SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking innovative solutions from private sector companies to design and develop a road-mobile tethered aerostat system with integrated radar and communication capabilities. The goal is to enhance low-level radar and communication coverage over a range of 80-120 kilometers, overcoming the limitations imposed by the radio line of sight. This advanced system will play a critical role in improving aerial object detection, tracking, and communication relay, especially in remote and challenging environments.
The increasing complexity of air defense and surveillance requires systems that can provide long-range radar coverage and effective communication at low altitudes. Traditional ground-based systems face limitations due to the curvature of the Earth and obstacles in the terrain, which affect the radio line of sight. The solution the IAF envisions is a tethered aerostat system—a portable, road-mobile technology that can elevate radars and communication equipment to heights of 2,000 to 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL), thereby expanding the line of sight and providing coverage over a much larger area.
System Requirements and Key Features
The IAF has laid out detailed specifications for the tethered aerostat system, which must be capable of providing continuous and reliable coverage while remaining road-mobile for quick deployment and relocation. Key features and requirements include:
The system is designed to operate with a minimal crew, optimizing personnel requirements while ensuring ease of operation. This efficiency is vital for quick setup and rapid redeployment to new locations.
Operational Height and Range:
The aerostat or similar technology must be operational at heights of 2,000 to 5,000 feet AGL, providing 80-120 kilometers of radar and communication coverage. The system should be capable of deployment at altitudes up to 15,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), suitable for rugged and high-altitude terrains.
Mobile Deployment:
The entire system must be road-mobile, mounted on a vehicle that can traverse difficult terrain. This allows for flexibility in deployment, making it possible to position the aerostat system at any location. Time to become operational must be under two hours, ensuring rapid response capability in dynamic environments. The system must also be able to winch down or deflate within a similar timeframe, making it quickly relocatable.
Integrated Radar and Communication Systems:
The aerostat will carry an integrated radar payload capable of tracking, locating, identifying, and recording aerial objects. The radar must include primary and secondary modes, integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability, and the ability to link with existing IAF systems.
Radio communication capabilities should cover Air Band VHF and UHF frequencies, with provisions for integration into the IAF’s broader communication networks.
Data connectivity is crucial to ensure seamless integration with IAF systems for both radar data and radio communication relays.
Tethering and Weather Resilience:
The tethering mechanism should allow for operation in winds up to 40 knots, ensuring stability in varying weather conditions. The system must include integral weather sensors capable of generating warnings in the case of hazardous weather conditions, ensuring operational safety and system longevity.
Minimal Crew and Operational Efficiency:
The system is designed to operate with a minimal crew, optimizing personnel requirements while ensuring ease of operation. This efficiency is vital for quick setup and rapid redeployment to new locations.
The IAF is looking for a solution that not only meets its immediate operational requirements but is also scalable for future needs. The aerostat system should allow for the integration of additional payloads as needed, providing flexibility for future missions. Potential upgrades could include higher operational altitudes, enhanced radar capabilities, and new communication technologies. The long-term vision is to create a system that can evolve to meet the changing demands of modern aerial defense.
Tethered aerostat systems offer several strategic advantages. By elevating radar and communication equipment, they provide persistent coverage over large areas, enhancing the detection and tracking of low-flying aircraft, drones, and other aerial threats. These systems are particularly useful in border areas, coastal regions, and remote installations, where traditional ground-based systems may be limited by terrain and line of sight challenges.
Additionally, the portability and rapid deployment capabilities of the aerostat system make it an ideal solution for mobile defense operations, allowing the IAF to quickly respond to emerging threats and reposition the system as needed. The integration of IFF systems ensures that the aerostat can distinguish between friendly and hostile targets, reducing the risk of friendly fire incidents.
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