EDR Magazine #63 May/June 2022

N° 63 • May/June 2022

MAGAZINE European Defence Review V BAE, more than a simple VBL successor

M GCS, ménage à trois or more ?

Naval 3D multifunction radars

Higher definition for naval navigation radars

Strong. Agile. Evolutionary.

CV90 CV90 is a proven solution, under continual development – introducing new levels of capability to increase the CV90’s multi-domain capabilities on the battlefield.

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Improved ergonomics Reduced cognitive load for the crew Active Protection System – Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Integrated long-range anti-tank guided missile – SPIKE-LR Latest generation of sensors for enhanced battlefield connectivity Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality software

baesystems.com/CV90

I S S U E N°

63

2022

Publisher: Joseph Roukoz Editor-in-chief: Paolo Valpolini Aviation & Space Editor: David Oliver Naval Editor: Luca Peruzzi European Defence Review (EDR) is published by European Defence Publishing SAS

The French Army is receiving 800 VBLs upgraded at the Ultima standard, awaiting the launch of the VBAE bid. © P. Valpolini.

www.edrmagazine.eu

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VBAE, more than a simple VBL successor

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Naval 3D multifunction radars

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MGCS, ménage à trois or more ?

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Higher definition for naval navigation radars

By Marc Chassillan

By Luca Peruzzi

By Marc Chassillan

By Luca Peruzzi

EDR | May/June 2022

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An up-armoured VBL belonging to the 1st Parachute Hussars Regiment pictured in Afghanistan at FOB Tora. The French Army aims at replacing its VBLs with the future Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement, VBAE in short. © Arquus .

VBAE, more than a simple VBL successor

By Marc Chassillan

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peration Barkhane, Sahel region: 22 out of the 53 Killed In Action suffered by the French Army (41.5%) were caused by mines, IEDs and VBIEDs. Sadly, VBL crews represent by far the most numerous victims. While looking for a vehicle to replace in-service VBLs, the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French Government defence procurement and technology agency, went for an interim solution and signed a contract with Arquus for the VBL Ultima. Panhard delivered 1,600 VBL and VB2L to the French Army between 1990 and 2010. The VBL is used by independent recce squadrons, and is also fielded by tank

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regiments where three VBLs are the eyes and the ears of each Leclerc platoon. The option of a modernization programme was very quickly imposed with the double goal of dealing with obsolescence and giving the VBL superior capabilities. A mobility demonstrator was rolled out in 2016, quickly followed by prototypes. The new powerpack combines a 130 hp Peugeot DW20F diesel engine and a Daimler W5A580 automatic gearbox. This increase of 40 hp is just enough to offset the 1.7 tons mass increase due to higher payload and protection. The VBL Ultima is therefore capable of 5.2 tons.

The increase in mass no longer allows the

armoured vehicle to retain its amphibious capacity. The old original Citroën braking circuit has been completely replaced by a modern system that meets safety standards, including ABS. Finally, the rear trailing arms are replaced by double wishbones intended to carry the additional weight. A large part of the additional payload capacity will be devoted to armoured protection against AP bullets and artillery shells fragments, mine blasts and IEDs. From 2019 to 2025, Arquus will deliver 800 VBL Ultima. The VBL was exported to Mexico, Greece, Portugal, Oman, Kuwait, Nigeria and many other African

countries, who could express their interest in purchasing Ultima modernization kits, taking advantage of the existence of serial production that guarantees stable prices and the supply of parts.

The VBL successor To replace the VBL, the French Army staff has been working for nearly ten years on the VBAE (Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement or Armored Engagement Support Vehicle) and has defined the need for two versions, a fire support version with

The French Army is bringing 800 VBLs to the Ultima standard, Arquus promoting this upgrade programme to all VBL users around the world. © M. Chassillan.

The VBL Ultima features among other improvements a new and more powerful engine and increased protection. © M. Chassillan.

The Soframe MOISAC concept consists in a family of three versions in order to cope with a wide range of missions. © Soframe.

The fire support version of the Soframe MOSAIC is equipped with a medium calibre remotely controlled weapon station. © Soframe.

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a medium 25-30 mm calibre gun, and an intelligence gathering version equipped with optronic sensors and a self-defence RWS. The VBAE must also be able to carry four crews, MMP missiles and a firing unit.

The French Ministry of Defence has given some guidelines concerning the acquisition strategy for the VBAE. European cooperation was mentioned, Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom being cited. Being part of the Scorpion-based CAMO programme, Belgium is already interested in the project and the Belgian Army has a potential requirement for around 100 vehicles. The weight of the VBAE is the subject of great debate. Dreamers evoke a 7 tons platform while the most realistic guess is that nothing will be feasible at less than 10 tons due to the ballistic protection, the volume to be protected and the growth potential to be preserved. Four European manufacturers are ready to answer a call for tenders in 2022.

The French Government recently decided to put the VBAE programme in the hands of the OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement, the joint armament cooperation organisation), showing its strong commitment in favour of European cooperation.

MOSAIC Soframe, a subsidiary of the Lohr group, has just won the Gendarmerie’s armoured vehicle programme. The Alsace-based company offers the MOSAIC concept (Mission Observation Surveillance Acquisition Investigation Combat). The MOSAIC can accommodate a crew of two to four personnel depending on the version. This crew can operate various combinations of weapons ranging from 7.62 to 30 mm, remotely operated or not. Internal accommodations are fitted out for carrying mini-drones, reconnaissance ground robots and other innovative systems for decades to come. MOSAIC will integrate common “Scorpion” equipment, i.e. the SICS Battle Management System, the Scorpion electronic core, CONTACT software radios, Barrage 6

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For its MOSAIC Soframe adopted an innovative patented solution, the vehicle featuring «flues» that channel the blast dramatically reducing the acceleration suffered by on-board personnel. © Soframe.

jammers, Thales through-armour Antares vision system or Metravib Defence Pilar gunshot detection. The bio-inspired architecture of the platform implements a very innovative patented solution for protection against mines and IEDs called “flues”, that channel the blast of explosions and dramatically reduces the acceleration suffered by the crew.

The armoured body uses solutions combining very high hardness 600 Brinell steel and non-metallic materials. Soframe relies on the composite material technology developed by

Among potential VBAE contenders, Thales Hawkei is the only one already produced in series. © M. Chassillan.

Thales Hawkei can be adapted to various missions, fitted with RWS, rockets and sensors. © M. Chassillan.

its subsidiary Tenexium. This must provide the crew and sensitive systems with the level of protection expected for a combat vehicle.

Soframe claims it can defeat 14.5 mm bullets in the frontal arc. The mobility solution has been designed to integrate a hybrid electric transmission without modification. It gives the vehicle the ability to run in silence for stealthy reconnaissance missions. The electrical machine, a derivative and militarised version of technologies developed by Lohr for public transportation systems, also ensures the electrical supply to the weapon system and can add its torque to that of the engine to generate instantaneous acceleration. Soframe states that MOSAIC can be remotely operated avoiding the crew to carry out missions in dangerous zones.

soft skin or lightly armoured targets at longrange. The warhead is sufficient to neutralize fixed targets (entrenched positions, machine gun, mortar pits) or mobile targets such as technicals, the typical unarmoured pickups carrying a heavy machine gun or other types of weapon at the back. Thales is able to offer many options for this combat Hawkei. In particular, it can integrate some of the elements that the group provides for Scorpion, namely the Antares perimeter surveillance system, the Scorpion vetronics core or a tactical information system.

Hawkei Some 1,100 Thales Hawkei have been ordered by the Australian Army, and Thales wants to take advantage of this mass production to promote it to other customers.

The Hawkei weighs 10 tons in combat order with a 3 tons payload. Thales and the Belgian group FN Herstal teamed up to provide the Hawkei with significant firepower. A 12.7 mm RWS with FN Herstal M3 machine gun carries a pod of four TDA guided rockets.

Laser-guided rockets are a very interesting and rather cheap solution for destroying

IDEX 2021 marked the official presentation of the Scarabee, and the beginning of its marketing by Arquus. © M. Chassillan.

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By turning all the wheels in the same direction the Scarabee can move diagonally. © Arquus.

