In December, Saab received a $14 million order from South Korea's MteQ Systems, Inc., for CEROS 200 multi-sensor director systems to be installed aboard the ROK Navy's new PKX-class patrol boats. Included in the contract is a production resources and test equipment technology transfer program to South Korea and an option for an additional $25 million in additional director systems and modifications.
CEROS (CelsiusTech Radar and Optronic Sight) 200 is Saab's advanced Fire Control Director system, which employs both radar and optronic (electronically enhanced visual) sensors. CEROS 200 is also being installed on Sweden's corvettes and was recently ordered by both the Finnish navy for its Squadron 2000 ships and the Norwegian navy for its Skjold-class fast patrol boats. Finland and Australia also employ CEROS 200 aboard their ships, as does Pakistan aboard its Tariq-class destroyers.
CEROS 200 is a "frequency agile" mono-pulse sensor with multimode feed used for both gun and missile control and is typically installed with a fixed antenna inside a low radar cross-section radome. Australia and New Zealand have integrated CEROS with an integrated I-band (10GHz) continuous wave antenna to support Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles.
The CEROS 200 fire-control subsystem may be used as an integrated element of the combat management system or act as a stand-alone weapon control or tracking system. It is based upon a director (formerly known as Sea Viking), which is available in Baseline, Continuous Wave Illumination or Stealth versions, each with servo-controlled pedestal, tracking and ballistic computer. The system takes sensor data, evaluates the threat, and automatically deploys the most effective `hard' or `soft' kill countermeasure to neutralize each target. An automated air defense function deals with multiple targets. Saab claims that CEROS 200 can also be used to control long-range surface-to-air missiles.
The first system under the new ROKN contract is to be delivered in 2006 as PKX construction proceeds.