Kelvin Hughes Mk5 SharpEye
Radar technology for smaller vesselsThe challenge
Like their larger counterparts, smaller patrol vessels and auxiliary vessels operated by navies, law enforcement agencies and special operations groups need radar capability to support their missions.
In addition to providing navigational assistance and collision avoidance, radar is also a critical asset in missions that can include surface searches, surveillance and threat detection in coastal and riverine situations.
Radar must also operate reliably in less than ideal weather, such as rough seas, heavy rain or snow.
Due to space limitations, the necessity for greater maneuverability, varying mission requirements, and often reduced stability, smaller vessels have different radar needs compared to larger vessels.
Our solution
The Mk5 SharpEye is an extremely reliable, high-performance X-Band Doppler radar
system ideally suited for use on small craft to aid marine navigation, collision avoidance, target surveillance and situational awareness.
Its export-controlled technology can see small targets, even in poor weather conditions which would defeat a conventional radar.
The Mk5 SharpEye features the Kelvin Hughes maintenance-free, state-of-the-art, solid-state SharpEye transceiver.
This radar system is an entry-level naval product and is typically aimed at smaller patrol vessels , coastguards or other governmental platforms. It uses the same solid-state, pulse correlation and Doppler processing concepts as its larger sibling, the SharpEye Mk11.
Features and benefits
Features
- X-Band – 80w power output
- Fully coherent
- Enhanced Doppler processing: target detection and range discrimination over the entire instrumented range
- Radar video and control output via Gigabit LAN
- Full BITE and status reporting
- Open-architecture interfaces – simplifying integration
- Low-maintenance, high-reliability, solid-state transceiver
- Designed to meet Wheel Marked/Type Approved to Marine Equipment Directive (96/98/C)
- 24VDC operation
- Optimised Instrumented range of up to 24 NM
- 1.3 or 1.9-metre open rotating scanner with speed adjustable to the vessel’s own speed
- Designed for naval and governmental use on smaller craft
Benefits
- Clear tactical and navigational radar image, enhancing safety and stealth by SharpEye technology
- Supporting naval tactical features like selectable frequency and sector transmission
- Operating on 24VDC for flexibility on small vessels, including battery operation
- Cost-effective with improved detection ranges for early threat identification
- Simultaneous radar overview sharing enables multiple operators to work across various range scales, such as navigation and mission management
- Easily integrating on USVs, enhancing visibility without human presence
- Variable antenna rotation speeds optimising performance across vessel speeds