FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 22 (UPI) -- A radar that penetrates dense foliage to detect buried or camouflaged objects is being deployed by the U.S. military's Southern Command.
Lockheed Martin's Tactical Reconnaissance and Counter-Concealment-Enabled Radar is a low-frequency synthetic-aperture radar that delivers tactical ground imagery despite foliage, rain, darkness, dust storms or atmospheric haze.
A decision to deploy the system came after more than 160 tests of Tracer, which was fitted onto various manned and unmanned aircraft.
"We welcome the opportunity to continue to support Southcom's mission," said Jim Quinn, vice president of C4ISR Systems with Lockheed Martin IS&GS-Defense. "As our foliage penetration system has for many years, the Tracer system stands ready to serve and deliver Southcom with unique actionable intelligence products 24/7, 365 days of the year, day or night."
Lockheed said its foliage penetration system, which went operational with the U.S. military in 2005, will be replaced by Tracer, which is smaller and lighter.
Tracer was developed for the U.S. Army's Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md.
