The PORTAL project (SDR-Based Fully Polarimetric AESA Radar)

An advanced scientific initiative aimed at realizing an innovative system of polarimetric radar sensors. Spanning both ground-based and airborne segments, this solution is set to revolutionize target detection and imaging, significantly enhancing the operational potential of modern defense systems.

About the Project

Facing the increasing demands of the modern battlefield, PORTAL focuses on analyzing the possibilities of developing a new generation of multi-function software-defined radars (SDR) with Active Electronic Steering Array (AESA) polarimetric imaging capabilities.

This initiative is a key element in building European, governmental, and industrial expertise in the field of complex defense systems. The project sets a technology development horizon for the next 5–20 years, striving to develop solutions that go beyond the current state-of-the-art. The primary goal of the PORTAL system is to achieve breakthrough capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems.

Key Operational Capabilities

The technologies developed within the PORTAL project provide comprehensive support for detection and identification:

  • Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging: Utilizing an airborne version on manned airplane platforms to generate high-resolution, precision polarimetric radar images.

  • Ground Moving Target Indication and Imaging (GMTI2): Developing innovative full-polarimetry algorithms for systems based on multi-drone formations.

  • Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) Imaging: Precise object recognition using ground-based systems.

  • Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR): Recognition of non-cooperative targets, which is crucial for identifying threats in challenging operational environments.

Project Foundations

PORTAL is a scientific program focused on a full research cycle—from analyzing the state of the art in polarimetric imaging and detection, through intensive experimentation, to the validation of results.


The initiative involves the development of innovative algorithms and system prototypes, including:

  • An airborne full-pol SAR system.

  • A ground-based ISAR system.

  • A multi-drone-based full-pol GMTI2 system.


The project will conclude with an extensive analysis of the military and industrial exploitation of the results, allowing for the integration of PORTAL technology into future defense standards.