Euronaval 2024 – Saab unveils next generation U/SME-400 naval RESM family solutions
A next generation family of RESM (Radar Electronic Support Measures) solutions is unveiled by Saab at Euronaval 2024. Developed for both underwater and surface platforms, the U/SME-400 digital wideband RESM is ready to give an operational advantage in the most dense signal environment
Saab has developed the U/SME-400 next generation family of digital wideband RESM for both underwater and surface platforms to cope with the latest littoral and blue waters warfare radar signal detection and analysis requirements with an emphasis on seamless operation in dense electromagnetic environments and intuitive operational software.
The new family of products offers enhanced signal processing, improved adaptability and flexibility, greater accuracy and sensitivity in addition to resilience to interferences.
The Saab 3rd generation naval RESM introduces digital technology to provide effective intercept capability in dense radar and communication signal environments, with extended ESM-to-Radar range advantage. The digital system process signals faster and with greater precision than analogue systems and it allows for better detection, classification as well as tracking of complex systems, especially in crowded electromagnetic environments with multiple overlapping signals in both the radar and communications frequencies. It can be easily reprogrammed and updated much more easily and allows to be adapted for evolving threats, allowing to react faster to new techniques developed by the adversaries.
Coming with a single software package for both underwater and surface platforms, the U/SME-400 family has been developed in three variants: the U/SME-450 which has a 1-18 GHz frequency range coverage with 16 GHz instant bandwidth (IBW) acquisition and 16 GHz IBW for direction finding, is the most capable model for first rank surface platforms such as frigates and larger vessels in addition to submarines; the U/SME-420 which has the same frequency range coverage and instant bandwidth (IBW) acquisition but with 8 GHz IBW for direction finding, for vessels and underwater platforms with smaller displacement such as corvettes; and the U/SME-410, which has a 2-18 GHz frequency range coverage with 16 GHz instant bandwidth (IBW) acquisition and 0.5 GHz IBW for direction finding. Thanks to the latter lower SWaP solution, it is being offered for unmanned surface and underwater platforms.
Thanks to the latest digital technologies, the U/SME-400 systems are capable to intercept, detect and identify modern wideband radars including low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars at long ranges.
The new Saab family of digital wideband ESM provides very high probability of intercept over a wide frequency bandwidth with high sensitivity, with no blind-polarisations and exceptional direction finding, giving to the command team the confidence that all threats will be intercepted, according to Saab.
The new family enables an end-user controlled tactical loop, with library management tool, extensive recording (IQ, SDW and track data) and comprehensive post-mission analysis tool.
A low SWaP solution can also run with core functions integrated in the combat system server farm.
The new generation family of RESM allows for integration with Saab’s Naval Laser Warning System and C-ESM under the same controller to provide quick radar and laser classification and identification, together with Radar ECM systems. The system is cyber secure by design and complies with requirements received from NATO customers.
The system comes with a NLMT, mission data analyser (MDA) and integrated support system. The NLMT is a library management tool that supports import radar and laser emitter entries into a local database from where the mission files can be generated for the ESM system. Latest generation import and export utilities ensure seamless integration with customer databases and analysis tools. The MDA provides the user with the capability to analyse system recordings and dynamic database library entries and allows the user to isolate specific operational recordings, diagnostic recordings etc. The integrated support system is a portable laptop-based support tool that provides the maintainer the capability to perform onboard and alongside maintenance tasks. It allows manual system control, computer assisted diagnostics and hosts the Human Machine Interface.
The Integrated Test Bench provides the capability to perform shore-based system and LRU testing in controlled environment. Complete system diagnostics and verification capability is provided.
Photos by P. Valpolini
