UK-based aerospace, defence and security group Babcock International has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and IAI subsidiary ELTA Systems, to jointly bid for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) SERPENS programme for the British Army. SERPENS is aimed at obtaining a next generation weapon – whether tube artillery (guns), mortars or rockets – locating system.

The SERPENS requirement is for a suite of sensor systems that will be networked together digitally. The contract to supply the chosen system will have a total value of £400-million.

Under the MoU, the two groups will jointly offer ELTA Systems’ Compact Multi Mission Radar (C-MMR) system. This can locate the locations of hostile weapons and calculate launching points and impact points, all in real time. It can also be used as an air defence radar. It uses advanced technology, namely three-dimensional active electronically-steered array antennas.

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with IAI-ELTA to provide a deep find radar solution for the UK [MOD’s] SERPENS programme,” enthused Babcock chief technology officer Dr Richard Drake. “Babcock is proud to provide class-leading technology to our customers and with IAI-ELTA’s battle-proven C-MMR system, we have a capable, affordable and available solution.”

“This agreement between IAI and Babcock demonstrates our commitment to the UK,” affirmed IAI UK MD Ronald Cook. “We are bringing together the brightest minds in the industry to combine world-class technology with our commitment to UK prosperity. We are proud to partner with one of the UK’s finest companies in the industry to provide our cutting-edge C-MMR to the UK market.”

Should the UK MOD select C-MMR for its SERPENS requirement – it is not yet known what other companies might bid, nor what systems they might offer – it would, Babcock stated, allow the group to develop its radar assembly and maintenance expertise. It would also further prove its system integration and through-life support capabilities.