Initial Operational Capability

April 30, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Mark Wise announced the Marine Corps has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in the CH-53K King Stallion on April 22, 2022. This plan supports General Berger’s Force Design 2030 by improving capabilities and restructuring Marine Corps aviation for the future fight.

In addition to meeting IOC criteria, the CH-53K King Stallion successfully completed a thorough initial operational test and evaluation period that resulted in over 3,000 mishap free hours flown in various challenging environments and terrain.

«My full confidence in the CH-53K’s ability to execute the heavy lift mission is the result of successful developmental and operational testing conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1», said Wise.

The CH-53K King Stallion is an optimized vertical, heavy lift, sea-based, long-range solution for the naval force and will immediately provide nearly three times the lift capability of the CH-53E Super Stallion, with the ability to transport one hundred percent of the vertical Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Per the Commandant’s Force Design 2030 Annual Update, the CH-53K King Stallion will complement connectors that will enable littoral maneuver and provide logistical support to a widely disaggregated naval force.

«The success to date of the CH-53K King Stallion is a reflection of the hard work and effort by the Marines, sailors, and civilians at VMX-1, H-53 Program Office (PMA-261), and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, and the support we have received over many years from across the Department of the Navy and our industry partners», said Wise.

The CH-53K King Stallion boasts an engine that produces 57% more horsepower with 63% fewer parts relative to its predecessor, which translates to an expanded capability to deliver internal and external cargo loads, providing the commander a mobility and sustainment capability the MAGTF has never had before.

The most notable attribute of the CH-53K King Stallion is its ability to maintain increased performance margins in a degraded aeronautical environment, for example at higher altitudes, hotter climates and carrying up to 27,000 lbs./12,247 kg out to 110 nautical miles/127 miles/204 km; whereas, the CH-53E Super Stallion would be limited to a 9,628-pound/4,367-kg external load in the same environment.

The Marine Corps plans to deploy the first CH-53K King Stallion Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) detachment in fiscal year 2024, setting the initial conditions for sustained CH-53K King Stallion deployments in support of MEUs.

General Characteristics

Number of Engines	3
Engine Type	T408-GE-400
T408 Engine	7,500 shp/5,595 kw
Maximum Gross Weight (Internal Load)	74,000 lbs./33,566 kg
Maximum Gross Weight (External Load)	88,000 lbs./39,916 kg
Cruise Speed	141 knots/162 mph/261 km/h
Range	460 NM/530 miles/852 km
AEO* Service Ceiling	14,380 feet/4,383 m
HIGE** Ceiling (MAGW)	13,630 feet/4,155 m
HOGE*** Ceiling (MAGW)	10,080 feet/3,073 m
Cabin Length	30 feet/9.1 m
Cabin Width	9 feet/2.7 m
Cabin Height	6.5 feet/2.0 m
Cabin Area	264.47 feet²/24.57 m²
Cabin Volume	1,735.36 feet³/49.14 m³

* All Engines Operating

** Hover Ceiling In Ground Effect

*** Hover Ceiling Out of Ground Effect

Navy

New Jersey

April 29, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced on April 28, 2022 that Virginia-class submarine USS New Jersey (SSN-796) was recently launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division.

The 7,800-ton submarine, which had been in a floating dry dock since being transferred from a construction facility in March, was submerged and moved by tugboats to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final outfitting, testing and crew certification.

«Achieving this construction milestone is a very rewarding event to our shipbuilding team», said Jason Ward, Newport News’ vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction. «Our shipbuilders and suppliers have dedicated years of hard work to this critical capability that will maintain our customer’s undersea superiority. We now look forward to executing our waterborne test program, and working toward sea trials so we can deliver to the Navy».

Through the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat, approximately 10,000 shipbuilders, as well as suppliers from 50 states, have participated in New Jersey’s construction since the work began in 2016. New Jersey is approximately 92% complete.

Virginia-class submarines, a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, are built for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions to replace the Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarines as they are retired. Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations that increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth to significantly enhance their warfighting capabilities. These submarines are capable of supporting multiple mission areas and can operate at speeds of more than 25 knots/28 mph/46.3 km/h for months at a time.

