20 February 2017

Thales to supply GaN-based CWI transmitters to Danish navy for fire control systems

France-based aerospace & defense electronics firm Thales Group has been awarded a contract by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization for the delivery of 14 continuous wave illumination (CWI) transmitters to be integrated in the existing Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) fire control systems on-board the Absalon- and Iver Huitfeldt-class vessels of the Royal Danish Navy.

The CWI transmitter is one of the key components in the fire control chain by providing the X-band signal to illuminate the threat and allow the ESSM, a medium-range surface-to-air US missile, to home in on the reflected signal.

Thales's CWI transmitter uses gallium nitride (GaN) technology and incorporates a proven missile waveform generator (MWFG) building block. The design is scalable to support emerging missile modes and threats.

"The CWI transmitter is an important product in our strategy as it strengthens our ability to provide complete ESSM fire control solutions in the market," says Geert van der Molen, Surface radars and above water systems VP at Thales in the Netherlands.

The first delivery will be made in mid-2019 and the last system will be delivered in 2021. A second contract was signed for the sustainment support of the CWI systems until 2049.

Tags: X-band GaN MMIC

Visit: www.thalesgroup.com