SharpEye for next Batch 2 River class OPVs
Kelvin Hughes will supply its SharpEye radar systems for the Royal Navy’s two latest Batch 2 River class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), the company announced on 20 February.
The company was selected to supply SharpEye for the first Batch 2 River class OPVs, HMS Forth, HMS Medway and HMS Trent, in April 2015. This agreement will see the systems also supplied for HMS Tamar and HMS Spey.
Each vessel will be equipped with a SharpEye I-band radar for helicopter control and navigation as well as an E/F-band SharpEye radar for navigation and collision avoidance. Kelvin Hughes will also supply its ARPA widescreen radar display for all vessels. The radar sets will be interfaced with each ship’s combat management system and other third-party systems such as WECDIS and WAIS.
The Batch 2 OPVs have been designed with a Merlin-capable flight deck and a greatly expanded capacity for accommodating troops. They will be deployed in a range of missions including counter-piracy, counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling roles.
SharpEye radar systems provide situational awareness for early warning of larger vessels, small targets and asymmetric threats with a low radar cross section such as RHIBs, small wooden boats, USVs and jet skis. Operating in the I-band, the new radar will enable the ships to distinguish between genuine targets and environmental clutter even in adverse weather conditions.
Barry Jones, Kelvin Hughes regional sales manager, said: ‘SharpEye is an ideal choice for these OPV projects. The system provides a three-in-one approach with a type approved navigation radar using advanced small target detection, a 2D surface surveillance capability and a helo detection mode to aid rotary aircraft recovery in bad weather; all in one compact radar package.
‘Its scalable architecture allows it to satisfy the requirements of the smaller patrol boat as a primary radar or as a navigation radar and secondary surveillance radar on a larger warship.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand]()
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
-
![The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement]()
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
-
![Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?]()
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
![US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production]()
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
-
![Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity]()
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
