Air Forces today are confronted with major changes in the type of threats they face, as well as in their environment. Targets can be very slow or extremely fast-moving, furtive and manoeuvring. In addition, military personnel often face very challenging interference conditions. Consequently, they require a radar that allows them to perform all the missions they are expected to operate. The Ground Fire family meets this requirement perfectly, since it offers an unprecedented level of performance for air and defence surveillance including anti-ballistic missiles with a capacity to conduct missiles from the Aster family in hostile environments (clutter, rain, jamming, etc.).
The Ground Fire, a fully digital multi-function radar, To equip the French Air Forces New Generation Medium Range Surface-to- Air System (SAMP/ T NG), provides advanced anti-air and anti-missile capabilities to simultaneously detect and track a wide range of threats and prevent co-ordinated saturation attacks. It is equipped with Air Defense Missile Guidance capabilities to intercept high-maneuvering or ballistic targets. Multi-mission: the radar can be used for various missions – Air Surveillance, Autonomous detection of Ballistic Missiles, Air Defence & BMD for ASTER missile family and Weapon location (Counter Battery/ Counter UAV).
The Ground Fire range is identical to the Sea Fire family – the naval version which is set to equip the future intermediate-size frigates of the French Navy. Both families are based on the principle of modular, scalable architecture. Like those of the Sea Fire radar, the transmitter/receiver modules that make up the antenna will all be identical and interchangeable, to facilitate series production and maintenance operations. It will be possible to adapt the number of modules in order to modify the strength of the radar depending on the user’s needs.
Delivering unmatched performances and mobility: with 360° coverage in azimuth, up to 90° in elevation, and a 400km range. Rotation rate from staring up to one turn per second is impressive and decamp time is less than 15 minutes, a major advantage in the theaters of operation. Very compact and deployable in under 15 minutes, the Ground Fire range will be extremely mobile and air transportable. The Ground Fire range system includes a mobile, truck-mounted antenna and is designed to operate on any type of ground surface. The transmitter/receiver modules for the latest-generation radar are produced at the Thales site in Rouen, and will be integrated at the Thales site in Limours.
