WORLD DEFENCE: RADAR

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Raytheon Has Delivered Its 250th APG-79 AESA Radar

Raytheon has delivered its 250th APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar to Boeing. The APG-79 radar is flown on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft, and on the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet.

"As we recognize this milestone of the 250th APG-79 AESA delivery, it is also significant to note that 85 radar systems were completed for the U.S. Navy in just the last 12 months," said Eric Ditmars, F/A-18 program director, Tactical Airborne Systems.

"The APG-79 radar has revolutionized fighter combat capabilities and dramatically improved situational awareness for aircrews. This combat-proven, advanced radar technology also has logged more than 175,000 operational flight hours."

The APG-79 AESA hardware offers 10-15 times greater reliability than mechanically scanned array radars, which results in lower life-cycle costs. In addition, it provides capabilities that allow warfighters to detect and identify targets beyond the reach of most missiles.

The APG-79 AESA radar is in operation with more than a dozen U.S. Navy squadrons. Internationally, the Royal Australian Air Force received the radar system in 2010, marking the delivery of the first foreign military sale of Super Hornets equipped with the APG-79.

Indian Radar Systems

Rohini Radar:

The Central Acquisition Radar (3D-CAR) is a 3D radar developed by DRDO for use with Akash SAM. The 3D CAR was developed as part of a program between DRDO and Poland's PIT to develop a family of mobile, S-Band 3D radars.

The areas of cooperation were in developing the Planar Array and general architecture. The Indian variant is the 3D CAR, a medium range surveillance radar for Akash at Group level, intended to provide high mobility and comprehensive high and low level coverage. The Polish versions, are the TRS series of S Band mobile radars such as the TRS-17 and TRS-19. The original Indian (3D CAR) and Polish (TRS 17) radars shared the basic architecture and antenna but differed in terms of purpose designed transmitter/receivers, and signal processing equipment. The TRS series for instance can track 120 targets, while the Indian radar tracks 150.

Rajendra Radar:

The Rajendra Multi-Function Phased Array radar system, designed at the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), part of DRDO, is currently in production at Bharat Electronics Limited. This is named after India's First president Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The LRDE is working on the Rajendra III radar for the Indian Army.[1] Rajendra III is a slewable phased array radar based on the T-72 chassis. As of 2007, the BLR-III vehicle on T-72 chasis was ready for a track test. The Phased array antenna is fabricated at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad. Collimated beam pattern and s/s cure for all 16 spot frequencies has been taken.

Current orders for the Rajendra and its derivatives are at least 32 units, considering the order for 2 Squadrons of the Akash system by the Indian Air force and the indent for 28 Weapon Locating Radars by the Indian Army.

INDRA Radar:

The Indian Doppler Radar (INDRA) series of 2D radars were developed by India's DRDO for the Army and Air Force. The INDRA-I is a is a mobile surveillance radar for low level target detection while the INDRA-II is for ground controlled interception of targets.

INDRA-I is a 2D mobile surveillance radar for low level target detection. The radar is housed in two wheeled vehicles. Some of the main features are automated Track While Scan (TWS), integrated IFF and high scan rate for high speed target detection. The radar is produced by Bharat Electronics Limited and inducted into service. The INDRA-I was a landmark project for the DRDO, as it was the first large radar system designed by the organization and produced in number for the defence forces. The Indian Air Force operates thirty INDRA-I's whereas the Indian Army also has several.

INDRA-II

It is a variant of INDRA radar for ground controlled interception of targets. The radar uses pulse compression for detection of low flying aircraft in heavy ground clutter with high range resolution and ECCM capabilities. The radar has been produced by Bharat Electronics Limited and is used by Indian Air Force and Army. Seven INDRA-IIs have been ordered by the Indian Air Force.

Aerostat Radar:

India has recently acquired Aerostat radars. The entire system is divided in major parts. Firstly, the aerostat balloon which has been acquired from Israel and second part is the payload on board the balloon which consists, advanced programmable radar (APR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and V/UHF radio telephony equipment and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF). It has the capability to be integrated with AWACS and ground air defence environment and funtion as a command and control centre. Depending upon the payload the theethered balloon can be raised to the height between 10000 feet to 16000 feet.

