Israeli Navy Sa'ar 5 class corvettes fitted with IAI EL/M-2248 MF-STAR multifunction AESA radar

 IAI EL/M-2248 MF-STAR multifunction AESA radar to the right.

Pictures have emerged on the internet showing the Israeli Navy corvette Eliat (first ship of the Sa'ar 5 class) fitted for the first time with the new AESA radar MF-STAR by IAI. The MF-STAR - Multi-Function Surveillance, Track and Guidance Radar was fitted as part of an upgrade program for the 3 vessels of the class.The three Sa'ar 5 corvettes were built by Huntington Ingalls Industries in the USA for the Israeli Navy, based on an Israeli design. They are the largest surface warships in Israel's naval fleet. Although they are "corvettes" due to their small size and crew of only 71, their weaponry and speed are almost comparable to that of a frigate. They are equipped with sonar, torpedoes, missile launchers, electronic warfare capabilities and decoys, a gun mount, and a helipad and helicopter hangar. The first of class, INS Eilat, was launched in February 1993, followed by INS Lahav in August 1993 and INS Hanit in March 1994.

This is probably the smallest vessel in the world (standard displacement of 1,100 tons) to be fitted with an AEGIS-like radar system.The two other corvettes of the class INS Lahav and INS Hanit will receive a similar upgrade. In addition to the new radar, the upgrade program consists also in replacing the Barak 1 surface-to-air missiles with longer range Barak 8 missiles.

The MF-STAR (EL/M-2248) is a multi-function solid-state active phased array radar system for the new generation of naval platforms. The radar system delivers high quality situation picture and weapon support, under severe target/ environmental conditions in the current and future naval arena.
Incorporating advanced technology and robust system architecture, the MF-STAR employs multi-beam and pulse Doppler techniques as-well-as robust ECCM techniques to extract low RCS targets from complex clutter and jamming environments.

The MF-STAR antenna includes 4 active arrays in S-band frequency. The hardware architecture and technology ensure high system availability, low maintenance and low life cycle cost.

Automatic track initiation:
- Low flying attacking missile >25 km
- High flying fighter aircraft >250 km