Leonardo’s Multi-Function Radar Active (MFRA) system was used by the Italian Navy during Formidable Shield 2019 to detect, classify and track ballistic missiles, the company announced on 5 September.
The system was used on the navy’s Carlo Bergamini FREMM-class frigate during the US Navy-led multinational exercise, demonstrating its ability to detect and track ballistic missiles in scenarios which presented a mixed set of conventional supersonic and ballistic threats.
During an early-warning scenario, the MFRA radar was able to detect and track the launch of the ballistic threat and calculate its expected impact point. This information was then shared with the other participating nations via a NATO-classified network using Leonardo’s Sadoc3 combat management system, allowing an alert to be sent to the impact zone and for the most effective countermeasure to be chosen.
Elsewhere during the exercise, the Leonardo MFRA demonstrated its multi-functionality, performing designation and air surveillance tasks in addition to missile defence. The radar was also able to autonomously detect a ballistic threat near to its point of impact, at a distance which would allow the threat to be neutralised by future missile defence systems.
The MFRA is Leonardo’s first C-band multi-functional Active Electronically Scanned Array naval radar, upon which the company’s KRONOS family of radars is based. KRONOS systems will be on-board the new naval units which are currently under construction for the Italian Navy.
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