IMSAR AT A GLANCE
Founded in 2004, IMSAR is a privately owned business that designs, builds, and supports security and intelligence products. We strive to provide manned and unmanned platforms with the best Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology possible. IMSAR is dedicated to excellence in rapid technology innovation, manufacturing, and program execution; and remains committed to decreasing size and increasing the capabilities of our radars. IMSAR is currently working with many agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to deploy new capabilities.
Located in Utah Valley, IMSAR enjoys both beautiful scenery and access to a wide range of environmental testing opportunities due to Utah’s various climate changes and ecological diversity. We are based in a 60,000 sq ft facility, which is home to our corporate office, our research and development operations, and our own in-house manufacturing.
DEEP RELATIONSHIPS
Long lasting, deep relationships are built on humility and vulnerability-based trust. This applies to customers, internal team members, and with our suppliers. These relationships are built over time and are critical to ensuring the success of our customers’ missions.
RAPID INNOVATION WITH HIGH QUALITY
Moving quickly doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. A highly modular and scalable product architecture, combined with a vertically integrated team and deep relationships with suppliers and customers, allows us to rapidly innovate while maintaining high quality.
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS
What we’ve achieved with our low size, weight, and power radars was once considered impossible. We haven’t changed the laws of physics, but we have found new ways to solve complex problems by challenging assumptions.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
- Typical Contract Length: 90 days to 12 months
- Engineering Staff:
- Manufacturing
- Mechanical
- RF
- Hardware
- Firmware
- Support/Verification
- Algorithm
- Application Software
- Embedded Software
- Employs Project Management Professional (PMP) Methodologies/Best Practices
- Tollgate Process for Program Lifecycle
- Network Scheduling with a Focus on Critical Path
- Integrated Team Solutions
- Accelerated Decision Making
- Program Delivery to KPIs
- Build and Foster Long-Term Customer Relationships
HIGH-VOLUME, FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING
- IPC Class 3 Printed Circuit Board Assembly
- IPC Class 3 Cable Design, Build and Test
- Box Build Assembly and Test
- Temperature, Humidity Chambers
- RF Antenna Measurement Chamber
- ISO 9001 and AS9100 Certified
- J-STD-001, IPC-A_610, IPC/WHMA-A-620 Certified
- In-house Certified IPC Trainer
AVIATION SERVICES
- Two fully equipped Cessna 172 aircrafts
- One fully equipped Cessna 206 aircraft
- Low cost testing and UAS surrogate platform
- Features
- MX-10 Camera Ball
- Right and Left Wing Hardpoints
- Belly Hard Mounts
- Baggage Door Mount
- Antenna Mount in tail
- Mission Control Console
- Tactical Data Link to Mission Control Center on Engineering Floor
- Testing at Military Ranges: Dugway, UT; China Lake, CA; Eglin, FL; Camp Roberts, CA
- Local & Private Range: Low Cost, Fast Turn Time
DEPLOYMENT/TRAINING SERVICES
- ShadowSAR: 4.5 Years Counter IED in Afghanistan
- Field Service Technicians
- Mission Specialists / Analysts
- Technical Support
- Tailor-made training to fit customer needs and schedule
- Mobile Training Teams (MTT)
- Mission oriented analytical training
- Target-specific research
MEET OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Ryan Smith (CEO) founded IMSAR LLC in 2004 having developed the smallest Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in the world. At the time Ryan was the lead radio frequency engineer at Wavetronix designing and manufacturing high volume traffic radar sensors. Ryan holds a M.S. and B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University. Ryan has led IMSAR in numerous Department of Defense contracts to include winning a Program of Record SAR/MTI Radar with the Marines and a deployment operating SAR and CCD in Afghanistan for over 4 years. Today, Ryan’s vision leads IMSAR into the future focusing on advancements in radar modes and integration with other sensors for Multi-Intelligence products for both Manned and Unmanned platforms.
David Trent joined the IMSAR team in 2013 and played an integral role in setting up IMSAR’s manufacturing facility. In 2016 David became the COO with responsibility for the operations within the organization. Prior to IMSAR David was the Director of Operations at Blendtec, a world leader of kitchen products and a co-founder of Wolf Electronix, an electronics manufacturing solutions provider. David earned his M.S. in Management, Strategy and Leadership from Michigan State University and B.S. in Business and Technology Management from Utah Valley University.
Larry Moore is one of two Executive Vice Presidents at IMSAR and currently overseeing IMSAR’s engineering efforts to help Democratize Radar. He earned his M.S. in Engineering Management at George Washington University and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University. Larry has worked with IMSAR since graduating from BYU and has worked in a variety of roles within Engineering from Mechanical Engineer to VP of Engineering. For two years, Larry changed roles and worked as the VP of Sales. In 2021, Larry returned to Engineering to work again as the VP of Engineering. Larry has contributed to the design and integration of radar systems onto Group I and II military UAS and has helped scale IMSAR radar systems to operate through the entire spectrum from Group 1-5 UAS, manned aircraft, and stratospheric platforms.
Chris joined IMSAR in 2018. He has over 30 years experience in accounting and finance and includes significant experience in cash management, planning & forecasting, business process and systems design, and growth strategies. Chris has worked with large public accounting firms, small services enterprises, DOE contractors, and fortune 500 companies. He has a Bachelors and a Masters in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
Robb Rigtrup is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at IMSAR LLC. He leads a team of sales, proposals, marketing, and media development to provide synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and moving target indicator (MTI) sensors to domestic (US) and global defense, industry, commercial, environmental, and law enforcement customers.
Prior to joining the IMSAR team, Robb worked as a defense consultant in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There he assisted the Ministry of Defense with establishing its first joint operational force. Before working Riyadh, Robb served as an officer in the US Air Force for over 25 years as an intelligence and targeting professional. He retired as the Director of Joint Targeting, on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon.
Robb has an undergraduate degree in Korean Studies, and graduate degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Intelligence. He and his wife Madelyn have 5 children and 5 grandchildren.
Curtis joined the IMSAR team in 2013 as a Technical and Cost Proposal Writer. He worked in various similar roles, including Proposal Manager and Director of Business Development, before joining the legal team as Associate General Counsel. Since 2023, Curtis has been the General Counsel, Contracts Manager, and Facility Security Officer for IMSAR. Outside of IMSAR, he has also worked in training and as a law clerk or legal intern for several employers, including as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Dale A. Kimball at the Federal District Court for the District of Utah. Curtis received both his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Middle East Studies/Arabic with a minor in Mathematics and his Masters in Public Policy (MPP) degree from Brigham Young University. He also graduated summa cum laude with a J.D. degree from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University.