The system gives a seamless radar cover of 300 km plus at low level along with good RT range and requisite ELINT. The system could be termed as static AWACS. Off course it comes with some vulnerabilities and limitations, like weather, wind speeds, lightning & thunder, launch & recovery periods are vulnerabilities. Its virtues also make it a prime target for enemy therfore it needs to be protected by exclusive air defence weapons. But we hope that the advantages of such system would outlast the limitations.

GreenPine Radar:

India had acquired and deployed two Green Pine radars around July 2002 and another one in August 2005.[33] The Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation is an acknowledged derivative of the original Green Pine.[34]

The Indian government has sought to purchase the complete Arrow system since 1999,[3] but in early 2002 the U.S. vetoed Israel's request to sell the Arrow 2 missiles to India,[4][33] exercising its right as a major funding contributor.[35] U.S. officials argued that the sale would violate the Missile Technology Control Regime.

Swordfish is an Indian Long range tracking radar specifically developed to counter ballistic missile threat. It will be a part of India's ballistic missile program. First testing of this radar was in March 2009. Main aim of the test was to validate the capabilities of the indigenously developed Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR). "The missile to be hit will be fired from a longer distance than it was in the earlier test. DRDO tested whether the radar could track the incoming missile from that distance or not" said a member of the project.

Swordfish Radar:

Swordfish is an acknowledged derivative of the Israeli Green Pine long range radar, which is the critical component of that country's Arrow missile defence system. [1] However, it differs from the Israeli system as it employs Indian Transmit Receive modules, signal processing, computers and power supplies. It is also more powerful than the base Green Pine system and was developed to meet India's specific BMD needs.

Indian Army : Weapon Locating Radars:

The BEL Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) is a mobile artillery locating Phased array radar developed by India. This counter-battery radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for Counter-battery fire.

The WLR has been jointly developed by DRDO's Bangalore based laboratory, LRDE and the Government owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The sub-systems have been fabricated by BEL based on the DRDO designs and delivered to LRDE for integration.

GS 100:

French defense avionics company Thales and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) have announced a deal for supply of 19 Ground Smarter GS-100 low level portable radars to the Indian Air Force.

India initiated procurement of low level radar systems for the IAF in 2003.

Finalization of the contract was announced during the 2009 Dubai Air Show.

"This contract reinforces our position in the Indian region as a major supplier of air defense radars," said Richard Deakin, Thales senior vice president and head of the air systems division. "BEL is a leading supplier of defense electronics systems and subsystems and plays a leading role in a number of major Indian defense programs."

Under the TOT deal, Thales will build the initial six radars at its Limours facility, southwest of Paris. BEL will build the remaining 13 radars in India.

Details of the project and GS-100 capabilities are listed at my knol Thales Ground Smarter GS-100 radars for IAF.

Two types of acquisition radar are associated with different variants of the HQ-7 family of SAM systems. The first of these uses a trucated paraboloid reflector, the second a planar array design. The earlier configuration has been supplied on a towed trailer, a 4 x 4 vehicle and a 6 x 6 vehicle, the newer configuration only the latter.

FM-80 towed Crotale display model.

Self propelled variant of the HQ-7/FM-80 acquisition radar on 6 x 6 vehicle (above) and 4 x 4 vehicle (below), stowed.

FM-90 Crotale acquisition radar.

Very little has been disclosed to date on the HQ-64/LY-60 engagement radar, with the system first being displayed publicly in late 2008 (above). This radar is primarily a Continuous Wave X-band illuminator for the monopulse semi-active homing LY-60 missile round, a reverse engineered Aspide Mk.1 (AIM-7 derivative). The simplicity of the fixed single horn feed makes it unlikely that this radar includes a monopulse precision angle tracking capability often seen in Russian CW tracker/illuminator designs.

The LD-2000 SPAAG/SPAAGM is intended for point defence of fixed ground sites against low flying rotary and fixed wing threats, and has significant growth potential as a Counter-PGM (C-PGM) and Counter-RAM (C-RAM) terminal defence system. The design employs two radars, a TR-47 series engagement radar for the gun mount, and an acquisition radar mounted on a telescoping mast.

NORINCO have confirmed that the tracking radar operates in J-band, estimated between 15.7 and 17.3 GHz, with a maximum cited range of 9 km. This would imply a maximum PRF of around 16,000 pps. There is also a coupled TV and IR tracker system on the weapon, that was used for acceptance trials, which were apparently successful. The acquisition radar functions in I-band, estimated between 8.8 and 9.7 GHz.

Following the trials, in an original format vehicle, it is now being offered for export.