General Characteristics

Builder	General Dynamics Electric Boat Division and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. – Newport News Shipbuilding
Date Deployed	October 3, 2004
Propulsion	One GE PWR S9G* nuclear reactor, two turbines, one shaft; 40,000 hp/30 MW
Length	377 feet/114.8 m
Beam	33 feet/10.0584 m
Hull Diameter	34 feet/10.3632 m
Displacement	Approximately 7,800 tons/7,925 metric tons submerged
Speed	25+ knots/28+ mph/46.3+ km/h
Diving Depth	800+ feet/244+ m
Crew	132: 15 officers; 117 enlisted
Armament: Tomahawk missiles	Two 87-in/2.2 m Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs), each capable of launching 6 Tomahawk cruise missiles
Armament: MK-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) Mod 7 heavyweight torpedoes	4 torpedo tubes
Weapons	MK-60 CAPTOR (Encapsulated Torpedo) mines, advanced mobile mines and UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles)

* – Knolls Atomic Power Laboratories

Nuclear Submarine Lineup

Block IV

Ship	Yard	Christening	Commissioned	Homeport
SSN-792 Vermont	EB	10-20-18	04-18-20	Groton, Connecticut
SSN-793 Oregon	EB	10-05-19
SSN-794 Montana	NNS	09-12-20
SSN-795 Hyman G. Rickover	EB	07-31-21
SSN-796 New Jersey	NNS	11-13-21
SSN-797 Iowa	EB	Under Construction
SSN-798 Massachusetts	NNS	Under Construction
SSN-799 Idaho	EB	Under Construction
SSN-800 Arkansas	NNS	Under Construction
SSN-801 Utah	EB	Under Construction

Space

Space Solar Power

April 28, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

In honor of Earth Day, the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is highlighting its efforts toward harnessing the Sun’s energy, converting it to Radio Frequency, or RF, and beaming it to the Earth providing a green power source for the U.S. and allied forces.

Key technologies need to be developed to make such a challenging process a reality.

In response to this challenge, AFRL formed the Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research, or SSPIDR, project to develop the critical technologies needed for such a system. These technologies include further improving solar cell efficiencies; solar to RF conversion and beam forming; reducing large temperature fluctuations on spacecraft components; and deployable structure concept designs.

«A major objective of SSPIDR is to break the one-meter-squared aperture threshold for solar power capture and conversion, and beam that energy to the ground», said James Winter, AFRL principal engineer and SSPIDR project manager. «AFRL will do this with Arachne, SSPIDR’s keystone flight experiment that is anticipated to launch in early 2025».

Other demonstrations of the target technologies include the Space Power INcremental DepLoyables Experiment, or SPINDLE, – a deployable structures experiment still undergoing trade studies, and the Space Power InfRared Regulation and Analysis of Lifetime, or SPIRRAL, experiment – a thermal experiment exploring the concept of using variable emissivity materials to reduce the large temperature swings experienced by spacecraft components on orbit. SPIRRAL is anticipated to launch in 2023 for a test campaign onboard the International Space Station.

«The technologies demonstrated by Arachne, SPINDLE and SPIRRAL will pave the way for an integrated large scale, space-based solar power system capable of collecting solar energy, converting it to RF and beaming it to a receiving station on the ground for conversion to clean, usable power», Winter said.

Colonel Eric Felt, the director of the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, considers SSPIDR one of his most important programs.

«An operational system like SSPIDR would provide power ‘on demand’ anywhere on the globe regardless of weather or latitude, day or night and without vulnerable logistics lines», Felt said.

The value of space solar power has been internationally recognized as a foundational capability in need of development.

«This technology will enable expanded space capabilities and give us military advantage, as well as provide economic growth and commerce with more sustainable energy sources». Felt said. «We are excited about the possibilities that the conversion of space solar power energy brings to our national defense and the humanitarian and green energy benefits it will offer to the world».

Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research Project (SSPIDR)

Air

eXtra Performance Wing

April 27, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Airbus has completed wind-tunnel testing of its eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator in its quest to quickly test and accelerate new technologies that will decarbonise the aviation industry.

