NATO STO

SAR/ISAR images have been largely used for monitoring small to large areas and in military applications more specifically for target recognition/identification. However, classical SAR/ISAR systems typically make use of single frequency, constant instantaneous bandwidth, monostatic or bistatic geometry, single polarization radar systems, which may have some limitations in terms of spatial resolutions and may experience some difficulties in image interpretation. Recently, solutions have been proposed in NATO SET-196 and NAT SET-250, which basically consist of the use of more complex systems, that show the benefit of using multi-static, multi-frequency or fully polarimetric imaging, when dealing with non-cooperative targets and which can be realized without enormous costs. Furthermore, an extensive measurements campaign has been carried out during NATO SET-250, which involved the use of several multistatic, multi-frequency and fully polarimetric radar systems over the same areas with several targets including military targets. Partners have shared the acquired data for further research in target detection and recognition from SAR/ISAR images. Last but not least, multi-platform radar systems (specifically drones) are becoming a practical and effective solution to improve the overall system performances, both in terms of target detection and imaging/classification. The ground is fertile, and the time is ripe for another RTG to be started by leveraging on the existing partnership that have been the backbone of the SET-196 and SET-250 RTGs.