Babcock to collaborate with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on radar solution for UK Ministry of Defence’s SERPENS programme

Babcock, the international aerospace, defence, and security company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Group and Subsidiary ELTA Systems to provide a deep-find radar solution for the UK Ministry of Defence’s SERPENS programme.

SERPENS is the MoD’s next generation weapon locating system with a digitally networked suite of sensor systems that detect hostile mortars, artillery and rockets. The collaboration will offer IAI-ELTA’s highly capable, and battle proven Compact Multi Mission Radar (C-MMR) system, which will be partly produced and integrated in the UK.

The C-MMR is designed for air defence and artillery weapon location missions, with the radar locating hostile weapon locations and calculating impact and launching points in real time. The radar implements advanced 3D-active electronically-steered array antenna technology.

The MoU between Babcock and IAI-ELTA will boost sovereign radar experience and expertise. It provides Babcock with the opportunity to further prove its system integration and through life support pedigree while also developing its radar assembly and maintenance expertise.

Dr Richard Drake, Babcock’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with IAI-ELTA to provide a deep find radar solution for the UK Ministry of Defence’s SERPENS programme.

“Babcock is proud to provide class-leading technology to our customers and with IAI-ELTA’s battle proven C-MMR system, we have a capable, affordable and available solution.”

Ronald Cook, IAI UK Managing Director, added: “This agreement between IAI and Babcock demonstrates our commitment to the UK. We are bringing together the brightest minds in the industry to combine world-class technology with our commitment to UK prosperity. We are proud to partner with one of the UK’s finest companies in the industry to provide our cutting-edge C-MMR to the UK market.”