SOURCE: AFI
During a recent test at Aero India 2025 it was revealed, that the UTTAM Radar, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully tracked the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1 at an impressive range of 140 kilometres. This demonstration highlights the radar’s capabilities, especially considering that the LCA Mk-1 has an estimated Radar Cross Section (RCS) of over 1 square meter, making it a relatively small target to detect. The radar, equipped with approximately 900 Transmitter-Receiver (TR) modules, offers advanced tracking capabilities, and its performance has significant implications when compared to other aircraft, such as the Pakistani F-16 and JF-17.
The test, which tracked the LCA Mk-1—a relatively small platform—at 140 kilometers, demonstrated the radar’s impressive capability to track targets with low RCS. The small size of the LCA Mk-1 makes it a difficult target for many radars, which typically struggle to detect aircraft with RCSs of 1 square meter or less. This radar range sets a high bar for future air combat capabilities.
When evaluating the performance of the UTTAM Radar against more advanced and larger targets like the Pakistani F-16 and JF-17, the differences in RCS play a crucial role. Both the F-16 and JF-17 have larger RCS than the LCA Mk-1, and as such, are more easily detectable by radar systems like the UTTAM.
The F-16, a fourth-generation multirole fighter, is widely used by the Pakistani Air Force. Its RCS is estimated to be in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 square meters, similar to the LCA Mk-1 but with a much larger airframe. Due to its more expansive size and shape, the F-16 should be detectable at greater ranges than the LCA Mk-1 by the UTTAM Radar.
Given that the UTTAM Radar successfully tracked the LCA Mk-1 at 140 kilometers, it is highly likely that the radar could detect an F-16 at significantly greater distances, potentially in the range of 180-200 kilometers, depending on factors like flight altitude, weather conditions, and the relative positioning of both aircraft. The radar’s ability to handle targets with slightly larger RCS than the LCA Mk-1 places it in an advantageous position when engaging such platforms in real-world combat scenarios.
The JF-17, a lighter, multirole combat aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China, is also equipped with relatively modest stealth characteristics, placing its RCS at around 1.5 square meters or slightly higher. Although larger than the LCA Mk-1, it remains a relatively small target in terms of radar detection.
In terms of tracking, the UTTAM Radar would likely track the JF-17 at ranges similar to, or slightly better than, those for the F-16—likely between 160-180 kilometers, considering the radar’s capability to detect larger targets with more prominent RCS.
With the ability to detect and track smaller targets at extended ranges, the UTTAM Radar will significantly enhance the Tejas Mk-1A’s situational awareness, targeting accuracy, and survivability in contested airspaces. The radar’s advanced capabilities will provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a significant advantage during air combat, allowing for earlier detection of adversaries and more effective deployment of weapons.
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