As can be seen from numerous picture images, the I-band acquisition radar has now been integrated into the main LD-2000 combat vehicle (CV). There appears not to be an Intelligence and Communications Vehicle (ICV) any more, which gives the CV more freedom. The I-band acquisition radar also has a new reflector with a dual horn feed, for improved vertical coverage, and a new turning motor which might imply a complete new I-band system.

According to Christopher F. Foss in JDW 25Nov09 p27; the gun is a Type 730B 30mm 7-barrel Gatling with a max rate of fire of 4,200 rounds/min, over an effective range of 2.5 ~ 3.5 km. The weapon is loaded with 1,000 rounds, enough, apparently, for about 48 potential target engagements. As reported originally in the Chinese radars text, the gun is capable of firing armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), high explosive incendiary (HEI) and target practice (TP) rounds.

The limitation of the existing LD-2000 design is in its acquisition radar, which is not suitable for high speed low radar cross section targets, especially flown along steep trajectories. This precludes the use of the current LD-2000 configuration in C-RAM and C-PGM roles. The TR-47 series tracking radar has been used for naval shipboard defence applications and is claimed to be effective against Mach 2 low signature sea skimming threats, making it viable for land based C-RAM and C-PGM roles. The principal adaptation required to make the LD-2000 a highly capable C-RAM/C-PGM system is integration with a suitable acquisition radar design, such as the SLC-2 or newer Type 704 series counter-battery radars, for a narrower C-PGM role an existing air defence phased array such as the H-200 would be suitable.

TR-47G Engagement Radar
Export Desig: TR47G
Other Desigs: TR47C, Type 47G
Supplier: YMEIRI

Parametrics:
RF (MHz) 8,800 ~ 9,600
RF Agility 700 MHz
PRF (pps) -
PRI (μsecs) -
PD (μsecs) 0.3 ~ 0.4
Modulation Pulsed
ST Monopulse - Circular -
Antenna:
Beamwidth (H & V) 2º
Gain ≥ 37dB
Tracking accuracy:
Bearing ≤ 1mrad
Elevation ≤ 1 mrad
Range ≤ 5 m
Transmitter:
Peak power 120-150 kW
Receiver:
Noise Factor ≤9 dB
System reaction time ≤ 3s
MTI improvement factor ≥ 25dB

The existing acquisition radar is a low cost design suitable for airborne battlefield threats, but not the more challenging C-RAM and C-PGM roles.

Naval variants of the Type 703 are direct equivalents to the European Goalkeeper CIWS.

The HQ-7 family of SAMs are derivatives of the reverse engineered Thomson CSF Crotale.

The HQ-7 is a Chinese clone of the French Thales/Thomson CSF Crotale SAM. During the 1970s the French supplied samples of the Crotale which was promptly reverse engineered. The cloned Crotale has been built in two configurations, a high mobility variant for PLA Army units on a 4 x 4 scout vehicle, and a less mobile PLA-AF air field defence system, using either a trailer or a truck platform. A naval variant as also been developed.

A four round elevating tube launcher turret is used, mounting the Ku-band Automatic Command to Line Of Sight monopulse radar dish antenna. Export variants are the FM-80 and improved FM-90 with a FLIR tracker and longer ranging missiles.

The naval HQ-7 installations on the Lua, Luhu, Luhia and Jiangwai II classes employ the Type 345 engagement radar, believed to be a reverse engineered Thomson-CSF Castor 2J/C.

If the Chinese copy of the Castor 2J/C is faithful then it will have pulse compression, velocity discrimination filters, frequency agility to enable clutter de-correlation and a passive tracking capability. System employs Doppler tracking with a first blind speed of 1,000m/sec.

Maximum airborne target tracking range is given as 40km. Antenna beamwidth is reported to be 0.67º with 43 dB of gain across a stabilized elevation of -25º~+85º. Peak power is given at 30kW with an antenna gain of 43.0dB.

Type 345 [Castor 2J/C] Specifications
Operating Band [MHz]	15,700 ~ 17,700
PRF [pps]	3,550 ~ 3,650 7,150 ~ 7,250
PRI [μsec]	273.9 ~ 281.7 137.9 ~ 139.8
PD [μsec]	7.4 ~ 7.6
Angle Tracking	Monopulse

HQ-7FS engagement radar towed.

HQ-7FS/FM-80 engagement radar on 4 x 4 TELAR.