The eXtra Performance Wing project, launched last September, takes inspiration from nature to improve wing aerodynamics and performance that is intended to be compatible with any future aircraft configuration and propulsion system to reduce CO₂ emissions.

«The scaled demonstrator will integrate and fly breakthrough wing technologies using a remote-controlled Cessna Citation VII business jet platform in representative flight conditions», explained Oliver Family, Head of eXtra Performance Wing UK.

«The partly 3D-printed wind-tunnel model – expertly built by the aerodynamics team at Airbus’ low-speed, wind-tunnel facility in Bristol – is a scaled-down version of the Cessna jet, incorporating the lightweight, long-span design of the eXtra Performance Wing that will provide the emissions benefits we are striving for».

Initially introduced at a smaller scale through another Airbus project, AlbatrossONE, which tested semi-aeroelastic hinged wings that – like the seabird – unlocked during flight when experiencing wind gusts or turbulence, the eXtra Performance Wing will also examine onboard technologies, like gust sensors, pop-up spoilers and multifunctional trailing edges, to enable the active control of the wing.

«Airbus’ state-of-the-art low-speed wind-tunnel is a fantastic way to validate our concepts before flight tests», added Oliver Family. «Our computational aerodynamic analysis capability is world class, and the wind tunnel provides another valuable way to measure the performance and capabilities of the aircraft before flight testing. The technologies we have tested in the Filton wind tunnel – many inspired by biomimicry – will now be rapidly integrated for flight testing».

The Airbus low-speed wind tunnel at Filton, near Bristol, replicates conditions similar to aircraft take-off and landing wind speeds but is also used by external organisations testing F1 cars, ship radar systems, Urban Air Mobility vehicles as well as more conventional aircraft.

The eXtra Performance Wing demonstrator is hosted within Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned Airbus subsidiary, created to give future technologies a development fast-track by building demonstrators at speed and scale in order to evaluate, mature and validate potential new products and services that encompass radical technological breakthroughs.

Ground Forces

Squad Weapons System

April 26, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

SIG SAUER is honored to be awarded the Next Generation Squad Weapons System (NGSW) Contract by the U.S. Army after a rigorous 27-month testing and evaluation process.

«The U.S. Army is taking a bold step toward command of the 21st century battlefield and SIG SAUER is immensely proud to be the selected provider for this historic revolution in infantry weapons. The fielding of the SIG SAUER Next Generation Squad Weapons System will forever change the dynamic of military engagement for America’s warfighters with American innovation and manufacturing», began Ron Cohen, President and CEO SIG SAUER, Inc.

The SIG FURY Hybrid Ammunition (6.8 Common Cartridge), SIG-LMG (XM250), SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle (XM5) and SIG SLX Suppressors meaningfully advance soldier weapons technology to meet the emerging requirements of the U.S. Army.

The SIG 6.8×51 FURY Hybrid Ammunition uses a patented lightweight metallic case designed to handle pressures higher than conventional ammunition, resulting in dramatically increased velocity and on-target energy in lighter weapons.

The SIG-LMG lightweight belt-fed machine gun and SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle are purpose-built to harness the energy of the SIG FURY 6.8 Common Cartridge Ammunition enabling greater range and increased lethality while reducing the soldier’s load on the battlefield. Both the SIG-LMG and MCX-SPEAR deliver significant weapon and technology advancements to the soldier and provide a solution for battlefield overmatch in comparison to the current M249 and M4/M4A1.

The U.S. Army’s procurement of the NGSW System marks the beginning of an era where combat weapons are coupled with a suppressor as standard issue equipment. The SIG SLX Suppressors are designed to reduce harmful gas backflow, sound signature and flash. SIG SLX Suppressors feature a patented quick-detach design for easy install and removal.

«We commend U.S. Army leadership for having the vision to undertake this historic procurement process to deliver a transformational weapon system to our warfighters. This award is the culmination of a successful collaboration between SIG SAUER and the U.S. Army, and we look forward to the continuing partnership», concluded Cohen.

Navy

Christening of Köln

April 25, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

The first of five K130 Batch II corvettes built for the German Navy, Köln (F265), was christened on April 21, 2022 at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg.

The ceremony hosted several Parliamentary representatives and high-level officials, as well as the mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, who was the godmother of the ship.

