SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
For the first time, tender documents have provided a detailed look at the technical specifications of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar antenna, specifically the AESA-AAAU, designed for the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF Mk2. This advanced radar represents a significant technological upgrade aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the LCA Mk2, with its architecture closely following the Uttam AESA radar used in the Tejas Mk1A but featuring several design modifications to suit the Mk2’s requirements.
The AESA-AAAU radar for the LCA AF Mk2 is built around a 912-element array of transmit-receive modules (TRMs), with 896 active elements and 16 receive-only elements. The radar utilizes Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) TRMs with a power output of 10W, similar to those used in the Uttam radar for Tejas Mk1A. This high number of active elements is designed to enhance radar detection range, target acquisition, and tracking capabilities, allowing the LCA Mk2 to perform in complex and high-intensity combat scenarios.
The radar’s new configuration, with a reduced height and increased width, is tailored to fit into the LCA Mk2’s narrower nose cone. This change allows for optimal integration into the aircraft’s existing frame while maximizing the radar’s performance within the size constraints.
The AESA-AAAU radar uses a sophisticated X-Band frequency, which is typically employed in military applications for high-resolution tracking and target identification. The radar’s lightweight and compact design, weighing less than 90kg, ensures it doesn’t compromise the LCA Mk2’s agility and overall aerodynamics.
Liquid cooling also supports continuous operation in demanding conditions, allowing the radar to perform extended tracking and scanning functions without overheating, even under high-power demands.
Here are some of the brief specifications as outlined in the tender documents:
- Frequency Band: X-Band
- Cooling System: Liquid-cooled, ensuring optimal temperature management for sustained high-performance operation
- Active and Passive Elements: 896 active elements and 16 receive-only elements
- Power Output: 10W GaAs TRMs, consistent with the Uttam radar used on the Tejas Mk1A
- Antenna Dimensions: 627mm (height) x 604mm (width) x 317mm (depth)
- Weight: Less than 90kg (for the antenna alone)
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