Air ISTAR Optimization: UK Sentinel’s extension
The current plans for the lifetime extension through 2018 of Sentinel capability will see a number of key investments to both maintain current capability and the delivery of potential improvements to support a broader utilisation of the platform. These improvements include Sentinel’s ability to more effectively support surveillance in the maritime domain, through the incorporation of software enhancements to the current dual mode radar, over the next two years.
Raytheon is supporting the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in its requirement to extend the capability of the RAF Sentinel beyond its proposed out-of-service date of 2015 and is also reviewing the ground segment support to the platform to better deliver the capability on contingent operations.
Sentinel has been continually deployed since entering service on operations including Afghanistan, Libya, Mali and now Nigeria, and is acknowledged as a true wide-area surveillance capability for national and multi national operations. Key are implementation of a maritime Mode to the dual mode radar, Satcom system upgrade, and changes to the extant CLS contract to better support the requirements of Sentinel post 2016.
from : Raytheon Corporation and UK MoD
