SOURCE: AFI
@himanshu604
At the IDAX 2024 defense exhibition, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a key development in India’s indigenous military capabilities. Designed with cutting-edge technology, the Uttam AESA radar is set to revolutionize the operational capabilities of fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force and other prospective platforms. Here’s an in-depth look at its features and specifications, highlighting why it stands out as a multi-mode, adaptable, and powerful radar system.
The Uttam radar is a multi-mode, solid-state active phased array fire control radar with a scalable architecture, meaning it can be adapted for different types of fighter aircraft. This adaptability allows for its integration into various platforms, such as the LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI, and future AMCA aircraft.
Jammer Suppression and Low Probability of Intercept: The radar boasts multiple sidelobe cancellation (SLC) channels for jammer suppression, providing a critical advantage in modern warfare scenarios where electronic warfare tactics are commonly employed. Additionally, it has a low probability of intercept (LPI), making it harder for adversaries to detect the radar’s signals, thus maintaining tactical stealth.
AESA Technology: The radar is fully electronically scanned and uses an agile beam, enhancing its ability to engage targets across multiple modes of operation. The radar incorporates Transmit/Receive (T/R) module technology, giving it unmatched precision and flexibility.
Wideband RF Front End: The radar features a wideband RF front-end, ultra-low sidelobe antenna, and high waveform agility. This allows the Uttam radar to handle complex waveforms, giving it high resistance to electronic countermeasures and improved detection capabilities even in contested electromagnetic environments.
Multi-mode Capability: The Uttam AESA radar is designed to handle air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea missions with ease. It can interleave these modes, meaning that the radar can switch between different mission types quickly and seamlessly, offering a comprehensive situational awareness for pilots across all terrains.
Target Tracking and Missile Guidance: Its ability to track multiple targets with high precision makes it a perfect system for missile guidance and firing control. Using Azimuth & Elevation monopulse technology, it delivers fire control accuracy and ensures minimal targeting error.
The Uttam radar has exceptional High Resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities, which enhance its ground-mapping resolution, vital for air-to-ground missions. For maritime operations, it uses High-Resolution Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR), providing crisp and accurate imaging of sea-based targets. These advanced imaging modes improve situational awareness, making the radar a critical asset for precision targeting and threat assessment.
Moreover, the radar features Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR), allowing it to identify targets without relying on cooperative signals from enemy platforms. This increases combat efficiency, especially in identifying hostile aircraft in combat zones.
One of the defining features of the Uttam AESA radar is its highly compact and modular design. DRDO has managed to keep the size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints in mind, ensuring that the radar can be easily integrated into modern fighter jets without sacrificing performance or maneuverability.