Sea Power: Anzac ESM upgrade options | ADM Apr 2009
Tom Muir Canberra
Late last year, having received approval to explore options for the upgrade or replacement of the Electronic Support (ES) system on the ANZAC Class frigates, under SEA 1448/4A, Capability Development Group's Maritime Division sought industry responses to an RFP.
This was released in October and closed a month later.
The RFP pointed out that the ANZAC Class was acquired with the purpose of being a multi-mission capable ship for the RAN and, to effectively conduct its missions, the tempo of which has increased exponentially in recent years, the it needs to maintain a technological advantage.
The ships are called upon to perform a variety of missions which they use sensors to detect, identify and classify emitters of interest and direct weapons to counter threats.
To maintain this sensor capability the ships' ES systems are to be upgraded, or better, replaced by new advanced systems.
It is suggested that this project may act as a ‘stepping stone' to a common RAN EW system.
Two project options were canvassed in the RFP.
They were for:
• the upgrade of the existing Anzac ES mission system for response by the OEM (Thales) only, and
• the replacement of the existing Anzac ES mission system (all respondents).
The following capability options are also under consideration:
• the procurement of additional ES systems for the two Amphibious Ships (LHD), and
• expanding the frequency bandwidth to enable the communications ES system to detect very low band RF emissions in 0.1 GHz-0.5 GHz.
The RFP itself is staged.
The first to be released (RFP1) and which closed in mid-November, covers all the above options, with its focus on the capabilities, cost and supportability of the ES system.
Following evaluation and shortlisting of RFP1, a subsequent RFP2 may be issued to shortlisted respondents to obtain information on detailed consideration of the ANZAC Class integration requirements and constraints and, in the event of further consideration of the Amphibious Ship LHD ES option, detailed consideration of the LHD's integration requirements and constraints.
Defence anticipates release of an RFT in 2010 with contract signature expected the following year and delivery of ES systems from 2012 and integration into the Anzac ships from 2013.
However with the RFT for the AWD ES system anticipated in the next month or two, there is every likelihood that the preferred system for the AWD will be announced well before evaluation of contending systems for the Anzac and LHD requirements is completed.
Speaking at last year's Old Crows conference in Adelaide, CDRE Gerry Christian, DG Maritime Development, said the RAN faced a very dynamic and worrying threat environment.
Previously the RAN procured ships' EW systems as part of the platform package.
The result was a proliferation of small numbers of EW equipment which put a considerable burden on RAN and ADF training and logistics resources - especially the need to repeat and reformat threat libraries for different EW systems.
To compound the difficulties facing naval ESM systems, the peacetime electromagnetic environment was becoming increasingly cluttered, especially in littoral areas, by everything from air traffic control radars to mobile phone and WiFi networks.
In wartime, the background clutter would only intensify as more and more emitters and sensors come online.
The challenge for ESM systems and operators will be immense, he said.
"Coincidentally, the RAN has a once in a generation opportunity to address these issues in a holistic and integrated way.
"It is currently seeking EW systems for its new AWDs and LHDs, and a new or upgraded EW system for its Anzac frigates.
"While these all have different operational requirements, they could all be based on a common core, with software support and training synergies which would benefit all parties immensely.
"There has not been a period of time previously where such potential economies of scale have been available," CDRE Christian told delegates.
Earlier difficulties
There were problems with the ESM system supplied initially for the Anzac frigates.
Under its original contract with Tenix, prime contractor for the Anzac program, Thales Sensors supplied the Sceptre-A ESM system.
However, Sceptre-A, based on a previous generation of technology, encountered a number of performance problems on its introduction to service.
Thales Sensors was subsequently awarded a contract worth around $A6 million by Tenix to upgrade the Sceptre A (radar intercept) system which was later replaced by the Thales Centaur Radar ESM system.
Communications ES has been handled by the Telefunken (now EADS) ESM 4427 LU1Telegon 10, which their OEM has been pressing Navy to upgrade to the Maigret configuration.
Industry contenders
ADM understands there are four ‘preferred' contenders for the replacement of the Anzac ES system, in our view a more likely option than upgrading the existing system with its dated technology.
They are:
• Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems (JEDS) proposing the EDO 3701 ES system;
• INDRA offering the Rigel Wideband ES system;
• Thales Australia with the Vigile ESM system tailored for naval applications; and
• Elbit Defence Systems offering their TIMNEX ESM system.
Of the four contenders, the first two are front runners for both this requirement, and more importantly for the ESM on the AWD given the capabilities on offer.
JEDS is proposing what it claims to be a fully compliant solution with a high proportion of local content.
This is the current version of the 3701 ES system, which is currently in wide naval service in both submarines and surface ships.
It is a later version of that offered for the FFG Upgrade, and identical to that fitted in the Collins Class submarines but with a different antenna and RF Distribution sub-systems.
There was considerable Australian content in the Collins antenna design and this combined ESM and RWR system was developed to provide an improved performance replacement for all of the lower performance, simple design, amplitude monopulse systems currently used on ships and submarines.
The standard frequency of 2-18GHz can be extended to include 0.5-2 and 18-40 GHz.
In-service support for the EDO system will be handled by Jenkins Engineering, the incumbent support contractor for the Collins ESM system.
