Thales has secured an order from the Jordanian Armed Forces to deliver more I-Master synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radars for the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
The compact, lightweight, all-weather tactical surveillance radar is designed for use onboard a wide range of unmanned air vehicles (UAV), helicopters, small fixed wing aircraft and tilt rotor platforms.
I-Master weighs 30kg. It can detect and locate moving targets at long stand-off ranges over land and sea. The radar will be able to detect both vehicle and infantry movements at ranges up to 20km.
With 360-degree coverage and a stabilised antenna, the system will offer high-fidelity imagery for classification and positioning.
Thales Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance business vice-president Eddie Awang said: "Thales is particularly pleased to be able to supply our I-Master radar to the Royal Jordanian Air Force with whom we have shared a long history over many years of collaboration in the delivery of ISR capabilities".
The lightweight feature will allow the SAR/GMTI capability to be added on tactical UAVs either in addition to or instead of electro-optic (E/O) sensors. The system is also designed to fit existing E/O payload mountings.
I-Master is capable of operating in all weather conditions. It will increase tactical UAV mission effectiveness, Thales stated.
In April, Thales received contracts for the supply of air defence systems and services to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Under the contracts, the company will supply SMART-L early warning capability (EWC) ground-based (GB) systems to the Royal Netherlands Air Force and maintenance services for the Navy’s four SMART-L EWC radars.
Image: The I-Master SAR / GMTI radar will offer high-fidelity imagery for classification and positioning. Photo: courtesy of Thales Group.
