German Air Force GM 400 radar enters service
The first of six Ground Master 400 (GM 400) long-range air defence radar systems supplied by ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) to the German Air Force has entered service following successful completion of extensive compliance procedures and an operational test campaign.
Integrated into the German Air Surveillance network, the GM 400 will provide enhanced air surveillance throughout the centre of Germany, from the North Sea to the Alps. The radar will replace the former Thomson-CSF MPR radars, in service since the 1970s. Mounted on a fixed tower, the radars can be operated either from the radar site or from a remote centre.
On site validation of the second radar is currently in progress at the Lauda-Königshofen (Baden-Württemberg) radar site. The entire set of six radars is planned to be in operation by 2015.
Horst Minning, head of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, said: ‘We are very pleased with the operational entry into service of TRS’ GM 400. It brings a real technology breakthrough with operational benefits like improved tracking, low altitude detection and easy maintenance. Our operators will benefit hugely from these latest technologies in threat detection.’
Philippe Duhamel, CEO, TRS, added: ‘The excellent level of cooperation between the German administration, the German Air Force, Thales and TRS enabled the achievement of this important milestone in the German radar programme. We look forward to pursuing this fruitful collaboration in the coming years.’
GM 400 radars provide detection of a wide range of targets, from highly manoeuvrable tactical aircraft flying below several hundred feet to unconventional small radar cross-section devices such as UAVs or cruise missiles.
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
