The Netherlands: Thales to Optimize SMART-L Radar for Early Detection of Ballistic Missiles

June 29, 2012

On June 27, the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization and Thales Nederland signed an agreement to modify the four SMART-L volume search radars installed on the “De Zeven Provinciën” class air defence and command frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The new SMART-L radar will be optimized for the early detection of ballistic missiles.

SMART-L will be able to detect ballistic missiles shortly after their launch. It has this early warning capability simultaneously with its traditional air defence capability. SMART-L will be able to detect and track several threats simultaneously and make an accurate calculation of each missile’s ballistic trajectory, and accurately estimate its point of impact as well as its launch position. SMART-L is a volume search radar that scans large volumes of the air space so that it can detect missiles without external cues.

The SMART-L and its sister, the S1850M Long Range Radar are used by the navies from Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and South Korea. All these radars could in principle profit from the modification package contracted by the Netherlands’ Defence Materiel Organisation.

Gerben Edelijn, CEO of Thales Nederland: “This contract confirms our leading position world-wide in naval sensor technology and system integration. Through this contract we support NATO’s long-term plans for a maritime defence against ballistic missiles.”

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Naval Today Staff, June 29, 2012; Image: Thales