Scarabee With a weight of 7-8 tons, the Scarabee developed by Arquus is inspired by the Panhard Crab unveiled in 2012. It is a very agile, fast, well protected 4x4 armoured vehicle which design favours stealth and compactness. From Crab it takes up the ideas of the crew citadel and the heavy RWS fitted with medium-calibre guns and missiles. The Scarabee can also roll sideways by turning all the wheels in the same direction. It is designed around two blocks, the armour aluminium alloy crew citadel where four personnel are seated, and the propulsion module at the rear that combines the powerpack and the axle. The front gear is mounted on a frame attached to the crew cell. The cell protects the crew

against kinetic energy projectiles and the effects of mines and IEDs blast. The motorization benefits from the investment made on the VAB Electer demonstrator financed by the DGA. The Scarabee is powered by a hybrid powerpack allowing it to move silently and provides additional torque during acceleration phases. This type of technology opens the way to potential robotization of the vehicle. Electrical energy is stored in 12 kWh lithium-ion batteries. The Maserati Diesel engine with a displacement of 4 litres and 300 hp ensures a power-toweight ratio of over 40 hp/t. It is mated to an electric machine and an automatic gearbox in line as on the VAB Electer. Arquus has focused on the reliability and optimization of the 70 kW parallel hybrid chain, which allows the vehicle to run silently over 10 km at an average speed of 40 km/h. This highpower generation capacity can also be used to power lasers, microwave weapons, radars and other advanced detection sensors. Both axles can be steered, which reduces the

The crew citadel of the Scarabee can accommodate three personnel with individual equipment. © M. Chassillan.

Arquus is developing a versatile robotic trailer that can be used in different roles, becoming an autonomous vehicle when detached from the Scarabee. © M. Chassillan.

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turning circle to 11 meters, an exceptional performance particularly appreciated in urban or mountainous areas. The suspension of the Scarabee is adjustable. In the low position, it reduces the silhouette and facilitates air transport and air drop. In the high position, it makes it easier to overcome obstacles. On the weapons side, the choice of powerful teleoperated armament opens the field of operational capabilities to raids,

Since inception Arquus developed its Scarabee with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, leveraging the experience done on its VAB ELECTER demonstrator. © Arquus.

aggressive reconnaissance, interception of mobile hostiles and convoy escort. At Eurosatory 2018 the Scarabee was armed with a homemade Hornet T1 cupola carrying an ATK 30x113 mm cannon. But other options based on automatic cannons and missiles are possible. The Arquus Battlenet vetronics and the MMI by full colour screens allow to operate the armament from several crew stations. Arquus also invests in HUMS sensor technologies integrated into the main equipment to monitor wear, loads and operating times. This makes it possible to set up predictive maintenance tools that reduce MRO costs. Thanks to its armoured transparent blocks, the Scarabee provides the driver with a full 200° field of view. Two sliding side doors facilitate access to the vehicle. This makes it possible to drive with the door open and facilitate communication with the populace to grab HUMINT. Nevertheless, Arquus is rumoured to work on a more conventional door opening mechanism as an option. The Scarabee will be able to receive a perimeter vision device whose images will be displayed on three colour screens. It can be transported by air in a C130 Hercules, and an A400M can carry three vehicles. It can tow an innovative robotic trailer that can carry different payloads batteries to increase the autonomy of the armoured vehicle or power a weapon system, weapon system like NLOS missiles or power laser, refuelling, and finally reconnaissance and combat robot.

Arquus does not intend to wait for the launch

of the VBAE to market its Scarabee, whose commercial career was officially launched at IDEX 2021. The company offers the Scarabee in three versions: PATSAS (Patrol SAS) for special forces armed with an Arquus 12.7 mm Hornet RWS, armed reconnaissance with a 30 mm mount, and finally Security-CounterTerrorism and Urban Operation which carries three operators with a complete information situational awareness provided by Battlenet and a set of sensors.

The Scarabee is capable of fulfilling any light cavalry mission. Arquus is aiming at the aging fleet of AML, Scorpion, Cascavel or Sagaie, which opens up significant commercial prospects.

JCD Cockerill i-X

Unveiled at the World Defense Show in Riyadh in March 2022, John Cockerill Defense Cockerill i-X is a 4x4 light armoured vehicle based on a rally chassis and fitted with a retractable turret. © P. Valpolini.

Although John Cockerill Defense (JCD) states that its new Cockerill i-X is not intended to meet the VBAE requirement, all observers have noted its resemblance to Scarabee.

Revealed at the last World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), the Cockerill i-X demonstrator is an innovative light vehicle inspired by the world of rally-raids such as the Paris-Dakar. JCD presents it as a “land interceptor”, light, robust, shaped for speed and intended to meet certain needs in the Middle East. The Cockerill i-X is built EDR | May/June 2022

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The Cockerill i-X retractable remotely controlled weapon station is armed with a 30 mm low recoil or a 25 mm cannon. © P. Valpolini.

on a very light tubular frame that can carry a 600 kg retractable weapon system sized for 25 mm or 30 mm cannons fed by 120 ready-to-fire ammunition. JCD is also considering a “tank killer” version equipped with two to four ATGM missiles or seven readyto-fire rockets. The secondary armament is based on a 7.62 mm machine gun with 400 to 600 rounds or a 12.7 mm weapon with 400 rounds. The detection/recognition/identification capability is essentially based on a stabilized optronic Vigeo head from Safran Electronics & Defense installed on the roof, Safran being a long-standing partner of the Liège-based manufacturer. When it comes to survivability, the vehicle is intended to be “light” but it displays a STANAG 4569 Level 2 ballistic protection and Level 3 mine protection. JCD Cockerill i-X features very high mobility performances: a range of 600 km, including 30 km in “full electric” mode, a top speed on road of 200 km/h and 160 km/h on desert tracks, all thanks to a motorization of 750 hp potentially increased to 800 hp with hybrid input. JCD does not communicate on its partners in charge of the mobility solution. The Cockerill i-X is a rolling laboratory that will allow JCD to explore and demonstrate innovative solutions in the fields of stealth (adaptation of the thermal signature by heating panels, passive painting), and MMIs with the Smart Helmet, which allows its wearer to generate interactions through 10

EDR | May/June 2022

When the turret is retracted the 3.5 tonnes Cockerill i-X becomes a non-threatening vehicle. © P. Valpolini .

his senses (vision, voice, haptics, hearing).

Everything should contribute to reducing the cognitive load of the operator, thanks to an intuitive interface. JCD is investing, with the help of the Walloon region, in the IRIS project, a tool for automatic threats detection but also for identification and monitoring, which can establish priorities and suggest an action to the gunner thanks to the added artificial intelligence.

With the war in Ukraine and new priorities given to investments in new generation systems, 2022 should be the kick-off year for the VBAE, which is seen by the French Army as a key enabler on the battlefield. A requirement of 1,400 vehicles in three variants is anticipated. As previously mentioned, the programme is opened to European cooperation through the OCCAR.

LAND AND AIRLAND DEFENCE AND SECURITY EXHIBITION

13-17 JUNE 2022 / PARIS THE DEFENCE & SECURITY

GLOBAL EVENT 1,800

exhibitors

+14,7%

from 63 countries 65,9% of international

65 startups at Eurosatory LAB

98,720

Total attendance (exhibitors, visitors, press, organisers)

227 Official delegations from 94 countries and 4 organisations (representing 760 delegates)

690

journalists

from 44 countries

75 Conferences 2,100 Business meetings made 2018 key figures

Naval 3D multifunction radars

By Luca Peruzzi

The family of ARTISAN 3D S-band multibeam radars is being offered for a wide range of missions and platforms, from the OPVs and support ships to corvettes and frigates. © BAE Systems Maritime Services.

European and Israeli radar houses exploit latest technologies to improve the performances of their maritime surveillance radar families. While advanced high-power multifunction radars based on fixed phased-array antennas have increasingly become the norm for specialist anti-air warfare frigates and destroyers, most surface combatants continue to rely on rotating radars for 3D short to medium range air and surface surveillance, threat detection, and target indication/ weapon support. Thanks to weight and footprint reduction alongside enhanced capabilities, the new or upgraded 3D radars are expanding the platform portfolio towards Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), support ships and smaller platforms.