SJ-202 Gin Sling A.

The SJ-202 is a fire control radar and is reported by Taiwan to be associated with the KAISHAN-1 (KS-1) SAM, although is may also be deployed for use with the HongQi-2 (HQ-2B/J) and SA-2 SAM detachments, where the latter still exist.

It appears to be an indigenous development of the system known generically to NATO as GIN SLING (see also separate entry for 2FA(B) / GIN SLING B), out of the Russian FAN SONG system to which it has very similar physical attributes and, therefore may exhibit similar transmission parameters, particularly as it appears to deploy identical LEWIS scan tracking antennas in both the horizontal and vertical planes.

In this respect, although variously reported so to be, it is not a phased-array radar. The Lewis scanners are anticipated to function in the 10~25 Hertz range, and other parameters may be similar to those of GIN SLING B.

A 2004 display model of the SJ-202 Gin Sling A.

Type 341 radar.

The HQ-61 Surface to Air Missile system is derived from the Selenia Aspide, itself a derivative of the US AIM-7 Sparrow. The SAM is available in naval and land based air defence variants. The land based variant uses the Type 571 acquisition radar, a derivative of the Soviet P-15 Flat Face, and a CW tracking and illumination radar. The latter has not been seen in the West, but its naval variants have and are known as the Type 341 RICE LAMP and Type 342 FOG LAMP.

Type 341 Fire Control System - this ageing I-band fire control radar is reminiscent of HAWK SCREECH a Soviet shipborne fire control system of the 1960s and 1970s and it is suspected that Type 341 can probably trace it's origin to that period.

Originally widely fitted in JIANGHU, LUDA, JIANGWEI frigates for the control and direction of HQ-61 missile firings, it has since been replaced in many installations by Type 347G RICE BOWL in Chinese vessels, but not in exported hulls such as the Type 053HT CHAO PHRAYA class in Thailand.

It may still also be installed in some other older hulls where it supports either the twin 37mm or 57mm general-purpose guns although it appears to have been removed from the Thai Navy’s HUDONG class replenishment tanker.

Below the parabolic dish there is a longitudinal antenna-like array. The application is unknown but could be either an I-band, end-fed search array for which it is about the right size assuming that the director can rotate on its pedestal -or more likely it may have an IFF-like function.

Type 342 Fire Control Radar - this H/I-bands radar shares some physical similarities with the old Soviet OWL SCREECH fire control system.

Known in NATO as FOG LAMP, it is currently installed in JINGWEI I class frigates and is used as the target tracker for the HQ-61 surface-air-missile (SAM) systems in that hull.

This radar was also fitted in JIANGDONG class frigates, since replaced by later versions of JIANGWEI I.

It is believed that Type 342 might be nearing its demise in the PLAN. There are some similarities with Type 313, which is an I-band system originally developed in the late 1980s for land based and naval applications.

Although reported as an H/I band radar it is considered to function within the range indicated because H-band is preserved specifically for satellite related activities.

There is a single web record of a Type 342C but no details about this assumed emitter have been found. However, based on precedent this could be a land based mobile variant.

A HQ-61 battery launching a missile

HQ-12 /CNPIPC / CEIEC H-200 KS-1A Phased Array / Triumphant Mountain

In 2000 the KS-1A was promoted as a new air defence missile, supplanting the earlier SA-2 copy known as the KS-1 (Kaishan-1, refer SJ-202).

A ‘medium-to-high altitude, long-range SAM guidance station’ is how this radar is presented and it is believed to be a Chinese reverse engineered copy of the American AN/MPQ-53 Patriot radar. This being the case, the H-200 can be expected to function in G-bands, offering integrated electronic sector surveillance, target detection (TD), target tracking (TT), Identification Friend & Foe (IFF), and missile guidance (MG) functionality.

The antenna face comprises surveillance, IFF, target illumination and data transmission elements, and will offer phase steered target detection over an approximate 90º sector and tracking over a somewhat wider sector, but less than 160º. Reported capability is as follows:

Target detection & tracking ranges:
Max detection range: ≥120km @ 8 km altitude ≥50km @ 0.1km alt
Max stable tracking: ≥90km @ 8 km alt ≥45km @ 0.1km alt
Target characteristics: RCS: 2m²
Max target velocity: 750m/s (2.18 Mach)
Manoeuvre overload: 5.5g
Tracking capacity: Accurate tracking 3 targets; Monitoring 3 targets; Guidance 6 missiles; Guidance error: ≤50m

Set-up time ≤30 mins Tear-down time ≤20 mins qualifying the radar as semi-mobile.

