Navy taps Ultra for next-generation surface-search radar with digital signal processing to combat clutter

Summary points:

• Ultra Electronics will supply AN/SPS-73(V) Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) systems to replace aging radar tech across U.S. Navy ships.
• The NGSSR uses cutting-edge digital signal processing and software-defined architecture for improved situational awareness, threat detection, and maintainability.
• Designed to handle radar congestion, electronic warfare, and stealth threats, NGSSR enhances navigation and target detection in complex maritime environments.

WASHINGTON – Radar experts at Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems segment in Braintree, Mass., will provide AN/SPS-73(V) Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR) systems under terms of a $13.7 million order announced in late August.

Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington are asking Ultra Electronics to provide these next-generation surface-search radar systems to replace existing radars that suffer from obsolescent technologies or an inability to meet current threats.

Navigation and situational awareness are basic functions of all surface warships and these seemingly routine tasks have become more difficult as the ocean becomes increasingly complex with the proliferation of inexpensive solid-state radar, Navy officials say.

In March 2019 Ultra Electronics won a $28 million contract to develop NGSSR qualification systems. In July 2020 Ultra won a $42.2 million order to acquire the first NGSSR production lot following a contract award for design and production of three qualification systems.

Radar challenges

Major shipping channels are jammed with ship and radio traffic as well as debris like floating transport containers. Even small fishing boat and pleasure craft operators today can afford navigation radar systems. Air traffic and land-based radar further crowd and confuse the radio spectrum.

To make matters worse, enemy ships, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can exploit this complex sensor picture to conduct surveillance or other operations undetected.

The AN/SPS-73(V)18 NGSSR uses the latest digital signal processing technology and incorporates a software-based architecture at its core. NGSSR has software algorithms that extend, enhance, and optimize NGSSR's performance by capitalizing on the system's software-defined architecture.

Tell me more about the technical challenges to surface-search radar ...

• Surface-search radars detect and track surface ships, boats, and low-flying aircraft from a sea-level, and face several technical challenges because of environmental and technological limitations. These include clutter from the sea, land, and the weather; range resolution; angular resolution; and target discrimination, which requires advanced signal processing. These radar systems must contend with low-observable and stealthy targets; Doppler ambiguity; ship motion and stability; line-of-sight and horizon limitations; electronic countermeasures; spectrum congestion and interference; power constraints; and real-time processing and data fusion.

The NGSSR's receiver and exciter are implemented in software as much as possible, Navy officials say. The bulk of the non-processor hardware is for A/D and D/A conversion, except for ancillary equipment like power supplies. Its software-defined capabilities are expected to enhance maintainability by reducing radar-specific hardware.

Its software-defined architecture also could implement functionality never before considered for such relatively simple rotating radar, such as extending the radar’s range and navigation functions in bad weather; resisting enemy electronic warfare attempts to jam it; detecting UAVs, periscopes, floating debris, and floating mines; and improving collision avoidance in crowded waterways.

The new AN/SPS-73(V)18 NGSSR software-defined radar is replacing all variants of the Navy's current AN/SPS-67, AN/SPS-73, BridgeMaster E series, and commercial-of-the-shelf radar systems.

Surface search and navigation

The AN/SPS-67 is a short-range, two-dimensional, surface-search and navigation radar system that provides surface and limited low-flyer detection and tracking. Older versions of the AN/SPS-73 are short-range, two-dimensional, surface search and navigation radar systems that provides contact range and bearing information, and helps determine own-ship position relative to nearby vessels and navigational hazards. The BridgeMaster E surface- search radar, meanwhile, provides navigation to commercial and military high speed vessels.

The AN/SPS-73(V)12 is installed on about 100 Navy ships like aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and support ships. It was placed into caretaker Status in 2017 in preparation for its replacement by the AN/SPS-73(V)18 NGSSR. Thousands of BridgeMaster E marine radars, meanwhile, have been sold to more than 50 navies and coast guards worldwide as well as civilian customers. It replaced the Navy SPS-64 surface-search radar on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in 2001.

This contract has options that could bring its cumulative value to $420.5 million, and extend contract's duration until September 2031. On this contract Ultra will do the work in Braintree, Mass.; Wake Forest, N.C.; and Chantilly, Va., and should be finished by February 2026. For more information contact Ultra Electronic Ocean Systems online at https://umaritime.com/radar-electronic-warfare/, or the Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.