19 Dec 2006 | Ref. 382/2006
Portsmouth, United Kingdom. - A key milestone in the Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyer integration programme has been achieved with the installation of the SAMPSON Multi-Function Radar at the Type 45 Maritime Integration & Support Centre (MISC) at Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth.
Following installation and setting to work, the SAMPSON radar will be integrated with the Type 45 combat system to progress combat system trials ahead of activity in HMS Daring.
MISC is a purpose built combat system integration, test and trials facility and its key role is to offer a facility and services that support and add value to current and future naval platforms in the development and integration of combat and mission systems.
SAMPSON is only the latest addition to the systems and equipment already in place at the MISC. A number of major systems, including the Long Range Radar, are already in place and a range of activity to de-risk the development of the Type 45 destroyer is already underway.
Dave Twitchin, Type 45 Integrated Project Team Leader, said: "We welcome the arrival of the SAMPSON radar at the MISC. The Type 45 destroyer, and its combat system, is an extremely complex project and the use of a shore-based de-risking facility has proven to be an essential part of the systems integration programme. When the radar is fully integrated into the MISC we will have a significantly enhanced ability to test the interoperability of a range of equipment. This activity is all centred around meeting the ultimate goal: getting the Type 45 into service with the Royal Navy."
The milestone is significant to the SAMPSON programme marking the delivery of the third and final prototype system. The first two are located at the Eskmeals gunnery range in Cumbria and the Longbow Sea Trials Platform being commissioned in Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
The first production system, destined for HMS Daring, is currently progressing through the final stages of its test programme at BAE Systems’ site in Cowes and will be delivered early in the New Year.
The SAMPSON system is the first of a new generation of Multi-Function Radar that provides surveillance, target tracking and missile guidance information for the MBDA Principal Anti-Air Missile System - the main armament of the UK Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers currently in production.
SAMPSON contributes to the area defence around the Type 45 and the accompanying fleet, detecting all types of targets out to a distance of hundreds of kilometres and providing up-link messages to the Aster missiles to neutralise threats to the fleet. The radar is capable of tracking hundreds of targets at any one time and will provide a significant step improvement to the current capability of Royal Navy ships.
The contract from the UK Ministry of Defence, through the tri-national PAAMS Programme Office, based in Paris, is to provide three prototype radars to qualify the PAAMS Missile System and the Type 45 destroyer combat system and provide the initial production system for the first of class ship HMS Daring. Five further production radars are also on order.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded 12 billion pounds (US22 billion dollars) in 2005, excluding the Group's former interest in Airbus.
For further information, please contact:
Sue Kennard, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1276 603265 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 712739
sue.kennard@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
