Sula Systems provides the high quality systems engineering and
engineeringscience expertise demanded by today’s complex aerospace and defence
programmes. Sula works for MOD IPTs and defence prime contractors,deploying
teams led by experienced staff who have been responsible forprojects throughout
the entire CADMID cycle.
Non-linear Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Although SAR is a valuable tool in giving all-weather, high-resolution imagery capabilities, it does have some operational drawbacks:
SAR Imagery from a Manoeuvring Aircraft
- SAR Imagery from a Manoeuvring Aircraft
- Any moving targets will be misplaced within the image.
Sula has developed a non-linear SAR technique that overcomes both these problems.
Following detailed mathematical analysis, we have conducted a series of flight trials funded by the EMRS DTC.
These trials demonstrated the ability of the new technique to produce imagery with sub-metre resolution from a manoeuvring aircraft and the ability to determine both the correct position and velocity of moving targets. Further work is now under way to apply the technique to forward-looking combat aircraft radars.
Multi-Function Radar (MFR) Research
The high duty cycle of many modern MFRs increases the possibility of them interfering with other systems. Sula has undertaken a series of studies into the potential for mutual interference between naval MFRs within a force, and also the likely impact of these MFRs on conventional radars and navigational aids. This research investig-ated potential effects at timescales ranging from pulse lengths measured in nano-seconds through to multiple scans covering several tens of seconds.
MFRs can modify a vast range of parameters on a pulse-to-pulse or scan-to-scan basis, making traditional optimisation techniques impractical. Sula used systems engineering principles to develop simple algorithms giving near-optimal radar performance with minimal processing overhead.
Sula has analysed the benefits of co-ordinating naval MFR resources within a task group to enhance overall effectiveness or to conduct non-standard searches in specified sectors to detect difficult targets. The use of distributed multi-platform radar architectures, for example to support kill assessment, was also examined.
In addition to our extensive research in the naval MFR domain, we have investigated the benefits and issues of using active electronically-scanned arrays by Combat Aircraft Radars in the Ground Moving Target Indication role.
UAV Vulnerability
Using the BAE Systems gas gun, Sula has conducted a series of trials to assess the likely extent of fragment damage on typical UAV engines and fuel systems, and the resulting impact on survivability.
The vulnerability of UAVs to fragments of different sizes and velocities was quantified and related to potential engagement geometries. We developed a number of rules and algorithms for inclusion in detailed vulnerability and OA models.
Affordable Defeat of UAV Threats
Sula developed a novel concept for a cost-effective counter to the increasing threat posed by prolific, low-cost UAVs. Our solution exploited threat characteristics and vulnerabilities to defeat the target well beyond the effective range of its sensors.
Novel guidance procedures were developed to attack the target from the rear, allowing the use of very low cost components to achieve robust, hit-to-kill performance.
Multi-Spectral Seeker Study
Combining IR and RF seekers in a complex weapon often leads to compromises, for example with an IR sensor attached to the side of an asymmetric airframe.
Sula proposed overcoming this issue by placing RF elements along fin leading edges and rotating the missile to synthesise a radar aperture while leaving the missile nose free for IR sensors. This technique was successfully demonstrated using a prototype system at Queen’s University Belfast and the Hutton-Moore Facility at Wells.
Novel concepts
Sula has conducted a number of studies into novel all-weather guidance and control systems for a variety of weapon systems including anti-ship, air-to-ground, ground-to-air and air-to-air weapons.