GEM elettronica is proud to announce the successful installation and acceptance testing of the 3D Columbus Radar onboard of the Italian Navy Ship Vulcano.
Columbus
Columbus is a short-medium range, 3D, Air & Surface search-navigation radar system, proposed for Naval and Land-based operations, demanding high detection performances, high reliability and availability, reduced maintenance and lifecycle costs.
It is specifically designed to detect and track small fast-moving targets in all altitudes. Columbus perform all the functions required of a modern radar system, including surveillance and automatic tracking in heavy clutter and jamming conditions, integration with IFF interrogator and gun fire support mode.
3D multi-mission radar system
Columbus is a new, lightweight 3D multi-mission radar system, with outstanding detection performance
Based on over 40 years of radar development experience, Columbus is a new, lightweight 3D multi-mission radar system, with outstanding detection performance and high reliability of operation. Suitable for use on naval units of any size and type, the radar transmits in the X-band, using a compact and light, air-cooled antenna, avoiding the complex liquid cooling systems.
It uses the most advanced digital technologies, in order to be able to ensure a high level of detection and tracking of sea surface targets, as well as airborne targets, located at short and medium range distances, also under extreme environmental conditions.
Automatic detection of low-flying, fast-moving targets
The radar system performs automatic and simultaneous detection of low-flying or fast-moving targets, including sea skimmer missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles’ (UAV), with very small radar cross sections. The radar uses electronic stabilisation to compensate the pitching and rolling motion of the ship, thus making heavy mechanical stabilisation unnecessary.
The radar system has an open architecture that allows supporting different levels of integration, when interfaced with the onboard system. It can meet various mission requirements, through serial/analogue and Ethernet interfaces. Columbus incorporates an operating system that provides remote control and monitoring of radar operation, in the ships’ Command & Control room via communication link.
Reliable operations 24/7 all year round
The technological solutions adopted and the high quality of the components used, guarantee the Columbus radar, high reliability, long-service life, low maintenance and low-life cycle cost. The radar has been designed and built to operate reliably for 24-hours operation, all year around, with full operational performance, even in the most adverse marine environmental conditions.
An automatic test – BITE device and software facilitate an easy and efficient maintenance.
