SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant push to enhance the electronic warfare (EW) capabilities of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of Radar Warning Receiver and Jammer (RWJ) radomes.
Released in early 2025 by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), this RFP invites Indian industrial partners to design and produce lightweight radomes that house RWJ systems, critical for detecting and countering enemy radar threats. With stringent operational specifications and a focus on indigenous innovation, this move underscores India’s ambition to bolster its UAV fleet for modern combat scenarios.
The RWJ radome is a pivotal component, shielding sensitive radar warning receivers and jammers while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and signal transparency. Designed for high-altitude, high-speed UAVs, the radome must meet rigorous environmental and performance standards, as outlined in the RFP. This initiative aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and integrate cutting-edge EW technology into India’s growing UAV ecosystem.
The RWJ system, encased in the radome, is a force multiplier for UAVs. The radar warning receiver detects enemy radar emissions—pinpointing air defenses like China’s HQ-9 or Pakistan’s LY-80—while the jammer disrupts their tracking, rendering the UAV harder to target. This capability is vital for missions over the Tibetan Plateau or along the LoC, where stealth and survivability are paramount. The RFP’s specs suggest a UAV designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and potentially combat, complementing platforms like the Tapas BH-201 or the under-development Ghatak.
India’s UAV program has lagged behind peers like China, whose Wing Loong II and GJ-11 boast advanced EW suites. The RWJ radome RFP signals a catch-up effort, integrating electronic warfare into unmanned platforms to counter regional threats. Posts on X speculate this could equip a jet-powered variant of the Archer-NG or a new DRDO UCAV, enhancing India’s deterrence against PLAAF and PAF radar networks.
The 3.5 kg weight cap poses a design hurdle. Radomes must be radar-transparent (low dielectric constant), structurally robust, and lightweight—typically achieved with composites like fiberglass or Kevlar. Meeting MIL-STD-810H and 461G standards adds complexity, requiring advanced materials and manufacturing precision. Indian firms like Tata Advanced Systems, L&T, or smaller players like Alpha Design could rise to the challenge, leveraging aerospace expertise honed on Tejas and missile programs.
The RFP’s indigenous focus opens doors for collaboration between DRDO and private industry, echoing successes like the Pinaka rocket system. However, tight timelines—likely aiming for trials by 2027—demand rapid prototyping and testing, a perennial DRDO bottleneck. The radome’s salinity and lightning specs also hint at naval UAV applications, broadening its potential use with the Indian Navy’s Predator drones or future carrier-based assets.
The RFP details a comprehensive set of operational requirements, reflecting the UAV’s intended role in diverse and hostile conditions. Key specifications include:
- Altitude and Endurance:
- Service ceiling: 10 km Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL).
- Operating altitude: 35,000 feet (10.6 km).
- Take-off altitude: Up to 2.5 km AMSL.
- Endurance: 2 hours.
These parameters suggest a medium-altitude, medium-endurance (MAME) UAV capable of operating from high-altitude bases like Leh (3,256 m) and conducting missions over contested regions such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Speed:
- Maximum speed: >800 kmph True Air Speed (TAS) at sea level; 0.7 Mach (673 kmph) at 3 km AMSL; 0.8 Mach (769 kmph) at 10 km AMSL.
The near-supersonic capability hints at a jet-powered UAV, possibly akin to DRDO’s Ghatak stealth UCAV or a new tactical platform, designed for rapid ingress and evasion.
- Maximum speed: >800 kmph True Air Speed (TAS) at sea level; 0.7 Mach (673 kmph) at 3 km AMSL; 0.8 Mach (769 kmph) at 10 km AMSL.
- Environmental Resilience:
- Operating temperature: -40°C to +55°C.
- Storage temperature: -40°C to +70°C.
- Operating humidity: Up to 80%.
- Rain: 10 mm/hr for 4 hours; 100 mm/hr for 15 minutes.
- Sand and Dust: MIL-STD-810H compliance.
- Salinity: Yes (for coastal operations).
These specs ensure functionality in India’s varied climates—from Himalayan winters to Rajasthan’s deserts and coastal monsoons.
- Structural Integrity:
- Acceleration: -1g to +3g.
- Vibration and Mechanical Shock: MIL-STD-810H for jet-engine aircraft.
- Wind conditions for take-off/landing: Head wind 25 knots, cross wind 15 knots, tail wind 10 knots.
- Thermal shock: Based on climb/descent rates.
The radome must withstand dynamic stresses, aligning with a high-performance UAV’s agility and maneuverability.
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC):
- Enhanced EMC and reduced EMI per MIL-STD-461G.
- Lightning protection: SAE ARP 5412B (direct effects) and MIL-STD-461G (indirect effects).
These ensure the RWJ system operates without interference, critical for jamming enemy radars and surviving electronic countermeasures.
- Weight Constraint:
- Maximum weight: 3.5 kg, including attachment latches (MIL-qualified).
The lightweight mandate emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency and payload optimization, a challenge for industrial partners tasked with balancing durability and mass.
- Maximum weight: 3.5 kg, including attachment latches (MIL-qualified).
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