SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, L band)[1] is a long-range naval search radar introduced in 2002 by Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).
![]() SMART-L onboard F221 Hessen a Sachsen class frigate | |
Country of origin | Netherlands |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Thales Nederland |
![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/F_220_Fregatte_Hamburg.jpg/300px-F_220_Fregatte_Hamburg.jpg)
Design
editThe digital antenna array has 24 elements; all are used for reception, while 16 are used for creating virtual receiver beams through digital beamforming. The beams' vertical elevation, and compensation for ship movement, is done electronically.[1] Horizontal training is done by mechanically rotating the entire array.
As designed, SMART-L has a maximum range of 400 km (220 nmi) against patrol aircraft, and 65 km (35 nmi) against stealthy missiles.[2] A software upgrade, Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, extends the maximum range for the detection of ballistic missiles to over 2000 km, since 2018 all 4 Zeven Provincien class Frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been equipped with the update.[3]
On the 25th of September 2017, as part of the exercise Formidable Shield 2017 the SMART-L MM radar system mounted on the test tower at the Thales premises in Hengelo, detected and tracked a ballistic missile launched from the Hebrides in Scotland at an average range of more than 1500 km without difficulties. The Thales SMART-L Multi Mission radar in Hengelo detected the target as soon as it appeared over the horizon and maintained a stable track for more than 300 seconds. The track quality was sufficient to enable Launch On Remote by BMD-capable naval ships.[4]
Variants
edit- SMART-L
- SMART-L MM/N (Multi-mission, Naval)
- SMART-L MM/F (Multi-mission, Fixed)
- S1850M
Specifications
edit- Antenna system:
- Dimensions; 8.4 × 4 × 4.4 m (28 × 13 × 14 ft), 7,800 kg (17,200 lb)
- Number of antenna elements: 24 (16 transceivers, 8 receivers)
- Number of beams formed: 16
- Beamwidth 2.2° horizontal, 0–70° vertical
- Polarization: vertical
- Frequency: L band
- Rotational speed: 12 rpm
- IFF system integrated, D band
- Maximum detection ranges:
- Stealth missiles: 65 km (35 nmi)
- Patrol aircraft: 400 km (220 nmi)
- Ballistic missiles:2000 km after software upgrade.[5]
- Maximal numbers of tracked targets:
- Airborne: 1000
- Seaborne: 100
Users
editShip class / Location | Operator(s) | Variant | Total units |
---|---|---|---|
De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate | Royal Netherlands Navy | SMART-L MM/N | 4 |
Sachsen-class frigate | Deutsche Marine | SMART-L | 3 |
Type 45 destroyer | Royal Navy | S1850M | 6 |
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier | Royal Navy | S1850M | 2 |
Horizon-class frigate | French Navy / Italian Navy | S1850M | 2 / 2 |
Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship | Republic of Korea Navy | SMART-L | 1 |
Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate | Royal Danish Navy | SMART-L | 3 |
Air Operations Control Station Nieuw-Milligen | Royal Netherlands Air Force | SMART-L MM/F | 2 |
Swedish Air Defence & Control | Swedish Air Force | SMART-L MM/F[6] | TBD |
Total | 26 |
See also
edit- Thales/BAE Systems Insyte S1850M, a SMART-L derivative.
- Selex RAN-40L
References
edit- ^ a b "SMART-L Radar". www.Radartutorial.eu. Retrieved 24 Oct 2011.
- ^ "SMART-L 3D Long range surveillance radar". Thales. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 24 Oct 2011.
- ^ "SMART-L MM". Thales Nederland. Retrieved 11 Mar 2018.
- ^ "SMART-L MM". Thales Nederland. Retrieved 11 Mar 2018.
- ^ "SMART-L For Smart Defense?" Archived 2013-10-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Thales supplies Sweden with SMART-L Multi Mission long-range radars to reinforce air surveillance capabilities". Army Recognition. 6 July 2023.