Note 1: The KS-1 missile is usually associated with the SJ-202, whereas the KS-1A is being associated with the H-200 / KS-1A phased array.
Note 2: Antenna is very similar to that of BL904. A deployed example of a H-200 / KS-1A phased array radar can be seen at 43º 56’ 57.18” North, 87º 40’ 25.49” East, surrounded by six probable KS-1A missile launchers.

The H-200 is modelled on the MPQ-53 and 30N6E1 with a space feed arrangement, but using a simple horn rather than lens arrangement.

GIN SLING B is the NATO name for this engagement radar which appears to be a Chinese version of the old Soviet SNR-75 FAN SONG radar, (see also SJ-202) which is deployed with the SA-2 Guideline or KS-1 SAMs. It comprises a number of radiating elements.

There are two E/F-band Lewis scanners. These are believed to be the azimuth and elevation air search elements, although this radar would not normally function in isolation, and would usually receive target prompts from any one of a variety of volumetric search radars.

An F-band element is possibly used for target tracking whilst G-band elements are for missile guidance.

An I-band element reportedly has a range only (RO) function for accurate range measurement whilst a D-band element may have an IFF application.

ZD-2(B) is the designator given to the complete missile guidance station associated with the HQ-2B missile, whilst 2FA(B) is the radar transmitter/receiver sub-assembly.

The RF and PRF/PRI value suffixes (refer book) imply their linkage during transmission. G2 may represent a second transmission source with subtly different parameters, to reduce the probability of mutual interference if they operated in close proximity.

The Lewis Scan search technique combines the output of two separate assemblies that are set at 90° to each other.

The RF feeds rotate independently to achieve horizontal and vertical scans respectively, over a narrow sector at a medium data rate, usually between 10 and 25 Hertz and one source has suggested a rate between 15.5 and 17 Hz This system is ageing and is not included in the CRIA 2004 list of indigenously supplied equipment (refer book).

However, whilst it might still be materially supported, it is probably out of production and due for replacement.

In the meantime its major attributes appear to have been retained in the visually less sophisticated SJ-202 (see separate entry), which is being promoted for export.

This radar has been exported to Albania, Iran, North Korea and Pakistan.

HQ-12/CASIC SJ-231 / KS-1A Phased Array Radar

The SJ-231 is an alternate radar for the KS-1A/HQ-12 SAM system, based on the HT-233 PESA antenna and cabin design. Cited performance is virtually identical to the H-200. Unlike the towed H-200, the SJ-231 is self propelled, but unlike the HT-233 it is split across a pair of 6 x 6 or 8 x 8 vehicles.

Specifications (CASIC):
Operating band:	C (G/X) band
Radar cross section:	2m²
Maximum detection range:	≥120km
Minimum detection range:	3km
Operational performance:	Altitude:	0.05~27km
	Slant range:	5~70km (120 km)
Maximum operational airspace:	Azimuth:	0~360º (mechanical rotation range)
		-30º~+30º (electrical scanning range)
	Elevation:	-1º~+70º (electrical scanning range)
Target capability:	Guide 4~8 missiles to intercept 4 targets at the same time
"The SJ-231 guidance station is an important constituent part and the operational command and control center of the KS-1A weapon system. It is used to detect and track the aerial target and control and guide the missile. The SJ-231 guidance station is an advanced guidance radar system and is developed according to the modern war characteristics and the modern air-defense combat requirements. During the development of the guidance station, many advanced techniques in the radar technique development since 1990s are applied to improve the technical performance of the SJ-231 guidance station to a new level."

The antenna on this radar is common to a HT-233, but the configuration is split across two 6 x 6 trucks.

This is the Chinese derivative of the Russian 30N6E1 Tomb Stone used to detect and track targets, and control the launch of the S-300PMU1 / SA-20 Gargoyle air defence missile. In the Chinese case, however, the HT-233 is also associated with the HQ-10, HQ-15, HQ-9 / FD-2000 or HQ-9 / FT-2000 surface-to-air Anti Radiation Missile. The latter was a combined Israeli/Chinese missile designed to take out the stand-off jammers which threaten SAM target designation radars. The parameter set is likely to be similar to that of 30N6E1 which it emulates.

