Cassidian debuts new radar product

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LANGKAWI, Malaysia, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A new wide-area radar to protect coastlines, maritime infrastructure and harbors against asymmetric threats has been introduced by a German company.

Cassidian, a division of EADS, said the product is called Spexer 2000 Coastal and was unveiled this week at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition in Malaysia.

"Spexer 2000 Coastal is the worldwide, first security radar using the latest radar technology of Active Electronically Scanning Array, which provides a multi-tasking and multi-mode capability and increases the detection and target assessment capability substantially", said Elmar Compans, head of Cassidian Sensors and Electronic Warfare. "Therefore, one Spexer 2000 Coastal can replace two or more conventional radars."

Cassidian said Spexer 2000 is designed for the surveillance of coastal areas and maritime infrastructure. It features high Doppler and velocity resolution and sea clutter suppression.

Its range is nearly 25 miles.

Spexer 2000 Coastal can detect small, slow-moving airborne, maritime or land objects but doesn't require the addition of special, target-specific sensors. The system can even detect swimmers and a camera can be cued to the radar for added target identification.

"This ensures a superior surveillance performance and a high level of situational awareness, providing security forces in a littoral environment with additional reaction time toward illicit intrusions," Cassidian said.

Cassidian has several radar variants in its Spexer product line. Among them is one system primarily for border surveillance. Cassidian said one variant is currently under production for a Middle East customer and another variant was specifically designed for the German army.

Additional details of the Spexer 2000 Coastal radar weren't given.

Cassidian describes itself as a leader in global security solutions and systems that provides lead systems integration and products to civil and military customers.

Among its products and services are manned and unmanned aerial systems; intelligence and surveillance systems, cybersecurity products; and systems for secure communications.

It has headquarters in Unterschleissheim, Germany, with offices throughout Europe, in the United States and elsewhere.

The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, on an island in Malaysia, attracts exhibitors in the civil and military market sectors and delegates from around the world. It ends Saturday.