According to information published by the Royal Netherlands Navy on May 30, 2021, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Paul Ignatius intercepted SM-3 surface-to-air missile using the SMART-L MM radar of De Zeven Provincien frigate from the Royal Netherlands Navy during At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield.
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The Thales SMART-L on board De Zeven Provinciën frigate of the Dutch Navy, located on top of the hangar. (Picture source: Dutch Ministry of Defense)
De Zeven Provinciën class is a modern class of destroyers of Dutch origin. The Dutch navy classifies them as frigates, although internationally their displacement and weapons suite categorize their destroyers. They were developed to replace the two Tromp class air defense frigates and two more were ordered to replace two Korternaer class multipurpose frigates.
The design of the ships was developed from scratch. The hull design is shared with the German Sachsen class. The design is modern and features a reduced radar signature shape. The main gun and VLS are mounted at the front. The forward superstructure houses the bridge and APAR radar system. The engines and Harpoon missiles are mounted in the middle. The hanger with the SMART-L radar on top and the helicopter deck is located at the rear.
As an air defense frigate, it features a wide range of surface-to-air missiles. The Mk 41 VLS is fitted with quad packs of short-range Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles and medium-range Standard SM-2MR missiles and SM-3 missiles against ballistic missiles. Against surface targets, the subsonic Harpoon missile or the 127mm OTO Melara cannon are used. Plans to fit Tomahawk IV have been shelved. Two double Mk 32 torpedo launchers for Mk 46 torpedoes are fitted amidships. Additionally, two 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS systems and two 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine guns are mounted for self-defense.
SMART-L MM independently finds Ballistic Missile type targets. Following fast track initiation, the ballistic target track is maintained up to zenith. Ballistic Missile detection range is improved significantly by applying forward/backward scanning and staring modes which provides increased observation time.
SMART-L is a 3D multibeam radar designed to provide long-range air & surface surveillance and target designation. A fully digitally controlled Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The applied high-end techniques result in a radar with an unrivalled long range performance of 2000 km. Within this enormous range it detects a wide spectrum of targets: air breathing targets, stealth targets and ballistic missiles. It can be installed on landbased locations, on sea and is also available as Deployable Air Defence Radar.
SMART-L is operational on the Netherlands', Danish and German air defence frigates and the Korean Landing Platform Dock. SMART-L's derivative, S1850M, is operational on the Royal Navy's Type 45 vessels and the French and Italian Horizon class destroyers. It is under contract for the new British Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
