Mark Byfield, Business Development Director at Chess Dynamics, explains that in the vast expanse of ocean, the stakes can be high and precision can prove paramount.
This marine environment can appear serene, but it is formidable, and this is where passive surveillance systems come into play, acting as the undetectable vigilant guardians of naval vessels.
In a world where operating a surveillance radar gives your position away, high-quality, long-range optical surveillance is the solution. Add to that surveillance a fire control capability, then the first thing the enemy will know is the imminent arrival of high-speed steel.
At its core, the fire control solution involves the detection, tracking, ballistics calculation, prediction, and then the weapon direction and engagement of targets – whether they are enemy ships, aircraft, drones or incoming missiles.
Modern fire control systems are capable of processing the data in real-time to provide accurate multi-targeting information. They often integrate a pencil-beam fire control radar with optical systems that also offer visual target identification and confirmation.
The fire control tracking radar offers improved tracking performance over optical systems in poor weather and provides precise range measurements. The narrow beam of the fire control radar can make it difficult to detect, especially if it is of low power, as it has a low probability of intercept (LPI). This, in turn, helps to protect the position of the surveilling and firing vessel.
Safely navigating the vast and unpredictable oceans has always been a challenge for mariners. With satellite navigation, mariners know where they are, but with increased levels of shipping, collision avoidance is also key. With the advent of radar and the development of optical surveillance, sailing is becoming safer.
Drawing upon technology that can pierce through fog, rain, and darkness without transmitting while providing a clear view of the surroundings even in the most treacherous conditions, optical surveillance has come of age.
In the world of naval warfare, where a single mistake can have dire consequences, electro-optical fire control systems are the unsung heroes. They provide the edge needed to maintain superiority at sea, ensuring that naval forces can protect their interests and respond to threats with unmatched precision while remaining undetected.
Fire Control Electro-Optical Applications in Maritime Operations
In the ever-evolving arena of maritime defense, precision, and speed are critical. Accuracy saves ammunition and decreases collateral damage. Having to operate in a RF-denied environment (radio silence) is becoming more common.
Enter electro-optical fire control systems, an often overlooked component of modern naval warfare. These advanced systems blend cutting-edge optics, sensors, stabilization, precise motion control, and computing power to provide real-time targeting and tracking capabilities, transforming how naval forces detect, track, and engage threats.
They have become crucial components in modern maritime applications, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of naval operations.
Here are some key applications:
1. Target detection and tracking: Electro-optical systems can detect and track multiple targets simultaneously, including surface vessels, aircraft, and missiles. They use high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging to provide clear visuals in various weather conditions. Key components include:
- Thermal imagers: These devices provide 24-hour target identification by detecting infrared radiation, which is especially useful in low-visibility conditions.
- Daylight TV cameras: High-resolution cameras offer visual confirmation and tracking of targets during daylight operations.
- Laser rangefinders: These are used to measure the exact distance to a target, crucial for accurate targeting and engagement.
2. Weapon control: These systems are integrated with naval guns and missile systems to provide accurate fire control solutions.
3. Surveillance and reconnaissance: Electro-optical systems offer 24-hour surveillance capabilities, enabling continuous monitoring of maritime environments. They can automatically scan horizons or specific sectors, enhancing situational awareness.
4. Search and rescue operations: These systems assist in search and rescue missions by providing detailed imagery and tracking capabilities, helping locate vessels or individuals in distress.
5. Navigation and collision avoidance: Electro-optical systems aid in navigation by providing clear visuals of the surroundings, day and night, helping to navigate safely through congested or hazardous waters.
6. Integration with combat management systems: These systems can be integrated into broader combat management and bridge systems, allowing for coordinated and efficient responses to threats.
Chess Dynamics’ SeaEagle Fire Control Electro-Optical (FCEO) system, for example, is used by 11 navies around the world including the Royal Navy. It offers advanced features like automatic target acquisition and highly accurate tracking and fire control, high-resolution thermal and TV sensors, as well as a laser rangefinder.
Chess Dynamics Ltd – SeaEagle FCEO
Chess Dynamics’ SeaEagle FCEO solution is a stabilized electro-optical fire control system optimized for the control of naval weapons against air, surface, and shore targets. Capable of controlling any in-service naval gun, the system provides 24-hour detection, acquisition, tracking, identification, and engagement of air and surface targets through its thermal and TV sensors with target range provided by a high-repetition laser rangefinder.
“We are proud of our SeaEagle FCEO advanced surveillance and electro-optical fire control system. It’s currently in service with 11 navies including the Royal Navy, on their Type 23 frigates and River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessels. In fact, the very first installation was on HMS Somerset in 2006.
“It has proved to be highly reliable and only needs to be serviced every five or so years. But even that depends on what conditions it’s working in as we have received some back for service still functional after 10 hard years at sea. Testament to its service, durability, and reliability.”
The FCEO can serve as a critical aid for security, search and rescue, navigation, and mine avoidance. It can automatically track multiple targets, providing real-time accurate fire control solutions to direct numerous weapons and effectors.