It is reported that the PLAAF air defence forces based in Fujian Province near the Taiwan Strait, are equipped with the FT-2000 and Russian-made S-300PMU1 SAMs acquired between 1991 and 1998.

An FT-2000 battalion can function alone where it would seek its targets with ESM systems, but more commonly it is anticipated to be part of an S-300 detachment.

Little is known about the radar other than it may function in G-band, probably between 5.2 and 5.9 GHz a sub-band for which production components are readily available. From recent descriptions, the antenna would most likely appear to be a passive phased array employing some 3,000 ferrite phase shifters (the 30N6 uses ~10,000 elements). It has mechanical scan in azimuth and electronic beam steering in azimuth/elevation, like the 30N6E1, up to 65° off aperture boresight, and can track up to 50 targets simultaneously.

It is possibly that a variant of this radar, referred to by NATO as TOMB STONE, is installed in Type 051C LANZHOU class destroyers. S-300PMU1 / SA-20 and FT-2000 systems are deployed around Beijing and at Longtian, near Fuzhou, facing Taiwan. They are also deployed near the coastal cities of Xiamen in Fujian Province and Shantou in Guangdong province.

Production configurations of the radar is deployed on the 10 x 10 Taian TAS5501 chassis, based on the Russian MAZ-543 vehicle.

Developmental configuration of HT-233 PESA engagement radar on 8 x 8 Taian TAS-5380.

Production HT-233 configuration on a 10 x 10 Taian TAS5501 chassis. This version includes an IFF array across the top of the primary aperture, and also shows the 30N6E1 style primary aperture and space feed well. Below display models of this variant (© 2009, Bradley Huang).

Deployed HQ-9 battery. Above, self propelled YLC-2V to the left with its three support vehicles, in the background a HT-233 battery engagement radar. Below, transloader in the foreground, HT-233 to the right.

Surveillance Radar And Fighter Aircraft For Indian State Of Mizoram

AIZWAL: Mizoram will fully cooperate with the Indian Air Force for installing a surveillance radar and for stationing four combat aircraft in this strategic north eastern state, an official statement said here on Thursday.

A large area would be required for the surveillance radar at Zokhawtlang in south Mizoram, for which detailed survey was being undertaken, the statement said after Air Marshal K K Nohwar, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command met chief minister Lal Thanhawla.

Nohwar said that as the IAF wanted at least four combat aircraft to be stationed at the lone Lengpui Airport, land would be required for the construction of four blast pans.

Modern facilities including schools, amusement parks and canteens would also be constructed to benefit the local population, the statement said.

EL SEGUNDO, Ca: Raytheon Company moved closer to its first international sale of RACR (Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar) following approval for the company to move forward with technical discussions with at least two potential customers.

Both countries are looking to upgrade their F-16 fleets within the next two years in order to keep their force structure at the cutting edge of today's complex battlespace. RACR is designed for all F-16s and is approved for export.
The program is on schedule to fly production hardware on an F-16 during the first half of 2010.
"RACR continues to exceed expectations in meeting key production and integration milestones and has just wrapped up a series of validation tests at Lockheed Martin's system integration laboratory," said Dr. Tom Kennedy, vice president of the Tactical Airborne Systems business division.
The program demonstrated various radar capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground modes as well as integration with Raytheon's F-16 center pedestal display. The new color display allows pilots to conduct simultaneous operations and provides a clearer picture of the overall battlespace.
"RACR has 90 percent software and hardware commonality with our combat-proven AESA radar for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Several U.S. Navy squadrons are already operational in theater with this technology today, while the Royal Australian Air Force is also in flight training with our AESA radar system. This active production line allows us to provide F-16 customers with a high-performing, affordable but low-risk solution while also addressing obsolescence challenges they currently face with mechanical scanned radars," added Kennedy.
Within the past year Raytheon has also installed the RACR radar twice on F-16s at both Lockheed Martin and Edwards Air Force Base. The seamless installation process demonstrated Raytheon's proven modular radar design resulting in an easy upgrade path for customers who need AESA radar capability.
"Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have worked together nearly six years to develop RACR for F-16s in order to meet our customer requirements," said Brian MacDonald, RACR program manager. "The F-16 is an outstanding tactical aircraft, and we recognize the need to support our customers, keeping them relevant in the changing battlespace of today and the future."
RACR is a program in Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. With 2008 revenues of $4.4 billion, 12,000 employees and headquarters in El Segundo, SAS is a leading supplier of sensor systems that provide actionable information for the network-centric battlefield.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

HALLBERGMOOS, Germany: An innovative cutting edge AESA radar system, reconfirms Eurofighter as the most advanced aircraft available on the market.

