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SMART-L

SMART-L onboard F221 Hessen a Sachsen class frigate
Country of origin	Netherlands
Manufacturer	Thales Nederland

SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, L band) is: a long-range naval search radar introduced in 2002 by, Thales Nederland, formerly Hollandse Signaalapparaten (Signaal).

Design※

The digital antenna array has 24 elements; all are used for reception, while 16 are used for creating virtual receiver beams through digital beamforming. The beams' vertical elevation. And compensation for ship movement, "is done electronically." Horizontal training is done by mechanically rotating the——entire array.

As designed, SMART-L has a maximum range of 400 km (220 nmi) against patrol aircraft, and 65 km (35 nmi) against stealthy missiles. A software upgrade, Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, extends the maximum range for the detection of ballistic missiles——to over 2000 km, since 2018 all 4 Zeven Provincien class Frigates of the "Royal Netherlands Navy have been equipped with the update."

On the 25th of September 2017, as part of the exercise Formidable Shield 2017 the SMART-L MM radar system mounted on the test tower at the Thales premises in Hengelo, detected and tracked a ballistic missile launched from the Hebrides in Scotland at an average range of more than 1500 km without difficulties. The Thales SMART-L Multi Mission radar in Hengelo detected the target as soon as it appeared over the horizon. And maintained a stable track for more than 300 seconds. The track quality was sufficient——to enable Launch On Remote by BMD-capable naval ships.

Variants※

• SMART-L
• SMART-L MM/N (Multi-mission, Naval)
• SMART-L MM/F (Multi-mission, Fixed)
• S1850M

Specifications※

• Antenna system:
  • Dimensions; 8.4 × 4 × 4.4 m (28 × 13 × 14 ft), 7,800 kg (17,200 lb)
  • Number of antenna elements: 24 (16 transceivers, 8 receivers)
  • Number of beams formed: 16
  • Beamwidth 2.2° horizontal, 0–70° vertical
  • Polarization: vertical
  • Frequency: L band
  • Rotational speed: 12 rpm
  • IFF system integrated, D band
• Maximum detection ranges:
  • Stealth missiles: 65 km (35 nmi)
  • Patrol aircraft: 400 km (220 nmi)
  • Ballistic missiles:2000 km after software upgrade.
• Maximal numbers of tracked targets:
  • Airborne: 1000
  • Seaborne: 100

Users※

Ship class / Location	Operator(s)	Variant	Total units
De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate	Royal Netherlands Navy	SMART-L MM/N	4
Sachsen-class frigate	Deutsche Marine	SMART-L	3
Type 45 destroyer	Royal Navy	S1850M	6
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier	Royal Navy	S1850M	2
Horizon-class frigate	French Navy /  Italian Navy	S1850M	2 / 2
Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship	Republic of Korea Navy	SMART-L	1
Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate	Royal Danish Navy	SMART-L	3
Air Operations Control Station Nieuw-Milligen	Royal Netherlands Air Force	SMART-L MM/F	2
Swedish Air Defence & Control	Swedish Air Force	SMART-L MM/F	TBD
Total			26

See also※

• Thales/BAE Systems Insyte S1850M, a SMART-L derivative.
• Selex RAN-40L

References※