Science Pictures

Transhorizon Radar NOSTRADAMUS

copyright © ONERA 1996-2006
NOSTRADAMUS: Transhorizon Antenna Array
(Photograph: Stéphane Muratet)
Cahier de laboratoire

The Nostradamus radar system is a set of 288 bi-cone antenna elements distributed over the arms of a three-branch star, with a buried infrastructure to shelter the transmission and reception electronics.

Nostradamus detects any aircraft flying 700 to 2000 kilometers away. Indeed, this new radar concept is based on very-low-frequency waves (6 to 30 MHz) that bounce off the ionosphere, which allows it to detect targets beyond the horizon.

Whereas transhorizon radars usely require huge linear antenna networks to beam the signals, the special surface distribution of Nostradamus makes it possible to control the electronic beams both in azimuth (360°) and elevation.

Apart from being the cheapest air surveillance mean at the moment, Nostradamus might be useful to:

• carry out research on the ionosphere
• map sea weather and currents (of interest to companies involved in off-shore oil drilling)
• detect and track boats in distress

copyright © ONERA 1996-2006
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Last Update: Novembre 24, 2003 - © ONERA 2009 - Terms of use