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Thomson-CSF Signaal involved in MTBMD deployment

14 June 2001

Thomson-CSF Signaal in the Netherlands is actively involved in the three-year feasibility study ordered by The Royal Netherlands and German Navies to explore the possibility of adding a Maritime Tactical Ballistic Missile Defence (MTBMD) capability to their new air defence and command frigates, the LCF and F124 respectively.

The feasibility study has been successfully completed and the Concept Validation Phase (CVP) has started. Thomson-CSF Signaal is leading the CVP effort in co-operation with EADS Germany. The national laboratories FGAN in Germany and TNO/FEL in the Netherlands are participating in this team. A supporting FMS case assures the contribution of JHU/APL and Raytheon from the USA.

Thomson-CSF Signaal was already developing the Anti-Air Warfare System (AAWS) for these frigates. The AAWS consists of the long-range 3D volume search radar SMART-L, the multifunction radar APAR, and the long-range infrared (IR) search and track sensor SIRIUS, all produced by Thomson-CSF Signaal. These sensors can be integrated with weapon systems such as the Standard Missile 2 (SM2), Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) and Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).

It was found that when combined with the SM2 Block IVA missile, they can provide a significant contribution to a ship's MTBMD capability. Only slight equipment changes to the AAWS were necessary to achieve MTBMD capability. International recognition of the Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) threat is growing and ways of defending against TBMs are actively being pursued. Besides non-military actions (e.g. non-proliferation treaties), there is a need for active TBMD measures (joint land-based, sea-based, air-based and space-based) against launched TBMs, which makes TBMD part of the concept of Extended Air Defence. The maritime contribution to TBMD has highly advantageous characteristics that need to be fully exploited.

Ships are often the first assets to arrive in theatre, because of their routine worldwide deployment. Deployment of maritime TBMD does not require a complicated logistic operation, since no demand has to be made on additional air or sea lift for deployment. With their fast and easy deployment, ships with a TBMD capability can provide early protection to harbours, cities and airfields until other forces can be transported into the theatre of operation.