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2023-12-10

Radars on-the-move

Global high-tech pioneer for defence and security electronics and a market leader in civilian and military sensor solutions, HENSOLDT of Germany is pitching its latest SPEXER 2000 MkIII as a cutting-edge technological solution with battlefield mobility capability.

HENSOLDT’s SPEXER 2000 radar has been used by military and security forces across the world for nearly two decades and is one of the world’s leading radar capabilities, especially in C-UAV roles. The radar has gone through a number of iterative capability enhancements over the years to introduce new features leveraging the performance and function of modern electronics.

The latest SPEXER 2000 MkIII addresses the critical need for both battlefield mobility, as well as 3D detection capabilities, including small drones. Due to spectral-based micro-Doppler automatic target classification, the radar differentiates between various VSHORAD targets (UAVs, helicopter or birds) and ground targets. Thanks to its modern electronics, the system is more cost effective and less power intensive than previous radars allowing it to be installed on a wider range of vehicles.

It also detects and automatically classifies multiple targets in parallel, with its active electronically scanned array (AESA) in X-band, using beam steering and advanced processing capabilities. Unlike legacy radars requiring tuning and setting up, the SPEXER 2000 family operates as turned on. This is highly important in battle scenarios since a few seconds delay can be deadly.

With a fixed panel radar covering 120 degrees in azimuth, the addition of two more panels gives operators full 360-degree coverage and no blind spots that enemy forces could exploit. This is also true for elevation, with the latest version of the SPEXER 2000 featuring 90 degrees of coverage, effectively creating a hemisphere around the vehicle and its surroundings.

Mobility Remains Key for Protection

Stationary targets are easy targets, which is why – where possible – mobility contributes to the survivability for ground vehicles, alongside areas such as armour, protection systems and firepower.

MkIII is capable of protecting personnel and in ensuring successful mission completion even in the most adverse conditions, according to HENSOLDT.

With mobility being so important, it is key that systems and sensors on board a vehicle also have the ability to be operated on-the-move. This is why many vehicle weapon stations and high-resolution electro-optics are stabilised with electro-mechanical systems to ensure that crews can operate on the move and not become “sitting ducks” to attacks from the ground or above.

While the importance of mobility cannot be overstated, there still needs to be a way of detecting threats early before they become an imminent threat; and when it comes to detecting ground and aerial targets, including military and commercial drones (UAVs) that are used for intelligence gathering or attack missions, radar is still a vital asset for military ground and naval units.

Radar and Mobility: The Perfect Duo

Ensuring that forces remain mobile while under a protective surveillance sphere is an optimum combination for the modern battlefield. However, there remain several challenges, especially when it comes to the radar’s detection capabilities, as well as the limitations of operating a radar on a moving vehicle.

Many radar systems cannot operate effectively while moving. In addition, the radar’s detection coverage may be limited in terms of elevation range. Thus, a military unit will miss the benefit of radar surveillance both while on the move, as well as directly above their vehicle.

A HENSOLDT statement said that the company is committed to protecting the armed forces and wider societies against aggression and threats to life, and in this context the SPEXER 2000 MkIII can make a difference in battlefield.

Recent conflicts have highlighted the significant dangers that armed forces face. Soldiers must contend with traditional threats, such as artillery barrages, as well as new technology and tactics in the form of deadly drone attacks. In this new 21st century theatre of conflict, personnel have quickly learned that early detection of threats and mobility are key to survival.

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