Thales develops active array radar for HAL

Thales develops active array radar for HAL
ANIL URS





BENGALURU, OCTOBER 16:
Thales has developed an active array radar that meets the specific needs of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to equip the 80 TEJAS Mk1A, the multirole Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) operated by the Indian Air Force.

The radar has successfully completed an initial flight test campaign designed to measure its performance level.

In order to meet the needs of the Indian manufacturer HAL, Thales is offering a lightweight, compact active array radar. The latter is a result of Thales’ expertise as regards the development and mastery of active array technologies – as demonstrated by the RBE2 radar installed on Rafale – combined with the operational reliability of this combat-proven technology. The RBE2 radar has actually been operated by the armed forces since 2012.

The tests conducted during summer 2017 at the Cazaux air base in France, on a test bench aircraft, focussed on metrological analyses of the radar performance. These test flights proved that the radar is fully operational and perfectly corresponds to the specific requirements of HAL for its combat and air superiority missions. It is therefore ready and able to adapt to the tight schedule imposed by the Mk1A LCA.

Thales radar is an advanced Fire Control Radar (FCR) designed for air-to-air superiority and strike missions, based on fully solid-state Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, enabling the radar to achieve long detection ranges, high mission reliability and multi-target tracking capabilities.

(This article was published on October 16, 2017)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com...active-array-radar-for-hal/article9908310.ece

 

So MK1 will have AESA? @Sancho @Abingdonboy ?

 

Even though Tejas has a big radome , weight & cooling limitations going to reduce the no. of elements?

 

This must be PR piece with respect to the radar tender. All offers by Saab,Thales and IAI will be evaluated.

It clearly says Mk1A.

 

Then what are we doing with the Doppler MMR we're developing I wonder,

 

If you are talking about Uttam then that is for Tejas-MK2 and other fighters when it completes development. Tejas MK1A was always meant to house foreign AESA radar.

 

But in the end they will select only elta... Or they will push their uttam radar

 

UTTAM is elta-2032 modified for Tejas.

UTTAM is in trials and will be part of competition from all bidders (foreign).

 

Any source??

 

I believe its a waste of time to release tenders. HAL has experience integrating ELTA radars and they can get it in G2G route. Its easy, already integrated and working with HAL. Going for a tender increases time and if another radar is selected, then again time for integration.

 

anything to backup your claim?

 

No its not. Its fully indian development.

What we have is UTTAM which is AESA. IOC/FOC versions will have ELTA EL/M-2032 with Indian back end.

 

Tender process will reduce overall price and will give a better deal on ToT,integration and maintenance.

There is no need to import if UTTAM is qualified already.

 

According to the plans:

20 x LCA MK1 in IOC2 standard with pulse doppler MMR (hybrid or fully Elta 2032)

20 x LCA MK1 in FOC standard, also with pulse doppler MMR, unless AESA and EW will be selected fast enough, then HAL wants to integrate the MK1A upgrade to these 20 too

83 x LCA MK1A, with AESA and upgraded EW.


The Thales proposal is for the global tender HAL has issued for AESA and EW:
http://www.janes.com/article/66425/...r-aesa-radar-and-ew-suites-to-equip-tejas-lca

So besides Saab and Elta, Thales is a proper candidate now.