![]() ![]() Needing genuine area air defence capability for its aircraft carrier group, the RN had much higher demands for long-range coverage. Radar was of the many reasons the UK left the Horizon frigate project in 1999 (an attempt to develop a common air defence warship with France and Italy). MESAR was never intended for production but SAMPSON built on much of the architecture they had pioneered, including gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors, multiple low power modules and air cooling. ![]() MESAR-2 was primarily intended to explore Ballistic Missile Defence capability and detection of low-level targets over sea and land. MESAR-2 was in development from 1995 and tested between 1999-2001 employing a new antenna design, a new T/R-module and featuring microwave solid-state power amplification and phase shifting. This was revolutionary, being the first example of a radar the combined Transmit/Recieve (TxRx) modules and anti-jamming digital adaptive beamforming techniques. MESAR-1 was an S-band prototype active array multifunction radar which was developed between 1989-1995. ![]() The MESAR (Multi-function Electronically Scanned Adaptive Radar) programme was a technology demonstrator started in 1982 as a partnership between the MoD (DERA), Roke Manor Research and Plessey. ![]() The technical foundations of the SAMPSON radar pre-date the Type 45 destroyers considerably and by the time the last unit was manufactured, represented the culmination of nearly 30 years of research and development. The UK benefits from a legacy of expertise in radar, having led the world in pioneering its development during WWII. Naval radar is a highly technical and sensitive subject but here we provide a basic overview of the world-renowned SAMPSON Multi-Function Radar (MFR) that is integral to the air defence capabilities of the RN’s Type 45 destroyers. ![]()
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