ARDS, the Aerial Reconnaissance Data System, is a system for the broadband radio transmission of reconnaissance image data, allowing complex flows of data to be transmitted error-free from manned or unmanned airborne vehicles to the ground station.

Aerial reconnaissance systems are increasingly growing in importance. In addition to round-the-clock availability in all weather conditions, high resolution and long distances are being sought. Modern sensor technology uses different spectral ranges and, looking forward into the future, these will be combined in multi-sensor systems. The resultant volume of data in excess of 1.5 Gbps must be processed and stored on board and transmitted free of any disruptions to the ground station. Future national and European programs already include these requirements in their operational specifications.

BüLAND (a German acronym standing for "Broadband transmission of aerial reconnaissance data") is a demonstration program funded under the German Federal Research and Technology Program. It incorporates the main functions of an aerial reconnaissance transmission system.

Using BüLAND together with solid core skills in this segment, the OHB Group has decided to step up technological development by implementing ARDS (Aerial Reconnaissance Data System).

The main characteristic underlying ARDS is the modular structure allowing system components to be supplied either as individual function groups or in the form of an all-in solution.

Main characteristics

Hierarchical data compression

• Adaptation of sensor data rate to data transmission rate
• Possibility of continuous adjustment of data delivery

Suitable for different sensors

• High resolution sensors as well as
• Multi-sensor application

Realization of regions of interest ROI

• Selection by the operator (in the case of forward command link)
• Interface for ATD to select ROI

Data transmission

• High data transmission rate
• Realization with growth potential
• Robust QPSK and O-QPSK modulation

Radio component

• Frequency in Ku band (adaptable to customer requirements)
• Coverage depending on antenna system utilized
• Interface for channel-coding and encryption

Modular realization, this permits the separate use of single sub-systems

Status

Work on adding real-time wide-range reconnaissance capabilities to the ARDS system is ongoing Flight demonstrations and delivery are scheduled for autumn 2009. The ARDS ground test system and the flight system were delivered to EADS in 2008 for the Agile UAV. Preliminary flights with the overall system are planned for mid 2009.

Partners

German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement BWB (customer), EADS-MAS