SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is gearing up for a remarkable transformation of its ‘Anusandhan’ A319 aircraft, formerly part of Air India’s fleet, which was handed over to DRDO in 2021. The aircraft will undergo structural modifications to serve as a Flying Test Bed for a range of airborne surveillance systems, marking a significant leap in India’s defence capabilities.
The ‘Anusandhan’ flight test bed is poised to receive a series of crucial modifications to accommodate cutting-edge surveillance technologies. These enhancements include:
- Belly Mount: A belly mount will be installed to accommodate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors, and more. This will enable comprehensive surveillance capabilities from beneath the aircraft.
- Dorsal Upgrades: The aircraft’s dorsal section will be adapted to accommodate satcom equipment, facilitating secure communication capabilities during missions.
- Ventral Enhancement: A ventral section will be outfitted to accommodate Data Link systems, ensuring seamless data transmission and connectivity.
- Chin Adaptation: The aircraft’s chin area will be configured to accommodate Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) systems on both sides of the fuselage, enabling comprehensive situational awareness.
The ‘Anusandhan’ flight test bed will serve as a versatile platform for testing and validating a range of components, particularly for the NETRA Mk2 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) program. This will contribute to the program’s refinement and efficiency.
However, the aircraft’s utility extends beyond the AEW&CS program. DRDO’s Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) is concurrently developing the COMJAM (Communication Jammer) and Airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) platforms for the Indian Air Force (IAF). These platforms, based on the Airbus A321 aircraft, will be instrumental in enhancing electronic warfare capabilities. The ‘Anusandhan’ flight test bed will play a crucial role in testing and validating the sensors and systems destined for these platforms.
The IAF is gearing up to procure the COMJAM and Airborne SIGINT platforms based on the Airbus A321 aircraft. To fulfil this objective, the IAF plans to initiate a tender process to acquire suitable aircraft from the used commercial market. This strategic move underscores the IAF’s commitment to advancing its electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities.
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