British Army tests new Ground Surveillance Radar (GBSR) capable of tracking artillery

The British Army is enhancing its frontline battlefield awareness with the recent testing of its new Ground Surveillance Radar (GBSR) system during the 'Rhino Bizz' exercise in Canada. This advanced radar is designed to provide comprehensive surveillance capabilities, monitoring the movements of ground forces, vehicles, and aircraft.

Beyond tracking conventional targets, the GBSR is also capable of monitoring autonomous systems and, crucially, pinpointing the impact locations of artillery and mortar shells. This feature allows artillery units to quickly adjust their fire, significantly improving the accuracy and effectiveness of subsequent volleys.

According to Army Sergeant Dan Graham, the expansive and unobstructed terrain at the Suffield training area in Canada provided an ideal, near-laboratory environment for initial testing. This allowed operators to establish baseline performance metrics for the GBSR by analyzing clear radar echoes before moving to more complex environments with varied terrain and vegetation.

The GBSR is intended to complement the British Army's larger, existing 'Lightweight Multi-Role Radar' (LMR). While the LMR is a more substantial system, the GBSR emphasizes portability and rapid deployment. It can be carried by infantry units to the front lines, establishing localized surveillance in areas that might be outside the coverage of the LMR, thereby filling critical gaps in the battlefield sensor network.

This enhanced mobility is particularly vital for airborne assault units that require rapid deployment and frequent repositioning. By integrating the GBSR into a broader sensor network, the British Army aims to provide frontline troops with more real-time target and impact data. This integration is expected to shorten the 'detect-locate-strike-correct' cycle, while also preventing radars from remaining in a single position for extended periods, ultimately boosting the forces' lethality and survivability on the battlefield.

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Sergeant Dan Graham pointed out that the vast and flat grasslands of Suffield, with minimal trees and buildings, offer an ideal 'laboratory' environment, enabling operators to obtain cleaner radar echoes and establish GBSR performance benchmarks before transitioning to environments with more complex terrain, vegetation, and obstacles.