In addition to best wishes for the ship, Henriette Reker mentioned the significance of the ship to protect Germany’s interests and protecting territorial waters in her speech.

«The Corvette Köln (F265) will protect our lifestyle and our values, our country’s territory and our alliance», Said Henriette Reker, Mayor of Cologne.

German government placed an order for five corvettes in 2017 in order to enhance the German Navy’s capabilities and answer NATO requirements. The 2 billion Euro order covers corvette design and construction, as well as other services such as Instrument Landing System (ILS) and crew training. Köln’s keel-laying ceremony took held on April 25, 2019 at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast.

The second batch of corvettes will be named Köln, Emden, Karlsruhe, Augsburg, and Lübeck. Atlas Elektronik and Thales Deutschland have been contracted to deliver the combat system for the five new K130 corvettes. The keel-laying ceremony was conducted for the final corvette at PeeneWerft in Wolgast.

Since their commissioning in 2008-2013, the first five ships in the class have become proven workhorses of the German naval forces. On the one hand, one of the corvettes for the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) stabilization mission in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lebanon has been in use virtually since 2012. On the other hand, the small, maneuverable ships with a sea endurance of up to seven days are specialists for national and alliance defense missions in the Baltic Sea, where they regularly practice with NATO and EU partners.

The five new corvettes are being built by a joint venture of three shipbuilding companies: Lürssen Werft, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, and German Naval Yards. Lürssen built the foredeck of the Köln (F265) in its shipyard at Lemwerder near Bremen, while the aft part was built at the Wolgaster Peene shipyard. These two large sections were then assembled and equipped at the Thyssen shipyard Blohm & Voss in Hamburg. In Wolgast, the aft of the remaining four new corvettes are also being built.

Two of the five Batch 2 corvettes are being built at the Lürssen shipyard in Bremen, while the three others are being manufactured and pre-equipped at the German Naval Yards site in Kiel. The ships’ stern is manufactured at the Lürssen Peene shipyard. Lürssen subsidiary Blohm + Voss is in charge of connecting the ship’s fore and aft parts in Hamburg, a major step known as the «wedding thrust».

The roughly 89-meter-long/292-foot-long corvettes will also be fully equipped and put into operation in Hamburg. They also go through their functional tests and approvals from Hamburg – in coordination with the Bundeswehr and the German Navy.

The K130 Batch 2 are fitted with the latest variant of the 76-mm main gun by Leonardo (with a stealthy shield, while existing K130 main guns have a round cupola). Existing K130 Corvettes weapon systems include four Saab RBS-15 anti-ship missiles, two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) point defense missile systems and two 27-mm Rheinmetall MLG 27 guns. This seems to be unchanged for corvettes of the Batch II

Ground Forces, Missile Defense, Rocket

Eighth THAAD Battery

April 24, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Lockheed Martin has received a contract totaling $74 million to produce the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The award amount covers the production of an eighth THAAD battery for the U.S. government. It’s expected to be fielded by 2025.

«This award demonstrates the U.S. government’s continued confidence in the THAAD Weapon System and in its unique endo- and exo-atmospheric defense capability», said Dan Nimblett, Vice President of Upper Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. «With 16 of 16 successful flight test intercepts and recent combat success clearly documenting the effectiveness of THAAD, adding an eighth battery will further enhance readiness against existing and evolving ballistic missile threats».

The first THAAD Battery (Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade) was activated in May 2008 and the seventh THAAD battery was activated by the U.S. Army in December 2016.

THAAD is a highly effective, combat-proven defense against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. THAAD is the only U.S. system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere. The system uses Hit-to-Kill technology to destroy a threat with direct impact neutralizing lethal payloads before they reach protected assets on the ground. THAAD continues incremental capability improvements within the weapon system to continually improve capability against current and emerging threats.

Navy

Final Scorpène Submarine

April 23, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Indian shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) on April 20, 2022 launched INS Vagsheer (S-26), the final Scorpène type submarine for the Indian Navy.

The submarine was launched by India’s Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar. Named after sandfish, a deadly deep water sea predator of the Indian Ocean, the first submarine «Vagsheer» was commissioned in December 1974. It was decommissioned in April 1997.

