The Australian Department of Defence has floated a request for tender (RFT) to CEA Technologies for the development of a high-power phased array radar concept demonstrator.
Defence materiel minister Dr Mike Kelly said that the tender involved development of radar systems based on the CEAFAR radar, which will support future naval acquisitions, including the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigates through Project SEA 5000.
The new project SEA 5000 aims to develop next-generation naval surface combatants able to support independent and task group operations for RAN, while replacing Anzac-class ships.
Likely to be an ACAT I programme, the project SEA 5000 development work is expected to begin for government consideration beyond 2019.
"The initial part of this investment is anticipated to be in the order of $4m," Kelly added.
Developed based on the CEAFAR radar system, the high-power phased array radar will make use of the investment already made by the Australian Government in the domestic radar-related industrial research and development and de-risk radar solutions for the future frigates.
Focused on the phased array radar element of the high-frequency and phased array radar priority industry capability (PIC), the CEAFAR has been designed to enable each of the sensor elements to be individually tuned and adjusted.
The lightweight CEAFAR multi-function, phased array radar features a fully digital beam-forming sensor to enable installation to meet a range of operating environments and threat scenarios.
The company is currently providing CEAFAR radar upgrade onboard RAN Anzac-class ships, as part of the anti-ship missile defence upgrade programme.
Image: HMAS Anzac conducting mission at sea. Photo: file image.
