The Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO) has selected Thales to provide through-life support for the radars onboard the Royal Norwegian Navy’s fast patrol boats (FPB).
Under the five-year contract, Thales will provide life support for the six multi-role radar (MRR)-3D-NG systems, currently installed on to the six Skjold-class corvettes.
Designed to offer long-range 3D air and surface surveillance, the Thales-built MRR-3D-NG provides tracking and self-defence, target evaluation and weapon allocation, target classification support and weapon control capability.
Featuring a lightweight phased array antenna, the MRR-3D-NG radar can operate as both surveillance radar and a self-defence system sensor, with automatic mode switching.
The MRR-3D-NG can also detect low and medium-level targets at ranges of up to 140km in surface surveillance mode, as well as targets up to 180km in air surveillance mode.
In the self-defence mode, the radar is capable of identifying and tracking any threat including helicopters over sea or land, pop-ups and hovering or slow moving targets, within a radius of 60km.
Capable of cruising at speeds in excess of 55k, the Skjold-class vessels have a full load displacement capacity of 270t and a draught of 0.9m to 2.3m, enabling it to access very shallow waters unlike other craft.
The ships are armed with eight Kongsberg Nye Sjoemaals Missiler or Norwegian strike missile (NSM) anti-ship missiles and an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun with a range in excess of 12km that is capable of engaging several targets simultaneously.
In addition to MBDA Mistral short-range surface-to-air missile and twin launcher, the vessels feature lightweight Senit 2000 combat management system as well as Saab Systems Ceros 200 radar and optronic fire control system to provide fire control for missiles and guns.
Image: A Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class missile boat sailing at sea. Photo: file image.