BAE Systems ARTISAN BAE Systems Maritime Services offers its family of ARTISAN 3D (Advanced Radar Target Indication Situational Awareness and Navigation) S-band multibeam radars that was developed to meet the UK Royal Navy’s requirement for replacement medium-range radar. Designated as Radar Type 12

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997 by the service, the ARTISAN 3D is today in service with Type 23 frigates, Queen Elizabethclass aircraft carriers, Albion-class LPDs and is planned to equip the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. The Brazilian MoD selected a version of the ARTISAN 3D to initially equip the new Tamandaréclass corvettes. The ARTISAN 3D is however

already in service with the Brazilian Navy on the Atlantico multipurpose helicopter carrier, secondhand procured from the UK MoD. BAE Systems currently offers a family of 3D radars, ARTISAN 100, 200 and 300, where the less-capable 100 model for OPVs, amphibious and support ships and mine counter measures vessels, can be brought to 200 and 300 model standards through hardware and software upgrade. According to BAE Systems, the ARTISAN 100 shares technologies with the same company’s SAMPSON back-to-back AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) MultiFunction Radar (MFR) to provide electronically stabilized 3D performances at low cost. Key technical features include a 16-element solid-state transmitter housed in the antenna, a waveform generator essentially identical to that in Sampson, digital front-end receivers from Sampson, and a signal processing architecture derived from BAE Systems’ Commander long-range land radars.

Capable of 3D air surveillance with fast target alerts, secondary navigation surface surveillance, gun control support, jammer suppression and surveillance thanks to digital adaptive beam forming, digital pulse compression and Doppler processing, the ARTISAN is capable to operate in any of the following modes, all at 30 rotation per minutes (rpm), providing fully automatic detection

and tracking: long-range, littoral-water defence, open-water and air traffic management. The ARTISAN 100 has a maximum instrumented range of over 200 km and maximum elevation coverage of over 70°, with a 3D tracking capacity (air and surface) of over 1,000 targets. With an antenna featuring a less than 730 kg weight design, the radar has a declared track range of over 110 km against maritime aircraft and over 35 km against missiles. The more capable ARTISAN 200 has a 3D accuracy allowing to cue active missile systems and differs mainly for a heavier antenna complex (less than 760 kg) and declared tracking range (over 135 and over 45 km respectively against maritime aircraft and missiles).

Elta/IAI STAR-X and ALPHA Israel Aerospace Industries/Elta Systems offers its new STAR-X (ELM-2238X) compact shipborne surveillance radar system specially designed for Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), but capable also to serve as secondary search radar for larger naval vessels. Operating in X-band and implementing AESA digital beam forming technology in elevation, the radar performs 3D simultaneous surface and air surveillance, offering superior detection, tracking and classification capabilities

Elta’s latest naval rotating radar development is the EL/M-2258 Alpha, a multirole solid-state S-band radar using a single rotating AESA face that leverages the same technologies applied to the company’s EL/M-2248 MF-STAR fixed-faces multifunction radar. © IAI Elta.

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operating in dense and cluttered electromagnetic environments.

The GEM Elettronica new Columbus X-band 3D radar offers simultaneous short to medium-range air and surface target surveillance and tracking, alongside with weapon system target designation, with a low-weight design in mind for smaller naval platform applications. © Luca Peruzzi.

of surface vessels as well as aerial threats such as jet fighters, helicopters, and low RCS targets (i.e. drones and missiles), according to Elta. Also, capable to support surface gun fire control with splash detection, the configurable software-defined radar that allows adaptation to emerging future threats also features low probability of intercept (LPI) as well as advanced ECCM capabilities. The system employs advanced algorithms to accurately discriminate threats when

The radar employs GaN (Gallium-Nitride) solidstate transmit modules to achieve a compact lightweight design that adheres to Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), with high reliability thanks to graceful performance degradation. With a radar antenna package weighing less than 350 kg and capable of 6, 15, 30 and 60 rpm with a 0°-70° elevation and electronic stabilization, the STAR-X has a 150 km maximum instrumented range, and a detection range of over 25 km against low flying attacking missiles and over 60 km versus high flying attacking fighter aircraft. With a tracking capacity of over 1,000 targets and three fire control windows for gunfire support, the STAR-X can be seamlessly integrated to the vessel’s CMS and air defence system.

Elta’s latest naval rotating radar development is the EL/M-2258 Alpha (Advanced Lightweight Phased Array), a multirole solid-state S-band radar using a single rotating AESA face that leverages the same technologies applied to the company’s EL/M-2248 MF-STAR fixed-faces multifunction radar. In service with the Israeli

The GEM Elettronica Columbus 3D multifunction radar is installed on the Italian Navy’s first-of-class Vulcano LSS (Logistic Support Ship) and one Comandanti-class OPV, and has been sold abroad in a new version to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence. © Luca Peruzzi.

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Navy, the Alpha has been recently selected to equip the new corvettes for the Philippine Navy to be provided by Hyundai Heavy Industries. The EL/M-2258 main features include 2-D electronic beam steering (scanning at elevations up to 70°), very high tracking update rate, automatic splash detection and measurement for gunnery support, and advanced beamforming techniques for multipath suppression and ECCM. In the baseline configuration with 200 km instrumented range, Alpha’s antenna unit weighs 880 kg, with below deck equipment cabinets adding 1,400 kg.

GEM Elettronica Columbus Derived from the research, development and demonstration MFRAD (Multi-Function RADar) programme jointly funded by the Italian Ministry of Defence and GEM Elettronica, the new Columbus 3D radar develops from the latter company’s proven and state-of-the-art technologies and was purposely designed for shipborne and coastal surveillance applications, fulfilling the role of primary and secondary air/surface search radar respectively for offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), corvettes and medium combatant platforms.

The new X-band 3D multifunction radar offers simultaneous short to medium-range air and surface target surveillance and tracking, as well as with weapon system target designation, and has been conceived with a low-weight design, electronically stabilized antenna complex without the need of radome and includes the option for a co-mounted IFF interrogator antenna. Weighing less than 400 kg (less than 450 kg with the IFF interrogator), the antenna complex - sided by the air-cooling unit, elevating the overall on top weight to less than 550 kg - includes a lower flat aperture for surface surveillance, target designation and navigation, together with a higher-placed and larger sloping antenna for same purposes in the air domain, capable of a programmable 10-to-60 rpm. With solid-state transmitter/receiver modules (TRMs) and power management in surface mode for LPI operations, digital beam forming in elevation together with digital pulse compression with fully coherent pulse processing for clutter elimination, frequency diversity-agility and PRF variation, the Columbus radar is air cooled and has

demonstrated a maximum instrumented range of over 120 km with a maximum elevation coverage of over 60°, alongside a 3D tracking capability (air and surface) of more than 300 targets. Characterized by six operational surface and air main modes, the new radar’s digital signal processing is conducted undercover through fibre-optic connection and with the capability to elaborate and display either air, surface or both target types simultaneously on combat management system operator consoles.

The initial Mk 1 system iteration has been selected and is installed on the Italian Navy’s first-ofclass Vulcano LSS (Logistic Support Ship) and one Comandanti-class OPV, while an already available evolved Mk 3 model is characterized by a system thermal optimisation, eliminating the need for the air-cooling unit, without reducing radar performances. The Mk 2 model was developed to further reduce the antenna complex weight to less than 200 kg this version lacking the navigation function, EDR Magazine understood. The latter model, according to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, was selected and a contract awarded in October 2021 to Leonardo - which today has a 30% stake of GEM Elettronica - to supply the 3D Columbus radar to equip the flotilla of platforms based on transferred Flyvefisken-class patrol vessels in service with the Lithuanian Navy, in addition to training and system integration. The equipment is planned to be delivered and all services provided by the end of 2023.

Hensoldt The South African branch of Hensoldt developed the new generation Quadome 3D naval air and surface surveillance radar equipped with the latest AESA technology. According to the company it provides rapid response and high precision, at excellent price-performance ratio. The solid-state softwaredefined C-band 3D features AESA stacked beam elevation scan with electronic stabilization up to 70° maximum elevation, and a 360° mechanical continuous rotation with an azimuth scan period of 4 and 2 seconds. With a maximum-instrumented range of 200 km and a track capacity of over 1,000 air and surface targets, the Quadome has an above-deck and below-deck mass of respectively less than 850 kg each with two cabinets. Aimed at EDR | May/June 2022

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The higher-end 3D rotating radar proposed by Hensoldt and employing the latest GaN AESA sensor technology belongs to the C-band TRS-4D family of systems.

