ARTISAN radar for Royal Navy

Royal Navy ships are to be equipped with a new powerful UK-designed and manufactured radar, under a £100 million contract with BAE Systems.

ARTISAN 3D is the culmination of a programme to develop a new generation of radar. BAE Systems industrial teaming partners throughout the programme have been QinetiQ, providing in-depth radar research and algorithm development expertise; and Roke with capabilities in Electronic Protection Measures. ARTISAN 3D was developed using private venture funding and building on relationships established in the UK ARTIST research programme (Advanced Radar Technology Integrated System Test-bed).

Advanced Radar Target Indication Situational Awareness and Navigation (ARTISAN) is an improved 3D maritime Medium Range Radar (MRR) capability developed and manufactured by BAE Systems Insyte at its plant in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

It will replace existing systems on Type 23 frigates, landing ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the assault helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, as well as two new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

ARTISAN 3D will improve the performance of the RN's primary sensing capability, particularly when operating in a complex littoral environment. When integrated into the overall combat system it will improve the platform's overall situational awareness, exploiting the full capabilities of the updated Seawolf system, and providing secondary navigation radar capability.