaissance tasks.
However, the capability has been shown to be flexible and has been adapted
for use in a number of different roles by 5(Army Cooperation) Sqn. The
Sentinel’s value has been proven in support of counter-insurgency
operations in Afghanistan, and in 2011 the capability provided vital
Intelligence to enable coalition air assets to protect civilians from
pro-Gaddafi Forces under UN Security Council Resolution 1973. Sentinel
is deployed on an enduring basis, providing International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) with operational and tactical intelligence which is having
a tangible effect on the success of coalition operations in Afghanistan.
The ASTOR system capabilities have been tested extensively in preparation
for operational, tactical and theater mission scenarios. ASTOR is designed
to be interoperable with NATO and JSTARS assets. |
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Sentinel R1 ASTOR surveillance reconnaissance intelligence aircraft plane technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United Kingdom British Royal Air Force defence industry
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