Eurofighter GmbH and Euroradar, together with their industrial partners, have begun full scale development of a latest generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The target in-service date for the new radar is 2015 to meet the requirements of Eurofighter Partner Nations and export customers.

Eurofighter CEO Enzo Casolini said of the decision “This is an important step in the Eurofighter programme and will ensure that Typhoon continues to lead the way as the world’s best new generation multi-role combat aircraft. In consultation with our Core Nation customers we can offer an AESA capability that far exceeds any other radar available. This capability will mean that Eurofighter is in the best possible position when offering Typhoon to the export market. The in-service date means we are perfectly positioned to respond to the complex and demanding requirements of the air forces”.
The decision means that Eurofighter will further develop the capability of the Typhoon aircraft to enhance its radar performance, building on preliminary development and flight testing undertaken since 2007. Although the current Mechanically Scanned (M-Scan) radar is considered to be best in class, AESA technology will see the Typhoon's radar capabilities developed even further. The planned AESA radar will offer a variety of benefits over M-Scan, including increased detection and tracking ranges, advanced air-to-surface capability and enhanced electronic protection measures.
The new radar will retain the key features of the existing Captor radar architecture in order to exploit the maturity of the current system and will use latest generation technology to provide a full complement of air-to-air and air-to-surface modes. The large array can be accommodated easily in the Typhoon’s radome and, being fitted on a repositioner, will provide an extremely wide field of regard. This will see Typhoon's combat effectiveness enhanced even further, allowing the Typhoon to outperform any other aircraft available on the market. The radar will offer customers the freedom to retrofit their existing Typhoons when required. The radar will have significant growth potential and both existing and new customers will be able to participate in tailoring the radar to meet their individual operational requirements.
Euroradar is a multi-national consortium lead by SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, alongside EADS Defence Electronics and Indra. Euroradar has delivered over 250 Captor mechanically scanned radars into the Typhoon programme to date and this experience will ensure a timely and smooth transition to AESA.
Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new generation real multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry in the global competition.
More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies: Alenia Aeronautica/Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe’s foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of approx. EUR 88 billion (2008).

PALMDALE, Calif: The nation's fleet of B-2 stealth bombers will all receive a new Northrop Grumman Corporation-developed radar system following the U.S. Air Force's decision to authorize full-rate production of the units by the company's Radar Modernization Program (RMP).
The decision, made Oct. 16 by the assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (acting), allows Northrop Grumman to begin fabrication of the balance of radar units needed to outfit the entire fleet. Those units will be produced as the final installment of the $468 million RMP contract awarded to the company by the Air Force in Dec. 2008.

Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2, the flagship of the nation's long range arsenal, and one of the most survivable aircraft in the world.
"Putting this new radar on America's flight line helps ensure that the B-2 fleet is ready day or night to protect the nation's interests worldwide," said Dave Mazur, vice president and B-2 program manager for Northrop Grumman. "The new radar also makes it easier for our modernization team to add additional mission capabilities to the jet in the future."
Northrop Grumman is currently producing radar units authorized under the RMP low rate initial production program, added Mazur. The company is also installing radar units in operational B-2s as part of the RMP system development and demonstration phase.
The B-2 radar modernization program replaces the aircraft's original radar system with one that incorporates technology improvements that have occurred since the B-2 was originally designed in the early 1980s.
Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Calif. developed the new radar hardware under contract to Northrop Grumman. The units include a new advanced electronically scanned array antenna, a power supply and a modified receiver/exciter.
The B-2 is the only U.S. aircraft that combines stealth, long range, large payload and precision weapons in a single platform. In concert with the Air Force's air superiority fleet, which provides airspace control, and the Air Force's tanker fleet, which enables global mobility, the B-2 helps ensure an effective U.S. response to threats anywhere in the world. It can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours.
The 20-aircraft fleet of B-2s is operated by the 509th Bomb Wing from its headquarters at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq: The Iraqi air force significantly enhanced its air defense capabilities recently with the arrival of a digital air surveillance radar system.
The DASR system, which includes the radar and the radar control facility, allows Iraqi air traffic controllers to monitor aircraft up to 120 nautical miles away, permitting them to detect aircraft along their borders with Syria, Turkey and Iran.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Ghani, Iraqi air force communications director, called the arrival of the system “another historical day” for the service. “Through that system, we will identify more … aircraft entering our sovereignty,” he said at an Oct. 26 ceremony.
The radar signal eventually will be remotely accessible from Baghdad International Airport so air traffic controllers can see all the airspace in Iraq.
The system also brings the Kirkuk airfield up to international civil aviation and surveillance standards, giving it the potential for future commercial airline use.
“We started this process by installing over $53 million of air traffic control and navigation capabilities for the Iraqi air force more than three years ago,” U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert Kane, director of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission Air Force, said.
“Beginning in August of 2006, our governments, air forces and civilian contractors cooperated to not only fund the purchase of this highly technical equipment, but to train the Iraqi air force personnel how to use it and maintain it,” Kane said. “I’m very proud to say that the Iraqi air force now possesses these capabilities.

