ARTHUR (military)

ARTHUR is an abbreviation for mobile "Artillery Hunting Radar" system developed in Sweden. The vehicle carrying the radar is a Bandvagn 206 developed and produced by Hägglunds; the radar is developed by Ericsson. Its cost is estimated at 48 million Swedish krona per unit.

This field artillery acquisition radar was developed for the primary role as the core element of a brigade or division level counter battery sensor system. It can also be used for peace support operations. In June 2006, Ericsson sold the greater part of Ericsson Microwave Systems to SAAB, which it intends to rename Saab Microwave Systems.

Deployment

The ARTHUR can detect incoming artillery rounds at 40 kilometre distance. Its main purpose is to determine the location of enemy artillery and to predict their probable target. The calculations made by the ARTHUR unit, accurate to 2 metres, helps aim friendly artillery batteries. ARTHUR can operate as a stand-alone medium-range Weapons Locating Radar or a long-range weapon locating system, consisting of two to four radars working in coordination. This flexibility enables the system to maintain a constant surveillance of an area of interest. ARTHUR meets the British Army's requirement by determining the location of any artillery piece firing on friendly troops within a distance of 15 km.

It can be carried by a C-130 or slung under a heavy lift helicopter such as a Chinook. Its air mobility allows it for use by light and rapid reaction forces such as the airborne and marine units.

Nordic Battle Group

The use of the ARTHUR in Nordic Battle Groups will primarily concentrate on preventing the use of artillery barrages in civilian areas, since the radar can identify an artillery unit guilty of targeting civilians. It will also be used to warn friendly mission troops of incoming indirect fire. [" [http://www.artreg.mil.se/article.php?id=14821] ", "Description of ISTAR and ARTHUR"]

Operational modes

ARTHUR can be operated in two main modes: Location determination and Fire control. Location determination is used to determin the origin of the fire from enemy guns as well as their target area. Fire control is used to guide and calibrate own artillery.

Location determination

When locating enemy artillery, the radar focuses its calculations on the up-going trajectory of the shell, sending information on probable hit and source position to the operators in the vehicle. The operators send a message back to the command centre for evaluation and processing. If certain alert areas are marked on the map which is found in the DBE, a message will be sent automatically to the designated receiver in the targeted area. The accuracy of determination of source and target locations depends on: weather, wagon stability, antenna status and obstructions in the search area's environment. The hostile source can normally be estimated within a resolution of a few metres and the target within 20-50 metres, mainly depending on search distance. The ARTHUR can determine whether the artillery piece is of artillery-type, rocket-type or mortar-type based upon the curve of the trajectory, the munition's speed, and its range.

Fire control

When in Fire Control mode (FC) the radar focuses its calculations on the down-going trajectory of the shell. This is used to provide information on the accuracy of friendly artillery. The location of the friendly artillery is sent to the ARTHUR operators, who process the information into the DBE map. The result is an almost exact reading. In wartime, Swedish artillery should make such accuracy controls every three days of service or after 150 shells.

Threats

Infantry and sabotage units pose the greatest threat to the ARTHUR unit. To prevent attacks, the ARTHUR units usually operate in groups of three that guard the immediate surroundings.

ee also

*Weapon Locating Radar
*Red Color
*AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar

External links

* [http://www.saabgroup.com/en/Capabilities/sensor_systems.htm ARTHUR] at Saab
* [http://www.one35th.com/attc/arthur_main.htm One35th.com Military encyclopedia]
* [http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=6667 Info about ARTHUR from army.cz]

References