«INS Vagsheer (S-26) will now go undergo sea trials and will be later commissioned. The launch of this submarine is an example of India becoming self-reliant», said India’s Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.

Four of the six submarines have been commissioned to date: INS Kalvari (S-21) (December 2017), INS Khanderi (S-22) (September 2019), INS Karanj (S-23) (March 2021) and INS Vela (S-24) (November 2021). Sea trials of the INS Vagir (S-25) are underway. The final submarine, INS Vagsheer is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in March 2024.

Scorpène is a conventional submarine designed by the Naval Group for the export market. It demonstrates both the Naval Group’s ability to deliver best-in-class submarines and to conduct successful transfers of technology. Today 14 Scorpène submarines are in operational service or being built, for the Chilean Navy (2 units), the Malaysian Navy (2 units), the Indian Navy (6 units), and the Brazilian Navy (4 units).

The Scorpène design is adapted to fit each navy’s specific requirements. Thus, the Brazilian Scorpène is slightly longer to carry a larger crew, almost double the patrol range, and be able to cover greater distances.

Scorpène is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. Multipurpose, it fulfills the entire scope of missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying and intelligence gathering. Integrating improvements from the French Barracuda-Class fast-attack submarine, Scorpène has cutting-edge capabilities.

Navy

Patrol Boats

April 22, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Austal Limited on 18 April, 2022 welcomed the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, to the company’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard, where he announced the Department of Defence will order an additional two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) for the Royal Australian Navy, for $124 million.

ECCPB — The first Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, ADV Cape Otway (314) was delivered to the Australian Department of Defence and Royal Australian Navy on 23 March 2022 (Image: Austal Australia)

Prime Minister Morrison was joined for the announcement at Austal by Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP; Assistance Minister for Defence the Hon Andrew Hastie MP; Attorney General Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash; President of the Senate, Senator the Hon Slade Brockman and Liberal Candidate for the seat of Fremantle, Mr. Bill Koul.

The two new vessels are in addition to the six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats that are currently being delivered by Austal Australia for the Royal Australian Navy.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said: «We are incredibly proud to be supporting the Royal Australian Navy by providing and enhancing fleet capability; working in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Industry partners. This announcement for additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats further strengthens and supports Australian sovereign shipbuilding capability and provides Austal, and our outstanding supply chain partners, with a level of continuity that will provide stability and security for the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise. Austal will also continue to invest and develop our facilities in Henderson to ensure we have the capability and capacity for the future programme of work the Prime Minister has previously announced. Last month Austal delivered the first of the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, the ADV Cape Otway (314), in less than 2 years; overcoming the many challenges that materialised as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing at pace, with all eight Evolved Cape Patrol Boats to be delivered through to 2024, providing long-term commitments to our supply chain partners in the Australian Shipbuilding Industry».

The Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat is an evolution of Austal’s proven Cape-class Patrol Boat platform, first developed for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (now Australian Border Force) in 2013. With eight Capes delivered to the ABF over 2013-2015 and an additional two Capes delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in 2017, there are now ten Cape-class Patrol Boats operating around Australia. In 2021, Austal Australia delivered a further two Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard – the first exports of a vessel class which has become a benchmark for offshore patrol capability around the world.

Based on the original 58-metre/190-foot aluminium monohull design, the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats include several enhancements that further extend the capability of the vessel and the fleet. Crew capacity has been increased by 10 people, to now total 32 and quality-of-life provisions have been enhanced, ensuring those who operate the new vessels have connectivity to the outside world, regardless of the operating environment.

The Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security, as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset for the Royal Australian Navy.

In addition to the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project (SEA1445-1), Austal Australia is also currently delivering 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Department of Defence under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1), with 14 patrol boats delivered since 2018.

Austal provides in-service support to both the Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets through dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.

Navy

Sensor Suite

April 21, 2022 Dmitry Shulgin

Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has signed a contract worth over a hundred million Euros with mission combat system integrator Thales, to deliver its TRS-4D naval radar to the future multi-purpose frigates F126 of the German Navy.

