BAE Systems outlines road map for next-generation multifunction radar family

Artisan 3D antenna in the test chamber at BAE Systems' Cowes site. (BAE Systems)

The radar business of BAE Systems Maritime and Land has commenced design and development of a new S-band Gallium Nitride (GaN) transmit/receive device intended to underpin a future family of active electronically scanned array (AESA) multifunction radar (MFR) systems suitable for both shipborne and land-based applications.

Work on the Next Generation Transmit/Receive Module (NGTRM) has been funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) through to a preliminary design review (PDR) wrapping up at the end of 2025. The NGTRM will constitute the ‘front-end' of a Next Generation Radar Demonstrator (NGRD), which BAE Systems will build under private venture funding over the next two years.

The foundation for the technology maturation and development effort is the GBP270 million (USD359 million) Project Eagle support contract awarded to BAE Systems by the MoD in July 2023. As well as funding in-service support to the Radar Type 997 Artisan medium-range naval surveillance radar, Radar Type 1045 Sampson MFR, and Radar Type 1046 S1850M long-range radar, the 10-year Project Eagle arrangement also resources future technology upgrades. A further GBP50 million is being invested between the MoD (GBP37.5 million) and BAE Systems (GBP12.5 million) for research and development intended to mature next-generation technologies designed to detect emerging threats, including ballistic missiles and drones.