Leonardo has signed a contract with RUAG Aviation to provide its Seaspray 5000E Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars for the two new production model Dornier 228 multirole aircraft, recently ordered by the Bangladesh Navy. The new aircraft will be used to help monitor and protect Bangladesh’s 120,000 square kilometers of maritime territorial area and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The radars will be delivered in 2018.

Seaspray, which can detect small targets in rough seas, will be used by the Bangladesh Navy to conduct anti-smuggling and anti-pollution missions and for the prevention of illegal fishing and migration. Because the radar is particularly suited to search-and-rescue tasks, the new Seaspray-equipped multirole aircraft will also be able to help protect the lives of sailors during natural disasters. This is of particular importance to the Bangladesh Navy as the Bay of Bengal is prone to cyclones and hurricanes.

Leonardo is the world-leader in applying AESA technology in the field of surveillance radars. The term AESA means that instead of needing to physically point the radar’s antenna at its target, a matrix of miniature radar modules are used to steer the beam electronically. This technology allows the company’s Seaspray and Osprey families of surveillance radars to combine high performance with ultra-competitive levels of reliability and cost-of-ownership, as well as being easy to install and operate.

Leonardo’s AESA surveillance radars are in-service internationally, including with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and continue to be selected in the world’s most demanding competitions, such as the U.S. Navy’s MQ-8C Fire Scout program. In total, 30 international customers have chosen Leonardo AESA radars.