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Thales has developed the new Multi-Mission All-in-One (MM/A) version of its dual-axis, multi-beam Ground Master 200 air surveillance radar system that includes an increased detection range and the ability to identify both small and fast-moving targets.
According to Thales, the new variant can be used to counter UAVs, and provides a 40 percent longer detection range in comparison to previous versions, while it also doubles the precision of detection of a light combat aircraft out to 100 km. Additionally, it is able to differentiate between a bird and a UAV at distances of more than 30km, the company said.
The MM/A is ready for series production and first examples will be available by the end of 2020. It is also available as a retrofit for in-service systems, in which case the antenna just has to be swapped out, Alex Cresswell, Thales executive v-p of land defense and air systems, told AIN.
This type of capability can be deployed as part of a broader air defense capability, and Thales has identified that there is a number of ongoing future requirements from NATO that are driving the development of new technologies for this. Thus, the company has also developed the Ground Fire variant of its vessel-based Sea Fire system, a fire-control radar that is able to detect and track targets including ballistic missiles with continuous 360-degree coverage in azimuth, and some 90-degree coverage in elevation, out to a range of 400 km.
NATO is updating its integrated pan-European air defense network, and as this is happening the alliance is exploring its future requirements and updating the roadmap, and is in particular looking to speed up the observe, orient, decide and act (OODA) loop.
Through a joint venture with Raytheon, Thales (Chalet 265) delivers the Air Command and Control System contract for NATO, and Cresswell noted that the developments the company is making could lend themselves to the ongoing updates that the alliance is making to this network.