Selex Galileo has completed a new set of flight trials of the T20 30W version of its Gabbiano X-band sea and littoral surveillance radars with mechanical scanning antenna.
The trials confirmed capabilities including surveillance with track while scan (TWS), high-resolution inverted synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) mode for naval targets identification and strip and spot SAR for ground surveillance.
Installed on board an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter with a nose-mounted antenna and solid-state amplifier, the system was able to spot a three-masted sailing boat near Genoa, and extract an ISAR profile at a distance of around 100nm (185km), according to Selex.
The Gabbiano radar family was launched two years ago for nose or belly-mounted configurations and includes the T20 version, which has been upgraded to 30W and weighs 43kg (95lb) for helicopter and unmanned platforms, and the 200W T200 version, which at 62kg is suitable for fixed-wing maritime surveillance aircraft and coastal applications.
As well as the AW139, systems have been produced for Alenia Aeronautica ATR 42MP and Beechcraft King Air 350 fixed-wing aircraft. The T200 version has also been selected to enhance the southern Italy oriented coastal radar chain.
Source: Flight International
