Akash Surface-to-air Missile

[prabhug]

So it means Mk-II doesn't have active seeker and it's going to be command guided

 

[SHASH2K2]

Range of radars

RAVI SHARMA

The LRDE develops for the armed forces sensors meant for surveillance, tracking and weapons control.


THE Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in Bangalore has been spearheading the development of radar systems and related technologies for the defence forces. A Ministry of Defence research laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the LRDE's genealogy goes back to the Inspectorate of Scientific Stores set up in 1939 at Rawalpindi.

In 1946, it was re-designated as the Technical Development Establishment (Instruments and Electronics) and relocated in Dehradun. The electronics component was relocated to Bangalore in 1962 and the LRDE's role was redefined to develop indigenous and state-of-the-art military radar and communication systems. Today the LRDE is a premier radar systems laboratory with a core competence to build advanced systems in the L to X bands.

According to S. Varadarajan, Director, LRDE, the laboratory develops a range of products from short- to long-range sensors for ground, air and sea surface surveillance, tracking, and weapons control. Besides this, the LRDE has developed advanced radar technologies, including transmit and receive (TR) modules, slotted waveguide array antenna, high-power transmitters, programmable signal and data processors, radar controllers and multi-beam antenna.

The LRDE was roundly criticised for not successfully developing, in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the multi-mode radar for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. But the Israeli radar now being fitted on the Tejas has an antenna designed by the LRDE – the slotted waveguide array antenna. The LRDE is also undertaking the design and development of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. The AESA technology allows ships and aircraft to broadcast powerful radar signals while they themselves remain under stealth. The AESA's basic building block is the TR module, a self-contained, miniaturised transmitter and receiver that makes up one of the AESA antenna elements. In a bid to develop the AESA, the LRDE has developed L and S band TR modules.

According to B.V. Ramesh, project director of LRDE's LSTAR programme, an LRDE-developed X-band AESA radar could be fitted on the Tejas by 2014. Two modules of the AESA radar have already been launched.

Ramesh also disclosed that the LSTAR (Long-range Solid State Active Phase Array Radar), which is a sort of a forerunner to India's Airborne Early Warning and Control System programme, has been approved by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, integrated and tested on ground-based systems, and qualified for airborne applications. And a production agency, Astra Microwave, has been identified for it.

Among the LRDE's foremost products is Indra-1, a radar that works on the Doppler principle. It has a 50-km range and is integrated with the fire control radar. It is in deployment with the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of their air defence network. Indira-2, an improvement over Indira-1, was designed as per the needs of the IAF, which wanted a radar that can identify dense-formation targets, such as a group of aircraft flying wing tip to wing tip, and can be used even at high altitudes.



Bharani, a portable, short-range, light-weight radar. It provides 2D surveillance, mainly in mountainous terrain, against aerial targets.

The LRDE's portable Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR) - Short Range was developed after the Kargil conflict, when the inadequacies of binoculars were felt. An all-weather, automated detection of intrusions system was needed. Over 1,400 BFSRs are now being used by the Army against moving surface targets. A BFSR radar that offers foliage penetration is under development. The LRDE has also developed a coherent, electronically scanned C-Band Doppler Weapon Locating Radar for use by the Artillery Corps. Rohini is a 3D, medium-range, vehicle-mounted surveillance radar that offers 360 degree coverage and has a range of 150 to 180 km, and is used against low-, medium- and high-flying targets. It can measure the range, azimuth and the height of the target. It is designed for the IAF and will also be part of the Akash missile system. The LRDE is also developing the Revathi, a 3D, medium-range surveillance radar that will give the Navy cover against air and sea targets.

An off-shoot of the Rohini is the Aslesha, a 3D low-level, light-weight radar designed for use in mountainous terrain and against aerial targets. The LRDE developed this radar when the Army wanted a system that could be transported by animals. It has been evaluated at 15,000 feet (4,572 metres) and cleared for induction. The Bharani is another portable, short-range, low-level, light-weight radar. It provides 2D surveillance, mainly in mountainous terrain, against aerial targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft flying at low and medium altitudes.

The Rajendra, a multi-function, phased array radar, is the primary sensor at the battery level for the Akash weapon system, which is to be used for air defence by the IAF and the Army. It can perform extensive searches, track multiple targets and missiles, and command and guide multiple missiles concurrently. Says Varadarajan: "It can be mounted on a T-52 tank bed or as per the IAF's requirements on a low-bed trailer."

Having realised the importance of timelines and technology obsolescence in the development of radar systems, the LRDE has decided to "knit the user with the programme at the design stage itself". Says Varadarajan: "An early association of the user helps fasten the programme. As for production, we want to be involved only with critical design and system engineering, capturing the user's requirements. It is for industry to realise the prototype, prove the concept and also be the lead integrator."

 

[SHASH2K2]

So it means Mk-II doesn't have active seeker and it's going to be command guided

It will be guided by an AESA RADAR . work on it is almost over for AESA RADAR .

 

[prabhug]

Hi Shash,
Does Aesa means less jamming and more targets to be tracked?
Will aesa radars will make it less vulnerable to Anti -Radiation missiles?
And is there any idea of making it work without BLR.

Cheers

Prabhu.G

 

[SHASH2K2]

Hi Shash,
Does Aesa means less jamming and more targets to be tracked?
Will aesa radars will make it less vulnerable to Anti -Radiation missiles?
And is there any idea of making it work without BLR.

