Thailand has ordered a long-range Lanza 3D radar from Spanish defense company Indra for deployment at Phuket Air Base, located near maritime routes connecting the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca.
This is the third long-range Lanza 3D radar the Royal Thai Air Force has contracted.
The new radar is intended to support surveillance and control of the surrounding airspace.
According to Indra, the Lanza 3D LRR is designed to detect targets ranging from small, slow-moving drones to aircraft, projectiles and missiles.
The contract also includes command-and-control capabilities based on Indra’s AIRDEF system, allowing operators to use the radar’s data in air surveillance and control operations.
Radar Capabilities
Indra’s Lanza 3D LRR has a maximum range of 470 kilometers (255 nautical miles).
Its antenna scans a full 360 degrees every 10 to 12 seconds and is designed to track targets at altitudes from approximately 900 meters (3,000 feet) to 30 kilometers (100,000 feet).
Its stated elevation coverage reaches 20 degrees, rising to 30 degrees in its tactical ballistic missile tracking mode.
The radar uses software-controlled beams and signal processing to distinguish targets from returns caused by terrain and weather.
According to Indra, these features also support the tracking of low-flying targets and help the system operate amid interference.
An integrated identification friend or foe system helps operators identify cooperating aircraft.
AIRDEF Command-and-Control
AIRDEF combines radar data in an interface operators can use to monitor airspace, assess threats and coordinate a response.
According to Indra, the system can support mission planning, assign aircraft or weapons to a threat, and record data for later review.
It can also exchange information with civilian air traffic control when needed.
AIRDEF includes cybersecurity measures and can be configured for fixed or deployable command centers.