Lockheed Martin & Indra Demonstrate Next Gen Radar for Future Spanish Navy F-110 Frigates

: Posted On Friday, 20 May 2016 18:54

Naval Defense Industry News - USA, Spain

Lockheed Martin & Indra Demonstrate Next Gen Radar for Future Spanish Navy F-110 Frigates

Indra and Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated the first phase of integration of new a solid state S-band radar system being developed for the future Spanish F-110 Frigate. The test was part of the technology development phase in the joint development of this next generation radar system.

A basic scale model (made with 3D printer) was showcased by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia during Euronaval 2014.

As part of the collaboration, Indra is supplying the building block to achieve a fully Digital Antenna, including the Digital Transmit-Receive modules that contain state-of-the-art Solid State Gallium Nitride (GaN) high power amplifiers, developed from its experience in the design of radar and electronic warfare systems, integrating leading edge technologies in high power amplification and digitalization.

“Like the Aegis Combat System, our solid state radar system employs an open architecture design that more easily facilitates integration with other systems and components,” Keifer said. “This allows us to help support the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency’s interests, while making our systems more compatible with the needs of our allied partners through collaboration with companies like Indra, which bring strong multinational capabilities and leading edge technologies to bear.”

Following the success of the demonstration, both companies signed a contract under which Lockheed Martin will support Indra during the technology development phase of the project that will culminate in 2020 with the demonstration of a full Engineering Development Model of an integrated solid state S-band radar for the future Spanish frigate.

The demonstration was an important step in a roadmap defined by both companies in 2010 to develop a next generation radar for F-110 and future international platforms.

More on F-110:
The F-110 Frigate is the Spanish Navy’s next generation of multi-mission surface vessel, due to see operation in the next decade. The Spanish Navy operates five Aegis-equipped Álvaro de Bazán-class (F-100) frigates, which are equipped with the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Combat System and SPY-1 radar. F-110 will include the introduction of an evolved Combat Management System and new solid-state S-band radar with the aim to advance the strong partnerships between U.S. and Spanish industry established during the development and fielding of the first four ships of the F-100 program and expanded for F-105.

Image source: Spanish Navy/Navantia

Officially designated Buque de Superficie de la Armada (patrullero multifunction) for Navy Surface Ship (multifunction patrol), the F-110 will be larger than Spanish navy's BAM (Buque de Acción Marítima) OPV but smaller than the F-100 Alavaro de Bazan class AEGIS Frigates.

National shipbuilder Navantia along with the Spanish navy started F-110 concept studies and came up with an initial design of the ship following a feasibility study contract awarded last year.

Detailed design-and-build contract is expected to be awarded in 2016 while delivery of the first vessel is set for 2022 for an operational life of 40 years. F-110 is designed to be operational 240 days in a row with a high availability of 18 months.

As multifunction vessels, the F-110 will be fitted with 24x Mk 41 VLS cells for SM-2s and ESSM surface-to-air missiles, 8x anti-ship missiles, a 127mm main gun. Sensors will include the new integrated mast (combining fire control radar, main search radar, communication devices and EW sensors), a towed array and a hull sonar. A "multi mission space" will allow to transport and deploy unmanned vehicles (AUV, USV, UUV), containers and RHIBs. F-110 are expected to reach 30 knots thanks to a the hybrid propulsion system.