Kelvin Hughes to supply SharpEye for Royal Navy's OPVs
The UK Royal Navy is to receive three new OPVs to be named HMS Forth, HMS Medway and HMS Trent. The new vessels will be used for counter terrorism, counter piracy and anti-smuggling operations. They are expected to enter service starting in 2017.
The Kelvin Hughes integrated radar system consists of an I Band Doppler SharpEye radar supporting both helicopter control and navigation (the new River class OPVs will incorporate a Merlin capable flight deck), together with an E/F Band SharpEye radar for navigation and collision avoidance. Both radars will be accessed and controlled by Kelvin Hughes MantaDigitalTM Tactical ARPA displays.
The radar system will be interfaced with the Combat Management System as well as other third party systems such as WECDIS and WAIS.
With this order, the Royal Navy becomes the 25th service to select SharpEye. Others include the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Irish Naval Service, the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Rohan Dearlove, Kelvin Hughes’ Sales Director – Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “Customer navies report that SharpEye radar provides superior surface and air target detection, even in adverse weather conditions, thus greatly enhancing situational awareness and safe navigation.
He continues: “The helicopter detection performance delivered by SharpEye is compliant with the latest MAA regulations without the need for a transponder system such as RRB.
SharpEye is already being successfully operated as a helicopter control radar onboard RFA Argus, most recently engaged in intensive operations off the west coast of Africa.”
Dearlove also said: “We are proud to be involved with this important project, which represents the continuation of a long and successful relationship with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The provision of SharpEye under this contract supports the MOD’s desire for Convergence, with SharpEye radars already in service with the Fleet and/or selected for MOD programmes (examples include RFA Argus and Tide class tankers).
SharpEye is available in both I (X) and E/F (S) frequency bands. Both share a common Human Computer Interface (HCI) and a high degree of component commonality due to their similar modular design and system architecture.
Dearlove added: “SharpEye is Kelvin Hughes’ baseline offering for all RN/RFA programmes including the planned Navigation Radar Portfolio (fleet replacement programme). Our ability to offer variants of SharpEye across both frequency bands to a similar design offers MOD the opportunity to realise significant savings in training, documentation and through life support.”
