SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has recently issued two Requests for Information (RFI) to design, develop, and supply advanced radar systems tailored for its upcoming Dual Band Multirole Helicopter (DBMRH) platform. This RFI specifically seeks to equip two DBMRH variants with radar capabilities tailored for diverse operational roles: an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) radar for the DBMRH-AEW variant and a Surveillance radar for the DBMRH-S Special Operations variant.
The project aims to establish the design and development (D&D) activities and production facility within 60 months from the program’s inception (T0+60). The AEW radar system is set to be ready for integration on the DBMRH prototype by June 2027, while the surveillance radar is expected to be available by March 2027.
The RFIs are open to both Indian and foreign vendors under the “Make in India” initiative, encouraging collaboration and technology transfer within India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The AEW radar for the DBMRH-AEW variant is intended to provide comprehensive airborne early warning capabilities to detect and track targets in various environments. The radar specifications outline requirements for a conformal, lightweight design that aligns with the helicopter’s fuselage.
Brief Radar Specifications for DBMRH-AEW:
- Operational Modes: Air-to-Air (A2A), Air-to-Surface (A2S), and Combined Mode
- Frequency Band: Below 6 GHz, covering the S or C bands
- Coverage: 360° Azimuth and ±60° Elevation
- Weight Limit: Less than 700 kg
- Power Budget: 30 kW
- Detection Range: Over 300 km for targets with a 2 m² Radar Cross Section (RCS) moving at speeds up to 2000 knots
- Additional Requirement: Conformal antenna integration with the DBMRH-AEW fuselage
The radar will require substantial capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground detection, combined with a robust power budget to achieve a detection range exceeding 300 km. This AEW system is poised to enhance India’s air defence and situational awareness capabilities with advanced detection and tracking across multiple domains.
Specifications for the DBMRH-S Surveillance Radar System
The DBMRH-S Special Operations variant radar will focus on sea and ground surveillance, including terrain following and terrain avoidance, suited for high-risk, low-altitude missions. The radar system is also expected to integrate additional functionality, including ground mapping, weather detection, and beacon interrogation.
Brief Radar Specifications for DBMRH-S:
- Operational Modes: Sea/Surface Surveillance, Terrain Following, Terrain Avoidance, Ground Mapping, Air-to-Surface (A2S), Weather Detection, Beacon Interrogation
- Coverage: Azimuth ±110° (minimum ±60°) and Elevation > +10°, -30°
- Single Fixed Antenna: AESA, measuring 600×250 mm
- Weight Limit: Less than 40 kg
- Power Budget: 1.5 kW
- Detection Range:
- Over 15 nautical miles for 10 m² RCS from an altitude of 3,000 feet
- Over 35 nautical miles for 100 m² RCS from 5,000 feet
- Over 65 nautical miles for 1,000 m² RCS from 10,000 feet (Sea Surveillance Mode)
- Additional Info: 174 478 2D AESA Multimode Radar
This multimode radar is expected to enable the DBMRH-S to conduct special operations missions by providing comprehensive situational awareness in both maritime and terrestrial environments. With a power-efficient design and considerable range for large and small targets, the DBMRH-S surveillance radar will support the platform’s diverse operational requirements.
Once integrated, these radar systems will significantly enhance India’s air defence and surveillance capabilities. The DBMRH variants, equipped with cutting-edge radar technology, are anticipated to add strategic value to India’s defence forces, expanding its aerial and maritime surveillance capabilities to address a range of security challenges.
With a strict timeline established, HAL expects the AEW radar system to be ready for the DBMRH-AEW prototype by June 2027, and the surveillance radar for the DBMRH-S variant by March 2027. Vendors interested in participating in this RFI will be required to establish a production facility capable of meeting these specifications within 60 months, reflecting India’s commitment to accelerate defence capability development under tight deadlines.
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