Page 21 - ADT JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 Online Magazine

Osprey was deployed operationally
LEONARDO’S MULTI- in December with Helicopter Sea
Combat Squadron 22, Detachment
DOMAIN OSPREY AESA 5 aboard the USS Milwaukee.
On-board the MQ-8C Fire Scout,
RADAR GENERATING Osprey detects and automatically
tracks contacts at extremely long
INTEREST range, at night and even in stormy
weather conditions when visibility is
extremely poor. This contributes to
the U.S. Navy’s intelligence, surveil-
lance, reconnaissance and targeting
(ISR&T) capabilities and supports the [ SINGAPORE AIRSHOW SHOW PREVIEW ]
delivery of greater overall situational
awareness to the joint force.

Osprey represents the very latest
radar technology from domain leader
Leonardo, the company that is also
responsible for prestigious E-scan
radar projects such as the new
ECRS Mk2 fire control radar for the
Eurofighter Typhoon and the Multi-
Function Radio Frequency System
(MRFS) for the next generation
Tempest combat system.

As the first radar to offer fixed-panel
AESA capabilities in a compact
format, Osprey can be installed on
almost any platform, from very small
remotely-piloted aircraft up to large
ISR platforms, including fixed-wing,
rotary-wing and aerostats. Notably,
Osprey comes equipped with a
unique and patented small target
European defence conglomerate, used by 12 international operators for detection and tracking capability.
Leonardo expects more export a range of missions from defence, This mode can operate in even the
orders for its multi-domain radar security and civil protection to envi- most difficult and challenging sea
following entry-into-service with ronmental monitoring and search states to providing a capability not
United States Navy’s new uncrewed and rescue. The radar is currently offered by competing systems, able
helicopter. Leonardo has confirmed available in two variants: the com- to detect a very small target such as
that its Osprey AESA radar, on show pact Osprey 30 and the larger, more a submarine periscope at long range.
at the Singapore Air Show 2022 powerful Osprey 50. The company is also offering an
stand B-H39, is being evaluated for enhanced version of its maritime-fo-
a number of multi-domain require- In the Indo Pacific region, territorial cused Seaspray AESA surveillance
ments by decision makers in the and security disputes, including the radar, called Seaspray V2. This
Indo Pacific region. The company is growth of terrorism, have prompted offers significant range increases
expecting to see increased interest requirements to modernise ageing for certain critical modes, improved
at the Air Show as the first major defence equipment, particularly maritime detection and the ability
exhibition for the radar since it went with advanced ISR capabilities, to handle a high number of targets,
into service with the United States sparking demand for capabilities while improving on its already-capa-
Navy in December 2021, on-board like Osprey. Notably, the larger-ap- ble over-land mode suite. Leonardo
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s erture Osprey 50 will equip the four and General Atomics Aeronautical
MQ-8C Fire Scout autonomous heli- G550 AISREW platforms (designated Systems, Inc. are currently working
copter system. MC-55A Peregrine) being acquired to integrate the Seaspray 7500E V2
by Australia. radar into the centerline radar pod of
Osprey is the first truly multi-domain the MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely-pi-
AESA surveillance radar and is being Designated AN/ZPY-8 in U.S. service, loted aircraft system (RPAS).

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY January/February 2022 | 21