Sensor Technology Advancement for Protection Against Modern Threats

Location: Thales Nederland - Zuidelijke Havenweg 40, Hengelo

About the event:

In the face of a growing range of ever-changing threats, the navies and military authorities rely on sensor systems. Close integration between multiple disciplines is required to develop these, in order to keep citizens safe and protect our seas, coastlines and land. In order to dive deeper into this topic and inform our members, IMarEST BeNeLux branch and KIVI Defensie en Veiligheid (defence and safety) decided to collaborate and organize the yearly mini-symposium with Thales Nederland.

Thales Nederland is a internationally trusted company specialized on sensor technology, with a strong expertise in Defense and Security. In the mini-symposium, the speakers will address various important topics, including naval sensors, and protection against drones, ballistic missiles and hypersonic threats.

After the symposium, there will be room for discussion, questions and drinks.

Presentations:

Evert Woudenberg, Product manager Multi-Mission sensors; R&T manager new radar developments, Thales

Sensors are essential in modern naval warfare. They are used to create the situational and critical awareness during maritime operations, but also essential to guide various weapon systems. Continuous evolution is needed to cope with the challenges of today and tomorrow. The environments in which they operate are increasingly difficult due to for example the increasing number of wind turbines at sea or advanced jamming techniques employed by adversaries. In addition, the range of object that needs to be detected and classified have exponentially increased, for example due to the evolution in drone technologies. In this lecture, the Thales Nederland philosophy towards designing and realizing the most advanced systems, along with some examples of recent radars.

Annemieke Tonnaer, Product manager Fire Control Solutions, Thales

Drones are entering the naval warfare domain at a very fast pace. Ukraine have created a large effect through the use of maritime drones against the Russian Black Sea fleet. Also in the Red Sea, a variety of drones have been used against both military and civilian vessels. An important challenge for most navies is to create an efficient and effective defence against drone attacks. In this lecture, the main challenges in terms of detection and engagement will be discussed, including a number of illustrations of the threat and directions to solve.

Rogier Noorland, Product manager Integrated Air & Missile Defence products, Thales

An increasing threat for (NATO) Maritime Groups are the used of Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles (ASBMs) and Hypersonic Weapons. The defence against such threats is complex. In order to be effective, sensors need to be changed and working much closer together, the command & control networks need to be adapted and new effectors are required. In the lecture, a comprehensive overview will be given on the challenges and developments running to cope with this new and advanced threat.