Hensoldt secures contract for additional TRS-4D radars on German Navy F126 frigates

According to a PR published by Hensoldt on August 19, 2024, the company has received an additional order from Thales to supply TRS-4D naval radars for the German Navy’s F126 frigates. This expansion brings the total contract value to over 200 million euros.

The original contract, initiated in 2022, involved delivering TRS-4D radars for four F126 frigates and a radar system for a test center. The latest order will equip two more F126 frigates with the advanced radar technology, extending the project’s delivery timeline.

The TRS-4D radar, known for its non-rotating design featuring four fixed antenna arrays, will be integrated by Thales into both shipborne and shore-based installations.

The F126 program, launched in 2020, represents the latest addition to the German Navy’s frigate fleet. With this contract extension, the F126 class will now comprise six ships, supplemented by several land-based test and training sites.

The TRS-4D radar family is already operational on various German Navy platforms, including the F125 frigate and K130 corvette, and its ground-based variant, the TRML-4D, has demonstrated exceptional performance in Ukraine.

About the radar

Operating in the C-band (NATO G-band), it is part of a broader family of naval radars that offer flexible configurations, including both rotating and non-rotating (fixed-panel) versions.

One of the standout features of the TRS-4D radar is its use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. This technology enables the radar to create multiple digitally formed beams. The system also supports full digital beamforming and pulse-Doppler processing. The TRS-4D radar is particularly noted for its ability to handle asymmetric threats.