World's First ESSM and SM2 Block III Firing Tests with Thales Nederland AAW Suite Successful
03 December 2003 12:27
On 26 and 27 November the Royal Netherlands Navy held live missile firing tests on board of the Air Defence and Command Frigate “De Zeven Provinciën”. Performed in the vicinity of the island Madeira, the tests were highly successful. They were the world’s first live tests with Interrupted Continuous Wave Illumination (ICWI) class missiles, i.e. the ESSM and SM2 block III missiles. The “De Zeven Provinciën” is the first of the LCF class frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Thales Nederland, main contractor and system integrator of the AAW segment, developed and built the APAR and SMART-L radar systems, as well as the Missile Interface Cabinet. Other Thales deliveries for the LCF program include GOALKEEPER, MIRADOR, SIRIUS, MOC Mk3 Multi-function consoles, and various interface and processing cabinets. During the tests, various missiles were fired at drones and the tests clearly demonstrated the perfect performance of both the missiles and the Thales Nederland AAW suite in an operational environment.
According to the Royal Netherlands Navy, the launch was very well controlled by the ship’s highly advanced radars and combat system. All test objectives were met. APAR immediately acquired the missile and maintained track until destruction. The system’s short reaction time guarantees an effective protection of fleets and other objects at open sea or in a littoral environment, against modern air threats.
The Thales Nederland AAW system and the ICWI concept have been developed in the international Tri-lateral Frigate Cooperation formed by the Netherlands, Germany and Canada. The definition, development, production and integration of the system took several years during which Thales Nederland worked in close cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Navy, the German Navy and the Canadian Navy, and with EADS in Germany and Raytheon in the U.S.
The new ICWI concept allows the user to simultaneously control multiple missiles with one APAR radar. Less advanced systems require separate radars for each engaged target.
The actual firings were prepared during extensive trials at the Land Based Test Site and on board of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s LCF and the first of the the F124 class “Sachsen” of the German Navy which is also equipped with the Thales Nederland AAW system. Further testing will be performed during the missile firing tests on board of the “Sachsen” in the summer of 2004. Several other countries have shown an interest in the ICWI concept.
About Thales Nederland
Thales Nederland is a high-tech company specialised in integrated above-water systems for surveillance, weapon control, and command and control. Thales Nederland's product range comprises systems suitable for all classes and types of naval vessels, ranging from small high-speed intercept craft, large ocean capable patrol boats and corvettes to frigates and landing platform docks. Thales Nederland is the naval centre of excellence for radar and combat management of the Thales Group, world leader and front-runner in professional electronics in three key markets: Aerospace, Defence and Information Technology & Services. Thales employs 65,000 people in nearly 50 countries around the globe, and generated revenues of over 11 billion euro in 2002.
For more information on this company:
Thales Nederland - Combat Management Systems and Combat System Integration
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