Kelvin Hughes integrating radar tech in Malaysia
Kelvin Hughes is continuing to export its maritime systems to Malaysia, with the subsequent integration and testing of its radar tech now well underway. Kelvin Hughes was contracted by Boustead Naval Shipyard (via their in-country representative D’Aquarian Services Sdn Bhd) to supply a pair of type-approved, upmast I-Band (X-Band) and E/F-Band (S-Band) SharpEye Doppler radars for each new ship in the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Second Generation Patrol Vessel (SGPV) programme.
Also known as Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), these six new vessels are of a stealth frigate design with a displacement of 3,100 tonnes.
The first radar sets were delivered in July 2016 together with a system for the Shore Integration Facility (SIF) to enable the integration of combat management and other systems to be further developed and tested onshore prior to on-board installation, which Kelvin Hughes is now in the process of delivering.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has ordered six new coastal patrol vessels from Destini Shipbuilding (via Asra Murni Sdn Bhd). Designed for a range of operations including maritime surveillance and fire-fighting, they will be equipped with the latest Kelvin Hughes widescreen navigation radar display along with the new type-approved 12kW X-Band radar and an S-Band SharpEye radar. Equipment for the first two ships was delivered earlier this year and it is anticipated that they will be commissioned during the first half of 2017 with the remaining systems being delivered during the second half.
Kelvin Hughes has also recently supplied Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) for MMEA's Fast Interceptor Boats.
Spike Hughes, Kelvin Hughes’ Sales and Marketing Director, commented: “Our ongoing success in meeting the navigational needs of Malaysian maritime forces is further evidence of our ability to deliver the very best situational awareness solutions. In particular, our solid-state SharpEye systems offer ultra-high reliability and, with their Doppler processing technology, an unparalleled ability to distinguish between targets of interest and environmental clutter caused by high sea states and adverse weather conditions. We are looking forward to working closely with our Malaysian partners and the relevant Malaysian government departments to ensure the successful commission of all our delivered systems.”