The ES 3701 has achieved integration into the AEGIS equipped Nansen Class Destroyers and SAAB Systems 9LV CMS throughout the Swedish Navy.
For the low band requirement JEDS is offering its ‘Low Band ES Sub-System' which will be an integral part of the proposed solution. JEDS was awarded CTD funding for the development of a Low Band Direction Finding Sub-System to enhance existing electronic support measures (ESM) used on naval vessels to determine the angle of arrival of signals from external sources.
This assists the operational effectiveness and safety of the vessels.
According to the DSTO this project will improve the Navy's low band ESM system and assist in the development of Australian industry's indigenous electronic warfare capabilities.
ADM understands that JEDS has held preliminary discussions with a number of other local partners to see what value adding they can contribute to the solution.
JEDS will also assist in installation and through life support utilising existing support facilities located on both east and west coasts, including Adelaide.
The company says local content of the ES-3701 solution, including locally developed IP, is very high.
The other front-runner for what may turn out to be a RAN fleetwide ES system is Spanish firm INDRA which, through it's local subsidiary Indra Australia, will be submitting offers for both the ANZAC and AWD ESM requirements.
For the latter it will leverage off its involvement on existing Navantia platforms, including the LHDs, by offering it's RIGEL wideband ESM, now integrated with the Aegis system on the Spanish F-100 and currently being supplied for the Spanish Navy LHD and FFGs.
INDRA's ESM uses an advanced wide band digital receiver (WBDR) with the following features:
• frequency range: 2 GHz - 18 GHz
• optional frequency extensions that can cover from 50 MHz up to 40 GHz
• high sensitive omnidirectional wide open DF/receive system
• inherent robustness against jamming
• ELINT capabilities
• SEI capabilities
INDRA claims WBDR provides the best system architecture for detection and measurement of Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) Radars and Continuous Wave (CW) signals as well as robustness in very dense or jamming scenarios due to the capability of handling several simultaneous CW signals without losing performance.
Other features include higher resolution and accuracy on both time and frequency domains with the use of ‘Dual Digital Receivers Techniques' allowing significant improvement in radar parameter measurement, Inherent intra-pulse (IP) measurement capabilities and increased sensitivity and an equivalent detection range function.
Incumbent system offering
Another major contender will be Thales Australia presumably offering to upgrade the Anzac's existing Centaur Radar ESM system under the OEM-only upgrade option, but also joining the other contenders and offering the new Vigile ES system as a replacement to the Centaur's dated (and weighty) technology.
Developed by Thales Systemes Aeroportes, the Vigile system is based on a 4th generation broad band (C to J bands) digital receiver and pulse analysis with the ability to detect low probability of intercept (LPI) or invisible hostile radars using ultra sensitive search mode.
This ESM also supports electronic intelligence (ELINT), and specific emitter identification/platform identification using ESM tasked mode, which measures signals frequency, phase and amplitude.
This ESM supports electronic intelligence (ELINT), precise de-interleaving, and specific emitter identification/platform identification using ESM tasked mode measuring signals frequency, phase and amplitude.
Elbit Systems' TIMNEX submarine ESM/ELINT system is an advanced tactical & intelligence gathering system.
The unique receiver technology offers excellent sensitivity to detect, analyse, identify and counter a full spectrum of sophisticated emitters in extremely dense electromagnetic environments.
Elbit Systems has developed and supplied several naval electronic intelligence systems.
The systems are designed to detect and recognise threats under a wide range of conditions and to initiate automatic countermeasures to protect ships against enemy missiles.
Our systems equip the Israeli Navy Dolphin class submarines and are installed on board submarines of several navies worldwide.
In 2001, Elbit Systems was awarded a contract by the German shipyard Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft (HDW) to supply the Timnex II EW system for submarines.
The first system was delivered in 2003 with two additional systems delivered in 2004.
An additional system was ordered in 2004, and deliveries were expected to be completed during 2007.
In April 2007, Elbit Systems was awarded an additional contract by HDW for two systems for the new Dolphin class submarines ordered by the Israeli Navy.
Furthermore, in July 2006, two additional systems were ordered by an overseas customer. Elisra also supplies a range of systems for a variety of shipboard EW, threat detection and intelligence applications.
TIMNEX can operate as a stand-alone system or fully integrated into the submarine combat system.
TIMNEX is operational on board a number of submarines worldwide.
Antenna siting difficulties
Due to their sensitivity to RF emissions, the shipboard integration of naval ES systems can be a difficult task in the presence of own ship and own force emitters.
These include radar and communications transmitters and interference from the multitude of antennas seeking optimal location for their radiation or reception needs in the limited space of a frigate-sized vessel.
In the case of the ANZAC class ESM upgrade, the preferred solution will need to cope with differing antenna requirements on those ships yet to be fitted with the phased array (CEAFAR) radar systems under the ASMD upgrade, and those post-ASMD vessels.
Integration of the Rafael C-Pearl ESM system in the FFG upgrade program revealed a number of deficiencies relating to the antennae, hardware (upgraded and remaining legacy equipment) and software.
We assume the announcement of contractual acceptance by the DMO of the first two ships (Sydney and Darwin) means that performance shortcomings of the system have been rectified.
We understand that C-Pearl is not among the four ‘preferred' contenders for SEA 1448/4A.