RNLA's first GM200 MM/C radar demonstrated during live firings

The RNLA's first MMR after it was demonstrated during live firings at the Dutch MoD's 't Harde firing range on 15 February. (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)

The first Ground Master 200 Multi Mission/Compact (GM200 MM/C) radar handed over to the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) by Thales in Hengelo on 14 February was demonstrated during live firings at the Dutch Ministry of Defence's 't Harde firing range the next day.

The Multi-Mission Radar (MMR), as it is designated in RNLA service, tracked 81 mm mortar rounds and 155 mm Panzerhaubitze (PzH) shells fired at the range, as well as a pair of Puma unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with their trajectories and flightpaths shown in 2D and 3D on large-screen displays to an international military audience, local journalists, and Janes at 't Harde. Also displayed in 2D were the tracks of airliners flying above at an altitude of 3 km, but clutter from birds was filtered out. The Puma UAVs could also be seen moving away from the PzH 2000s' trajectories.

The MMR was able to determine the points of origin and impact of the mortar and artillery fire, which began with fire for effect and ended with salvos.

Plans for the MMR to be demonstrated tracking a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighter were cancelled due to poor weather. When asked by an international attendee of the demonstration whether the cancellation was in fact due to the MMR being capable of detecting the F-35A, one of the organisers of the event noted that the aircraft would have been carrying beacons for air safety reasons.