Lockheed Martin Selects Thales Surveillance System For Royal Navy’s Merlin Airborne Surveillance Helicopters

Lockheed Martin has selected Thales surveillance system for providing the Navy with an airborne surveillance and control capability (ASaC).

Lockheed Martin is the prime contracor for the Royal Navy's Merlin ASaC helicopter project.

A new generation of the Thales Searchwater radar and Cerberus mission system to be fitted to Royal Navy‘s New Merlin Airborne Surveillance Helicopters, which will enter operational service in 2018 when the last of the Sea King ASaC helicopters are retired.

“Through new innovative radar modes and improved performance against low radar cross section targets, the Royal Navy will have a world class rotary-based platform to protect the new aircraft carriers, the fleet and Joint forces.” Victor Chavez, CEO, Thales UK said.

Improvements to the Royal Navy’s new system include enhanced performance and data processing, as well as the addition of new modes to the operationally proven, high-powered multi-mission radar.

Further, an improved human machine interface, reduced weight and built-in training features have all been designed to future proof the highly successful system.

It will also be capable of being fitted to both rotary and fixed-wing platforms.

Originally designed for maritime airborne force protection, the advanced multi-mode radar and sensor systems is capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets over land, air and sea.