Searchmaster radar in first flight
Thales’ Searchmaster radar has completed its first flight, marking the start of a six month flight test campaign, the company announced on 4 February.
Thales is developing Searchmaster for France’s ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft upgrade programme. It will also be available for international export customers.
The airborne surveillance radar uses an active electronically scanned array antenna to provide multirole capabilities and high levels of naval or land threat detection performance. It is designed for five mission types: anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, maritime patrol, air-to-ground missions and tactical air support.
Flight testing will involve an integrated team, with personnel from Thales, the French defence procurement agency (DGA) flight test centre and the French Navy (CEPA or operational fly test and evaluation centre). During the campaign, the radar will be tested in real-life operating environments, including air-to-surface, air-to-ground and air-to-air operations.
A Thales spokesperson said that at least 15 radars are being prepared for the ATL2 programme. The first production radars will be delivered in the first half of 2017.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK Royal Navy dock build question remains open ahead of Programme Euston tender]()
UK Royal Navy dock build question remains open ahead of Programme Euston tender
The UK MoD’s Programme Euston floating dry dock tender has exposed a question about the UK’s naval industrial base: does Britain still have the depth to sustain its own deterrent without foreign intervention.
-
![A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031]()
A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031
The recently released USN 2026 Shipbuilding Plan anticipates the procurement of 185 crewed and uncrewed platforms in the next five years.
-
![SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers]()
SAHA 2026: Turkey markets modular undersea systems to European buyers
Turkey’s defence industry is pushing a class of platform and building an entire philosophy of cost-imposition around it.
-
![STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent]()
STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent
Turkish defence and engineering company STM is attempting to challenge Europe’s established naval primes by winning contracts from Portugal to Pakistan – with a business model built on working in any shipyard in the world.
