SMART-L

Thales Nederland

Industry	Defense, Electronics
Predecessor	Hollandse Signaalapparaten
Founded	1922 (1922)
Headquarters	Hengelo , Netherlands
Products	SMART-L radar system
Website	www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/naval

SMART-L (Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, operating in the L band) is a naval long-range search radar system launched in 2002 by Thales Nederland, previously known as Hollandse Signaalapparaten.

Design

This radar features a digital antenna array consisting of 24 elements; all serve reception purposes, while 16 are utilized to generate virtual receiver beams through digital beamforming. Vertical elevation adjustments and compensation for vessel movement are managed electronically, whereas horizontal rotation is achieved mechanically.

The SMART-L radar can detect patrol aircraft at a maximum distance of , and stealth missiles up to . An Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode software enhancement allows it to identify ballistic missiles beyond 2000 km. Since 2018, this upgrade has been implemented on all four Royal Netherlands Navy Zeven Provincien class frigates.

During the Formidable Shield 2017 exercise on 25 September 2017, the SMART-L MM radar at Thales Hengelo successfully detected and tracked a ballistic missile launched from Scotland at a range exceeding 1500 km. It maintained stable tracking for over five minutes, facilitating Launch On Remote capabilities for ballistic missile defense (BMD)-equipped naval vessels.

Variants

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

Specifications

• Antenna system:
  • Size:
  • Number of antenna elements: 24 (16 transceivers and 8 receivers)
  • Beams generated: 16
  • Beamwidth: 2.2° horizontally, from 0 to 70° vertically
  • Polarization: vertical
  • Operating frequency: L band
  • Rotation speed: 12 rpm
  • Integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system operating in D band
• Maximum detection distances:
  • Stealth missiles:
  • Maritime patrol aircraft:
  • Ballistic missiles: up to 2000 km with software upgrade
• Target tracking capacity:
  • Air targets: up to 1000
  • Surface targets: up to 100

Users

Ship class / Location	Operator(s)	Variant	Number of units
De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate	Template:Navy	SMART-L MM/N	4
Sachsen-class frigate	Template:Navy	SMART-L	3
Type 45 destroyer	Template:Navy	S1850M	6
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier	Template:Navy	S1850M	2
Horizon-class frigate	Template:Navy / Template:Navy	S1850M	2 / 2
Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship	Template:Navy	SMART-L	1
Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate	Template:Navy	SMART-L	3
Template:Air force	SMART-L MM/F	2
Template:Air force	SMART-L MM/F	TBD
26

See also

• Thales/BAE Systems Insyte S1850M, derived from SMART-L
• Selex RAN-40L