The UK forces began a search for a battlefield reconnaissance system in the 1980s. It followed the adoption of the U-2 / TR-3 based PLSS (Precision Location as Strike System) by the USAF. The idea was to use high flying aircraft with a ground mapping radar to locate and identify potential targets for strike aircraft. This ultimately led to the development of the E-8 JSTARS for the USAF, which proved so successful in the 1991 Iraq war.
The UK decided that a similar capability was required to support the British Forces in Germany, so staff requirement SR (LA) 925 was drawn up.
A variety of prototypes were tested under the codename CASTOR (Corps Airborne Stand Off Radar), one on Canberra for high altitude trials and one on a Defender for low altitude trials during the late 1980s. The concept proved sound, so a full scale development programme was initiated. Having seen the performance of the Boeing 707 based E-8 JSTARS in the 1991 Iraq War, the UK MOD decided it needed similar performance.After a lengthy competition, and now called ASTOR (Airborne Stand Off Radar) the MOD finally plumped for a Raytheon system installed in a Bombardier Global Express bizjet. The system is now undergoing trials and manufacture, for service entry with the RAF in the mid noughties as the Sentinel.
Photo shows prototype and is (C) Bombardier Aerospace
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