Cheers

Prabhu.G

AESA radars offer significant gains in reliability. By focusing power at specific directions, the pilot can gain more detection range providing "first detect" for air-to-air engagements, enabling first shoot/first kill by missiles fired Beyond Visual Range (BVR) mode. The longer standoff range also allows more time for persistent target observation, information sharing, tactical analysis and commander assessment before critical decisions are made.

AESA radars are emitting not only radar signals, but can also be employed for non traditional ISR, as well as electronic attack. For example, some of the elements can transmit and receive signals modulated with datalink waveform, transferring large amounts of data (such as live video or aerial imagery) over high bandwidth datalinks. Similar techniques can be used for electronic attack, to jam or deceive electronic systems operated by enemy forces.

The mechanical scanning systems used in previous systems were prone to failures, which grounded the entire aircraft. The new systems use solid-state technology and electronic scanning, to replace the mechanical systems but also introduce multiple elements to replace the single channel design of previous systems. Therefore, AESA radars can sustain certain degree of failure without grounding the aircraft or disabling the entire radar system. Furthermore, when designed with modular approach, AESA radars can be gradually upgraded, by replacing the solid-state receive/transmit modules based on Gallium-arsenide semiconductors technology with more advanced elements, thus significantly improving performance.

Though it is for plane but same can be applicable for ground based RADARS.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

The old SA-6's which Akash eveolved from use to keep their radars off until the last possible moments of engagement, this prevented the enemy pilot from picking up the SA-6 radar,this was a technique that the SA-6 operators more or less had to master to provide effective anti-aircraft coverage,with the new system this will not be necessary and enemy planes can be shot down further away.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Check this link as well.
http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/rtnwcm/groups/sas/documents/content/rtn_b_sas_broc_aesa.pdf

 

[Kunal Biswas]

So it means Mk-II doesn't have active seeker and it's going to be command guided

Their is no conform reports about the missile will have active seeker or not.
though Radar is AESA.

 

[prabhug]

But I felt our defense forces are looking at two layered cover .One with active seeker and other with command guided.For lethal force "Today's antiradiation missile are far more sophisticated and can engage targets at longer distances as well"

Cheers

Prabhu.G

 

[LETHALFORCE]

But I felt our defense forces are looking at two layered cover .One with active seeker and other with command guided.For lethal force "Today's antiradiation missile are far more sophisticated and can engage targets at longer distances as well"

Cheers

Prabhu.G

The antiradiation missiles Pakistan has acquired from Brazil has a 25km range so for them to be effective they would have to be deep in our airspace which is highly unlikely.

 

[prabhug]

Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forget p**** .I really don't worry about them .Tunguska's and igla's are enough to defend our airspace .Even pechoras are more sophisticated to them.Chin*** are hidden dragons ????

 

[SHASH2K2]

Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Forget p**** .I really don't worry about them .Tunguska's and igla's are enough to defend our airspace .Even pechoras are more sophisticated to them.Chin*** are hidden dragons ????

You expect chinese weapons to be better than pakistanis?

at least pakistanis are getting a few weapons from Americans which are really good. all that china have is russian or their cheap copies.
We are very much familiar with russian weapon systems so we know how to manage them.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

You expect chinese weapons to be better than pakistanis?

at least pakistanis are getting a few weapons from Americans which are really good. all that china have is russian or their cheap copies.
We are very much familiar with russian weapon systems so we know how to manage them.

Pakistani air-defense is very weak, they dont even have a Medium range SAMs like SA-6, BUT i must say China is very capable in terms of ADs, They have long, medium and very capable short range missles..

It is very possible that Pakistan will be operating these systems in future..
We Indians need to concentrate on our indigenous platforms, importing limited no of systems is just not enough and make no sense in long wars, Akash is a big success for our Country and we need to develop all kinds of AD systems from man-portable SA-16/7 to S-400..

 

[SHASH2K2]

Any news about S400? heard its available for export now.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Any news about S400? heard its available for export now.

Only two systems are active, One near Moscow and other is deployed in the Russian Far East to counter possible North Korean missile tests..
Its for export too, two billion dollar arms deal between Russia and Saudi Arabia,Belarus had submitted a formal request for two battalions of S-400 systems..
Though Almaz is working on an S-500, described in September 2002 as an improvement of the Phase 2 S-400, with new missiles and radar, S-500 will reportedly be able to outperform both the S-400 as well as the U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 system..

 

[nitesh]

I don't think we will be ordering S 400 or any other system our requirements will be taken care by Barak/ Akash and Spyder in medium term and once PAD enters production it will take care of long term needs

 

[plugwater]

I don't think we will be ordering S 400 or any other system our requirements will be taken care by Barak/ Akash and Spyder in medium term and once PAD enters production it will take care of long term needs

What is the range of PAD? Everybody is talking about altitude but any idea about its range?

 

[nitesh]

What is the range of PAD? Everybody is talking about altitude but any idea about its range?

The altitude of interception is 80 Km that is the available info just check our ABM thread for more info

 

[plugwater]

The altitude of interception is 80 Km that is the available info just check our ABM thread for more info

Yes sir, Everybody knows about its altitude range. what i am asking is its horizontal range?

 

[nitesh]

Yes sir, Everybody knows about its altitude range. what i am asking is its horizontal range?

Sorry not aware of it may be our technocrats can help