Conclusions

The work carried out within the NATO SET-250 research task group (RTG) produced many valuable outcomes that highlighted the importance and value of multi-dimensional imaging for the detection and recognition of targets. More specifically, multi-frequency, multi-channel, multi-aspect and multi-polarisation images, in a single word multi-dimensional, have proven able to produce the necessary diversity to better characterise targets and to separate targets from clutter and other disturbances, such as intentional and non-intentional jammers.

To enable the research in the RTG, a trial was conducted at the Spadeadam range in the United Kingdom, where four multi-dimensional airborne radar systems simultaneously collected unique radar data of military targets. This effort led to the creation of a multi-dimensional radar database to test new algorithms and evaluate the superiority of multi-dimensional radar imaging systems. Many of these innovative algorithms have been described throughout the chapters of this book, with the results proving that multi-dimensional images not only provide better system performance, but also enable new operational modes.

Section 9.1 reports on some main conclusions that have been extracted from Chapters 2 to 8. Section 9.2 then discusses the operational use of multi-dimensional radar imaging systems and how they can impact various scenarios and operations. Lastly, Section 9.3 explores what should be investigated to improve current capabilities and to implement new ones that are based on the use of multi-dimensional radar imaging systems.