Euronaval: Thales introduces Sea Fire 500 radar
Thales has developed a new multi-function naval radar designed for use on large surface combatants, called Sea Fire 500. The company introduced the system at Euronaval in Paris.
The radar is designed to meet evolving naval requirements and the new threats faced by naval forces, providing ship self-defence and extended air defence capabilities against asymmetric threats such as UAVs as well as emerging threats such as anti-ship ballistic missiles, even in heavily jammed environments and the complex conditions of the littoral.
Sea Fire 500 exploits research into new radar technologies and architectures, conducted by Thales with the support from the French defence procurement agency, DGA.
The radar has four fully solid-state active fixed arrays, each offering higher power, beam steering agility and 90° coverage, to provide advanced detection and tracking performance with continuous 360° coverage in azimuth and 90° coverage in elevation.
Thales has developed the Sea Fire 500 as a modular radar system that will be available in several versions and with various antenna sizes to match platform architectures and mission types. Each antenna array is independent: the four fixed panels can be located at different points on the vessel.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.