The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and Lockheed Martin [LMT], the prime contractor for the Crowsnest naval project, selected Thales to provide radar and mission systems to adapted Royal Navy AW101 Merlin Mk2 helicopters, the ministry said on May 22.
Thales was chosen after an industry competition. It will provide the Thales Searchwater radar and Cerberus mission system to the Merlins in the form of the Crowsnest surveillance system. The adapted Merlin helicopters are set to replace the Royal Navy’s departing WS-61 Sea King Mark 7 airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) force, which will retire by 2018. The Sea Kings are fitted with an earlier version of the Searchwater and Cerberus systems.
The Crowsnest project is meant to act as the Royal Navy’s future long-range monitoring for their two next generation aircraft carriers, the Queen Elizabeth class.
The UK Sea King, a modified version of the American Sikorsky [UTX] S-61 Sea King helicopter, has been in use for ASaC capabilities since 1982.
Lockheed Martin will next conclude the project’s $41 million assessment phase, expected in 2016. The company will be supported by Thales and AugustaWestland, the manufacturer of the Merlin.
“The Crowsnest system onboard our new Merlin Mk2 helicopter will deliver an essential surveillance and intelligence capability, providing early warnings to our personnel of any potential threats,” Philip Dunne, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, said in a statement.
“Through new innovative radar modes and improved performance against low radar cross section targets, the Royal Navy will have a world class rotary-based platform to protect the new aircraft carriers, the fleet and Joint forces,” Victor Chavez, the CEO of Thales UK said in a statement.
System improvements include enhanced performance and data processing, the addition of new modes to the multi-mission radar, an improved human machine interface, reduced weight, and built-in training features, Thales said.
“The design comprises of a single mechanically scanned radar head which uses an innovative system to provide 360° visibility from the underside of the helicopter, and which folds up to the side of the aircraft when not in operation,” the defence ministry said.