The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US Coast Guard (USCG) has a requirement for a a commercially available and standardized enterprise solution to recapitalize the AN/SPS-50, AN/SPS-78, AN/SPS-79, AN/SPS-73, and Terma Radars.

The U.S. Coast Guard uses surface search radars to provide operators with an advanced navigational and surveillance system that enhances situational awareness of the maritime environment in coastal and naval environments. There are currently five (5) separate surveillance Radars in use on multiple ashore and afloat platforms. The current surface search radars, which includes the AN/SPS-50, AN/SPS-78, AN/SPS-79, AN/SPS-73, and Terma Scanter 2001 Radars, are currently installed across 14 cutter platforms and 113 Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) remote sites. Based on information from the manufacturer, the AN/SPS-50 is currently in final production and end-of-life and the AN/SPS-78 and AN/SPS-79 Radars are due for recapitalization. The AN/SPS-73 radar is beyond its service life and is in need of replacement. The VTS Terma Scanter 2001 Radars are nearing end-of-service and will require replacement.

The AN/SPS-50 and AN/SPS-78 are advanced surface search radars used by the Coast Guard for navigational and surveillance purposes. The AN/SPS-50 provides improved target detection with a X-band, 25kW, TR up, turning unit, and a high-resolution LCD monitor. It displays up to 1000 AIS-equipped targets and acquire a maximum of 100 radar targets, complying with the latest IMO and IEC standards. The AN/SPS-78 is designed for multiple cutter platforms and includes a radar and Stand-Alone Operator Position (SAOP) that enhances situational awareness of the maritime environment.

The AN/SPS-79 Radar Set is a short-range, two-dimensional radar system designed for use aboard the 418’ Maritime Security Cutter – Large (WMSL) National Security Cutter (NSC) vessels. It provides primary navigation and Surface Search Radar (SSR) functionality using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment.

AN/SPS-73 Surface Search Radar (SSR) was designed for both large and small cutter applications but has been altered to be utilized at VTS sites with the assistance of a radar processing unit. The SSR provides operators with an advanced navigation and surveillance system that enhances situational awareness of the maritime environment. The AN/SPS-73 system is comprised of a Furuno radar and includes the antenna, pedestal, receiver/transmitter, and performance monitor and is available in 25kw X-Band.

The Terma Scanter 2001 radar series offers detection, monitoring, and management of vessel traffic movement in confined and busy waterways with small targets. It is an X-band, 2D, fully coherent pulse compression radar based on Solid State transmitter technology with digital software-defined functionality. However, this radar is not IMO (International Maritime Organization) compliant and is shore based.

• The Coast Guard is seeking to procure a scalable SSR system that is IMO certified
• This SSR system will serve as the primary collision avoidance system, providing safe navigation and surveillance for Coast Guard cutters and shore units
• The design of the system must promote interoperability between core hardware components used both afloat and ashore, and ancillary devices that receive input from various navigation sensors
• This will allow for seamless integration and communication with existing navigation systems and shore-based VTS, modernizing obsolete equipment, improving sensor performance, and standardizing system support under as an enterprise solution with several (scalable) radar configurations under an overarching series or family of radars
• The replacement of these radar systems is critical to modernizing the Coast Guard’s capabilities and ensuring readiness to address emerging threats and challenges in the maritime domain
• Replacing these radar systems will improve contact detection, situational awareness, efficiency for waterway utilization
• By adopting a standardized solution, the Coast Guard can benefit from economies of scale, streamline maintenance and repair processes, and consolidate operator and technician training
• Next Generation Surface Search Radar is a(n) C5ISC-C2PL effort to procure a commercially available and standardized enterprise solution to recapitalize the AN/SPS-50, AN/SPS-78, AN/SPS-79, AN/SPS-73, and Terma Radars which are currently installed across 14 cutter platforms and 45 VTS remote sites that meet established Coast Guard operational and functional Requirements
• There are currently 6 separate surveillance RADARs in use on multiple ashore and afloat platforms