Thales Nederland has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Canada to deliver SMART-S Mk2 radars and 3D surveillance radar for integration into Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigates.
Being delivered as part of the Anzac frigate system upgrade executed by Lockheed Martin Canada, the two medium-to-long range surveillance radars will be installed on the RNZN’s two Anzac-class frigates.
Thales vice-president, Surface Radar activities in charge Geert van der Molen said: "SMART-S Mk2’s proven capability to support Evolved Sea Sparrow missile, vertical launch MICA, and now the common anti-air modular missile, sets the standard for [the] 3D medium-range radar market.
"It’s no coincidence SMART-S Mk2 is the radar of choice for navies around the world."
The first radar system under the contract is scheduled for delivery by early 2016, with the second the following year.
Based on the multi-beam concept, SMART-S Mk2 supports the complete range of MBDA’s multi-mission common anti-air modular missile, while dealing with long missions and operations in littoral environments.
Lockheed Martin’s four-year, $164m contract is aimed at addressing the New Zealand Government’s aim of refurbishing the surveillance, combat and self-defence capabilities of the RNZN’s frigates.
The 3,600t Anzac frigates are powered by a combined diesel or gas turbine system, including a GE LM 2,500 gas turbine and two MTU 12V 1163 TB83 diesel engines, and are equipped with an eight-cell Mk41 vertical launching system for Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles.
Image: The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Mana. Photo: courtesy of Benchill.
