Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI's) Elta Systems group has begun building a single-face engineering development model of its new EL/M-2248 MF-STAR active array multifunction radar.
Developed from core technology employed in the EL/M- 2080 'Green Pine' ground-based L-band active array radar, MF-STAR is entering advanced engineering development for the Israel Navy. Senior naval sources told Jane's that the service has identified the system as its preferred surveillance, tracking and guidance radar for its projected next-generation surface combatant; it is also being proposed for the mid-life modernisation of the Israel Navy's three existing Saar 5 corvettes.
Elta began privately funded development of the EL/M-2248 in 2000, leveraging experience in solid-state active array radar accrued from the 'Green Pine' programme and earlier experience from the Phalcon airborne early warning sensor.
Operating in the E/F-band, MF-STAR uses four fixed-array faces based on a modular tile array architecture (each tile containing 16 Gallium Arsenide transmit/receive modules) to allow for scaleability in the size of the antenna aperture.
Liquid cooling is used to dissipate heat at the array.
According to Elta, MF-STAR uses pulse Doppler techniques, multiple beam forming and advanced high-PRF waveforms to extract stressing, low radar cross section threats even in conditions of heavy jamming and dense clutter. Key functionalities include three-dimensional volume search, missile horizon search, multi-target tracking, surface surveillance, helicopter detection, gunnery control and splash spotting.
According to Elta, MF-STAR is able to initiate tracks against sea-skimming missiles at ranges in excess of 25 km, and out to more than 250 km for a high-flying combat aircraft. EL/M-2248 is also able to provide mid-course guidance for active or semi-active anti-aircraft missiles, and can slave illuminators for semi-active guided missiles.
Weight reduction has been a key driver in the MF-STAR engineering programme. Array faces are scaleable according to performance requirements and platform constraints: a typical 3x3 m array weighs approximately 1,500 kg.
Inboard equipment is installed in six cabinets; two for processing and four for the power supply. Total below decks weight is 900 kg.
Although Elta declined to comment on customer or contractual issues, senior Israel Navy sources have made clear that the EL/M-2248 is the service's preferred multifunction radar for its projected next-generation surface combatant.
Lockheed Martin recently commenced a nine-month study, awarded by the US Navy under a USD5.2 million Foreign Military Sales contract, to study adapting the company's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) design for the Israel Navy. This work will appraise how Lockheed Martin's existing LCS hull, mechanical and electrical systems could be modified to accept the Israel Navy's selected combat systems.
Israel Navy sources have also indicated that the MF-STAR is intended to provide surveillance, tracking and missile-guidance support for the new Barak-8 area defence missile system. Barak-8 is intended to equip the next-generation surface combatant, and will also be retrofitted to three existing Saar 5 corvettes.
Developed by IAI MBT Systems and Space Technology in association with Elta and Rafael, Israel's Armament Development Authority, the extended-range Barak-8 active radar homing missile will offer a maximum range of 70 km to 80 km.
According to the Israel Navy, Barak-8 will be compatible with the Lockheed Martin Mk 41 tactical-length vertical launcher system. After launch, the missile will initially receive mid-course guidance updates from the MF-STAR radar.
During the terminal phase, the missile will fire a second motor and activate its active radar seeker to home on to the target
IAI and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation concluded a deal to jointly develop Barak-8 in New Delhi on 27 January 2006, after almost two years of negotiations.
The joint development programme is valued at about USD330 million, to be split equally between the two countries. Reports from Delhi suggest that Barak-8 and the EL/M-2248 radar will be fitted to the Indian Navy's new Project 15A destroyers.
...si es que hay plata:( 
