 2012 composite photographed at less than one second interval showing SAMPSON antenna rotation. | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| No. built | 7 |
| Type | Solid-state AESA radar |
| Frequency | 2–4 GHz (S band) |
| Range | 400 km[1] |
| Power | 25 kW |
The SAMPSON is a multi-function dual-face active electronically scanned array radar produced by BAE Systems Maritime. It is the fire control radar component of the Sea Viper naval air defence system. The Sea Viper system is also known as PAAMS(S) to denote the use of the SAMPSON radar and to distinguish it from the PAAMS system on the Franco-Italian Horizon-class frigate.
The SAMPSON multifunction radar can detect air and surface targets out to a distance of 400 km (250 mi), and it is capable of tracking hundreds of targets at any one time. Sea Viper uses this information to assess and command target priorities and calculate the optimum launch time for its Aster missiles.
- ^ Dranidis, Dimitris V. (May 2003). "Backboards of the fleet: shipboard phased-array radars; a survey of requirements, technologies, and operational systems". Journal of Electronic Defense. 26 (5): 55.