Ground Master 400
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defense, Aerospace |
| Founded | June 1, 2000 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Radar systems, including Ground Master 400 series |
| Website | www |
The Ground Master 400 (GM400) represents a mobile, long-range radar solution developed by Thales (previously Thales-Raytheon Systems). This radar employs a fully digital active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology in 3D, enabling detection capabilities spanning from low to high altitudes. It is capable of tracking a wide variety of targets, including highly agile tactical aircraft operating at low levels, as well as small radar cross-section objects such as UAVs and cruise missiles.
Designed for rapid deployment, the system can be set up by a team of four personnel within one hour and supports remote operation. Its compact design fits within a 20-foot container and weighs less than ten tons. The GM400 can be mounted on either 6x6 or 8x8 tactical vehicles and is transportable by a single C-130 aircraft or helicopter.
Boasting an operational readiness rate above 98.5% and a Mean Time Between Critical Failures (MTBCF) of 3,500 hours, the GM400 has been chosen by several nations, including France, to safeguard critical assets such as the European Space Agency’s Guiana Space Centre. The system became operational by late 2012.
The Ground Master 400 series encompasses variants like the GM403 and GM406. The GM406 is equipped with a transmitter delivering double the power of the GM403’s, increasing its detection range from 390 km to 450 km. It is primarily intended for permanent installations, whereas the GM403 focuses on mobility and rapid deployment.
In 2023, Indonesia’s state-owned defense manufacturer PT Len Industri acquired 13 units of the GM403 radars at an estimated cost of $30 million each, totaling around $390 million. Although pricing details for the GM406 remain confidential, the GM403 is valued at approximately $30 million before any customer-specific adaptations.
Thales introduced the GM400α model in 2021, which offers quintupled processing capacity and extends detection range from 470 km up to 515 km. This version is expected to incorporate advanced artificial intelligence algorithms soon.
These radar systems belong to Thales’ Ground Master family, which also includes medium-range options such as the Ground Master 200 and its multi-mission derivatives, alongside short-range solutions like the GM60. The Ground Master lineup enjoys widespread global adoption.
Main characteristics
- Air Surveillance Radar
- Operated by a crew of four
- S-band, 3D AESA Radar utilizing GaN technology
- Sophisticated algorithm designed to reduce windfarm interference
- Rotation speed: 10 RPM
- Detects targets at high, medium, and low altitudes; suited for long-range air defense
- Capable of identifying fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, UAVs, and tactical ballistic missiles
- Coverage:
- Azimuth: full 360°
- Elevation: selectable between 20° and 40°
- Performance specifications:
- Detection range:
- Fighter jets: exceeding 450 km
- Cruise missiles: beyond 250 km
- Maximum altitude detection: up to 30.5 km
- Instrumented range: reaches up to 515 km
- Detection range:
- High mobility combined with ease of transport and strong reliability
- Maintenance requirements are minimal, averaging 30 hours annually
- Technical capabilities include:
- Digital Beam Forming
- Stacked beam technology maximizing target dwell time
- S-Band frequency range (2.9 / 3.3 GHz)
- Modes supporting Clear & Doppler detection
- Electronic Counter-CounterMeasures (ECCM)
- Ability to detect tactical ballistic missiles (TBM)
Operators
- Albania: Possesses an unspecified number of GM400 units.
- Bangladesh Air Force: Operates two GM403M systems.
- Bolivia: Operator status confirmed.
- Chile: Equipped with nine units.
- Egypt: Uses four systems.
- Estonia: Has two Ground Master 403 radars; ordered an additional two GM400 Alpha units in June 2023.
- Finland: Fields twelve Ground Master 403 systems, locally known as Keva 2010.
- France: Maintains three GM406 and twelve GM403 radars.
- Georgia: Operates six units comprising GM403 and GM200 models.
- Germany: Equipped with six systems.
- Indonesia: Owns thirteen GM400α radars.
- Iraq: Utilizes four GM403 units.
- Kazakhstan: Operator status confirmed.
- Malaysia: One system in active service; three more on order.
- Morocco: Equipped with three units.
- Netherlands: Possesses one GM400α radar.
- Senegal: Operates two systems.
- Serbia: Fields four GM400α radars.
- Slovenia: Uses two Ground Master 403 systems.
See also
- KALKAN Air Defence Radar
- TAFLIR, a mobile ground-based search radar (AN/TPS)
- AN/TPS-43
- AN/TPS-75
- ALP 300-G
References