Lockheed Martin UK supplying radar to Royal Navy

LONDON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems UK is to supply more than 60 new navigation radars to the Royal Navy under a Ministry of Defense contract.

The radars will be fitted onto various vessels and at shore facilities over the next five years as part of the ministry's Navigation Radar Program to replace existing fleet radars systems with solid-state SharpEye radar transceivers designed and developed in Britain by Kelvin Hughes.

Among the ships to receive the equipment are Type 23 frigates, Hunt- and Sandown-class Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, fast patrol boats, and three classes of submarines.

The contract, worth nearly $63 million, also includes options for the introduction of the navigation radars to future Royal Navy ships, such as the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, Type 26 Global Combat Ships, and Successor submarines.

"The replacement of navigation radars across more than 60 ships, submarines and shore facilities will see the Royal Navy receive the latest generation of digital radar systems which set the standard for the future," said Defense Minister Philip Dunne.

"This has been as a direct result of our pledge to invest £178 billion [$254.7 billion] in defense equipment and support, to help to ensure the UK can respond to diverse threats around the world."

According to the Ministry of Defense, the contract with Lockheed Martin includes the demonstration, manufacture and in-service support for the radar system.