The TRS-4D Rotator equips the US Navy’s Freedom-class variant of the Littoral Combat Ship, here depicted. © Hensoldt.

the global market of OPVs, corvettes, light frigates and support vessels, the Quadome features two main operational modes that simplify operator’s interaction and reduce operator’s workload. The surveillance mode is used for general surface and air surveillance, while the self-defence mode is employed for high-threat situations and target engagement, with helicopter support continuously available in either mode.

The higher-end 3D rotating radar proposed by Hensoldt and employing the latest GaN AESA

The South African branch of Hensoldt developed the new generation Quadome 3D naval air and surface surveillance radar that, according to the company, provides rapid response and high precision, at excellent price-performance ratio. © Hensoldt.

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sensor technology belongs to the C-band TRS-4D family of systems. The software-defined TRS-4D Rotator is quoted to feature flexible electronical multi-beam scanning, high sophisticated dual mode operation, 3D air volume surveillance with fast target alert and high range resolution surface surveillance, in addition to fire control support, surface gun fire control with splash detection, helicopter control, cued search with enhanced detection performance for a dedicated sector, cued track with high-priority target tracking for missile guidance and automatic target classification.

The Kronos Naval radar is a multifunction 3D radar employing Gallium Arsenide AESA technology to provide situational awareness, point defence, and missile and gunfire support to ships. Leonardo has developed a new more capable HP (High Power) version. © Leonardo.

With an instrumented maximum and minimum ranges of 250 km and less than 100 meters, an elevation coverage of -2°/+70° and -2°/+90°, a target detection capability in term of RCS equal to 0.01 m2, the TRS-4D Rotator features a tracking 3D capacity of over 1,000 targets and four windows for gun fire support. Hensoldt declares a tracking range performance of over 14 and 100 km respectively for small surface and maritime patrol aircraft targets, and limited by horizon for

supersonic sea skimmers. The TRS-4D features a GaN AESA electronically stabilized antenna with integrated IFF antenna (three channels) weighing less than 900 kg, with a mechanical rotation speed of 30 and 15 rpm. The TRS-4D has obtained both national and international success having been procured by the German MoD to equip so far the second batch of K130 corvettes together with the same company’s MSSR 2000 ID IFF. On the international market, the TRS-4D was selected by the US Navy to equip the Freedom-class variant of the Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs), starting from the Indianapolis (LCS 17) platform, which has received the AN/SPS-80 US Navy designation, being the first AESA rotating radar aboard a US Navy ship according to Hensoldt.

Leonardo Drawing on technology previously embodied in the EMPAR passive multifunction radar, but introducing a new antenna architecture with AESA array, advanced technologies and operational software derived from the active Kronos MFRA (Multi-Function Radar) installed initially on board Italian Navy FREMM frigates, alongside the capability to manage various shorter range

Although Leonardo does not provide information on customers, EDR Magazine learned that the Kronos Naval HP has been acquired by Qatar to equip the new Musherib-class OPV here depicted, alongside Saudi Arabia and UAE naval platforms. © Fincantieri.

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Originally developed by Saab to provide the Visby-class corvettes with a lightweight, multirole 3-D radar capable of air surveillance and tracking, surface surveillance, target indication, and gunfire support, the Sea Giraffe AMB has been sold worldwide. © Saab.

weapon systems, Leonardo developed the smaller naval variant of its Kronos family of 3D C-band radars, which secured its first order in 2009. The Kronos Naval is a multifunction radar employing gallium arsenide (GaAs) AESA technology to provide situational awareness, point defence, and missile and gunfire support to ships down to 400 tonnes. Unlike traditional 3D radars, the Kronos

Naval automatically schedules and performs any activity classified as a priority within the current tactical scenario by scanning the beam in both azimuth and elevation, while mechanically rotating at 60 rpm. The system antenna provides electronic elevation coverage up to 70° in surveillance and 85° in tracking mode (electronic scanning provides for beam steering up to +/-45° in azimuth, and up to +/-60° in elevation). With a maximum surveillance range of 250 km and a tracking update rate of up to one second, the system is capable of managing up to 300 air and surface tracks with an above deck weight of 970 kg including the IFF. The Kronos Naval has found initial success in the Middle East and South American regions being respectively acquired and in service with the UAE and Peruvian navies. Today the Kronos Naval is marketed in the HP (High Power) version which EDR Magazine understood features an AESA active electronically scanned array antenna equipped with a higher number of transmitter/receiver modules based on GaAs technology, compared to the original baseline model of Kronos family radars. This allows providing enhanced performances as well as higher availability and improved graceful degradation capacity. The new version has already found international success and although Leonardo

The US Navy equips with the Sea Giraffe AMB (AN/SPS-77 designation) the Independence-class LCSs, together with variants for the Expeditionary Sea Base ships, US Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters as well as in a derivative known as AN/SPN-50, to meet the air traffic control needs for the US Naval Sea System Command. © Saab.

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A lightweight X-band radar, weighing less than 150 kg (topside weight is 100 kg), the Sea Giraffe 1X is designed as a primary 3D surveillance radar for smaller vessels such as patrol craft and offshore patrol vessels, and secondarily as an adjunct surveillance/ target indication sensor for larger vessels. © Saab.

does not provide information on customers, EDR Magazine learned the system is in service with Qatar Emiri Naval Forces on board the Musheribclass OPVs and has been installed on board the Al Jubail-class corvettes being delivered by Navantia of Spain to the Royal Saudi Navy. The Kronos Naval HP has also been contracted to equip the Falaj-3 class OPVs to be built by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) for the UAE Navy.

Saab Sea Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe AMB The latest iteration of the Saab Giraffe family of radars, exploiting the latest technologies to perform with a very limited footprint, is the Sea Giraffe 1X. A lightweight X-band radar, it is designed as a primary 3D surveillance radar for smaller vessels such as patrol craft and offshore patrol vessels, and secondarily as an adjunct surveillance/target indication sensor for larger vessels. Weighing less than 150 kg (topside weight is 100 kg), the Sea Giraffe 1X covers the entire search volume every second and provides accurate 3D data for all air targets in the search volume. The operating X-band offers higher resolution that, together with the refresh rate, is key for the detection and discrimination of low-radar cross section

threats. The Sea Giraffe 1X found initial success in Europe: as part of the combat system delivery and integration to new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes of the Finnish Navy, Saab will deliver the Sea Giraffe Multi Sensor Solution package, which includes the Sea Giraffe 1X and a fixed-face version of the Sea Giraffe 4A. The X-band radar is also a main sensor component of the combat system overhaul for the German Navy’s F123 frigates, for which Saab is prime contractor.

The Swedish group continues promoting its existing C-band Sea Giraffe AMB short- to medium-range surveillance stacked beam 3D radar. Originally developed by Saab to provide the Visby-class corvettes with a lightweight, multirole 3-D radar capable of air surveillance and tracking, surface surveillance, target indication, and gunfire support, the Sea Giraffe AMB has been sold worldwide, being procured by the Polish Navy (Orkan-class fast patrol craft), UAE Navy (Baynunah-class corvettes), Royal Australian Navy (Canberra-class multipurpose amphibious ships), the Republic of Singapore Navy (Victory-class missile corvettes), Algerian Navy (Erradii-class Meko A-200AN frigates) frigates, Thai Navy (for different platforms including the Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate) and the US Navy for equipping the IndependenceEDR | May/June 2022

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class LCS (with AN/SPS-77 designation), together with variants for the Expeditionary Sea Base ships, US Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters as well as in a derivative known as AN/SPN-50, to meet the air traffic control needs for the US Naval Sea System Command, alongside foreign military sales. The Sea Giraffe AMB has also been contracted for the Royal Canadian Navy to equip its new Protecteurclass joint support ships and upgrade the Sea Giraffe 180 antenna package on board Halifaxclass frigates. The system is now into its third iteration - Mod C - reflecting a series of hardware and software uplifts. Transmission is performed in a wide elevation beam, with radar returns in multiple receive beams. Reception beams are digitally formed, and signals processed in several parallel processing channels. With a 30 or 60 rpm rate, air surveillance (scanning up to 70° in elevation) is performed automatically in parallel moving target indication (MTI) and non-MTI processing channels to optimize performances in heavy clutter.

Thales NS50 In January 2021, Thales announced to have been awarded by Kership, the joint venture between Naval Group and Piriou, a contract for the supply of its new NS50 radar to equip the 12 new generation Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs) for the navies of Belgium and the Netherlands. According to Thales Nederland, the NS50 is the world’s first compact multi-mission 4D AESA radar available

The navies of Belgium and the Netherlands have become the launch customers of the Thales NS50 4D AESA radar, after the latter was procured to equip the 12 new generation Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs) being built for the two services by Kership, the joint-venture between Naval Group and Piriou. © Thales.

