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SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, L band)[1] is a naval long-range search radar from Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).
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]
Variants
- SMART-L
- SMART-L EWC (Early Warning Capability)
- SMART-L GB (Ground-Based)
- S1850M
Specifications
- Antenna system:
- Maximum detection ranges:
- Maximal numbers of tracked targets:
- Airborne: 1000
- Seaborne: 100
Users
| Ship class / Location | Operator(s) | Variant | Total units |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate |  Royal Netherlands Navy | Smart-L EWC | 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 | 2 |
| Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate |  Royal Danish Navy | Smart-L | 3 |
| Air Operations Control Station Nieuw-Milligen |  Royal Netherlands Air Force | Smart-L EWC GB | 2 |
| Total | 26 | ||
See also
- Thales/BAE Systems Insyte S1850M, a SMART-L derivative.
- Selex RAN-40L
References
- ^ a b "SMART-L Radar". www.Radartutorial.eu. Retrieved 24 Oct 2011.
- ^ "SMART-L 3D Long range surveillance radar". Thales. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 24 Oct 2011.
- ^ "SMART-L MM". Thales Nederland. Retrieved 11 Mar 2018.
- ^ "SMART-L MM". Thales Nederland. Retrieved 11 Mar 2018.
- ^ "SMART-L For Smart Defense?" Archived 2013-10-20 at the Wayback Machine