Grifo airborne radars
The P2800 is part of a series of airborne, multimode fire control radars in development by FIAR. The radar family ranges in size and capability from the P2801 Grifetto to the Grifo-M. Most share a common antenna and steering servomechanism, use a magnetron-based transmitter, and have a common data processor core. FIAR claims that all Grifo radars have good Electronic Counter Countermeasure (ECCM) qualities because of their wide-band frequency agility and low sidelobes. The radars are built in three Line Replaceable Units (LRUs): antenna, transmitter, and receiver/processor.
The smallest radar is the P2801 Griffetto or Grifo ASV (Anti-Surface Vessel) that was proposed for the anti-ship version of the Italian-Brazilian AMX attack aircraft. The multi-modal P2801 shows its best performance in the air-to-sea modes. It can use Track-While-Scan (TWS ) against seaborne targets and single-target tracking as well as air-to-ground ranging, ground mapping, terrain avoidance, freeze, beacon, air-to-air search and track, and air combat modes. The P2801 uses a magnetron operating at a low Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) to drive a flat-plate, monopulse antenna. A frigate-sized ship showing a radar cross-section of 10,764 sq ft (1,000 sq m) is claimed to be detectable at ranges greater than 55 nm (63 mi; 102 km). FIAR claims that in the air-to-air mode aircraft can be detected up to 22.4 mi (36 km).
The P2803 Grifo-X is a larger system designed for light attack aircraft that shares the same system connectors with the Grifo ASV. The Grifo-X is a fully coherent, pulse-Doppler radar with the same multi-modal flexibility as the Grifo ASV , but possessing better look-up range and offering a limited look- down capability as well.
The P2800 Grifo-M is larger than the Grifo-X and uses a more elaborate multi- processor fire control system. It is designed to fit in the radar bay of a Mirage III or Mirage V interceptor-strike aircraft as an upgrade option. It is still more powerful than the Grifo-X with greater look-down range and discrimination through the use of Fast-Fourier-Transform (FFT ) Doppler- filtering techniques. Two versions are being developed: the Grifo-M for Mirage-series aircraft, using a circular flat-plate array, and the P2804 Grifo-F, a reconfigured system with an ellipitical scanner that fits in the antenna bay of a Northrop F-5E aircraft. Pakistan has ordered the Grifo-M for its Mirage III fleet, with an option for 50 more systems. Singapore has also selected the P2804 for retrofit into its F-5 fleet.
A more recent version of Grifo, the Grifo-7 designed for installation into the Chinese built F-7 (MiG-21) is now being offered. Pakistan has ordered 100 units for installation into its F-7 force. Grifo-7 radar had four major sub-assemblies--antenna, receiver, processor and transmitter - which were being produced at KARF from completely knocked-down and semi-knocked-down kits and shop and line replaceable units, he added. The radar, he said has a coherent fire control system designed to enhance the air-to-air and air-to-ground performance of F-7P aircraft. He said that the pilot production of Grifo-7 radar was now in progress and would soon be followed by serial production to equip the entire F-7 fleet .
STATUS
Development and flight testing completed by FIAR SpA of Milan . Grifo ASV is installed on the Italian AMX trainer and light attack aircraft. First flight of the P2801 was in September 1989 in the nose of Piaggio-Douglas PD808 testbed. The Grifo ASV began full flight testing on a PD808 in January 1990. Grifo-7 is currently under production in Pakistan at KARF for its F-7P fighters.
According to Air Commodore Salim Akbar, Managing Director, Kamra Avionics and Radar Factory, said that his factory had successfully produced the first Grifo-7 airborne radar in October 2000 and was at present installed at an F-7P aircraft for exhaustive operational tests and trials.
KARF's 'Facility for Airborne Radar' has bright future and it would not only meet the existing F-7P requirements but would also produce airborne radar for future PAF aircraft, he added. The radar is a joint venture of an Italian firm FIAR and KARF. The production equipment used to produce Grifo-7 radar is generic in nature and can also be utilised for production of other electronics, avionics related systems, Commodore Salim Akbar replied to a questioner. Lovenzo Fiori, Chief of FIAR Radar Programme, said that during 1990s, his company started to develop its own radar, which was now a family of Grifo radar. The co-production of the Gripo-7 in Pakistan was not only a remarkable success for PAF and KARF but also a matter of pride for FIAR, he added.
BUILDER(S)
FIAR SpA, Milan, Italy
USERS/PLATFORMS
Italy
AMX (Grifo ASV)
Pakistan
Mirage III (Grifo-M)
F-7 Airguard (Grifo 7)
Singapore
F-5E Tiger (Grifo-F)
Grifo Radar series
Grifo 7 fire-control radar
Type
X-band (8 to 12.5 GHz sub-band) airborne fire-control radar.
Description
The Grifo 7 is an 8 to 12.5 GHz sub-band, pulse compressed airborne fire-control radar that features Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) control and `full' electronic counter-countermeasures provision. Other system features include a dual-channel receiver, a `fully processed' guard channel and `extensive' built-in test. Grifo 7 offers `super search' and boresight air-to-air combat modes (both of which feature automatic transition to single target tracking) together with air-to-ground ranging.
Status
As of June 2001, Jane's sources were reporting that the Pakistan Avionics and Radar Factory (PA & RF - Kamra, Pakistan) had delivered its first licence-built, production standard Grifo 7 radar for use in Pakistan's F-7PG and ex-Royal Australian Air Force Mirage IIIO upgrade programmes. Here, the intention was to equip 46 F-7PG aircraft with the radar together with approximately 45 Mirage IIIOs. PA & RF is understood to have delivered a prototype pre-production Grifo 7 during October 2000 and as of the given date, to have been offering the radar for Mirage III upgrade programmes `worldwide'.
Specifications
Frequency: 8-12.5 GHz
Dissipation: 850 W
Power: 500 V A/450 W
Cooling: fan
MTBF: >200 h (flight guaranteed)
Contractor
Fabbrica Italiana Apparecchiature Radioelettriche SpA (FIAR - part of Galileo Avionica)
Milan.