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The NS50 is an X-band software-defined dual-axis multibeam 4D sensor that features a modular and scalable hardware architecture, allowing to be installed on OPVs, MCMVs, auxiliaries and various other platforms, including combat boats. © Thales.

on the market for smaller vessels offering both air and surface surveillance with missile and gun fire control. The “4D” radars, according to the same company, not only provide bearing, range and elevation (3D) information, but also provide indepth analysis of the target’s Doppler signature and 10 times more time on target (the 4th dimension) by applying dual-axis multi-beam processing. The NS50 is an X-band software-defined dual-axis multi-beam 4D sensor that features modular and scalable hardware architecture, allowing it to be installed on OPVs, MCMVs, auxiliaries and various other platforms, including combat boats. The NS50 provides accurate 4D target information for rapid acquisition to fire control systems, for fire control of short-range ‘fire and forget’ surface-to-airmissile systems and for fire control of shipborne artillery against surface targets. The NS50 radar consists of a 2.5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide AESA antenna, protected by a radome, with a 15 or 60 rpm rate, featuring GaN TRMs and an integrated IFF antenna with an overall weight of 750 kg and two below deck cabinets for additional 680 kg. With a maximum instrumented range of respectively 180 and 80 km against air and surface targets, and an elevation coverage of 70°, the NS50 has a tracking capacity of 1,000 targets and a three windows for gun fire support. In addition to the simultaneous air and surface targets detection and tracking thanks to the dual axis multi-beam capability, alongside fire control, the NS50 features IFF data handling, jammer detection and tracking, provision of surveillance video, high availability and graceful degradation.

Nexter developed the Terminateur, a demonstrator based on the Leclerc chassis fitted with a 140 mm gun. © M. Chassillan.

MGCS, ménage à trois or more ?

By Marc Chassillan

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n 2017, under the impetus of the new French President Emmanuel Macron, France offered Germany six armament projects to be carried out in cooperation: the Maritime Airborne Weapons System, the New Generation Fighter, the Common Indirect Fire System, the Remotely Piloted Airborne System (RPAS) drone, the modernization of the Tiger Mk3 helicopter and the future Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). After five years of difficult budgetary, industrial, and technical negotiations, the RPAS is the only project to be on track. All the others are either stillborn or in very great difficulty. Launched in 2017, the MGCS was first subject of conceptual studies directly driven on the German side by the IABG (Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH) and on the French side by the Saint-Louis Insti-

tute. The outcomes made it possible to launch the phase known as SADS-1 (System Architecture Definition Study - Part 1) entrusted to the Nexter-KMW-Rheinmetall trio and that was completed at the end of 2021. In parallel, a letter of intent was signed in June 2018 between the two Defence Ministers, followed on April 20, 2020, by an “Implementing Arrangement 1”, formalizing the launch by France and Germany of the bilateral programme and providing for the organization of the project and the management structure. The German Ministry of Defence announced that it was managing the bilateral MGCS programme, financed equally by both states via the BAAINBw (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr) the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information TechEDR | May/June 2022

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try in the long term through the development and application of future-oriented land system technologies. With the MGCS, the national key technology “protected/armored vehicles” in line with the strategy of the Federal Government will be maintained and strengthened. The MGCS project has the potential to become the largest European land-based armaments project for the development of a European land combat system in the medium term”.

The Main Ground Combat System logo.

nology and In-Service Support, acting as the lead contracting agency on behalf of Germany and France. Its press release insisted on the future of the German land armament industry, able to achieve world leadership: “The Franco-German cooperation is intended to form the basis for the broadest possible European or NATO cooperation. For the MGCS, Germany has taken the lead. […] Investing in this project will enable the German defence industry to position itself as the world’s leading land system indus-

SADS-1 was a matter of converging national concepts with the aim of achieving a common multi-platform architecture. Funding (150 million) in equal shares and workload between the two countries is the basic rule: “The contract is equally co-funded by Germany and France. Likewise, the German and French companies will implement equal division of work”. On the industrial side, the organizational methods follow the German classics, with the creation in December 2019 of an ARGE (Arbeitsgemeinschaft) associating the partner companies and acting as a contractual interlocutor of the BAAINBw. The KNDS

At Eurosatory 2018 KNDS, the group formed by KMW and Nexter, exhibited a hybrid tank made of the Leopard 2 chassis and a Leclerc turret. © M. Chassillan.

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holding company is not a stakeholder as such, ARGE associating KMW (25%), Nexter Systems (50%) and Rheinmetall Defence (25%). SADS 1 was normally due to end in January 2022. It was initially extended until summer 2022. This horizon is again postponed, this time “until the beginning of next year”, reveals the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement), the French Government Defence procurement and technology agency. The materialization of the second part of the studies (SADS 2) would therefore take place with a year’s delay. The start of the development of a complete demonstrator by 2024 is unlikely.

“At the same time, we are developing the industrial organization which will be that of the development and implementation phase,” adds the DGA. This should theoretically start in 2028, a very late date according to observers. SADS-2 should consist of the study and manufacture of MTDs (main technology demonstrators) between 2025 and 2027. MTD01 entrusted to Nexter-KMW is devoted to tracked mobility with in particular a hybrid powerpack. MTD-02 is the one that attracts a lot of attention, because it directly and brutally opposes Nexter and Rheinmetall. It is that of the heavy weapon system which combines a new gun, automatic loading, crew stations, all integrated into a possibly uninhabited turret.

The stakes are strategic because the choice will in fact impose the future NATO standard.

MTD-04 (survival crew citadel, armour,

active protection, countermeasures) is the responsibility of Rheinmetall-Nexter. MTD-09 concerns simulators and combines Nexter and KMW. MTD-10 must demonstrate the feasibility of a heavy combat robot autonomous enough to be able to carry out complex missions. MTD11 on optronics and fire control is entrusted to Optrolead (Safran and Thales) and Hensoldt.

MTD-13 is about connectivity on the battlefield and collaborative combat. It will be led by Thales and Rheinmetall. The latter are also fighting for the project management of MILSA (MGCS Industrial Lead System Architecture), a sort of big management task for the system of systems. The MTD-05 (NLOS gun-launched missile), MTD-06 (high-energy laser), MTD07 (high-energy electromagnetic weapon), MTD-08 (drone family) and MTD-12 (data fusion, swarm control drones), are not formally assigned.

As regards the tank main armament, the sustainability of the industrial and technological skills of Nexter Systems and Rheinmetall Land Systems is at stake. In 2016, the German company revealed a self-funded 130 mm/L51 gun demonstrator defined as “the latest evolution in Rheinmetall’s MBT Advanced Technologies competence”. In April 2021, Nexter introduced a new concept of main armament for combat tanks designed to deal with future heavily armoured threats, ASCALON (Autoloaded and SCALable Outperforming guN),

The MGCS is designed as a distributed system of systems heavily relying on connectivity, robotics and advanced sensors. © French Army.

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thus recalling its expertise in the field (Leclerc 120 mm smoothbore, autoloader, telescoped ammunition, APFSDS, smart ammunition) and “the maturity reached during firing with a calibre of 140 mm”. Nexter indeed carried out a firing campaign with a 140 mm gun during fall 2018, a maturity achieved thanks to previous work carried out during the 1990s as part of the NATO Future Tank Main Armament (FTMA) programme. Designed to cope with the threat of the future generation of Soviet MBTs, FTMA set up a competition between US, French, German and British industrialists, from which the French 140 mm calibre emerged victorious. In 2022, the future standard of guns and tank ammunition is again at the centre of the agenda. From Nexter perspective, Ascalon fits all MGCS challenges: “Based on technical solutions whose full maturity will be reached by 2025, ASCALON offers an open architecture designed to serve as a basis, within the framework of the Franco-German MGCS programme, to cooperative development. […] This breakthrough in armament technology represents a major contribution by the French industry to achieving, after a cooperative development, a new solution common to France and Germany, enhancing distributed activities and balanced contributions of skills to the European defence industry”.

