SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, L band)[1] is a long-range naval search radar introduced in 2002 by Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).
Country of origin | Netherlands |
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Manufacturer | Thales Nederland |
The digital antenna array has 24 elements; all are used for reception, while 16 are used for creating virtual receiver beams through digital beamforming. The beams' vertical elevation, and compensation for ship movement, is done electronically.[1] Horizontal training is done by mechanically rotating the entire array.
As designed, SMART-L has a maximum range of 400 km (220 nmi) against patrol aircraft, and 65 km (35 nmi) against stealthy missiles.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
Ship class / Location | Operator(s) | Variant | Total units |
---|---|---|---|
De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate | Royal Netherlands Navy | SMART-L MM/N | 4 |
Sachsen-class frigate | Deutsche Marine | SMART-L | 3 |
Type 45 destroyer | Royal Navy | S1850M | 6 |
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier | Royal Navy | S1850M | 2 |
Horizon-class frigate | French Navy / Italian Navy | S1850M | 2 / 2 |
Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship | Republic of Korea Navy | SMART-L | 1 |
Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate | Royal Danish Navy | SMART-L | 3 |
Air Operations Control Station Nieuw-Milligen | Royal Netherlands Air Force | SMART-L MM/F | 2 |
Swedish Air Defence & Control | Swedish Air Force | SMART-L MM/F[6] | TBD |
Total | 26 |