Based on gallium nitride (GaN) Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology
On stand F51 at Euronaval 2018, Hensoldt approaches the show with its TRS-4D naval radar family. Based on gallium nitride (GaN) Active Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology, it is available as a single face rotating antenna (TRS-4D Rotator) and in a four fixed-panel configuration, named TRS-4D/FP. The Rotator variant adds to the existing rotating TRS-3D model that is already in use with several foreign Navies, including the US Navy, which has adopted the rotating version for its ‘Freedom’ class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS)/frigate warships.
The collapse in transmitter-receiver (TX-RX) costs is evident in the German Navy’s choice of a fixed-face version of the TRS-4D active array radar for its Type F125 frigates. Operating at C-band, it is installed with four fixed antenna panels distributed between the ship’s two masts. The antennae consist of a matrix of small, solid state transmit/receive modules (TRMs), with each TRM capable of generating and radiating its own independent signal, thus allowing the AESA to produce radar pulses on different frequencies with interleaved pulse streams to carry out several functions simultaneously.
Hensoldt quotes the maximum instrumented range at “up to 250km”, so the antennae can do a long-range scan of the sea surface and airspace while tracking more than 1,000 individual targets, operating in both ‘blue water’ and littoral environments.
