ARTHUR - Artillery Hunting Radar on BV206
SAFTI open house 2004

Courtesy from SAF :
With its low weight, small size and single vehicle configuration, the Artillery Hunting Radar (ARTHUR) has a very high tactical and operational mobility.
Mounted on a BV206, it is capable of manoeuvring in the most difficult of terrain.
Characteristic of the radar is its excellent capability to detect and track very small target in the presence of clutter and electronics countermeasures (ECM).

ARTHUR Artillery Hunting Radar is one of the most successful cooperative projects undertaken by the Swedish and Norwegian MOD, with Ericsson as the sales and main contractor. TAM A.S is a subcontractor responsible for the design and production of the advanced shelter part.

ARTHUR - A Unique Nordic Defense Project
Courtesy from Ericsson.com

Most of the Nordic countries, as well as countries in the rest of Europe, are restructuring and adapting their armed forces in response to reduced defense budgets. This has lead to an increased need for cooperation. During 1994, a memorandum was created on common defense material procurement by representatives from the Nordic countries. ARTHUR, the first radar unit for artillery localization, was delivered to both the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces on April 27.

The deliveries were the result of successful Swedish-Norwegian collaboration involving four parties - the two Ericsson companies in Sweden and Norway, and Försvarets Materielverk (FMV) and Haerens Forsyningskommando (HFK). FMV and HFK are responsible for their respective countries' procurement of military supplies and equipment. In 1996, the parties signed a contract for the delivery of 26 radar stations for a combined value of about 700 million SEK. The first delivery was made today and final delivery is planned for the year 2001. Besides Sweden and Norway, Denmark has bought eight systems (1998). Finland has also expressed interest in ARTHUR.

"The challenge is in identifying common needs for Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden for future projects. This is a positive and efficient use of industries in the Nordic countries. All parties should feel that they profit by cooperating," says Ericsson marketing director Lennart Jannerö, and continues, "ARTHUR is a product with considerable export potential and this can benefit both Norway and Sweden."

The name ARTHUR is an acronym for Artillery Hunting Radar. ARTHUR is an advanced system for the localization of enemy artillery and the control of counter fire from friendly artillery. ARTHUR detects hostile projectiles and calculates their points of origin with great accuracy. This position is automatically relayed to friendly artillery units, which can then return fire. ARTHUR also tracks projectiles from friendly artillery and calculates points of impact.

The system is integrated in tracked vehicles to provide high mobility and to enable the radar unit to be transported over rough terrain. Besides radar, the system also includes liaison equipment, navigation equipment and presentation devices. ARTHUR's basic design is based on Ericsson's highly successful Doppler radar technology.

Peacekeeping Operations
On the battlefield, ARTHUR can be deployed as a front line system. Such assignments put substantial demands on mobility - the capacity to move quickly for regrouping.

The system can be an important aid in peacekeeping missions. Experience from previous operations has shown that it can be difficult to detect sources of artillery fire. Because one of the unit's functions is to localize the source and type of hostile artillery, ARTHUR can help friendly forces to find out what is happening in a combat zone. By quickly determining the position of hostile artillery, fire can be returned quickly and effectively. The system provides important information on what is happening in the combat zone and is comparable to video monitoring in contributing to the gathering of evidence on just who has done what in any specific situation.

Distribution of Responsibility and Tasks
In conjunction with the deliveries to the armed forces in Sweden and Norway, a distribution of responsibility and tasks has been established between Ericsson Microwave Systems and Ericsson Radar AS. Ericsson Microwave Systems produces the radar units and antennas, and is responsible for system construction. Ericsson Radar AS is responsible for data processing units, all system installations, system testing and final delivery to FMV and HFK.

A conference was held on Swedish-Norwegian material procurement cooperation in conjunction with the delivery of ARTHUR. Participants included Norwegian defense minister Eldbjörg Löwer; Swedish defense minister Björn von Sydow; Norwegian armed forces chief of staff Arne Soll; Lieutenant General Folke Rehnström, commander of Sweden's battle command; and Svante Bergh, the director for defense operations at Ericsson Microwave Systems AB.

Technical Specifications :
Maximum tracking range :	40 km
Search sector :	1600 mils
Tracking capacity :	>100 target/min
Antenna :	Passive Phased Array
Transmitter :	TWT (Travelling Wave Tube) air cooled
Receiver :	MTI with adaptive wind compensation