The opening of cooperation to other partners from the upstream phase represents another stumbling block. In a report on major armaments’ programmes of the Bundeswehr,

the German Ministry of Defence wishes to see this openness promoted to other states of the European Union, NATO and other potential partner nations, “MGCS should also be designed as a NATO capability with an adequate group of participants. Initially, Germany aims to include the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy.” If France is not opposed to this enlargement (moreover mentioned in the bilateral arrangements), it is coming too soon in a context that is still unstable. Joël Barre, head of the DGA, underlined during his hearing in October 2021 before the National Defence and Armed Forces Commission of the National Assembly, that “After the creation of the industrial alliance KMW + Nexter Defence Systems (KNDS) in 2016, at Germany’s request, we had to integrate Rheinmetall. As the organization is still not consolidated, we need additional time to achieve this, hence the extension of the system architecture study”. To the question of Christian Cambon, President of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the Senate, “Is there an alternative to MGCS?”, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Pierre Schill, retorted: “If the MGCS cannot be carried out with Germany, it will be necessary either to envisage a Franco-French programme, or to rely on the SCORPION community focused on the Benelux. In any case, it will be necessary to lead to the production of a new MBT”. The stakes are just as strategic for the German armed forces. As for KMW and Rheinmetall

Active protection systems will be integrated on all MGCS platforms. © French Army.

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For the MGCS Nexter developed the Ascalon 140 mm gun system, which leverages all technologies developed by the company such as cased-telescoped ammunition, automatic loading system, and the 140 FTMA R&D programme. © Nexter Systems.

Defence, they can rely on the Leopard 2 users club. While Franco-German cooperation is struggling, Germany and its two industrialists are manoeuvring in Italy, UK and Norway. Let’s remind that Norway has started the process of replacing the current fleet of Leopard 2 and has selected two contenders: KMW Leopard 2A7 and Hanwha K2.

In Poland, the gradual replacement of 500 MBTs of Soviet era (T-72 and their modernized local variant, the PT-91), scheduled in the technical modernization plan 2021-2035, saw the authorities dithering between different options: 100% national production (PGZ project), search for a foreign partner, integration of Poland into an existing cooperative programme, in this case the MGCS. Initially, the WILK programme envisaged the development and production of a new generation of heavy tanks, independently but without excluding cooperation with one or more foreign partners. In July 2019, the Polish authorities initially opted, as an interim solution, for the upgrading of 300 T-72M1 tanks, work carried out by ZM Bumar-Labedy and Wojskowe Zaklady Motoryzacyjne (WZM), for deliveries around 2025. At the same time, and like Italy, Poland expressed its wish to join the MGCS programme, a request made in 2019, reiterated in early 2020, and supported

Rheinmetall developed a 130 mm gun which was first exhibited at Eurosatory 2016. © P. Valpolini.

by Rheinmetall Defence. A condition is however put forward, that of the acceleration of the production schedule, the 2035 horizon being considered too distant in relation to Polish needs. If this is an end of non-receipt from Germany and France, the two partner countries agree on the possibility of integrating the programme during later stages, an option rejected by Poland because considered potentially less advantageous for its national industry. In November 2020, Italy approached Spain and Poland around a joint project for a future tank, without meeting a very favourable response. Rheinmetall Defence and KMW associated with the Polish Obrum offered the Leopard 2A7, when the South Korean Hanwha presented the K2PL tank at the MSPO 2020 show, a modified version of its K2 Black Panther, with offers of technology transfers and local assembly (by PGZ or WB Group). The stakes are high for the South Korean firm, which intends to conquer a market share in Northern Europe (Norway) and Eastern Europe (future Czech and Slovak markets). In July 2021, the Polish authorities ended up announcing the FMS acquisition procedure of 250 socalled third generation Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks from GDLS, for an estimated $6 billion (including logistics, training and simulators).

The war in Ukraine and Poland’s desire to EDR | May/June 2022

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Dynamics reminded us. Therefore, Poland has moved away from any MGCS arrangement.

The 130 mm ammunition (left) compared to the 120 mm one. Size and weight make it mandatory to adopt an automatic loading system. © P. Valpolini.

move towards ever greater interoperability with American forces ruin Polish industrial ambitions in the heavy tank segment. Visiting the United States in October 2021, the Polish Minister of Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak declared: “From the Polish point of view, the purchase of Abrams tanks is very important.

It increases the defence capabilities of our country and the capabilities of the Polish Army. From the point of view of the US Army, it is also building the interoperability of the US Army with the Polish Army”. In an operational emergency situation, Poland is expecting first deliveries from 2022, a calendar objective that is not compatible with the deadlines linked to the FMS process, as the CEO of General

What next? During recent public presentations in France, the French Army has clearly expressed its wish to see the weight of the MGCS contained under 50 tons. It also mentioned a hypervelocity anti-tank missile as a means of obtaining greater ranges than those of the APFDS rounds within the framework of the NLOS capability in collaborative combat. In Germany the MGCS does not stop the studies of improvement of the Leopard 2, because KMW is rumoured to work on a project of an Ax version which would succeed the A7, which would prolong the commercial and technical life of a tank designed in the 70s and entered service in 1979. The future of the MGCS fully depends on an agreement between Nexter and Rheinmetall on the weapon system but the blockages are too important to come to a fair accord so far. On the French side, plan B would be the one mentioned by General Schill of a French national development, and the French industry has all the skills to carry it out. However, it would be necessary to manage the German half of KNDS, namely KMW. Rheinmetall’s ambition to control the European land sector through the MGCS programme will have to be translated into a partnership strategy that will be strongly supported by the German government, which will have exceptional budgetary resources in the coming decade.

The MGCS programme is widely open to European cooperation. © M. Chassillan.

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Higher definition for naval navigation radars

By Luca Peruzzi

The Italian Navy has procured the Gemini-DB as the standard navigation radar for the new generation of combatant and support ships including the Thaon di Revel-class Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura, the Trieste LHD, the Vulcano LSS and the Cabrini-class special forces fast operational support vessels, in addition to in-service platforms. © Giorgio Arra.

Naval navigation radars are finding an increasing tactical role as surface surveillance becomes an operational priority. In the past, surface warships have always been equipped with one or more short-range high-definition radars to aid navigation, blind pilotage and collision avoidance at sea, historically derived from commercial magnetron-based marine navigation radars (both X-band and S-band), but modified to incorporate additional tactical modes and display features. Starting from early last decade, navies have looked with more emphasis to new generation systems, mainly driven by two major factors: the increasing demanding regulatory framework for safe navigation and collision avoidance established by the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) Regulation IEC 62388, particularly in the areas of small target detection, clutter performance, display of Automatic Identification System (AIS) targets and additional display features and functions, to offer sailors improved capability and safety, and the requirement for improved tactical surface surveillance out to the radar horizon and increased inner protection against “asymmetric” surface threats, together with better support to search and rescue and law enforcement operations.

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The GEM Elettronica Gemini BD features a combination of X- and Ka-band radars which offers operational advantages and flexibility of operations, allowing the detection at shorter ranges of very fast small targets, submarine periscopes and multiple targets very near between them. © Luca Peruzzi.

GEM Elettronica

The GEM Elettronica X-band Sea Eagle-200N radar can be considered as a family of systems that uses the most advanced digital technologies, ensuring a high level of detection of small naval targets as well as safety navigation. © Luca Peruzzi.

Since its foundation in the late ’70s, radars represent the core activity and primary asset for Italy’s GEM Elettronica. The company is offering a new generation of radars for maritime applications, including the Gemini-DB digital dual band navigation and surveillance system, the compact SeaEagle 200N navigation and surveillance coherent system, and interestingly the HASR-100 shipborne helicopter approach surveillance radar. Operationally tested with success by the Italian Navy and the US Navy, the first service has procured the GeminiDB as the standard navigation radar for the new generation of combatant and support ships including so far the Thaon di Revel-class Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura (PPA), the Trieste LHD, the Vulcano LSS and the Cabrini-class special forces fast operational support vessels, in addition to the replacement of older generation equipment on in-service platforms. The Gemini BD features a combination of X- and Ka-band radars which offers operational advantages and flexibility of operations at an optimized cost/ performance ratio, according to GEM Elettronica.

Although the Gemini BD is capable to operate in three independent modes, X-, Ka-band and combination of both bands, the latter allows seamless coverage of the surveyed area, detecting small targets using its outstanding azimuth and a EDR | May/June 2022

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range discrimination, according to the company.

