SMART-L is a naval long-range search radar

Radar

Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...

 from Thales Nederland

Thales Nederland

Thales Nederland B.V. is a subsidiary of Thales Group involved primarily in naval defence systems...

, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).

The phased array

Phased array

In wave theory, a phased array is an array of antennas in which the relative phases of the respective signals feeding the antennas are varied in such a way that the effective radiation pattern of the array is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions.An antenna array...

 antenna has 24 elements; all are used for reception, while only 16 are used for creating virtual receiver beams through digital beamforming

Beamforming

Beamforming is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. This is achieved by combining elements in the array in a way where signals at particular angles experience constructive interference and while others experience destructive...

. The beams' vertical elevation, and compensation for ship movement, is done electronically. Horizontal training is done by mechanically rotating the entire array.

As designed, SMART-L has a maximum range of 400 km against patrol aircraft, and 65 km against stealthy missiles. A software upgrade, Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, extends the maximum range to 480 km. In 2006 HNLMS Tromp

HNLMS Tromp (F803)

HNLMS Tromp is the second De Zeven Provinciën class frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was laid down in 1999, launched in 2001, and commissioned in 2003...

 used the ELR Mode to track a ARAV-B missile from 150 km during a US Navy ballistic missile defence exercise.

Specifications

• Antenna system:
  • Dimensions; 8.4 × 4 × 4.4 m, 7,800 kg
  • Number of antenna elements: 24 (16 transceivers, 8 receivers)
  • Number of beams formed: 16
  • Beamwidth 2.2° horizontal, 0–70° vertical
  • Polarization: vertical
  • Frequency: D band
    D band
    IEEE D band is the range of radio frequencies from 110 GHz to 170 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is equal to wave lengths between 1.8 mm and 2.7 mm...
    
     (former L band
    L band
    L band refers to four different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum: 40 to 60 GHz , 1 to 2 GHz , 1565 nm to 1625 nm , and around 3.5 micrometres .-NATO L band:...
    
    )
  • Rotational speed: 12 rpm
  • IFF
    Identification friend or foe
    In telecommunications, identification, friend or foe is an identification system designed for command and control. It is a system that enables military and national interrogation systems to identify aircraft, vehicles, or forces as friendly and to determine their bearing and range from the...
    
     system integrated, D band
    D band
    IEEE D band is the range of radio frequencies from 110 GHz to 170 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is equal to wave lengths between 1.8 mm and 2.7 mm...
    
    
• Maximum detection ranges:
  • Stealth
    Stealth technology
    Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
    
     missiles: 65 km
  • Patrol aircraft: 400 km
• Maximal numbers of tracked targets:
  • Airborne: 1000
  • Seaborne: 100

Users

• De Zeven Provinciën class frigate
  De Zeven Provinciën class frigate
  The De Zeven Provinciën class frigates are highly advanced air-defence and command frigates in service with the Koninklijke Marine . This class of ships is also known as LCF...
  
  
• Sachsen class frigate
  Sachsen class frigate
  The F124 Sachsen class is Germany's latest class of highly advanced air-defense frigates. The design of the Sachsen class frigate is based on that of the F123 Brandenburg class but with enhanced stealth features intended to deceive any opponent's radar and acoustic sensors and incorporate also the...
  
  
• Type 45 destroyer
  Type 45 destroyer
  The United Kingdom's Type 45 destroyer is an air defence destroyer programme of the Royal Navy which will replace its Type 42 destroyers. The first ship in the class, HMS Daring, was launched on 1 February 2006 and commissioned on 23 July 2009. The ships are now built by BAE Systems Surface Ships...
  
   (S1850M
  S1850M
  The S1850M is a long range radar for wide area search. The S1850M is produced by BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies and Thales. It is a modified version of the Thales Nederland SMART-L radar. The S1850M is advertised as being capable of fully automatic detection, track initiation and...
  
  )
• Horizon class frigate (S1850M)
• Dokdo class LPH
• Ivar Huitfeldt class frigate
  Ivar Huitfeldt class frigate
  The Iver Huitfeldt class will be a three-ship class of frigates entering service with the Royal Danish Navy in 2012 and 2013.-Background:...
  
   (selected and under construction)

See also

• Thales/BAE Systems Insyte
  BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies
  BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies was formed on May 3, 2005, by bringing together BAE Systems' interests in C4ISR and the UK operations of AMS following the Eurosystems Transaction....
  
   S1850M
  S1850M
  The S1850M is a long range radar for wide area search. The S1850M is produced by BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies and Thales. It is a modified version of the Thales Nederland SMART-L radar. The S1850M is advertised as being capable of fully automatic detection, track initiation and...
  
  , a SMART-L derivative.