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.
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 |