Replacement Secondary Submarine Radar and Support

Tender description

The current SSR is a portable Commercial OFF The Shelf (COTS) radar that is deployed when the submarine has surfaced, carried to the bridge fin by the crew, clamped to the boat structure, plugged into a vessel power socket and operated. The SSR operates as a second radar or as a backup, should the primary radar fail. It is used to detect the whereabouts of other surface objects and coastlines and is of particular importance when the vessel is approaching or leaving harbour, or in busy shipping areas. The SSR equipment is stored within the submarine when not in use and deployed to the bridge fin when surfaced through a bespoke carriage solution. Currently, this is a bag and pulley system for the carriage and modified COTS mounts for attachment of the radome and display to the vessel mast/structure respectively. The current and previous SSR solutions were subject to high failure rates. The requirement is the delivery of a more innovative solution that addresses availability issues and aligns better with platform environmental requirements, including electromagnetic compatibility and toxicity. The capability is required for a period of 5 years (estimated) - this is anticipated as a timescale of 6-months for replacement from contract award / commencement of contract, followed by 4.5 years of support.