LTR-25 mobile radar system a regained capability for Royal Air Force

The LTR-25 is one of the Royal Air Force's newest, forward-deployable radar systems capable of providing cover anywhere in the world.

It is a solid-state three-dimensional long-range system which can be carried around the globe by transport aircraft such as the A400M Atlas.

"As opposed to the static radar systems we currently have in place around the United Kingdom, the LTR-25 is transportable in nature, allowing us to move the system to wherever it is needed," said Squadron Leader Paul Griffin of 144 Signals Unit.  

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On arrival at a location, the system can begin transmitting within four hours.

The LTR-25 is capable of detecting non-cooperative aircraft even under adverse conditions, including clutter and in an ECM (electronic countermeasures) environment.

Since the Second World War, radar has been a way of seeing what's approaching when it can't be seen by the human eye.

Radio waves are used to determine the distance, direction and velocity of an incoming object.

Radar has been deployed on planes, at sea and in both fixed and mobile land variants.

The RAF has not had a forward-deployed radar setup like the LTR-25 for a number of years and it's being described as a regained capability.