Breaking news
Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable class Frigate at LIMA 2015 Upgraded With Thales STIR FCR.
| 2015
| |
||||||||||||
| a | ||||||||||||
LIMA
2015 Online Show Daily - Thales STIR FCR |
||||||||||||
Republic
of Singapore Navy Formidable class Frigate at LIMA 2015 Upgraded With
Thales STIR FCR |
||||||||||||
While
visiting the vessels present at LIMA 2015, Navy Recognition noticed
that the Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable class Frigate RSS STALWART
is fitted with a newly installed STIR Fir Control Radar (FCR). We asked
Thales representatives the reason for which this new system was installed
and its benefits.
|
||||||||||||
 Thales STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 FCR freshly installed on board Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable class Frigate RSS STALWART as seen during LIMA 2015 |
||||||||||||
Thales
representatives at LIMA 2015 told Navy Recognition that the main reasons
for which the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) asked for the STIR to
be fitted on the Formidable class was to provide an FCR for the 76mm
main gun. In addition, the RSN wanted an FCR to be able to warn non-cooperative
aircraft before taking ultimate action (firing an ASTER 15 missile).
With the Herakles radar acting as fire control for the missiles, there
are only two options: You either shoot or don’t shoot. With the
addition of the STIR FCR, the crew can now illuminate an aircraft which
would trigger alarms and let the pilot know it has been detected and
is being tracked. While considered as an “act of war” in
most rules of engagement, this brings a “last warning” option
before effectively launching a surface-to-air missile. |
||||||||||||
 Thales
STIR scale model on display at LIMA 2015 |
||||||||||||
|
Finally
the STIR FCR may be used the Formidable class crew as an Electro-optical
sensor for surveillance and tracking.
A Thales radar
expert explained to us that the advantage of the STIR FCR over any
multi-function radar is mainly against sea-skimming missiles: It avoids
the mirroring effect induce by the sea surface thanks to its dual,
I and K, band.
Thales
Stand showcasing from left to right Smart-S Mk2, STIR FCR and NS100
radars at LIMA 2015  Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable class Frigate RSS STALWART as seen during LIMA 2015 STIR is a well-proven system. More than 150 systems have been sold and are operational. Eleven navies, amongst which are six navies of the NATO alliance, use these systems. To learn more: Link to Formidable class Frigate technical datasheet |