ULM, Germany, 24 Jan. 2013. The German Navy has selected the TRS-4D naval radar by Cassidian for use in its F125 class frigates. The radar will provide them with reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS, has now successfully passed the first factory acceptance test for the radar system carried out by the customers, the German procurement authority BAAINBw and Blohm & Voss Naval. The first unit, which will equip a land-based system in Wilhelmshaven, is expected to be delivered next month. The first TRS-4D for the "Baden-Württemberg" lead ship is scheduled for delivery in August.
The TRS-4D enables ships ranging from patrol vessels to frigates to carry out the various detection tasks required of ship-borne, medium-range radar systems both in the open sea, as well as in complex coastal zones with a high target density. Compared to conventional radars, this system can tackle a wider scope of targets, such as for protection against asymmetric attacks.
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The new radar is a surveillance radar designed to make full use of the advantages of active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, which is based on multiple independent emitters. The core element of AESA technology as it is used in the TRS-4D is a multitude of Cassidian-made transmit and receive modules based on the very latest gallium nitride (GaN) technology. GaN has unique electronic features such as high efficiency, and an efficient industrial production processes.
The TRS-4D system concept provides navies and coast guards with all of the benefits of AESA technology, which up to now had only been available in more expensive systems. Cassidian is also making this technology competitive for medium-sized surveillance and target acquisition radars. For the F125 frigates the system will be deployed in a version with four fixed arrays. However, a version with a single, mechanically rotating antenna is also available.
The four F125 frigates of the "Baden-Württemberg" class should replace the F122 "Bremen" class ships in 2016.
