SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), has initiated the development of the Virupaksha radar for the Super-30 upgrade program. This cutting-edge radar system will equip India’s 84 Su-30MKI jets with enhanced capabilities, significantly bolstering the country’s air defence capabilities.
The Virupaksha radar will feature a remarkable 2400+ transmit-receive module (TRM) based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. This advanced technology will enable the radar to achieve a wider field of regard (WFoR) through a rotating swashplate re-positioner. This innovative design will allow for more extensive scanning capabilities, enhancing the radar’s target detection and tracking performance.
The Virupaksha radar is set to replace the existing N011M BARS PESA radar on the Su-30MKI platforms. Previous reports indicate that the Virupaksha radar will be significantly lighter, weighing 30-40% less than its predecessor. This weight reduction will improve the overall performance and agility of the Su-30MKI jets.
The radar’s range is one of its most critical performance parameters. The current N011M BARS PESA radar has an effective range of 350 km for large targets like aircraft. GaN technology, offers better power efficiency and higher output, allowing the radar to detect targets at greater distances. With a 30% improvement in range due to the adoption of GaN and other enhancements, the Virupaksha radar could have an estimated range of 455 km.
Given these factors, it is reasonable to expect that the Virupaksha radar will have a comparable or slightly longer range than the N011M BARS radar. However, the exact range will depend on various factors such as target characteristics, environmental conditions, and operating frequency.
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