UK looks beyond Crowsnest for maritime early warning
What kind of naval early warning system will emerge in the UK to replace Crowsnest? (Graphic: DASA)
The UK RN and Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) launched the Look out! Maritime Early Warning Innovations initiative on 11 May, as they search for proposals to replace the Crowsnest airborne early warning system installed on the Merlin Mk2 helicopter.
Currently, the MoD plans to take the delay-plagued Crowsnest out of service in 2029.
Existing maritime early warning capabilities for RN task groups are provided by airborne sensors mounted aboard airborne platforms. According to DASA, the current assumption for a follow-on solution to Crowsnest is a ‘singular large radar sensor mounted on an uncrewed air platform’.
DASA ‘welcomes alternatives that are not based on this approach and match or exceed current airborne capabilities’, it announced on 11 May.
In particular, DASA wants to receive innovative proposals to enhance horizon surveillance plus airborne and naval surface target detection; operational effectiveness ‘through timely processing and dissemination of information’ among various airborne and naval platforms; and operational efficiency ‘through optimisation of system functionality’ to reduce the workload on personnel.
There is £1.25 million ($1.75 million) available in Phase 1 of the competition, with up to £250,000 for each funded proposal.
The closing date for proposals is 6 July 2021.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
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 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
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.