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BAE fits groundbreaking radar to Royal Navy carrier

By Ryan Maass

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A new radar developed by BAE Systems has been successfully installed on the U.K. Royal Navy's future aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The radar, known as Artisan 3D, will be used for the first time on the carrier for air traffic management, and provide what BAE Systems says will be unparalleled awareness and control of the skies. The system can track over 800 objects at a time from almost 124 miles away, cutting through radio interference.

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The system has already been put to the test during anti-ship operations on the Type 23 frigate and helicopter carrier. Les Gregory, Director for Products and Training Services at BAE Systems calls the device "ground-breaking", and says it will give the Royal Navy access to uncompromising tracking capabilities.

"We have already seen the radar perform excellently on the Type 23 frigates and are proud to be able to bring this advanced technology to the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers utilizing its air traffic management capability for the first time," Gregory said in a statement.

"The addition of such an effective system, which has already proved itself on the Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigates, will provide HMS Queen Elizabeth with first-class radar performance," Rear Admiral Henry Parker, Defence Equipment & Support Director of Ship Acquisition added. "The construction of the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers has created and sustained thousands of UK jobs and will act as a spearhead for our naval capability for years to come."

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HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy, capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft. The carrier is scheduled to be formally commissioned in May 2017.

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