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Indigenous UTTAM AESA Radar Progressing Well
INTRODUCTION
An Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) is an active antenna consisting of a large number of radiating elements and is commonly used in today’s radar systems. One of the major advantages with this kind of antenna system is the ability to steer the beam electronically from one direction to another without any mechanical motion.
ADVANTAGES
The inherent advantages of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar are the obvious inertia-less scanning and the minimal feeder loss as no lengthy feeder cables are involved. Unlike in the MSA radar, the AESA radar has the impudence to perform even with failure of some of its radiating elements. The AESA radar goes through a graceful degradation with cumulative failures in its battery of transmit-receive modules. The AESA radar helps build substantially compact radar systems resulting in low weight, minimal aerodynamic drag, and relatively smaller radar cross-section (RCS), all of which are of vital importance operationally for the platform aircraft. Besides, the AESA radar provides enhanced beam agility with higher reliability. The latest AESA sensor further helps track air- and sea-targets simultaneously as well as tracks continuously the high performance aircraft, while maintaining the routine scan over the operational area.
INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) is developing an indigenous AESA Fire Control Radar called UTTAM. It is being developed for the LCA Mk2 and Mk1 (presumably Mk-1A will be upgraded with the system) and also other aircraft upgrades such as the IAF's Jaguars and MiG-29Ks.
The timeline for the indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar has been set at 2017, two years from now. At Aero India 2009, it was revealed that the 3D MMR project has been superseded by the new 3D AESA FCR project led by LRDE. This Radar has the capability for Air to Ground mapping and targeting. This "hybrid" MMR has successfully undergone trials, and will be supplied for the initial LCA Tejas fighters of which 2 Squadrons have been ordered.
DEVELOPMENT, TESTING
Realization and calibration of prototype Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU) has been completed. The AAAU is configured to compactly house several transmit/receive multi-modules dividers, beam forming units, beam control units, power supply units and related electronic devices including cables and connectors. This has been achieved through an innovative and iterative process to arrive at the AAAU with minimal dimensions and optimum mass properties. A Liquid Circulation System (LCS) has also been developed as AAAU dissipates around 2650 watts of heat during operation and needs to be cooled considering the options available, space and geometry constraints. This cooling systems consists of pump & flow circuits and liquid to air heat exchanger.
Development of the Transmit-Receive Multi-Modules (TRMM) was a significant and high-value indigenous effort as the technology, hitherto available only to a handful of advanced nations, could be, for the first time, engineered successfully to fully meet the needs of the Indian AEW&C system. A unique feature of the indigenous TRMM design is that eight trans-receive modules are combined compactly to form a single TRMM, thus facilitating high density installation of 160 of them in the AAAU to power the surveillance radar. The important fact about the indigenous TRMM is that the quantity required for the Indian AEW&C program could be produced through the industry in the private sector at a cost less than one-fourth of that of its imported equivalent. The realisation of the TRMM is a boost to self-reliance in development of indigenous defence systems.
DRDO currently has completed an Airworthy Radar Processor and Exciter Receiver in Mechanically Scanned Array (MSA) configuration for validation of various algorithms and wave-forms of the fire control radar.
Software development for air-air sub-modes have been completed and DRDO is testing the radar in Air-to-Air mode, and the crucial software block testing which will allow aircraft to carry out air-to-ground modes for high resolution mapping, multiple ground moving target detection/racking, target identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications.
CAPABILITIES
UTTAM has capabilities like, Identification friend or foe (IFF), electronic and communication support measures, C-band line-of-sight and Ku-band SATCOM datalinks, etc., similar to those on the AWACS and Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control Systems (CAEW) systems.
The important modes of operation of the UTTAM radar system are the surface surveillance and the air surveillance. The sensor has the abilities to search, track-while-scan, priority tracking, high performance tracking, etc. In priority tracking, the targets will be placed in full track mode even if these cross the primary surveillance area. In high performance tracking, additional measurements are made to improve the tracking accuracy. Utilizing active aperture technology, the radar provides a fast-beam agile system that can operate in several modes concurrently.
FOCUS ON AIRBORNE RADAR FOR TEJAS
Hardware has already been realized for this radar which has a range of 100 km against small fighter sized targets and rooftop testing has been completed. Though the Uttam AESA currently weighs 120 kg which is some 40 kg more than the current MMR, there will be no problem in integrating it with the LCA Mk-II which can easily carry a radar of this weight. It is a 3D radar for fighters, a MMR follow on, the Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) project aims to field a fully fledged operational AESA fire control radar for the expected Mark-2 version of the Tejas.
