Enormous technological developments in the defense sector have made a qualitative leap in the use of mobile and fixed tactical military radars, due to their critical importance in detecting threats and protecting the airspace of countries. These technologies have become a prerequisite for the success of building and arming defense forces in any country.
Thales Group, a global leader specialized in defense, aerospace, security, space, transportation and digital identity and security that designs and builds electronics systems, is one of the most important international companies that manufacture advanced, high-specification radars, as it has extensive experience in this field, and products that meet the various requirements of the military sector.
Radar GM400
Perhaps the most prominent radar manufactured by the company that was founded in December 2000 is the Ground Master 400 (GM400) radar. It has gained wide fame in the military sector, due to its high efficiency and speed in performance, long-range 3D aerial surveillance, and accurate targeting and analysis of targets with a refresh rate of 6 seconds and a coverage field of up to 40 degrees.
Al Jundi Journal during media day at Thales headquarters
Aljundi Journal had the opportunity to get acquainted with this famous radar closely, as it visited the company’s headquarters in the French capital, Paris, and reviewed the advanced radar, its specifications and most important features.
During the visit, Yves Descourvières, Head of management of Multi-Mission Surveillance Radars at Thales, spoke to Al Jundi Journal about the most important features of the GM400 radar, stressing that it is the world’s most famous and best-selling radar for the French group for more than 10 years because of its 3 main factors: performance, reliability and portability.
De Corvier said that the GM400 radar has proven its field ability in rapid detection of various threats at all high, medium and low altitudes, in addition to its unique ability to monitor jamming operations and slow, small and highly maneuverable targets, such as drones, tactical ballistic missiles, and various objects in the airspace. He added that this radar, which can be transported by a 130C aircraft or 20-foot containers weighing 10 tons, is equipped with artificial intelligence software and algorithms that make it continuously improve its performance to remain at the forefront of advanced radars around the world. It is protected with advanced programs of electronic warfare against cyber-attacks, as well as possessing exceptional capabilities that extend its operational life in various conditions and places, including on the tanker truck.
Capabilities
The distinction between friendly and foe targets is critical in armed forces operations, so the GM400 radar provides rapid classification and appropriate time duration, thanks to (mode 5) that enables command and control centers to make the appropriate decision to respond to the target and avoid friendly fire. The radar also operates at the Band-S frequency, which is one of the frequencies that are characterized by high accuracy in measuring the coordinates of targets.
The French radar, of which more than 70 units have been sold to about 15 countries, is available in mobile or fixed versions, and can be delivered in a stand-alone configuration, or by integrating it into any country’s national airspace control network.
The coverage range of this advanced radar is about 515 km, with an altitude ceiling of 100,000 feet, and it can be redeployed and operated anywhere easily within one hour. It does not require major maintenance operations, as the total time that may take in its maintenance annually does not exceed 30 hours, and the average time between possible failures in his system can reach more than 3000 hours.
» By:Ikram Bandala (a military researcher)