Frigate Type 126 — HENSOLDT and Thales provide the new F126 frigates of the German Navy with a powerful sensor suite (Photo: Damen Naval)

Contracted in 2020, F126 is the latest frigate programme for the German Navy. The F126 class will consist of four ships (with an option for two more ships); the program also includes multiple land-based test and training sites. The first frigate F126 is expected to be delivered to the customer in 2028. The entire programme will run for over ten years.

HENSOLDT’s TRS-4D radar will be installed in its non-rotating version with four fixed-panel arrays. The integration of the radar on the ships and shore installations will be done by Thales to deliver a mission and combat system that complies with the German requirements.

First deliveries are scheduled for 2025. With this system, in combination with other systems and sensors onboard, F126 has the ability to operate in the most complex maritime environments, and therefore contribute internationally to securing safety and stability.

Gerben Edelijn, Vice President Thales Above Water Systems: «We are happy to work together with HENSOLDT and give the Frigates F126 a sensor suite that fully complies with the German requirements. German and Netherlands’ navies and industry have a long tradition of working together with formidable results and we are looking forward to continuing this tradition».

«Our TRS-4D and its high-end components are deployed onboard several German Navy ships offering a high degree of commonalities to the customer», said Markus Rothmaier, Vice President Naval & Ground Radars at HENSOLDT. «I am proud that we are able to offer the German Navy, together with Thales’ sensor technology and combat system, a comprehensive and truly European solution».

Radars of the TRS-4D product family are already in service in different versions onboard German Navy ships, among them the Frigate F125 and the Corvette K130 (second batch) and benefit from continuous product improvements and advantages with regards to spare part management and training. For this reason, TRS-4D NR has been pre-selected by the German Navy.

TRS-4D Fixed Panel

TRS-4D is HENSOLDT’s latest member of the C-Band (NATO G-Band) naval radar family. It is available with a single face rotating antenna and also as a four fixed-panel configuration.

Based on the most advanced Gallium Nitride Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) sensor technology with multiple digitally formed beams, the new generation TRS-4D opens a new dimension for maritime missions.

For threatening targets, the TRS-4D initiates a track within a single scan using its electronic scanning capability. This results in a reliable, immediate target alert.

The system automatically classifies targets as high priority threats and allocates additional radar illumination (Cued Track).

The allocation of radar resources to different scan types provides a versatile combination of volume search, surface search and high-priority tracking.

The radar has sufficient capacity to uphold all functions simultaneously even in stressing situations with high target density and challenging littoral and coastal clutter environments. This ensures platform survivability and mission success.

TRS-4D’s unique concept of simultaneous multi-beams and Doppler processing ensures reliable performance of all operational tasks at a high update rate.

It’s very flexible installation concept enables ships like offshore patrol vessels, corvettes and frigates to exert the different functions of a shipborne surveillance and target acquisition radar, in blue waters and in complex littoral environment with high target densities.

TRS-4D marks an innovative step beyond conventional radar into a «new dimension» of operational capabilities. The outstanding benefits of the new technology are tailor-made for naval customers.

Features

Instrumented range	250 km/155 miles
Azimuth coverage	360° (four fixed panels)
Target detection capability of 0.01 m² Radar Cross-Section (RCS)
Capacity of 1500 targets 3D tracking
Track range performance	fighter aircraft > 110 km/68 miles, small surface target > 14 km/8.7 miles
Track update rate	< 1 s
Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)	< 0.5 hrs
Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)	Mode 5

HENSOLDT TRS-4D – Naval Surveillance Radar

Specifications

Length	166 m/544.6 feet
Beam	21.7 m/71.2 feet
Draught	5.9 m/19.4 feet
Displacement	10,550 t
Maximum Speed	26 knots/30 mph/48 km/h
Range	>4,000 NM/4,603 miles/7,408 km
Area	Global (including Ice Class 1C)
Crew	198

Modern weapons

Monthly Archives: April 2022

Initial Operational Capability

General Characteristics

New Jersey

General Characteristics

Nuclear Submarine Lineup

Block IV

Space Solar Power

eXtra Performance Wing

Squad Weapons System

Christening of Köln

Eighth THAAD Battery

Final Scorpène Submarine

Patrol Boats

Sensor Suite

Features

Specifications

News and articles