In a significant display of local innovation and advanced technology, Hensoldt South Africa’s Radar business unit recently presented its latest development, the Quadome 3D surface and surveillance radar, to the South African Navy. The demonstration, which took place in late February, was attended by a distinguished delegation from the Navy, including Rear Admiral (JG) Tebogo Motsene and Rear Admiral (JG) Handsome Matsane, among others.
“We are proud to showcase the Quadome radar to the South African Navy, highlighting the remarkable progress we have made in local development,” said Bennie Langenhoven, Chief Executive of Hensoldt South Africa’s Radar business unit. “This collaboration demonstrates the depth of South African innovation in the defence sector.”
The Quadome radar represents a leap forward in maritime security technology. Designed and built locally, it is a testament to the depth of South African innovation in the defence sector. Bennie Langenhoven, Chief Executive of Hensoldt South Africa’s Radar business unit, expressed pride in showcasing the radar, emphasizing the progress made in its development.
“The advanced surveillance capabilities of the Quadome can play a pivotal role in enhancing maritime security and safeguarding critical interests, aligning with the SA Navy’s vision of being unchallenged at sea and using information to achieve mission success.”
The demonstration aimed to reinforce partnerships and encourage a collaborative approach to the evolving challenges in maritime security. The Quadome radar’s advanced surveillance capabilities are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing maritime security and protecting the nation’s critical interests. This aligns with the South African Navy’s vision of maintaining unchallenged control at sea and leveraging information for mission success.
With South Africa’s extensive coastline spanning 3,000 km, safeguarding the maritime economy is of paramount importance. The Quadome radar is poised to be an essential tool for success, offering advanced technologies that are vital for protecting resources and ensuring security. Hensoldt South Africa also anticipates generating significant foreign direct investment by exporting the system worldwide through the Hensoldt Group’s international sales channels.
Hensoldt continued. “In addition to targeting the local market, Hensoldt South Africa expects to generate significant foreign direct investment by leveraging the Hensoldt Group’s international sales channels, exporting the system to customers worldwide.”
The Quadome radar will undergo rigorous evaluation and sea trials to validate its performance and environmental adaptability, with initial production deliveries expected in the second half of 2025. Hensoldt South Africa specializes in optronics and spectrum dominance solutions and has positioned the Quadome as a versatile radar system suitable for naval, land, and air applications. It boasts an impressive range from 100 meters to 200 kilometers and can process over 1,000 air and surface targets.
The development of the Quadome radar, which began in late 2019, is a result of one of the largest radar development programs in South Africa’s recent history. It was launched in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and key local suppliers of defence electronics. The use of local intellectual property means the Quadome is not subject to foreign export controls.
“Quadome is designed to maximise system performance, while minimising acquisition and life-cycle costs,” said Langenhoven.
Langenhoven highlighted the design philosophy behind the Quadome, stating that it aims to maximize system performance while minimizing acquisition and life-cycle costs. Its compact size and excellent price-performance ratio make it ideal for various naval vessels, from offshore patrol vessels to light frigates. The radar’s affordability and performance offer compelling advantages for maritime security operations, providing 3D air surveillance and air defence capabilities. Additionally, the software-defined nature of the Quadome allows for adaptation to changing operational environments, and its predictive maintenance approach aligns maintenance activities with port visits, extending its operational lifetime.
Hensoldt South Africa specialises primarily on optronics and spectrum dominance solutions, but in late 2021 launched the Quadome active electronically scanned array (AESA) surveillance and targeting radar, aimed at naval, land and air applications.
The Quadome Land version, officially launched at Africa Aerospace and Defence in September 2022, can fit inside a standard 20 foot ISO shipping container, making it highly portable. This gives a ‘radar in a box’ capability as it is completely self-contained, and it can be transported in a C-130 Hercules or similar aircraft. It has its own electric and hydraulic power for self-deployment, which takes 15 minutes.
The company’s other product includes the innovative bushbaby surveillance system which Hensoldt announced recently that it is nearing the completion of the Bushbaby 200 system. This development comes on the heels of the successful launch of the Bushbaby 100 at the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia.