World’s First Fixed-Panel IFF System
Thales is using EURONAVAL Online this week to launch the TSA6000, “the world’s first fixed-panel friend-foe identification system for the French Navy’s future frigates,” it announced on 19 October.
Thales is unveiling the TSA6000, the first IFF interrogator to use flat fixed-array active antenna technology. The unique system, using flat fixed-array active antenna technology, provides 360° coverage around the vessel, with no trade-off in range capabilities, and an unprecedented and extremely fast identification capability.
Modern naval forces need to be able to rely on new technology to make the best decisions when it matters most. Thales helps them conduct their missions more safely at every critical moment, building on its air surveillance expertise and in-depth knowledge of operational contexts to develop high-value end-to-end IFF solutions.
Based on a revolutionary all-digital flat fixed-array technology, the TSA6000 provides smart 360° electronic scanning (or e-scan) capability, enabling extremely fast identification of new types of threats. The four-panel antenna design overcomes the problem of signal masking caused by a ship’s topside infrastructure, especially if it has multiple masts. Smaller and lighter, TSA6000 is much easier for systems integrators to position and install on a vessel compared to IFF systems with rotating array antennas or fixed cylindrical arrays.
The panels are independent of the radar system, for even greater flexibility of installation and maintenance. Its modular, scalable all-digital architecture also simplifies support operations significantly: each panel comprises multiple modules for built-in redundancy and helps ensure permanent availability. In addition, the system has no mechanical or rotating parts, considerably increasing reliability and reducing time to repair.
TSA6000 is compliant with Mode 5, the new NATO secure identification standard. With this new product, Thales offers an ultra high-performance identification capability with guaranteed interoperability between NATO and allied forces for the decades ahead.
The TSA6000 will equip the French Navy’s future FDI-class frigates from 2021 alongside the company’s SEA FIRE radar, which also has a flat-panel array. The radar/IFF combination will offer a near-instantaneous detection and identification capability against high-velocity threats.
“The TSA6000 is the latest addition to the Thales family of IFF products and meets the full range of current and future operational requirements. With its unique digital architecture, it is designed to evolve in line with emerging requirements and future threats,” commented Florence Gourgeon, VP Radiocommunications.
