German Air Force GM 400 radar enters service
The first of six Ground Master 400 (GM 400) long-range air defence radar systems supplied by ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) to the German Air Force has entered service following successful completion of extensive compliance procedures and an operational test campaign.
Integrated into the German Air Surveillance network, the GM 400 will provide enhanced air surveillance throughout the centre of Germany, from the North Sea to the Alps. The radar will replace the former Thomson-CSF MPR radars, in service since the 1970s. Mounted on a fixed tower, the radars can be operated either from the radar site or from a remote centre.
On site validation of the second radar is currently in progress at the Lauda-Königshofen (Baden-Württemberg) radar site. The entire set of six radars is planned to be in operation by 2015.
Horst Minning, head of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, said: ‘We are very pleased with the operational entry into service of TRS’ GM 400. It brings a real technology breakthrough with operational benefits like improved tracking, low altitude detection and easy maintenance. Our operators will benefit hugely from these latest technologies in threat detection.’
Philippe Duhamel, CEO, TRS, added: ‘The excellent level of cooperation between the German administration, the German Air Force, Thales and TRS enabled the achievement of this important milestone in the German radar programme. We look forward to pursuing this fruitful collaboration in the coming years.’
GM 400 radars provide detection of a wide range of targets, from highly manoeuvrable tactical aircraft flying below several hundred feet to unconventional small radar cross-section devices such as UAVs or cruise missiles.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
