Selex Galileo scoops three laser/radar contracts
Selex Galileo has successfully pitched the defence departments of three countries, netting itself around $40m in new deals.
The company has received a £19M Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP) contract from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MoD). The deal includes development and build of a first of type, multi-function, wide field of regard AESA radar providing increased capability and performance when compared to conventional AESA Fire Control radar systems.
Aimed at future UK platforms, the AESA TDP will focus on Day/Night All Weather targeting, high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Air - Air targeting and communications and will raise the technology readiness levels of the enabling hardware, de-risk the capability and demonstrate maturity of concept. After rigorous ground and compact antenna test range testing, the radar is planned to fly on a Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft in the UK.
This TDP programme builds on previous investment from UK MoD and Selex Galileo’s considerable internal investment in AESA technology and product development.
Selex Galileo has also reported a $10m AESA surveillance radar contract from the US Department of Homeland Security.
The award is for Seaspray 7500E Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars which will be fitted toKing Air 350ER Multi-role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP).
Follow on contracts for additional Selex Galileo AESA radars should be finalised within the next few months. This new achievement follows the success of other Selex Galileo AESA radars in the US strategic security domain.
The US Coast Guard previously selected Seaspray 7500E for its HC-130H maritime patrol aircraft which is now in operational service. US Customs and Border Protection has also selected the Vixen 500E for its Citation 550 aircraft for an air intercept role. On the King Air aircraft, Seaspray 7500E will be crucial to the Multi-role Enforcement Aircraft’s ability to conduct its missions of maritime surveillance, overland surveillance and air to air detection and tracking of small light aircraft.
The prime contractor for the MEA is Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) of Sparks, Nevada and the Seaspray radars will be delivered to them for integration into the aircraft. Selex Galileo will work closely with Sierra Nevada Corporation to ensure the radars are optimised for the specific MEA missions.
Finally, the company has also announced the award of a £10m contract by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) for the supply of the Company’s Digital Gun Management Systems (DGMS). DGMS is a variant of the UK Light Gun LINAPS (Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing System) for the M777 lightweight towed howitzer. The order follows on from an initial contract procured in 2006.
The company says its Digital Gun Management Systems (DGMS) has demonstrated that it can dramatically improve the Canadian Artillery’s capability during missions providing timely and accurate target engagement. The system can be rapidly deployed and the gun crew can operate from unsurveyed locations, in all weather and light conditions. DGMS represents a significant improvement over traditional artillery systems which relied on optical sights to determine gun direction.
The DGMS-equipped M777s have performed with high precision since they were deployed in theatre in late 2006. The Canadian Forces has proven experience with the DGMS on operations and training since its introduction into service in 2006.