The seas around Norway can be treacherous with storms, deadly cold temperatures, and iceberg threats but they also provide rich fishing grounds for many countries. The Norwegian Coast Guard plays a major role in search and rescue missions and in enforcing national and international fishing laws. To better carry out its responsibilities, the Norwegian Maritime Service is equipping four of its frigates with advanced command, control, and sensor systems. These systems are being integrated by the Combat Systems Division of EDO Corp. (Chesapeake, VA). A major subsystem incorporated into the four command-and-control systems is a VME-based radar distribution system developed by Primagraphics Ltd. (No. Royston, Herts, England). This subsystem acquires, digitizes, and compresses several radar signals. Then, it transmits them over an asynchronous-transfer-mode (ATM) fiberoptic network for display on two command consoles installed in a Norwegian frigate. The subsystem represents the backbone of a navigational equipment installation that will upgrade the ship's peacetime patrol, search, and rescue capabilities. It also is expected to boost the ship's effectiveness in operating as part of the Royal Norwegian Navy's Surface Combat Force in a conflict situation.
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