Device for the detection and location of objects on the ground

A device for the detection and location of objects on the ground in a delimited zone, comprising:

• a) radar transmitter/receiver means provided with antenna means capable of generating a radiating beam displaceable parallel to itself over a path that is substantially transverse with respect to its direction around a stationary position relative to the ground;
• b) synthetic aperture radar processing means operative to process the output signal of said radar receiver means relating to the return of said beam over said delimited zone in accordance with the antenna movement, so as to detect and locate objects on the ground in said delimited zone;
• c) a horizontal platform capable of supporting said radar transmitter/receiver means and said antenna means;
• and
• d) a mast perpendicular to the ground and disposed in accordance with a predetermined geometrical relation relative to the delimited zone, said platform being fixedly mounted around said mast;
• wherein said antenna means has a phase center and comprises:
• a plurality of radiating elements arranged in at least one row disposed horizontally on the platform, said the radiating elements being disposed in subgroups so as to radiate along the direction of incidence of the radar beam;
• and
• switching means capable of switching the energization of each said subgroup of radiating elements in such a way that said phase center of the antenna means is movable in linear translation relative to said mast at a chosen speed along a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of incidence of the radar beam.