ARTHUR

ARTHUR

Company type	Military radar system
Industry	Defense, Military technology
Predecessor	Ericsson Microwave Systems
Founded	1990s
Founder	Ericsson Microwave Systems
Fate	Development and production taken over by Saab AB in 2006
Successor	Saab AB Electronic Defense Systems division, Saab Technologies Norway AS
Headquarters	Stockholm (Saab AB headquarters) , Sweden, Norway (original development)
Area served	Worldwide (used by multiple countries)
Products	Counter-battery radar systems (ARTHUR Mod A, B, C, D)
Parent	Saab AB (since 2006)

ARTHUR Counter-Battery Radar System

ARTHUR—short for "artillery hunting radar"—is a counter-battery radar system initially created through a collaborative effort between the Norwegian and Swedish militaries. The development was carried out by Ericsson Microwave Systems across Sweden and Norway. Additionally, the system is operated by the British Army, where it is known as TAIPAN.

This system features a mobile, passive electronically scanned array radar operating in the C-band frequency range, designed specifically to detect hostile field artillery. It was engineered to serve as a fundamental component within sensor networks at the brigade or division level for counter-battery operations. Originally, the radar was mounted on a Bandvagn 206 vehicle produced by Hägglund & Söner, but current deployments frequently utilize truck platforms equipped with ISO fasteners for mounting.

Following the acquisition of Ericsson Microwave Systems by Saab in June 2006, development and production responsibilities transitioned to Saab AB under its Electronic Defense Systems division and Saab Technologies Norway AS.

Role

The ARTHUR system identifies hostile artillery by tracking the trajectory of projectiles during flight. The initial ARTHUR Mod A version can detect guns at distances of 15–20 km and 120 mm mortar rounds at 30–35 km, with a circular error probable (CEP) of 0.45% relative to range. This level of precision supports effective counter-battery operations by friendly artillery batteries. ARTHUR functions either as an independent, medium-range weapons locating radar or as part of a long-range locating system composed of two to four radars working in unison. This adaptability allows continuous surveillance over designated areas of interest.

The enhanced ARTHUR Mod B fulfilled the British Army's MAMBA criteria for detecting guns, mortars, or rockets. It can locate guns at 20–25 km and 120 mm mortars at 35–40 km, achieving a CEP of 0.35% of the range. The British Army successfully deployed MAMBA in Iraq and Afghanistan, maintaining an operational availability rate of 90%.

With a larger antenna, ARTHUR Mod C extends detection capabilities to guns at 31 km, mortars at 55 km, and rockets between 50 and 60 km depending on size. It can track up to 100 targets per minute with a CEP of 0.2% for guns and rockets and 0.1% for mortars.

The ARTHUR WLR Mod D introduces multiple enhancements, including an instrumented range reaching up to 100 km, accuracy improved to 0.15% of range, and coverage spanning an arc of 120°. Detection ranges vary from 0.8 to 100 km, with potential extension to 200 km. It is capable of simultaneously tracking over 100 targets. Delivered to the British Army in 2024 under the name TAIPAN, this model represents the latest generation in artillery locating radars.

Designed for air mobility, the system can be transported via a C-130 aircraft or suspended beneath heavy-lift helicopters like the Chinook. This capability makes it suitable for deployment by light and rapid reaction forces such as airborne and marine units.

Nordic Battle Group

Within the context of the Nordic Battle Group, ARTHUR’s primary role focuses on deterring artillery barrages in civilian-populated areas by identifying hostile artillery units responsible for targeting non-combatants. Additionally, it serves to alert friendly mission personnel about incoming indirect fire, enhancing force protection.

Operational modes

File:Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar (MAMBA) MOD 45148327.jpg

Mobile artillery monitoring battlefield radar deployed in Al Amarah, Iraq, operated by K Battery 5th Regiment Royal Artillery (RA). The radar is mounted on a Bv 206 tracked vehicle.

ARTHUR operates primarily in two distinct modes: weapon locating and fire direction. The weapon locating mode identifies the position of firing platforms such as guns, mortars, or rocket launchers and determines their target coordinates. The fire direction mode is utilized to refine the aim of friendly artillery units against specified target locations.

Artillery detection

In the process of identifying enemy artillery, the radar monitors the ascending flight path of projectiles, computes their launch and impact coordinates, and presents this data to the radar operator(s) alongside other relevant information. Based on the doctrines, procedures, command directives, and operational context of the nation involved, this intelligence can be utilized to warn forces within the strike zone and to execute counter-battery strikes against hostile artillery positions. When integrated with digital communication networks, these alerts may be transmitted automatically.

The ARTHUR system is capable of discerning whether the weapon is a field artillery, rocket, or mortar type by analyzing the projectile's trajectory curve, velocity, and range.

Fire control

Operating in fire control mode, the radar predicts where friendly munitions will land. It then calculates necessary adjustments and communicates these corrections to ensure accurate targeting.

In Sweden, the radar is additionally employed for calibrating 'fall of shot' data.

Risks

Radars are susceptible to detection if adversaries possess adequate ELINT or ESM capabilities. Such detection often leads to retaliatory actions including artillery bombardment, aerial strikes (potentially involving anti-radiation missiles), or ECM attacks. Alternatively, ground assaults using direct or short-range indirect fire pose significant threats. Typical countermeasures include utilizing a radar horizon to avoid ground-based detection, minimizing transmission duration, deploying radars individually, and frequently relocating positions. Swedish ARTHUR units generally operate in triads that secure their immediate environment.

Users

File:ARTHUR operators.png

Map illustrating ARTHUR radar operators highlighted in blue

Present users

• Canada – Canadian Army: Systems leased for deployment in Afghanistan.
• Czech Republic – Czech Armed Forces: Operates 3 units.
• Denmark – Danish Army: Currently being retired as per recent Danish Defence agreements.
• Greece – Hellenic Army
• Italy – Italian Army: Initially leased for Iraq operations in 2003/2004; acquired permanently in 2009 with at least five units active since 2013.
• Template:Country data Malaysia
• Norway Scheduled replacement by eight Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C units in 2024.
• Singapore
• South Korea – Acquired Mod C variant in 2007; Saab received a follow-up order in 2011. Approximately 20 units deployed near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom – British Army: As of 22 July 2024, five next-generation Arthur Mod D systems, designated TAIPAN by British forces, have been delivered and accepted by the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, replacing the earlier MAMBA models.
• Template:Country data Ukraine – Armed Forces of Ukraine
  • Utilized second-hand ARTHUR radars supplied by the UK.
  • Sweden placed an order in March 2025 for five units intended for Ukrainian forces.
• Template:BUL – Bulgarian Land Forces: The 4th Artillery Regiment began operating ARTHUR Mod C systems in late 2024.

See also

• AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar
• AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar
• SLC-2 Radar
• Swathi Weapon Locating Radar
• Penicillin (counter-artillery system)
• Red Color

External links

• [1] Saab official site
• One35th.com Military Encyclopedia
• Detailed ARTHUR information from army.cz