SOURCE: AFI
Modern fighter jets rely heavily on advanced radar systems to achieve superiority in air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea operations. The KLJ-7A and ELM-2052 are two prominent Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, respectively used in the JF-17 Block III and Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
The KLJ-7A is a multifunctional X-band AESA radar that significantly enhances target detection and situational awareness. It performs various roles including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea detection, location, and tracking with comprehensive operational modes.
Main Features
- Fast Scan Rate and Beam Agility: Enables rapid target acquisition and flexible operational modes.
- Enhanced Target Detection: Improved capability to detect and track multiple targets simultaneously.
- Excellent ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) Capability: Ensures operational reliability in contested environments.
- Multi-target Tracking and Engagement: Supports simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets.
- Modular Design: Facilitates scalability and ease of maintenance.
- High Reliability: Designed for easy maintenance and high operational availability.
Specifications
- Frequency Band: X-band
- Operational Modes:
- Air-to-Air: TAS, STI, AMC, ACM, HUD, VERT, BOR, SLEW
- Air-to-Ground: RSM, DOS, SAR, OMI/GTAS, AGR, FIT
- Air-to-Sea: SEAT, SEA2
- Navigation: BCN, MBCN, TA, WA
- Detection Capability:
- For a target with RCS of 5m²
- Detection range: Approximately 150 km
ELM-2052 Radar Overview
Product Capability
The ELM-2052 AESA radar, designed by ELTA Systems, is an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) tailored for air-to-air superiority and strike missions. Its solid-state technology ensures long detection ranges, high reliability, and multi-target tracking capabilities.
Main Features
- Solid-State, Active Phased Array Technology: Provides robustness and reliability.
- Pulse Doppler, All-Aspect, Shoot-Down Capabilities: Ensures comprehensive engagement potential.
- Simultaneous Multi-Target Tracking and Engagement: Supports complex combat scenarios.
- Multi-Mode Operation: Capable of handling multiple operational modes simultaneously.
- High ECM Immunity: Maintains operational effectiveness in electronic warfare environments.
- Ultra-Low Side-Lobe Antenna: Enhances target detection accuracy and reduces false alarms.
- Flexible Interfaces: Modular hardware and software allow for scalability and future upgrades.
- High Mission Reliability: Built with redundancy to ensure continuous operation.
Specifications
- Antenna Size: Adaptable to aircraft nose limitations
- Weight: 80-180 kg, depending on antenna size
- Power: 3-10 kVA, depending on antenna size
- Operational Modes:
- Air-to-Air:
- TWS (Track-While-Scan)
- Multi-target detection and tracking
- High-resolution raid assessment
- Air-to-Ground:
- High-resolution mapping (SAR Mode)
- AGR (Air-to-Ground Ranging)
- RBM (Real Beam Map)
- DBS (Doppler Beam Sharpening)
- GMTI (Ground Moving Target Indication)
- GMTT (Ground Moving Target Tracking)
- Air-to-Sea:
- Sea search and multi-target tracking
- RS (Range Signature) and ISAR (Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar) classification modes
- Navigation:
- Beacon
- Weather modes
- Air-to-Air:
Comparative Analysis
- Target Detection and Tracking:
- KLJ-7A: Emphasizes fast scan rates and beam agility, suitable for dynamic combat scenarios.
- ELM-2052: Offers long-range multi-target detection and simultaneous weapon engagement, making it superior for complex air-to-air combat.
- Operational Modes:
- KLJ-7A: Comprehensive air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea modes with robust electronic counter-countermeasures.
- ELM-2052: Advanced multi-mission capabilities with high-resolution mapping, ground moving target detection, and classification modes, demonstrating versatility across different mission types.
- Design and Scalability:
- KLJ-7A: Modular design ensures scalability and easy maintenance, beneficial for long-term operational readiness.
- ELM-2052: Modular hardware and software with flexible interfaces allow for future upgrades and adaptability.
- Reliability and Maintenance:
- KLJ-7A: High reliability and easy maintenance enhance operational availability.
- ELM-2052: Built with redundancy to ensure high mission reliability, suitable for continuous and demanding operations.
. The KLJ-7A is well-suited for the JF-17 Block III with its fast scan rate, beam agility, and robust ECCM capabilities. In contrast, the ELM-2052, used on the Tejas Mk1A, offers superior long-range detection, multi-target tracking, and versatile operational modes, reflecting ELTA’s extensive radar experience and technological innovation.