According to Jesper Tolstrup, Director, Radar Applications, Terma, the high-resolution SCANTER 6000 radar will enable the frigates to detect and track small targets – from the horizon all the way up to the ship itself – on the surface and in low-level air space, and in all weather conditions.
"In addition to surveillance and navigation, the radar is very capable for controlling helicopters. This is especially important aboard aircraft that do not have their own radar, allowing for the approach and landing on the ship or at remote locations, and do so safely in darkness, poor visibility, or bad sea conditions," Tolstrup said.
"The SCANTER 6000 will also provide a data feed to the BAE System Nautis combat system on the frigates," Tolstrup said.
The SCANTER 6000 is very versatile, and its capabilities for controlling aircraft increase tactical options and safety. It is useful for threat detection and conducting search and rescue.
The two 2,270 ton LEKIU-class frigates were commissioned in 1999 and are now undergoing a mid-life modernization and service life extension. The radar is being be integrated with the Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Vision Master automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA) display system.
The RMN has also selected the SCANTER 6000 for its two new Multi-Purpose Common Support Ships (MPCSS). "It is a similar installation to the frigates with the ARPA display and radar", Tolstrup said.
Malaysia has 4,765 km off coastline. Along with neighboring Indonesia and Singapore, Malaysia sits astride the Malacca Straits, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The RMN operates in an "extreme littoral" environment, marked by varied environmental conditions, heavy traffic volume, and short reaction times.
The SCANTER 6000 is a coherent X-band 2D solid state radar developed by Terma to address market requirements for improved surface and low airspace situational awareness. It has been specifically designed as an affordable all-weather sensor solution to plug the gap between standard marine navigation radars and more expensive military surveillance radar systems.
The SCANTER 6000 naval surveillance radar will also be installed on Royal Navy's new Type-26 Global Combat Ships. The radar is in service on French Navy's Charles De Gaulle Carrier and L'Adroit offshore patrol vessel, U.S. Navy's Stiletto high speed experimental vessel, and on the Danish Navy's Iver Huitfeltd frigate. It is also supplied to the navies of Germany and UAE and for new OPV programs as well as update programs.
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The RMN F29 KD Jebat Lekiu-class frigate