SOURCE: AFI
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful development of the VISR-AX (Versatile ISR – AESA X-Band), a cutting-edge, software-defined Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) transceiver developed by the Bengaluru-based Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS). Engineered for scalability across a wide spectrum of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications, the VISR-AX is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s airborne surveillance capabilities.
According to DRDO sources, this next-generation system will be integrated into the C-295-based Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) for the Indian Coast Guard and Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) platforms for the Indian Navy, while also being proposed for emerging UAV-based ISR roles.
VISR-AX: A Technological Leap in AESA Transceivers
The VISR-AX is a software-defined, X-band AESA transceiver designed to deliver high-performance ISR capabilities across diverse platforms, including manned aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and stratospheric airships. Leveraging advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) tile-based AESA technology, the system features an 8×16 Transmit/Receive (T/R) module configuration and a multi-channel RF front-end powered by a Radio Frequency System on Chip (RFSoC) backend. This architecture ensures ultra-low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), making it ideal for integration into compact and high-endurance platforms.
Key features of the VISR-AX include:
- High-Resolution SAR/ISAR: Provides detailed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse SAR (ISAR) imaging for reconnaissance, enabling precise identification of ground and maritime targets.
- Multi-Mode Functionality: Supports drone detection, passive sensing, weather monitoring, and line-of-sight (LoS) communication, offering versatility beyond traditional ISR roles.
- 360-Degree Coverage: Utilizes Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) processing to create a distributed aperture system, ensuring comprehensive situational awareness.
- Scalability and Reconfigurability: The software-defined RF front-end allows seamless adaptation to various platforms and mission requirements, from low-altitude UAVs to high-altitude surveillance aircraft.
These capabilities make the VISR-AX a game-changer for India’s airborne ISR ecosystem, addressing the evolving demands of modern warfare and maritime security.
The VISR-AX is set to be the technological backbone of the C-295-based MMMA and MRMR platforms, which are being developed to enhance the maritime surveillance and operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy, respectively. The Airbus C-295, a versatile medium transport aircraft, was selected as the base platform due to its proven reliability, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability for specialized missions. India’s contract for 56 C-295 aircraft, signed in 2021, includes plans for 15 additional units configured as maritime patrol aircraft—six MMMAs for the Coast Guard and nine MRMRs for the Navy.
Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA)
The MMMA, tailored for the Indian Coast Guard, is designed for coastal security, search and rescue, pollution surveillance, and maritime interdiction. Equipped with the VISR-AX, the MMMA will feature an X-band AESA maritime patrol radar optimized for air-to-sea surface monitoring, capable of detecting and tracking small vessels, oil spills, and other maritime targets. The system integrates with an indigenously developed electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, a pollution surveillance suite, and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, all supported by artificial intelligence and multi-sensor data fusion for enhanced situational awareness. With an endurance of approximately 3 hours and a range of 600 nautical miles at 30,000 feet, the MMMA will bolster the Coast Guard’s ability to patrol India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
Medium-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR)
The MRMR, developed for the Indian Navy, focuses on long-range surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and target acquisition. A key feature of the MRMR is its ability to carry lightweight torpedoes, enabling it to engage submarines and surface warships, a significant enhancement over existing platforms like the Dornier Do-228. The VISR-AX’s high-resolution SAR/ISAR and drone detection capabilities will allow the MRMR to monitor vast maritime domains, complementing the Navy’s Boeing P-8I Poseidon fleet and short-range Do-228 aircraft. With an endurance of 4.5 hours and a range of 400 nautical miles at 30,000 feet, the MRMR will strengthen India’s maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific, a region of strategic importance amid rising Chinese naval activity.
Beyond manned platforms, the VISR-AX is being actively proposed for UAV-based ISR roles, reflecting its adaptability and mission-readiness across domains. DRDO’s push for High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) and Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAVs, such as the proposed single turboprop-powered HALE platform by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), aligns with the VISR-AX’s low-SWaP design. The transceiver’s ability to integrate into compact platforms makes it ideal for UAVs tasked with swarm drone deployment, loitering munitions, and persistent surveillance.
The VISR-AX’s SAR/ISAR and drone detection capabilities could enhance UAV missions for border surveillance, maritime patrol, and battlefield ISR, addressing threats like low-altitude drones and stealth aircraft. Integration with platforms like the DRDO’s Rustom-II MALE UAV or the proposed Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior could further expand its utility, enabling autonomous, networked operations. The system’s software-defined architecture also supports future upgrades, ensuring compatibility with emerging AI-driven mission profiles and swarm technologies.
The VISR-AX’s development comes at a critical juncture for India’s defense strategy. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard face increasing challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including Chinese naval expansion, piracy, and illegal fishing in India’s EEZ. The MMMA and MRMR platforms, equipped with the VISR-AX, will complement the Navy’s 12 P-8I aircraft and the Coast Guard’s Do-228 fleet, providing a cost-effective, indigenous solution to bridge capability gaps. The MRMR’s ASW capabilities, in particular, address the threat posed by Chinese and Pakistani submarines, while the MMMA’s pollution surveillance role supports environmental security.
Both platforms will feature advanced mission systems developed by CABS, including three reconfigurable, triple-display Multifunctional Tactical Consoles (MTCs) for real-time data integration, C-band LoS and Ku-band SATCOM data links, and a Mission Communication System (MCS) for air-to-air and air-to-ground V/UHF communication. These systems ensure seamless coordination with ground stations and naval assets, enhancing operational effectiveness.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.