Royal Navy contracts for radars

LONDON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The British Royal Navy has contracted BAE Systems Insyte to equip ships with its new Artisan radar technology.

BAE was awarded an approximately $195 million contract to equip the Royal Navy Type 23 frigates, the assault helicopter carrier HMS Ocean and the two new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, among others, with radar technologies that officials say will provide enhanced maritime medium-range radar capabilities in a three-dimensional presentation, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

Officials say the increased power of the Artisan radar offers the Royal Navy the ability to track targets over 12 miles away.

"The Artisan radar is a sophisticated world-class system which will significantly improve the flow and quality of information to commanders compared with existing technology," Rear Adm. Amjad Hussain, Defense Equipment and Support director general weapons, said in a statement.

"It will allow our ships to detect, track and aid the identification of a range of threats from the air and surface in difficult conditions."