With an overall 230 kg weight for the two antennas (2.7 and 2.4 meters for respectively X- and Kaband) complex and up-mast Ka-band transceiver, the under-deck X-band transceiver alongside the system power supply and processing rack add further 180 kg. The X-band sensor with a 400 W full solid state transmitter offers frequency diversity, accurate target location, coherent, pulse compression, Doppler digital signal processing, alongside optional low probability of intercept (LPI) mode. While the latter provides longer range surveillance, the high sensitivity of the receiver and the resolution of the Ka-band super-directive antenna ensure high level of discrimination, allowing to detect at shorter range very fast small targets, submarine periscopes and multiple targets with distances down to 2 meters between them, increasing the ship safety in every operational condition, especially against hybrid threats. According to GEM Elettronica documentation, the range discrimination is better than 15 meters on a 10 m² radar cross section (RCS) target with short pulse (Ka-band) on the 1.38 km range scale while azimuth discrimination is better than 0.4° at same frequency.

The X-band Sea Eagle-200N radar can be considered as a family of systems designed

with the strictest quality standards that uses the most advanced digital technologies and is able to ensure high level of detection of small naval targets as well as excellent safety of the ship’s conduct. It is fully compatible with IMO’s IEC 62388 ed. 2 standards and its open architecture allows supporting different levels of integration when interfaced with the on-board system.

Featuring the application of solid state power amplifier (SSPA) and digital technology, the Sea Eagle-200N is offered with four different antennas dimensions (1.9, 2.3, 2.7 and 3.8 meters), the antenna turning unit, and the upmast (but the down-mast option is available) full solid state transceiver with up to 400 W peak power and under-deck radar processing and distribution units for a total weight under 80 kg with the smaller antenna.

GEM Elettronica also offers the HASR-100 shipborne helicopter approach surveillance radar, which is already in service with the Italian Navy onboard the Vulcano-class LSS. The HASR 100 is a lightweight and advanced X-band radar featuring helicopter decking aids. Based on state-of-the-art solid state technology and Pulse Compression with Doppler filtering, the HASR 100 is able to track a helicopter from 22 km down to the ship deck and assist the pilot to land

GEM Elettronica markets the HASR-100 shipborne helicopter approach surveillance radar, which is already in service with the Italian Navy onboard the first-of-class Vulcano LSS. The HARS-100 is a lightweight and advanced X-band radar featuring helicopter decking aids. © Giorgio Arra.

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In service with more than 30 navies and coast guard agencies around the world, the Hensoldt UK Mk 11 SharpEye X-band and S-Band suite is a fully coherent Pulse Doppler radar for navigation and situational awareness. Here it is pictured installed on board the first-of-class Musherib OPV of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces © Fincantieri.

safely. With a 220 kg antenna group, the X-band radar with a fully solid state coherent 200 W peak power transceiver operates at 11 to 22 rotation per minute (rpm) in surveillance mode and 30 rpm during helicopter landing operations.

Hensoldt SharpEye family Developed by Kelvin Hughes, which in 2019 became Hensoldt UK, a world leader in the development, manufacture and supply of maritime navigation and surveillance radars, the company’s core technology is the SharpEye, a radar transceiver launched in 2006, which brought military grade target detection at an affordable price to warships and offshore patrol vessels. With more than 30 navies and coast guard agencies around the world that are benefiting from this solution, the Mk 11 SharpEye X-band and S-Band suite is a fully coherent Pulse Doppler radar for navigation and situational awareness in all weather conditions

and high sea states. The SharpEye X-band transmitter (with a peak power up to 300 W while the S-band reaches 200 W compared to typical 25 kW to 30 kW of previous generation systems based on magnetron) has been the first in its class to employ GaN (Gallium Nitride) power transistors. Together with respectively 2.5 and 3.9 meters antennas, the X- and S-band SharpEye transceivers are located up mast (or down mast as option), housed in a carbon composite turning unit and bringing additional benefits such as ease of installation and high reliability. The use of a direct drive motor system rather than the traditional antenna rotator gearbox also reduces maintenance. The significant benefits of GaN transistors have been harnessed by SharpEye to directly improve the performance of the radar, enabling the visualization of land, air and seaborne targets with reduced RCS. SharpEye technology exploits the Doppler effect to determine target radial velocities. This is achieved by processing received echoes into velocity bands, enabling EDR | May/June 2022

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The Helsoldt UK SharpEye navigation radar has been the first in its class to employ GaN (Gallium Nitride) power transistor technology. © Hensoldt UK.

the separation of genuine targets from clutter.

Extracting the motion of targets by measuring the phase of the received echo relative to the phase of the transmission enables the radial velocity to be determined. This provides enhanced detection performance, enabling the acquisition of smaller targets such as rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and submarine periscopes at greater ranges in clutter, i.e. targets with a 0.5 m2 RCS at several nautical miles in rough sea states and clutter conditions.

Range discrimination is maintained over all radar range scales and is equivalent to that obtained in the short pulse in a magnetron radar. The low peak power reduces the probability of intercept while the solid state electronics, minimum moving components and graceful degradation provide up to 150,000 hours MTBF (Mean-Time Between Failures). The SharpEye naval radars can be supplied with an integrated agile tracker, delivering reliable target tracking performance against fast, highly maneuverable surface and air targets. SharpEye’s innovative display and

Hensoldt UK offers the Mk 5 SharpEye, aimed at Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), coast guard or marine patrol vessels with a displacement of less than 150 tonnes. © Hensoldt UK.

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The SharpEye radar has been contracted by the French Navy in a version where it is provided in a combined antenna package with the same company’s MSSR 2000 IFF system. © Hensoldt UK.

tactical functionality utilizes enhanced target detection, twin plan position indicator and an intuitive Human Machine Interface (HMI) all compliant with latest IMO radar performance standards.

The system has been contracted by the French Navy in a version where the SharpEye X-band surveillance radar is provided in a combined antenna package with the same company’s MSSR 2000 IFF system. The navigation/IFF suite will equip French Navy POM (Patrouilleur d’Outre-Mer) six OPV platforms being built by Socarenam for French overseas territories patrol.

POM vessels will operate their own UAVs and this radar/IFF combination will contribute to safe UAV operations.

The company also offers the Mk 5 SharpEye which is aimed at Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), coast guard or marine patrol vessels with a displacement of less than 150 tonnes.

Internationally contracted since its unveiling, the Mk 5 SharpEye is an extremely reliable, high performance X-band Doppler radar ideally suited for marine navigation, collision avoidance and situational awareness. Presented for the first time in 2019 during the DSEI exhibition, the system marries the already available Mk 5 radar with the Kelvin Hughes maintenance free SharpEye transceiver, which replaces the old magnetron system. The result is a lighter, more affordable solution that still ensures most of the capability of the larger SharpEye version in addition to an open architecture interface to provide easy integration and operation from 24 V DC supply.

In order to ensure a limited footprint, the Mk 5 uses smaller antennas, either 1.4 or 1.9 meters, but still delivers about 80–85% of the capability of the larger Mk 11 radar. It weighs just 47 kg (with the 1.9 meters antenna) and features a lower power (80 W nominal) transmitter, providing an instrumented range of 45 km with target detection and range discrimination maintained over the full instrumented range.

Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine VisionMaster Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine strengthened its portfolio of military navigation solutions with the release of Additional Military Layers (AML) for its VisionMaster series of radars and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS).

The VisionMaster FT line has been developed

by Sperry Marine to replace the BridgeMaster product line. One notable feature is the proprietary clutter-suppression capacity known as ClearVision. This sophisticated automatic clutter-suppression technology makes it easier for watchstanders to identify small weak targets in the presence of sea or rain clutter, without manually adjusting gain or clutter controls. The AMLs have been developed to allow defence and naval users to take advantage of Sperry’s commercial radar systems on demanding military assignments aboard small and large vessels.

The latest enhancements support the display of AMLs created to support both command and control and provide digital navigation systems that ensure the best situational awareness available for marine operations. The VisionMaster series of radars and ECDIS has been developed Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine strengthened its portfolio of military navigation solutions with the release of Additional Military Layers for its VisionMaster series of radars which was developed to replace the BridgeMaster product line. Here it is depicted on the first-of-class Armidale patrol boat equipped. © Australian DoD.

The VisionMaster product series has been developed using the latest technologies to keep costs under control, but still with a choice of configurations and options needed for any type, size and class of vessel. © Sperry.