With 20 systems produced, Erieye is by far the most successful modern AEW radar on the market today.

From the Saab plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, the 20th Erieye radar system has rolled out, ready to proceed to the next phase, installation on aircraft and final testing.

“This is a milestone in the on-going production and we are proud that seven countries around the world now have selected Erieye. Although it may look the same for an unaccustomed eye on the outside, the inside is newly developed, using our spiral development process. Despite this, we have delivered on time again” says Erik Winberg, Director Product Management AirborneSurveillance.

The Erieye radar, an Airborne Early Warning radar, is the first of its kind using AESA technology. Designed for use together with regional aircraft, it is today operational on three platforms.

The multi-role radar detects and automatically tracks air and surface targets over a huge area, covering 900 km in range. It is designed to track the smallest object in the air as well on the sea surface.

The applications are both military and for national security, where the use of the system in Brazil and Mexico for anti-drug operations is one example.

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE: Ellsworth Air Force Base officials recently completed the installation of a digital airport surveillance radar system to be used with the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility here.
This modern, digital radar replaces traditional airport-surveillance radar used by air traffic controllers, eliminates ground distractions and displays multiple levels of precipitation.

The new system also helps address maintenance and parts challenges, while increasing Ellsworth AFB capabilities to control more airspace in Rapid City and other locations in South Dakota, said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Lavoie, the 28th Operations Support Squadron radar approach control facilities chief controller.
"This is the first Air Force DASR to be located outside of the military installation," Chief Lavoie said. "This location provides us with line of sight to the runways at both airports and provides us with a clearer digital presentation which reduces our maintenance team's workload on a daily basis."
The system does this by automatically transmitting digital radar to the standard terminal automation replacement system. This process eliminates the electronic conversion that was necessary when using traditional airport surveillance radar signals, and decreases the amount of time used to convert an electronic signal into a digital signal.
Along with these advantages, the new system allows Ellsworth AFB air traffic controllers to work more efficiently with Rapid City Regional Airport.
"The old radar wouldn't be able to see aircraft landing at Rapid City Regional Airport," said Airman 1st Class Ryan Anger, a 28th OSS air traffic controller. "The DASR provides a larger range of scope and can actually see airplanes landing at Rapid City Regional and picks-up echoes from aircraft farther away."
This two year project involved members from 28th OSS, 28th Communications Squadron, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron and contractors.
"The implementation of the DASR is landmark for us as controllers," Chief Lavoie said. "We have lived with 1960s technology until today and our controller force now has state-of-the-art equipment to provide the safest air traffic control service possible to our military and civilian flying communities."

Elbit Multi-Sensor Monitoring and Surveillance System for Poland

Our Bureau

Mon, Dec 20, 2010 12:13 CET

      Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $16 million from the Polish Ministry of National Defense to supply mobile multi-sensor monitoring and surveillance systems for the Polish Army. The project is scheduled to be completed in the next year.

      According to the contract, a consortium composed of Elbit Systems Land and C4I-Tadiran and the Polish Military Communication Institute, will provide a variety of sensors to be deployed onboard a ROSOMAK 8X8 vehicle.

      The systems onboard the vehicle will be comprised of a variety of visual payloads, TV, thermal vision systems, motion detection battlefield surveillance radar unit, encrypted communications systems, as well as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) system. The project will be performed in cooperation with the local Polish industries.

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