A Multi-Function Air Defence radar
The threats armed forces face in their theatres of operations today are becoming more varied and harder to detect in the clutter of the battlefield. The multifunction capabilities of the Ground Fire 300 (GF300) can be a real game changer in allowing armed forces to see more, see faster, both closer and further afield and at the same time be capable of guiding own missiles to engage enemy targets.
Facing more complex, fast paced environments
Today’s theatres of operations are becoming increasingly complex. With the resurgence of great power competition, armed forces are now active in an ever-widening range of operational environments. Due to fast paced technological advances, they also face a growing number of faster, slower, stealthier and more diverse threats: from drones, helicopters, rockets, (stealth) aircraft, supersonic and subsonic missiles, all the way to Tactical Ballistic Missiles (TBM).
Reacting promptly to multiple threats in a wide variety of operational environments can be challenging, especially if those threats aim at saturating defences. Whether they are protecting national airspace, international events, or sensitive infrastructure, or whether they operate in complex theatres of operations, armed forces must be able to rely on a true multifunction radar like the GF300. They also need to be able to counter those threats.
Air surveillance and defence
Ground Fire has a 400km range with a 360° coverage in azimuth and 90° in elevation, the GF300 offers complete hemispherical protection.
As part of a Ground-Based Air Defence system or an Integrated Air & Missile Defence system it can detect the complete spectrum of threats and support missile guidance support for engagements against them over 360° in a rotating mode. This includes autonomous Ballistic Missiles (BM) detection.
Featuring Element Level Digital Beam Forming, it uses Doppler processing to see even the smallest threat in severe clutter, while its weapon location capability can be used for Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) operation. As a software defined radar, the GF300 provides armed forces with the capability to adapt to changing threats environments and changing mission requirements over its lifetime.
Prevent saturation
Benefitting from the most recent advances in technologies such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) and 4D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), the GF300 can track over 1000 targets simultaneously. Depending on the mission, it is also capable of detecting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) of different sizes - from mini to High Altitude Long Range (HALE).
In a fast-changing, fast-paced operational environment, such features provide armed forces with the protection they need against saturation of air defences.
Maintain tactical readiness, any time, anywhere
The GF300 has been designed to provide armed forces with a highly tactical radar. Capable of fitting in a single 20 feet ISO container (weighing less than 11 tons) it is easily transportable by road, rail and tactical aircraft (C-130 or A400M). When mounted on a truck, the GF300 also features short encamp (≤15 minutes) and decamp (≤10 minutes) times for fast tactical deployment in a wide variety of theatres of operations.
Low and easy maintenance
Extensive redundancies ensure reliability. The antenna array consists of more than a thousand independent TR channels, the drive has 2 motors where it needs one, and there is also redundancy in auxiliaries such as pumps, power supply units and ventilators. The electronic maintenance manual with its clear pictures and instructional videos is coupled to the BITE, and all LRUs are within easy reach behind dedicated hatches.
Key benefits
- Autonomous detection of BMs
- Air defence & BMD for Aster missile family
- Digital multi beam forming
- GaN based 4D AESA antenna:
o Element Level Digital Beam Forming
o Multibeam in azimuth & elevation
- Full hemispherical coverage (360° in azimuth, 90° in elevation)
- One single package as an ISO 20ft container weighing 11 tons
- Mean Time Between Critical Failures (MTBCF)> 2000 hours
- Designed for low and easy maintenance
Did you know?
The French armed forces have selected the GF300 to integrate it with the Aster missile in their GBAD.