Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1258433
Thales BlueScan data processing system is going to be tasked with the integration of all of the aforesaid sensors and data provided by external platforms (helicopter assets, MPA, or UAV/UUV systems). RADARS Indra, together with Lockheed Martin, is to be responsible for delivering the radars. The busi- nesses in question began cooperation on war- ship-borne radar systems in 1997. Back then In- dra started to manufacture components for the AN/SPY-1D radars integrated on the Álvaro de Bazán-class frigates. Indra also manufactures components for each brand new SPY-1D radar that is procured by both the US Navy, as well as export users. According to the requirements, the radar would be an S-band and it would be based on the Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-7(V)1 design. The system has been developed based on the LRDR (Long Range Discrimination Ra- dar) system that won the US Missile Defense Agency procurement back in 2015, with that procedure being aimed at the development of a long-range radar that could identify ballistic missile re-entry vehicles in mid-flight. The ra- dar was also to be capable of discriminating against the actual live re-entry vehicles from decoys. AN/SPY-7(V)1 is a scaled-down vari- ant of the LRDR, utilizing, however, a major por- tion of the architecture of its prerequisite. The new radar utilizes four phased antenna arrays providing 360 degrees of azimuthal coverage. Contrary to the older system, the antennas also have the active scanning capacity, provided by GaN transmitter-receiver modules. Based on the agreement signed in December 2019, with a value of EUR 150 million, Lockheed Martin would deliver five radars for the vessels and another radar, probably its incomplete deriva- tive, that would be set up at CIST (Centro de Integracion de Sistemas en Tierra) in Rota. The purpose of the latter device would be to test the electromagnetic compatibility and to integrate sensors for the future vessels. In the future, the radar in question could also be used to test new capabilities and systems developed for frigates, and, obviously, for the training pur- poses. Indra Prisma 25X is going to act as the second radar, with four X-band active phased antenna arrays. This radar would be tasked with detection of air and surface threats with low RCS, including submarine periscopes or www.fragoutmag.com