SMART-L

SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, L band)^[1] is a long-range naval search radar introduced in 2002 by Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).

SMART-L

SMART-L onboard F221 Hessen a Sachsen class frigate
Country of origin	Netherlands
Manufacturer	Thales Nederland

F220 Hamburg of the German Navy with SMART-L radar

Design

The digital antenna array has 24 elements; all are used for reception, while 16 are used for creating virtual receiver beams through digital beamforming. The beams' vertical elevation, and compensation for ship movement, is done electronically.^[1] Horizontal training is done by mechanically rotating the entire array.^{[citation needed]}

As designed, SMART-L has a maximum range of 400 km (220 nmi) against patrol aircraft, and 65 km (35 nmi) against stealthy missiles.^[2] A software upgrade, Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, extends the maximum range for the detection of ballistic missiles to over 2000 km,^[3] since 2018 all four Zeven Provincien class Frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been equipped with the update.^[4]

On the 25th of September 2017, as part of the exercise Formidable Shield 2017 the SMART-L MM radar system mounted on the test tower at the Thales premises in Hengelo, detected and tracked a ballistic missile launched from the Hebrides in Scotland at an average range of more than 1500 km without difficulties.^{[citation needed]} The Thales SMART-L Multi Mission radar in Hengelo detected the target as soon as it appeared over the horizon and maintained a stable track for more than 300 seconds. The track quality was sufficient to enable Launch On Remote by BMD-capable naval ships.^[5]

Variants

• SMART-L
• SMART-L MM/N (Multi-mission, Naval)
• SMART-L MM/F (Multi-mission, Fixed)
• S1850M

Specifications

• Antenna system:
  • Dimensions; 8.4 × 4 × 4.4 m (28 × 13 × 14 ft), 7,800 kg (17,200 lb)
  • Number of antenna elements: 24 (16 transceivers, 8 receivers)
  • Number of beams formed: 16
  • Beamwidth 2.2° horizontal, 0–70° vertical
  • Polarization: vertical
  • Frequency: L band
  • Rotational speed: 12 rpm
  • IFF system integrated, D band
• Maximum detection ranges:
  • Stealth missiles: 65 km (35 nmi)
  • Patrol aircraft: 400 km (220 nmi)
  • Ballistic missiles:2000 km after software upgrade.^[6][7]
• Maximal numbers of tracked targets:
  • Airborne: 1000
  • Seaborne: 100

Users

Ship class / Location	Operator(s)	Variant	Total units
De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate	Royal Netherlands Navy	SMART-L MM/N	4
Sachsen-class frigate	Deutsche Marine	SMART-L	3
Type 45 destroyer	Royal Navy	S1850M	6
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier	Royal Navy	S1850M	2
Horizon-class frigate	French Navy /  Italian Navy	S1850M	2 / 2
Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship	Republic of Korea Navy	SMART-L	1
Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate	Royal Danish Navy	SMART-L	3
Air Operations Control Station Nieuw-Milligen	Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force	SMART-L MM/F	2
Swedish Air Defence & Control	Swedish Air Force	SMART-L MM/F[8]	TBD
Total			26

See also

• Thales/BAE Systems Insyte S1850M, a SMART-L derivative.
• Selex RAN-40L