BAE Systems Extends Royal Navy’s Medium Range Radar Capability

The ARTISAN 3D radar has been selected by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide the next generation of medium range radars (MRR) for the majority of the current Royal Navy (RN) surface fleet and for the Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF). The contract is valued at £100M.

The ARTISAN 3D Radar Team comprises BAE Systems, QinetiQ and Roke Manor Research and thus comprises the core of UK industry’s surface radar research. These three companies have a pedigree and heritage at the very heart of UK radar development epitomised by the established relationship on the UK ARTIST programme.

ARTISAN 3D (Advanced Radar Target Indication Situational Awareness and Navigation) will improve the performance of the RN’s primary sensing capability; particularly in terms of meeting the challenges posed when operating in a complex littoral environment. When integrated into the overall combat system ARTISAN 3D will enable marked improvements in the platform’s overall situational awareness, exploit the full capabilities of the updated Seawolf system, and provide a secondary navigation radar capability.

ARTISAN 3D will replace the RN’s legacy Type 996 surveillance and target indication radar, as well as subsuming the navigation radar functionality currently provided by the Radar 1008. The new systems will be retrofitted to Type 23 frigates, amphibious assault ships (HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark) and to the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean between 2011 and 2015 during planned support periods. ARTISAN 3D will also be fitted, from build, to the two new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

A modular open systems design and the unique application of innovative technologies ensures that ARTISAN 3D achieves the MoD’s requirement for a high performing, cost effective, future proofed and modern 3D surveillance radar that is capable of being fitted during a 4 week fleet time support period. In addition, to minimise the physical integration impact on the platforms, ARTISAN 3D fits within the space, weight and platform services envelope of the system that it replaces.

ARTISAN 3D is the culmination of a 3 year industry private venture programme to develop a new generation of radar that builds upon a family of mature technology from the BAE Systems existing portfolio of radars, such as SAMPSON - the multi function radar for the RNs Type 45 destroyer and the Commander air defence radar system for the Royal Air Force. With our industrial partners (Qinetiq and Roke Manor Research) we have also been able to ensure that ARTISAN 3D fully

exploits the UK’s investment in surface radar research programmes and provides an architecture that is capable of rapidly incorporating future research investment.

Captain Brian Archibald Royal Navy Integrated Project Team Leader for Short Range Air Defence added:
“The MRR project will provide the Royal Navy with a long awaited and unrivalled improvement to its Medium Range Radar capability whilst also delivering enhanced system availability and best value-for-money to the taxpayer.
“The project will be delivered through a firm price contract, covering both demonstration, manufacture and delivery of the radar systems and the first 10 years of in-service support. This has been a tight competition and my thanks go to all those in industry and in the MoD who have worked so hard to make this happen.”

Guy Griffiths, managing director, BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies said, “This contract builds on BAE Systems existing 60 year radar pedigree and demonstrates our ongoing ability to provide the RN with a highly capable and cost effective radar solution. The ARTISAN programme will allow us to further expand the ongoing operational partnering initiative and sensor coherence strategy between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems, aimed at enabling the MoD to realise the through life benefits of a common family of radar technologies”

BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies is the prime contractor responsible for all aspects of programme including development, manufacture and a comprehensive 10 year programme of In-Service support activities. Key industrial teaming partners throughout the programme have been QinetiQ, who bring their in-depth radar research and algorithm development expertise; and Roke who have un-parrallel capabilities in Electronic Protection Measures.