Northrop Grumman and partner CEA Technologies successfully conducted a demonstration of CEAFAR, a scalable and tailorable S-Band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-function radar suitable for naval vessels as small as offshore patrol craft and as large as destroyers and cruisers.

CEAFAR is an active, S-band, multi-function, phased array radar that is fully scalable in frequency, size and power based on the number and type of tiles in each face. This fully digital radar system incorporates advanced digital beam-forming and is user-configurable depending on operational and technical requirements.

CEAFAR is a unique radar solution that allows each of the sensor elements to be individually tuned and adjusted. The system is extremely lightweight, and requires relatively modest cooling and power.

CEAFAR is a fully digital beam-forming sensor that can be dynamically configured to meet a range of operating environments and threat scenarios. It can be fitted to both new build vessels and vessels already in service, to extend their operational lifespan and increase the range of missions capable of being performed by these platforms.

"This type of scalability and tailoring is unparalleled in the radar domain, and represents a true capability advantage to the warfighter - at a fraction of the price of current demonstrated or fielded competitor radars," said Paul Sullivan, vice president of Operations for Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division.

"Today's demonstration provided an opportunity to evaluate key attributes of the CEAFAR system and its potential application to our armed forces."

During the tests conducted at Northrop Grumman's Undersea Systems business unit in Annapolis, CEA utilized its Dual Face Demonstration unit to showcase a broad range of applications and capabilities afforded by CEAFAR to representatives from the U. S., Australian and various other international armed forces.

The self-contained Dual Face Demonstration unit consists of two CEAFAR faces requiring only power and an Ethernet connection to control the system.

To enhance the demonstration, the CEAFAR radar was successfully integrated with Northrop Grumman's Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS) and NG Con, a mobile command and control system.

Several threat scenarios demonstrating controlled and uncontrolled air and maritime targets were used to depict the flexibility of the system in all aspects of target detection.

The Dual Face Demonstration unit was developed in support of the CEA Technologies phased array radar system recently fitted to the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) ANZAC Class Frigate HMAS Perth, as part of the ANZAC Class Anti-Ship Missile Defense (ASMD) Upgrade Program.

This program included the installation of six CEAFAR S-band AESA radar faces and four CEAMOUNT X-band active phased array illumination faces, each providing full 360-degree radar coverage.

The installation onboard Perth was successfully completed in late 2010, with sea trials commencing shortly thereafter and culminating with a successful Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) firing in May 2011. Following this, an early operational assessment was conducted on the new phased array radar system at the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in June 2011.

CEA Technologies, a partner of Northrop Grumman, developed and supplied the CEAFAR Demonstration Unit. CEA Technologies is one of Australia's leading military electronic systems and radar companies which specializes in the design, development and manufacture of advanced radar and communications solutions for civilian and military applications. Please visit www.cea.com.au for more information.