Long-range radar co-developed by IAI to be offered to German Navy
The system will be jointly manufactured under a strategic cooperation agreement signed last week by the Israeli company and Hensoldt, supplier of the German Navy's advanced radar systems
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 23/12/2020
A German F124 frigate. Photo: German Navy
German company Hensoldt, a developer and manufacturer of sensor solutions, announced last week that it signed a joint strategic cooperation agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly manufacture radar systems for ballistic missile defense and participate in air and space surveillance projects. In a first step, Hensoldt and the IAI subsidiary ELTA will offer a long-range radar for use on the F124 frigates of the German Navy. This radar operates in the S-band, which allows much more precise detection of targets in space than other solutions.
According to the German company's announcement, IAI will contribute its technological know-how and many years of experience in the development and manufacture of defense systems against long-range ballistic missiles, so that components already proven in service will be used. Hensoldt, which equips all major ships of the German Navy with radars, will manufacture the core components and completely assemble the radar systems. Hensoldt claims that these long-range radars can be offered to the German customer as well as other NATO partners.
As stated, the cooperation agreement was concluded with IAI's ELTA group, which developed the Ultra and Spectra radar family. These radars provide enhanced search and detection capabilities of ballistic missiles and satellites at longer ranges. The radars are mature, field-proven products that allow flexible design to support changes in operational requirements for future threats. The Ultra and Spectra systems were designed to function independently of each other as detection systems. They support all levels of air defense, ranging from medium to long and very long ranges. Both systems are mobile and offer up to 500 km of surveillance and detection capabilities over fighter aircraft. The systems provide early warnings via satellites, ballistic missiles and other air targets at much greater distances.
Hensoldt is the supplier of the German Navy's advanced radar systems, which are used on the K130 corvette and the F125 frigate, which has just entered service. In late October, Israel Defense reported another collaboration between ELTA and Hensoldt regarding the development of a submarine communication and surveillance system.
Yoav Turgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA, said: "IAI sees the collaboration with Hensoldt as a significant step forward in advancing its radar operations in Europe and leveraging its technological expertise accumulated over decades in air defence and space missions. The proven capabilities of radar systems for ballistic missile defense in Israel and worldwide will help Germany to achieve its operational goals. We have identified a growing need for advanced early warning radar systems that provide a detailed real-time aerial image to facilitate the selection of appropriate defense measures".
The system will be jointly manufactured under a strategic cooperation agreement signed last week by the Israeli company and Hensoldt, supplier of the German Navy's advanced radar systems
A German F124 frigate. Photo: German Navy
German company Hensoldt, a developer and manufacturer of sensor solutions, announced last week that it signed a joint strategic cooperation agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly manufacture radar systems for ballistic missile defense and participate in air and space surveillance projects. In a first step, Hensoldt and the IAI subsidiary ELTA will offer a long-range radar for use on the F124 frigates of the German Navy. This radar operates in the S-band, which allows much more precise detection of targets in space than other solutions.
According to the German company's announcement, IAI will contribute its technological know-how and many years of experience in the development and manufacture of defense systems against long-range ballistic missiles, so that components already proven in service will be used. Hensoldt, which equips all major ships of the German Navy with radars, will manufacture the core components and completely assemble the radar systems. Hensoldt claims that these long-range radars can be offered to the German customer as well as other NATO partners.
As stated, the cooperation agreement was concluded with IAI's ELTA group, which developed the Ultra and Spectra radar family. These radars provide enhanced search and detection capabilities of ballistic missiles and satellites at longer ranges. The radars are mature, field-proven products that allow flexible design to support changes in operational requirements for future threats. The Ultra and Spectra systems were designed to function independently of each other as detection systems. They support all levels of air defense, ranging from medium to long and very long ranges. Both systems are mobile and offer up to 500 km of surveillance and detection capabilities over fighter aircraft. The systems provide early warnings via satellites, ballistic missiles and other air targets at much greater distances.
Hensoldt is the supplier of the German Navy's advanced radar systems, which are used on the K130 corvette and the F125 frigate, which has just entered service. In late October, Israel Defense reported another collaboration between ELTA and Hensoldt regarding the development of a submarine communication and surveillance system.
Yoav Turgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA, said: "IAI sees the collaboration with Hensoldt as a significant step forward in advancing its radar operations in Europe and leveraging its technological expertise accumulated over decades in air defence and space missions. The proven capabilities of radar systems for ballistic missile defense in Israel and worldwide will help Germany to achieve its operational goals. We have identified a growing need for advanced early warning radar systems that provide a detailed real-time aerial image to facilitate the selection of appropriate defense measures".
