The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has initiated a significant step towards accelerating the certification of indigenous fighter jet sensors.
The organisation has issued a tender for the development of a sophisticated Test Rig explicitly designed for airborne Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems.
This standalone platform will be capable of conducting comprehensive functional testing by replicating all aircraft interfaces, thereby recreating the exact operational environment in which the radar functions aboard a fighter aircraft.
This move is spearheaded by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), the Bangalore-based laboratory of the DRDO responsible for India’s radar programmes.
The tender, which invites bids from capable industry partners, seeks to establish a high-fidelity ground-based test environment.
This facility is crucial for the "Uttam" AESA radar programme, which is currently being integrated into the Tejas Mk1A and is planned for future platforms like the Tejas Mk2 and the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
Critical Need for Ground-Based Certification
AESA radars are complex, multi-mode systems that must operate in real-time while interacting with numerous other avionics subsystems on an aircraft.As a critical airborne sensor suite, every aspect of the radar’s software functionalities must be demonstrated to certification agencies, such as the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), to meet stringent airworthiness requirements.
Historically, validating these modes required extensive flight sorties, which are time-consuming and expensive.
The new Test Rig addresses this by providing a versatile environment that supports full-spectrum evaluation prior to flight integration.
It will play a central role in the certification activities of the radar software, allowing developers to execute all required test cases and ensure readiness for deployment on fighter aircraft.
Three Key Components
According to the tender specifications, the Test Rig will consist of three major components designed to cover both laboratory and field requirements:- Portable Smart Racks: The selected industry partner will be required to supply three portable smart racks. These self-sufficient units can be deployed across multiple testing sites—such as air bases or production facilities—allowing radar teams to validate performance during integration with aircraft subsystems outside the main laboratory.
- Fighter Aircraft Simulation System: This component will be housed at LRDE to support lab-level activities. It will simulate the behaviour of a fighter aircraft, allowing the radar to "believe" it is airborne and operational, thus enabling detailed troubleshooting and refinement.
- Data Visualisation System: An advanced interactive and immersive visualisation capability will form a crucial part of the system. This will enable engineers and analysts to interpret radar behaviour, test outcomes, and operational data with high precision.
Accelerating Self-Reliance in Defence
The architecture of the Test Rig will integrate both hardware and software modules essential for replicating all modes and functions of the AESA radar.By establishing such a unified and flexible testing ecosystem, the DRDO aims to accelerate the development, validation, and certification cycles for its indigenous radar programmes.
This development holds strategic importance for the Indian Air Force. Successful ground validation will speed up the induction of the Uttam radar on the Tejas Mk1A fleet (slated for the 41st aircraft onwards) and the development of the "Virupaksha" radar for the Su-30 MKI upgrade.
Ultimately, the new Test Rig will strengthen India’s capability to field advanced radar technologies across current and future fighter platforms, supporting the broader objective of self-reliance in critical defence systems.
