New Radars Provided by Airbus Defense and Space to Support Improved Survivability for the Freedom Variant LCSs

October 28, 2014

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New Radars Provided by Airbus Defense and Space, Inc., to Support Improved Survivability for the Freedom Variant Littoral Combat Ships

New TRS-4D Multi-Mode Naval Radars Are Lighter, Detect and Track Threats Faster and Bring Advanced Self-Defense and Situation Awareness Capabilities

HERNDON, VA--(Marketwired - Oct 28, 2014) - Airbus Defense and Space, Inc., will deliver its advanced TRS-4D naval radar for the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program's adaptable Freedom variant ships beginning with LCS 17. 

The TRS-4D naval radar, a rotating version of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) fixed panel TRS-4D radar going aboard the German F-125 class ships, combines multiple capabilities in a single, reliable radar to quickly generate target tracks. It is a three-dimensional, multi-mode naval radar for surveillance, target acquisition, self-defense, gunfire support and aircraft control.

"Superior performance and adaptability for the future are key characteristics of the TRS-4D radar," said Mike Cosentino, President of Airbus Defense and Space, Inc. "It supports LCS to affordably meet current threats and can be adapted to change over the service life of the ship. Its characteristics are an excellent match for the environments LCS will face."

Users can program the TRS-4D radar, and its AESA technology brings increased sensitivity to detect smaller targets with greater accuracy and faster track generation to increase ships' reaction time. The system also weighs less, which allows flexibility for future growth.

Both the LCS and the radar are flexible and allow for rapid technologic upgrades.

Combining multiple capabilities within a single radar is one way TRS-4D helps LCS continue to be an affordable surface combatant. It automatically detects and tracks all types of air and sea targets in support of LCS's reduced crew sizes using its AESA technology. The reliability of the TRS-4D solid state system design further enhances affordability of the LCS by keeping maintenance and lifecycle costs low.

Littoral combat ships are fast, agile surface combatants optimized for operating in the highly trafficked near-shore regions of the world. Through its innovative modular design, LCS can be reconfigured for surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasures in the near term, and adapt its capabilities for changing threats and scenarios that will occur over its service life. TRS-4D meets the current LCS requirements and can be adapted to LCS missions and threats as they change in the near term and long term.

Source : Airbus Defense and Space, Inc.