This will be the second airborne AESA program after the AEW&C project and intends to transfer the success DRDO has achieved in the Ground based radar segment to airborne systems. The overall airborne program aims to prevent this technology gap from developing, with a broad based program to bring DRDO up to par with international developers in airborne systems: both fire control and surveillance. The earlier versions of radars has mechanically moving parts, whose output was painfully slow when compared to the new generation electronic technology. LCA also has a sophisticated fly by wire system and glass cockpit.
AESA in the LCAs will obviously have a lower range, but it will be well integrated within the IAF network, and give a quantum technology jump to IAF’s combat capabilities. Notably, the 36 Rafales being acquired by IAF in the Government-to-Government deal will also have the AESA radar, developed by Thales.
BEL has also developed a RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR) which is designed for fitment on fighter aircrafts and helicopters. It intercepts, detects and identifies all types of ground and air borne emitters (Pulse, CW, ICW, Pulse Doppler, Pulse agile, Frequency agile) and presents them on Cockpit Display Unit with the help of alphanumeric/special colour symbols and audio tones.
It is worthwhile to note that US companies Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have established considerable lead in the AESA development, while in Europe, Thales has its AESA installed on Rafale and Eurofighter aircraft. In fact, AESA was a key requirement for India’s MMRCA (Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft) competition, and the 36 Rafale jets being acquired from France should have both the AESA as well as the Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) system.
AESA COMPOSITION ON TEJAS
Tejas Mk 1 :: GE404 engine, No AESA
Tejas Mk 1.P :: GE404 engine, AESA, No design Change
Tejas Mk 2 :: GE414 is a more powerful engine compared to the earlier GE404, Several design changes and added electronic warfare capabilities
FUTURISTIC 360°-CAPABLE ANTENNA
Preliminary studies have been carried out at Center for Airborne Studies (CABS) for a possible optimal design of a futuristic antenna with the desirable 360°-vision for roles identified under various war situations. The unique aerodynamically-shaped delta radome will blend with the aerodynamics of the platform-aircraft to provide the required radar performance together with better operational economy by virtue of its better aerodynamics, reduced weight, and better or similar electro-magnetics. This radar may be dorsal or conformal fuselage mounted doubts still remain as not much is known about its specifications or configuration.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing summarizes the efforts made by DRDO towards development of the AESA radar for its current and future AEW&C applications as well as for realising essential allied technologies. The necessary core competence to evolve futuristic applications in AESA radar has thus been adequately established.
INTRODUCTION
An Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) is an active antenna consisting of a large number of radiating elements and is commonly used in today’s radar systems. One of the major advantages with this kind of antenna system is the ability to steer the beam electronically from one direction to another without any mechanical motion.
ADVANTAGES
The inherent advantages of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar are the obvious inertia-less scanning and the minimal feeder loss as no lengthy feeder cables are involved. Unlike in the MSA radar, the AESA radar has the impudence to perform even with failure of some of its radiating elements. The AESA radar goes through a graceful degradation with cumulative failures in its battery of transmit-receive modules. The AESA radar helps build substantially compact radar systems resulting in low weight, minimal aerodynamic drag, and relatively smaller radar cross-section (RCS), all of which are of vital importance operationally for the platform aircraft. Besides, the AESA radar provides enhanced beam agility with higher reliability. The latest AESA sensor further helps track air- and sea-targets simultaneously as well as tracks continuously the high performance aircraft, while maintaining the routine scan over the operational area.
INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) is developing an indigenous AESA Fire Control Radar called UTTAM. It is being developed for the LCA Mk2 and Mk1 (presumably Mk-1A will be upgraded with the system) and also other aircraft upgrades such as the IAF's Jaguars and MiG-29Ks.
The timeline for the indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar has been set at 2017, two years from now. At Aero India 2009, it was revealed that the 3D MMR project has been superseded by the new 3D AESA FCR project led by LRDE. This Radar has the capability for Air to Ground mapping and targeting. This "hybrid" MMR has successfully undergone trials, and will be supplied for the initial LCA Tejas fighters of which 2 Squadrons have been ordered.
DEVELOPMENT, TESTING
Realization and calibration of prototype Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU) has been completed. The AAAU is configured to compactly house several transmit/receive multi-modules dividers, beam forming units, beam control units, power supply units and related electronic devices including cables and connectors. This has been achieved through an innovative and iterative process to arrive at the AAAU with minimal dimensions and optimum mass properties. A Liquid Circulation System (LCS) has also been developed as AAAU dissipates around 2650 watts of heat during operation and needs to be cooled considering the options available, space and geometry constraints. This cooling systems consists of pump & flow circuits and liquid to air heat exchanger.
