SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step towards bolstering India’s air defense prowess, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has embarked on the development of a cutting-edge technology: the Distributed Aperture System-HD (DAS-HD).
The Instruments Research and Development Establishment (LRDE), a premier DRDO lab, is spearheading the DAS-HD project. Issuing tenders for development signifies a critical milestone towards equipping future Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets with this game-changing system.
The DAS-HD, built using high-definition (HD) sensors, is envisioned as a multi-Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) system. This translates to a modular design for easier maintenance and future upgrades. The core functionalities of DAS-HD include:
- Autonomous Threat Detection: The system will be able to autonomously scan the surroundings and identify potential threats, significantly reducing pilot workload.
- Advanced Tracking: DAS-HD will provide superior tracking capabilities, allowing pilots to maintain a lock on multiple targets simultaneously.
- Accurate Threat Identification: With high-definition sensors, DAS-HD will enhance the IAF’s ability to precisely identify and classify potential threats on the battlefield.
This technological leap is expected to be a major contributor to the IAF’s future fighter programs, particularly the much-anticipated 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Integration of DAS-HD into AMCA is projected to provide the aircraft with a decisive edge in aerial combat scenarios by giving pilots a comprehensive view of the battlefield and superior situational awareness.