Thales UK upgrading navy radar

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LONDON, May 14 (UPI) -- Fully Digital Radar Electronic Support Measures systems are to be supplied to the British navy for its major surface ships by Thales UK.

The system to be supplied includes digital antenna and was developed as a result of a six-year research program with the British Ministry of Defense involving digital radio frequency sampling technology.

"Thales is proud to be the major supplier of radar electronic surveillance to the U.K. Royal Navy," said Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK's naval business. "Our latest digital antenna provides the (navy) with unmatched performance in the highly congested littoral environment and a dramatic reduction in the cost of ownership.

"Thales now fully expects to bring this technology to the export market in 2014."

The antennas are part of the Ministry of Defense's UAT 2.0 program and will be fitted on ships and land-based training systems. It has been installed on HMS Darling, the navy's first Type 45 destroyer.