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Thales AAW System

The Netherlands and the German navies use the Thales AAW system on board of the Air Defence and Command frigates of the Netherlands Navy and the F124 frigates of the German Navy. Both navies have demonstrated the phenomenal capabilities of the Thales AAW system in several live firing demonstrations. This AAW system is the result of a successful trade-off between a low-risk evolution and a daring but well-considered infusion of the latest technologies. Making full use of the inherent qualities of the SM2 and ESSM missiles, it captures the best of European and US capabilities and experience in AAW development. The system is based on the NATO Anti Air Warfare (NAAWS) concept combined with the latest thoughts and evolutions in Area Air Defence.

The AAW system features the following performance/capabilities:

• fully automatic control by operator set doctrine(s)
• maximum detection through sensor data fusion
• high fire power at short to medium range and for stealthy targets
• supports long range intercepts up to max. missile range
• up to 16 simultaneous engagements with different salvo sizes
• inherent growth potential for Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (TBMD)
• large ready to fire launch capability (e.g. 40 Standard Missiles (SM-2) or 160 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) or any combination in a 40 cell Mk4l launcher)

The Active Phased Array Radar [APAR] non-rotating antenna houses four faces that together cover the full 360 degrees. Each face consists of more than 3000 very small radar transmitter/receiver (T/R) elements, giving the radar its unique capabilities and high operational availability. The inherent agility of APAR guarantees a high performance in the most adverse conditions, under severe electronic protection measures. APAR makes use of Interrupted Continuous Wave Illuminations (ICWI) technology, a concept that has been developed in the international Tri-lateral Frigate Cooperation formed by the Netherlands, Germany and Canada. This technology enables APAR to simultaneously guide multiple missiles to one or more threats.

With a minor equipment modification, the AAWS has potential MTBMD capabilities. That's why Thales Nederland is also involved in international cooperation on Maritime Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (MTBMD). On 23 December 2005 the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and Thales Nederland signed a contract on Tactical Ballistic Missile Defence (TBMD). The contract consists of a technology upgrade of the Thales Anti Air Warfare System with an early warning function to support the implementation of a TBMD capability on the Royal Netherlands Navy's Air Defence and Command frigates. The function is based on the Thales long-range SMART L radar system.

The system upgrade was demonstrated by the RNLN with support of Thales in the Pacific Ocean late 2006. The HNLMS Tromp, one of the RNLN's De Zeven Provinciën class frigates, participated in a US test event that involved the launch of a Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) test target from Hawaii. For this demonstration, SMART-L's already impressive detection range was considerably extended, supported by increased data processing power achieved by additions made to the Tromp's Combat Management System. The timing of the demonstration is consistent with the new roadmap for the Royal Netherlands Navy initiated by the Netherlands Minister of Defence Mr. Henk Kamp, and the NATO roadmap for an Active Layered TBMD (ALTBMD).

In preparation for this demonstration event, a successful trial was performed at the RNLN's Land-Based Test Site in the Netherlands early 2005 which gave Thales the confidence to look forward to the demonstration of the sensor upgrade under contract. During live missile firing tests held by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) in March 2005, the APAR radar system successfully guided two Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) and two Standard Missiles (SM2) simultaneously to various targets, destroying them all. The RNLN performed three test scenarios on board of "De Zeven Provinciën", the first of class of the new Air Defence and Command frigates, in the vicinity of the island of Madeira. The tests constituted an absolute first in any test firing: APAR engaged two drones by guiding four missiles simultaneously to the targets, using only one of its four faces.

The first missile tests of APAR were held in November 2003, also on board of "De Zeven Provinciën". In August 2004, the Air Defence and Command Frigate "Sachsen", the first of class of the German Navy F124 frigates, successfully tested the system as well. These tests consisted of firing 21 SM-2 and ESSM missiles against several types of threats. They unequivocally demonstrated the system's capability against multiple targets.

Joint Air & Missile Defence [JAMD] comprises, on the one hand, defence against conventional air threats like aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and balloons (Air Defence) and, on the other hand, defence against ballistic and cruise missiles (Missile Defence). The ascription Joint points to the joint, integrated plans and actions of the armed services. The Dutch armed forces have a wide range of JAMD systems: the Navy with its air-defence and command frigates, the air force with the most sophisticated land-based Patriot systems and the army with the imminent implementation of the Future Ground Based Air Defence System (FGBADS).