SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking,
L band
The L band is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) designation for the range of frequencies in the radio spectrum from 1 to 2 gigahertz (GHz). This is at the top end of the ultra high frequency (UHF) band, at the lower en ...
)
is a long-range
naval
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...
search radar This is a list of different types of radar.
Detection and search radars
Search radars scan great volumes of space with pulses of short radio waves. They typically scan the volume two to four times a minute. The waves are usually less than a meter ...
introduced in 2002 by
Thales Nederland
Thales Nederland B.V. (formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. or in short Signaal) is a subsidiary of the French multinational company Thales Group based in the Netherlands.
The firm was founded as ''NV Hazemeyer's Fabriek van Signaalapparaten ...
, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).
The
digital antenna array
Digital antenna array (DAA) is a smart antenna with multi channels digital beamforming, usually by using fast Fourier transform (FFT).
The development and practical realization of digital antenna arrays theory started in 1962 under the guidance ...
has 24 elements; all are used for reception, while 16 are used for creating virtual receiver beams through digital
beamforming
Beamforming or spatial filtering is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. This is achieved by combining elements in an antenna array in such a way that signals at particular angles e ...
. The beams' vertical elevation, and compensation for ship movement, is done electronically.
Horizontal training is done by mechanically rotating the entire array.
As designed, SMART-L has a maximum range of against
patrol aircraft
A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), also known as a patrol aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, or by the older American term patrol bomber, is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol rol ...
, and against stealthy missiles.
A software upgrade, Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, extends the maximum range for the detection of ballistic missiles to over 2000 km, since 2018 all 4 Zeven Provincien class Frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been equipped with the update.
On the 25th of September 2017, as part of the exercise Formidable Shield 2017 the SMART-L MM radar system mounted on the test tower at the Thales premises in Hengelo, detected and tracked a ballistic missile launched from the Hebrides in Scotland at an average range of more than 1500 km without difficulties. The Thales SMART-L Multi Mission radar in Hengelo detected the target as soon as it appeared over the horizon and maintained a stable track for more than 300 seconds. The track quality was sufficient to enable Launch On Remote by BMD-capable naval ships.
Variants
* SMART-L
* SMART-L EWC (Early Warning Capability)
* SMART-L GB (Ground-Based)
*
S1850M
The S1850M is a long-range radar with a digital antenna array for wide area search in elevation. The S1850M is manufactured by Thales and BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (formerly AMS UK). It is a modified version of the Thales Nederla ...
Specifications
*Antenna system:
**Dimensions; ,
**Number of antenna elements: 24 (16 transceivers, 8 receivers)
**Number of beams formed: 16
**Beamwidth 2.2° horizontal, 0–70° vertical
**
Polarization: vertical
**Frequency:
L band
The L band is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) designation for the range of frequencies in the radio spectrum from 1 to 2 gigahertz (GHz). This is at the top end of the ultra high frequency (UHF) band, at the lower en ...
**Rotational speed: 12
rpm
Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, rev/min, r/min, or with the notation min−1) is a unit of rotational speed or rotational frequency for rotating machines.
Standards
ISO 80000-3:2019 defines a unit of rotation as the dimensionl ...
**
IFF
In logic and related fields such as mathematics and philosophy, "if and only if" (shortened as "iff") is a biconditional logical connective between statements, where either both statements are true or both are false.
The connective is bicon ...
system integrated,
D band
*Maximum detection ranges:
**
Stealth missiles:
**
Patrol aircraft
A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), also known as a patrol aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, or by the older American term patrol bomber, is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol rol ...
:
**Ballistic missiles:2000 km after software upgrade.
"SMART-L For Smart Defense?"
*Maximal numbers of tracked targets:
**Airborne: 1000
**Seaborne: 100
Users
See also
*Thales/BAE Systems Insyte
BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (known informally as Insyte) was a division of BAE Systems plc. The division was a major supplier of defence electronics, integrated command and control systems, radars, simulators, meteorological ...
S1850M
The S1850M is a long-range radar with a digital antenna array for wide area search in elevation. The S1850M is manufactured by Thales and BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (formerly AMS UK). It is a modified version of the Thales Nederla ...
, a SMART-L derivative.
* Selex RAN-40L
Selex RAN-40L is a naval 3D L band search radar developed by Leonardo. The radar is used for long range maritime air surveillance and early warning. The radar uses a fully solid state active phased array antenna and capable of tracking ...
References
{{Thales Group
Sea radars
Thales Group
Military equipment introduced in the 2000s
Military radars of the Netherlands