Thales 社, RBE2 AESA radar 用 GaN T/R 素子 개발 소식...

 

프랑스 Thales 社에서 개발한 RBE2 AESA radar 에 적용되는 Gallium Nitride (GaN) 기반 T/R module 개발을 완료하고,

2012년부터 프랑스 공군에 인도될 예정인 Dassault Rafale Tranche 4 부터 장착이 가능할 것이라는 Flight International

on-line 기사를 소개합니다.

 

<"Cloud" 구조(개념)> 으로 알려진 GaN T/R module 은 향후 Rafale 전투기 뿐만 아니라 Eurofighter Typhoon 과 Saab

Gripen 전투기에도 장착이 가능하다고 합니다.

 

사실 국내 모(某) 기업에서도 GaN 기반 T/R module 을 적용한 AESA 레이더 개발을 발표한 바 있으며, Thales 社 역시

지난 수년간 지속적으로 밝혀왔던 기술/개념이라는 점 참조바랍니다.

 

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DATE : 08/07/10

SOURCE : Flight International

Thales reveals 'cloud' concept for Rafale radar technologies

By Craig Hoyle

 

Thales has revealed the first details of its new technology roadmap for the Dassault Rafale's radar and electronic warfare systems, which it believes could create opportunities to equip several other aircraft types over the next 20 years.

 

The new concept allows for the insertion of future technologies, such as gallium nitride transmit/receive modules, by using a so-called "cloud" architecture, says Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, head of electronic combat systems for Thales Airborne Systems.

 

Likely to be available within the next several years, the new T/R modules would enable Thales to reduce the depth of the antenna on the Rafale's RBE2 active electronically scanned array radar. Within a period of 10-12 years, it could also allow additional sensors to be embedded elsewhere within an aircraft's structure to enhance its overall sensor coverage.

 

The advance would also deliver increases in processing power, bandwidth capability and electronic counter-countermeasures characteristics, Thales claims.

 

For the Rafale, Chaltiel says a key benefit of the "cloud" concept would be to allow technologies to be added without having to re-qualify all the software used in the fighter's radar and Spectra EW packages. "The key is the systems knowledge 一 the processing power coupled with the radar and overall aircraft integration," he says.

 

The same technology could also be adopted for use by maritime patrol aircraft and airborne early warning platforms, or even offered as part of future mid-life upgrades for the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, Chaltiel believes. "Thales is ready and open for co-operation," he says.

 

French industry and the nation's DGA defence procurement agency have made combined investments worth over €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in sensor development for the Rafale over the last decade or so, and Chaltiel confirms that the nation is "already working on advanced technology demonstrators for the future".

 

Meanwhile, Thales will in August deliver the first of three production-standard AESA RBE2 arrays to the defence ministry to support test activities with the Rafale. The new sensor will enter squadron service in 2012 as part of France's December 2009 order for a fourth tranche of 60 Rafales.

 

"The system is far different, in range and capacity of intercept in a multi-threat environment," Chaltiel says.

 

 

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