RADARSAT-2 for maritime surveillance

RADARSAT-2 for maritime surveillance - preferred ScanSAR polarizations and observed knowledge gaps. DRDC – Ottawa Contract Report CR 2009-027, 30 p., 2009.

Cooperatively, the Canadian Ice Service, Defence R&D Canada – Ottawa and the Canadian Space Agency have identified a need to synthesize present understanding of maritime surveillance with RADARSAT-2, with a focus on the preferred ScanSAR polarimetric mode for high-priority applications. These include sea-ice, ship and oil-spill detection. The objectives of this report are to (a) fulfill this need; (b) identify gaps in knowledge and data; and (c) present research and development strategies to address identified gaps. These objectives were fulfilled by means of synthesis of available reports and through limited discussion with RADARSAT experts within the Canadian Ice Service, DRDC Ottawa and the Canadian Space Agency.