The French Group DCNS, world leader of naval defence, has awarded the order of navigation radar systems to Consilium as part of the contract from the French Navy for the through life services of fleet vessels. This is most probably the largest single contract received by Consilium for Selesmar radar systems and one of the most complexes for execution in terms of conditions to be fulfilled. In fact, the contract included not only the supply of the systems but also specific requirements of logistic support for life cycle management, training, instruction manuals, etc. in accordance to high class standards.

• Radar sensor
• Video/Data distribution unit (V/DDU)
• Tracker unit and Video streaming

• ARPA console

The radar sensor is an X-band, 9’ antenna, 25kW transceiver downmast, and Video/Data distribution unit. This unit is used for antenna signal conversion and radar signal distribution to the different users. The Tracker unit and Video streaming convert the signals from the transceiver into a digital format for the ARPA console. The ARPA console includes high resolution 19” or 23”color monitors, keyboard and trackball, and the ARPA controller and SENC processor. This latter is the main innovation of the project and enables the simultaneous presentation of navigational charts, radar picture and ARPA data, for the so-called CHART RADAR function. Highest system availability in all different operating conditions was a specific requirement of the project, and this has been achieved by redundant solutions. The design of a radar system having this complexity has required an extensive use of resources by the R&D department in Montagnana, with a team of engineers dedicated to this project. A project manager has been appointed to verify that whole project met both technical and contractual conditions.

One of the most significant step of the project has certainly been the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the system, that has been carried out at the testing department in Montagnana, and attended by DCNS and French Navy representatives. All the radar system functions have been carefully tested according to an agreed protocol and the results recorded and analyzed. Upon completion of the FAT, DCNS has congratulated Consilium for the excellent results demonstrated. The next step will be the commissioning onboard for the Sea Acceptance Test that is scheduled at beginning of 2012.

The radar systems will be installed onboard 14 naval vessels of 5 different classes, in different configurations for each of the vessels class. The minimum configuration is based on one radar sensor and two ARPA console, up to the most comprehensive one that include 2 radar sensors and 8 ARPA console. Thanks to this project, Consilium will soon have available an IMO approved chart radar in the product range for the merchant vessels applications.