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The Raytheon Anschütz Naval Radar NX application software will be integrated with the Terma Scanter 6002 radars and tailor-made consoles as part of the modernization programme for the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC frigates. © Australian DoD.

using the latest technology to keep costs under control, but still with a choice of configurations and options needed for any type, size and class of vessel. The VisionMaster Radar and ECDIS include a number of enhancements designed for naval operations. Among these features is the “Red First Strike” functionality that provides an immediate indication of fast moving targets, such as fixed and rotary wing aircraft and fast attack craft, by highlighting them in red. A Target Intercept feature allows the operator to plan and execute intercept maneuvers between one vessel and another including from “ownship” or from one tracked target or AIS target to another.

This improves the operator’s reaction time by simplifying the identification of any potential threat. Linking the requirements of tactical operations with higher specification equipment can provide an increased level of navigational performance and improve the human-machine interface, according to Sperry.

Raytheon Anschütz NautoScan NX A leading navigation company in both civil and military markets, Raytheon Anschütz offers the NautoScan NX network radar transceivers which 34

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distribute radar raw video via Ethernet to an “unlimited” number of workstations on the bridge (depending on the network setup). In a single radar system the new transceivers distribute the raw radar video via local area network to the Small Marine Computer (SMC), which is the standard for all workstations. At the same time, the NautoPlex data manager collects data from all serial attached sensors and distributes them to the SMC. In radar systems with two or more workstations, a second NautoPlex, a second switch and a respective number of SMCs are added to the system. The suite includes X-band (25 kW with 1.8 and 2.4 meters antennas) and S-band (30 kW with a 3.6 meters antenna) radars. The new pedestal and transceivers are built with state-of-the-art technology. Newly developed electronic and mechanical components with reduced complexity provide reliable and future-proof operation with a significantly increased MTBF. Magnetron lifetime is optimized through a new “sleep mode” that can be activated when the radar is in standby. According to the company, one of the major benefits of digital raw data distribution is to provide flexibility for system design, inter-switching and functional upgrades. In this networked environment, a transceiver can be controlled from any workstation, while maintaining operational integrity with the master/slave concept.

The US Navy M80 Stiletto high-speed craft has been testing the Terma Scanter 2602 navigation radar, an X-band, 2D, fully coherent pulse compression radar, based on solid state transmitter technology with digital software-defined functionality. © US Navy.

Belgium Naval & Robotics selected Terma as the supplier of the Scanter 6000 radar for the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Navies’ new MCMV platforms. This new sensor will give superior capabilities to the ships in terms of targets detection and tracking. © Belgium Naval & Robotics.

Terma Scanter 2602 and 6002 The Danish Terma company has more than seventy years of surveillance and mission systems experience and over 3,000 radars in service worldwide with navies, coast guards, and other high-demanding authorities on ships and ashore, including vessel traffic services, coastal surveillance and surface movement

radar applications. Terma has accumulated a deep and thorough know-how about radar sensor technology with the Scanter family of X-band navigation, surface search and shortmedium range air and surveillance radars, comprising advanced signal processing and high-performance antennas, specifically tailored for small target detection in rough weather EDR | May/June 2022

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conditions. The Scanter naval radar family comes in three basic versions adapted for specific purposes and in different price ranges, pending operational capability, of which the smaller Scanter 2602 and mid-range 6002 are being analyzed here.

The Scanter 2602 system is an X-band, 2D, fully coherent pulse compression radar, based on solid state transmitter technology with digital software-defined functionality. The outdoor transceiver unit, including all the RF-signals and processing, is a ruggedized design for upmast installation to minimize waveguide loss between antenna and transceiver. With an 80 W peak (equivalent to 25 kW magnetron) power, it weighs only 26 kg and can be placed close to the antenna with no requirement for an equipment room. All interfaces, processing and tracking are embedded in the up-mast unit and IMO radar navigation requirements can be met with a 2.1 meters Terma 7 Compact antenna. With larger antennas, increased small target detectability is achievable. The Scanter 2602 meets the small boat requirements for professional naval applications, where quality and durability are significant. It is compatible with Terma standard antenna programme and interface protocols.

The transceiver configuration is obtained by pre-defined profiles, including all parameters needed to set up the radar. Profiles are optimized for different applications, varying weather conditions, or specific operational demands.

The communication interface to the transceiver is established via a standard IP network (LAN or WAN), which provides network radar video, plots, tracks, control, etc. The Scanter 2602 relies on standard IP network to ensure effortless integration with existing and third-party systems using standard Terma protocols.

In 2009, Terma launched its Scanter 6002 radar, a fully coherent software-driven X-band system intended to meet emerging market needs for improved navigation support and situational awareness. With a maximum instrumented range of around 175 km, the Scanter 6002 meets multiple surveillance needs, notably navigation (compliant to IMO standards), surface surveillance, search 36

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and rescue, helicopter control, monitoring low airspace, and short range situational awareness (to support the ship’s force protection posture).

The advanced digital signal processing combined with antenna characteristics (including high gain and narrow beam) delivers unparalleled spatial resolution, according to Terma. The built-in Embedded Tracker takes advantage of automatic clutter estimation (Terma patent), an Interacting Multiple Models (IMM) track estimation, and Multi-Hypothesis Tracking (MHT) to provide a high quality situational awareness picture. The Scanter 6002 is offered with both compact and high-gain antennas (ranging from 1.5 to 6 meters in span). The update rate varies from 6 to 60 rpm.

The radar relies on gallium arsenide solid state technology to boost performances and reduce maintenance requirements. Line replaceable units are used throughout the family of sensors, ensuring long time sustainment and low life cycle costs. The Scanter 6002 radar is fully integrated with various renowned marine navigation display applications, providing enhanced support for safe navigation and collision avoidance beyond the capability of standard navigation radar systems. The Scanter 6002 is IMO certified, the system configuration meeting the latest IMO performance standards. It provides improved small target detection and automatic environmental adaptation for enhanced performances in all weather conditions. While monitoring the near airspace around the vessel, it is capable to detect and track helicopters, propeller and jet aircraft out to 18-28 km and up to 1,800 meters altitude providing low airspace monitoring and surveillance.

Ultra Electronics NGSSR In April 2019, the US Naval Sea System Command awarded to Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems a contract for the development and production of the US Navy’s Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) AN/SPS73(V)18 as a further evolution of the current AN/SPS-73(V)12 system. The primary objective of this programme, according to NAVSEA, is to develop a replacement for legacy US Navy shipboard surface search radar systems due

The Arleigh Burke class of destroyers, here the Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), will be one of the main recipients of the Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) AN/SPS-73(V)18, developed as a replacement for legacy US Navy shipboard surface search radar systems due to current military threats and obsolescence issues. © Huntington Ingalls Industries.

to current military threats and obsolescence issues. The new NGSSR system will replace all variants of the current AN/SPS-67, AN/SPS73, BridgeMaster E series, and commercial ofthe-shelf radar systems. According to Ultra, the NGSSR leverages existing, fielded technologies developed for the AN/SPS-74 Periscope Detection Radar and the AN/BPS-17 Submarine Navigation Radar. These technologies applied to the NGSSR upgrade fulfill the need for improved sustainability through upgraded/ modifiable technology and a high system operational availability, offering ship defence against current military threats for surface and limited low altitude air targets, while also addressing risks inherent in operating in littoral waters and vulnerabilities such as submarine attacks. The NGSSR uses the latest digital technology and incorporates a software-based architecture at its core. NGSSR will have a suite of algorithms that extend, enhance, and optimize its performances by exploiting the system’s software-defined architecture. This can

also implement functionality never considered before for such relatively simple rotating radar, extending the radar’s range and navigation functions in bad weather, resisting enemy electronic warfare attempts to jam it, detecting UAVs, periscopes, floating debris, and floating mines, and improving collision avoidance in crowded waterways. The NGSSR funding will be utilized for engineering changes to the AN/ SPS-73(V)12 radar, which will improve surface combatant’s ability to engage fast attack craft/ fast in shore attack craft (FAC/FIAC) tracking and periscope detection and discrimination, as well as address cybersecurity shortfalls and Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) obsolescence of legacy AN/SPS-73 systems. NGSSR production plans have been accelerated as a result of the October 2017 US Navy Commander Fleet Forces Comprehensive Review, which followed the McCain and Fitzgerald destroyers collisions with commercial vessels, with the first qualification unit having begun land-test in February 2021.

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