Features/Benefits
- 24-hour surveillance, high accuracy tracking and fire control
- Automatic slewing to radar, ECDIS, EW or other CMS contact target indications
- Automatic acquisition and tracking of multiple surface and air targets
- Gunfire control for ASuW, AAW, and NGS engagements with multiple ammunition types
- Designed to operate via a dedicated stand-alone console or via multi-function consoles, fully integrated with a CMS or IBS
- Modular architecture and construction allowing use of almost any desired sensors
- Gyro-stabilized
- Daylight (low-light) TV camera, Thermal Imager and 10Hz Laser Range Finder (LRF)
- Camera wipers
Low maintenance, high reliability, long service life, low cost of ownership
The importance of persistent situational awareness, visual target tracking, and weapon fire control has never been more essential in modern naval warfare. High-resolution cameras provide consistent, enhanced performance both day and night. The integrated tracking, targeting, and situational awareness are essential tools for target identification and engagement.
The Chess Dynamics SeaEagle FCEO-A is the established analogue version of the FCEO of which over 140 systems have been delivered. Using HSD-HD sensors, it has remarkably low latency and has proved itself for accurate gun control.
The SeaEagle FCEO-D is the digital version of the FCEO. It sports all the key features of the FCEO-A, but with UHD sensors, full digital architecture, and an Ethernet interface.
Fire Control Radar Applications in Maritime Operations
Fire control radars play a crucial role in modern maritime operations, providing the precision needed for effective naval engagements. These systems often also integrate electro-optical systems with their radar to detect, track, and engage targets with high accuracy.
Here’s an overview of their applications and significance:
Key Components & Technologies
- FMCW Doppler radar: Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Doppler radar is used for its ability to provide acquisition and precise tracking of multiple targets. It offers low probability of intercept and high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM) through very low transmitter power and frequency agility
- Ku Band/X Band radar: Widely used for their ability to acquire and precisely track multiple targets at longer ranges, typically through higher transmitter power, more sensitive larger receiver antennas, coherence, and pulse compression. Usually feature frequency agility
- Phased array radar: This higher cost technology allows for rapid beam steering and multiple target tracking, enhancing the system’s responsiveness and accuracy.
Applications in Maritime Operations
1. Surface warfare (ASuW): Fire control radar and/or an electro-optical system are essential for detecting and engaging surface threats. EO systems allow for positive identification.
2. Naval gunfire support (NGS): Electro-optical systems and to a lesser extent, radar, are also employed in providing accurate naval gunfire support for ground forces. The ability to precisely target shore positions directly or indirectly from the sea is a critical capability for supporting amphibious operations and coastal bombardments.
3. Anti-air warfare (AAW): The same systems can be optimized to track and engage aerial threats, including drones, aircraft, and missiles. The integration of radar and optical sensors ensures that targets are detected and tracked accurately, even in challenging environments with the added bonus of being positively identified.
Chess Dynamics has innovative systems that can control naval guns against air, surface, and shore targets, providing a versatile solution for various combat scenarios.
Technological Advancements
- Automation and AI: Modern fire control systems increasingly incorporate automation and artificial intelligence to reduce the workload on operators. These technologies enable automatic target identification, acquisition, and tracking, improving response times and engagement success rates.
- Integration with combat systems: Electro-optical fire control radar systems can be stand-alone systems but are usually integrated with combat management systems, allowing for seamless coordination between all sensors and weapons with the command. This integration ensures that all available data is used to make informed and timely targeting decisions.
Challenges and Countermeasures
- Environmental factors: The performance of electro-optics can be affected by weather conditions, which in turn can reduce the surveillance range. In this case surveillance radars or other assets can be used
- Electronic warfare: Adversaries may use electronic countermeasures (jamming) to disrupt radar signals. Modern systems counter these threats with features like frequency agility and low probability of intercept transmissions. The electro-optical system is not affected by jamming.
While a full phased array radar system can carry out the function of a Fire control radar, they are exceptionally large, heavy and expensive. Furthermore, a positive visual identification of the target is still required.
An airborne asset may not be available or deployable to conduct such an identification, so an electro-optical surveillance system along with its precision, reliability and other capabilities and benefits becomes an indispensable tool in modern naval operations and engagement. With continuous advancements in technology and AI, these systems will only become more capable and integral to naval warfare.
SeaEagle FCRO
Chess Dynamics’s SeaEagle FCRO (Fire Control Radar Optical) is a stabilized radar and electro-optical fire control system optimized for the control of naval weapons against air, surface, and shore targets. Capable of controlling any in-service naval gun, the system provides 24-hour detection, acquisition, tracking and engagement of air and surface targets using an advanced Ku-band radar with target identification provided with a thermal imager and daylight TV camera.
Features / Benefits
- Ku-Band Doppler radar provides acquisition and precise tracking of targets
- Low probability of intercept and high resistance to ECM through very low transmitter power and frequency agility
- 24-hour target identification by high performance IR and TV cameras
- Automatic slewing to search radar contact indications
- Automatic target acquisition and tracking in both radar and EO
- Gunfire control in ASuW, AAW and NGS engagements with multiple ammunition types
- Stand-alone or integrated with a combat management system.
Summary
Fire control is not just about launching missiles or firing weapons—it is the fusion of precision and technology, combining radar with optical and weapon systems to ensure that every shot counts.
Learn more about the SeaEagle Fire Control Electro-Optical (FCEO) system >>
