Australian Navy Soon to Induct New Surveillance System

Royal Australian Navy warships will soon be installed with a new innovative cost-effective dedicated sensor, the short range helicopter control radar (SRHCR), for the landing of helicopters.

The new helicopter landing solution, developed by Kelvin Hughes, will prevent the use of navigation radars for helicopter control as per the International Maritime Organisation regulations.

The surveillance solution, consisting of an up-mast S-Band SharpEye solid state radar transceiver, 3.9m low profile antenna and tracking software, autonomously provide helicopter data to the command system.

The system can also be used as a stand-alone manned station, providing a back-up solution based-on mission requirements.

The navy will integrate the solution, which recently passed factory acceptance testing, onto the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks.

The warships, being built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia, are expected to enter service with the navy between 2014 and 2015.