Development of the Transmit-Receive Multi-Modules (TRMM) was a significant and high-value indigenous effort as the technology, hitherto available only to a handful of advanced nations, could be, for the first time, engineered successfully to fully meet the needs of the Indian AEW&C system. A unique feature of the indigenous TRMM design is that eight trans-receive modules are combined compactly to form a single TRMM, thus facilitating high density installation of 160 of them in the AAAU to power the surveillance radar. The important fact about the indigenous TRMM is that the quantity required for the Indian AEW&C program could be produced through the industry in the private sector at a cost less than one-fourth of that of its imported equivalent. The realisation of the TRMM is a boost to self-reliance in development of indigenous defence systems.
DRDO currently has completed an Airworthy Radar Processor and Exciter Receiver in Mechanically Scanned Array (MSA) configuration for validation of various algorithms and wave-forms of the fire control radar.
Software development for air-air sub-modes have been completed and DRDO is testing the radar in Air-to-Air mode, and the crucial software block testing which will allow aircraft to carry out air-to-ground modes for high resolution mapping, multiple ground moving target detection/racking, target identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications.
CAPABILITIES
UTTAM has capabilities like, Identification friend or foe (IFF), electronic and communication support measures, C-band line-of-sight and Ku-band SATCOM datalinks, etc., similar to those on the AWACS and Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control Systems (CAEW) systems.
The important modes of operation of the UTTAM radar system are the surface surveillance and the air surveillance. The sensor has the abilities to search, track-while-scan, priority tracking, high performance tracking, etc. In priority tracking, the targets will be placed in full track mode even if these cross the primary surveillance area. In high performance tracking, additional measurements are made to improve the tracking accuracy. Utilizing active aperture technology, the radar provides a fast-beam agile system that can operate in several modes concurrently.
FOCUS ON AIRBORNE RADAR FOR TEJAS
Hardware has already been realized for this radar which has a range of 100 km against small fighter sized targets and rooftop testing has been completed. Though the Uttam AESA currently weighs 120 kg which is some 40 kg more than the current MMR, there will be no problem in integrating it with the LCA Mk-II which can easily carry a radar of this weight. It is a 3D radar for fighters, a MMR follow on, the Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) project aims to field a fully fledged operational AESA fire control radar for the expected Mark-2 version of the Tejas.
This will be the second airborne AESA program after the AEW&C project and intends to transfer the success DRDO has achieved in the Ground based radar segment to airborne systems. The overall airborne program aims to prevent this technology gap from developing, with a broad based program to bring DRDO up to par with international developers in airborne systems: both fire control and surveillance. The earlier versions of radars has mechanically moving parts, whose output was painfully slow when compared to the new generation electronic technology. LCA also has a sophisticated fly by wire system and glass cockpit.
AESA in the LCAs will obviously have a lower range, but it will be well integrated within the IAF network, and give a quantum technology jump to IAF’s combat capabilities. Notably, the 36 Rafales being acquired by IAF in the Government-to-Government deal will also have the AESA radar, developed by Thales.
BEL has also developed a RADAR WARNING RECEIVER (RWR) which is designed for fitment on fighter aircrafts and helicopters. It intercepts, detects and identifies all types of ground and air borne emitters (Pulse, CW, ICW, Pulse Doppler, Pulse agile, Frequency agile) and presents them on Cockpit Display Unit with the help of alphanumeric/special colour symbols and audio tones.
It is worthwhile to note that US companies Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have established considerable lead in the AESA development, while in Europe, Thales has its AESA installed on Rafale and Eurofighter aircraft. In fact, AESA was a key requirement for India’s MMRCA (Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft) competition, and the 36 Rafale jets being acquired from France should have both the AESA as well as the Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) system.
AESA COMPOSITION ON TEJAS
Tejas Mk 1 :: GE404 engine, No AESA
Tejas Mk 1.P :: GE404 engine, AESA, No design Change
Tejas Mk 2 :: GE414 is a more powerful engine compared to the earlier GE404, Several design changes and added electronic warfare capabilities
FUTURISTIC 360°-CAPABLE ANTENNA
Preliminary studies have been carried out at Center for Airborne Studies (CABS) for a possible optimal design of a futuristic antenna with the desirable 360°-vision for roles identified under various war situations. The unique aerodynamically-shaped delta radome will blend with the aerodynamics of the platform-aircraft to provide the required radar performance together with better operational economy by virtue of its better aerodynamics, reduced weight, and better or similar electro-magnetics. This radar may be dorsal or conformal fuselage mounted doubts still remain as not much is known about its specifications or configuration.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing summarizes the efforts made by DRDO towards development of the AESA radar for its current and future AEW&C applications as well as for realising essential allied technologies. The necessary core competence to evolve futuristic applications in AESA radar has thus been adequately established.
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