BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (
Insyte) has been awarded £100m to supply Artisan radar systems to the UK Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers and other navy vessels.
The Artisan radar, which will be developed and manufactured at BAE Systems Insyte’s Cowes plant on the Isle of Wight, will provide navy vessels with an improved 3D maritime Medium Range Radar (MRR) capability.
The E/F band radar has a masthead weight of around 1,100kg and is reportedly capable of tracking a target the size of a snooker ball over 20km away.
‘The Artisan radar is a sophisticated world-class system that will significantly improve the flow and quality of information to commanders compared with existing technology,’ said Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, director-general weapons at MoD Defence Equipment and Support.
He added: ‘It will allow our ships to detect, track and aid the identification of a range of threats from the air and surface in difficult conditions.
‘The new radar will replace existing systems on our Type 23 frigates, landing ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the assault helicopter carrier HMS Ocean - as well as on our two new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.’
The contract is expected to sustain around 200 jobs for BAE Systems, its project partners and suppliers.
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