DRDO's Dual Colour Missile Approach Warning System (DC-MAWS) to be Finally Integrated on Su-30MKIs

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to significantly enhance the defensive capabilities of its Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet with the integration of the indigenously developed Dual Colour Missile Approach Warning System (DC-MAWS).

This advanced system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will provide crucial missile detection and warning capabilities, addressing a long-standing gap in the Su-30MKI's defensive suite.

The DC-MAWS is a cutting-edge system designed to operate in the mid-infrared (IR) spectrum, enabling it to accurately detect and track incoming missiles from various generations.

Its dual-color capability utilizes spectral data from two IR bands to effectively differentiate between actual missile threats and non-threatening sources like sunlight reflections or background radiation. This significantly reduces false alarms, ensuring pilots receive accurate and reliable warnings.

The system incorporates six dual-color IR sensors strategically positioned around the aircraft to provide 360-degree coverage. These sensors continuously scan the surrounding airspace, detecting missile launches and tracking their trajectory.

The collected data is then processed by an advanced onboard system equipped with sophisticated algorithms for clutter rejection and precise tracking. This system calculates the time-to-impact and assesses the threat level posed by the incoming missile.

Key Features of DC-MAWS​

• Comprehensive spatial coverage: Achieves full 360-degree coverage with wide field-of-view sensors, ensuring complete situational awareness.
• Dual-band IR sensors: Enhances the probability of missile detection while minimizing false alarms.
• Threat discrimination: Accurately identifies missile threats by distinguishing them from background noise and other IR sources.
• Wide threat handling range: Capable of detecting and tracking a variety of missile types, including both older and newer generations.
• Advanced data processing: Features a high-speed airborne data recording system for real-time threat analysis.
• Time-to-impact calculation: Provides pilots with critical information to make informed decisions on evasive maneuvers.

The integration of DC-MAWS on the Su-30MKI fleet marks a major upgrade in the IAF's defensive capabilities. This indigenous system will significantly enhance the survivability of these frontline fighter jets, allowing pilots to react more effectively to incoming missile threats and ensuring mission success in contested airspace.

 

Bangladesh Air Force Sets Sights on Modernization with Chinese J-10C Fighter Jets and Attack Helicopters Mystery Surrounds Future of INS Chakra II as Satellite Imagery Reveals it Sits Idle at Russian Naval Base

[sanket]

Great Going this what expected in MRFA platform too In Future Bharat should able to upgrade with Indigenous or Third party Including OEM, French seems to lack in serious upgrade Mirage-2000 is example

 

[Radha Ramanan]

The DRDO dual-color MAWS was developed a long time ago with the assistance of Elisra of Israel. This is despite the MOD signing an MOU with Cassidian of Germany for joint development of MAWS. It is important to note that the Indian Army Aviation already opted for the SAAB system, and it is operational on all ALH helicopters and to be fitted on LCH as well. After acceptance of necessity in 2006, in 2008, financial sanctions were given to DARE to go ahead. It was to be a dual-color warning system: UV and infrared dual-band MAWS. DC-MAWS is a dual-color missile approach warning system. The IAF accepted to fit the DC MAWS on all its Su-30MKI fighters.

In 2008, the Israel MOD, Elisra, and DARE signed a tripartite agreement. The IAF and HAL were to do the structural modification on the Su-30MKI. DARE found Elisra's proposal bigger and heavier than envisaged and informed Elisra that it could not be optimally fitted on the Su-30MKI, as it would seriously degrade the flight envelope of the fighter. Elisra informed them they could not do anything.

In 2013, DARE approached the OEM, Irkut Sukhoi, to modify the Su-30MKI for fitment of the MAWS. Sukhoi said that it could not be done without seriously affecting the flight performance, and DARE's recommendation was sub-optimal. Elisra delivered the oversized sensors and fitted them on their Cheyenne civil aircraft as a testbed. DARE proposed to fit the MAWS on an Su-30 testbed in spite of all this to see its effect on the fighter. Time flew, and it became 2016. DARE tried to fit the same on the Su-30, and the IPR holder, Sukhoi, refused to certify this haphazard job. DARE could not do anything, as if DARE went ahead, Sukhoi would withdraw their airworthiness certificate! Total liability would fall on HAL and DARE.

DARE was stumped and could do nothing. Sukhoi instead advised HAL and DARE to go in for the certified SAAB Avitronics MAWS that was already certified and flying on the Malaysian Su-30. This could also be fitted to the MiG-29 of the IAF, which has no MAWS to date.

Nothing happened after that, and our brave boys have been flying these fighters without MAWS to date at tremendous risk. DARE, IAF, MOD, HAL are all responsible for this criminal negligence.

Our fighters escaped due to skill and EW capability in Balakot, as only AMRAAMs were fired. I really don't know what would have happened if the enemy had fired CCMs, which would have taken their toll due to the lack of MAWS! Abhinandan did fire his CCM and got a kill on an F-16. Pakistani F-16s don't have MAWS. The Pakistani JF-17s do have them. Only Indian Rafales have them. I don't really know if the upgraded Mirages have them. The LCA series still doesn't have them, even in the MK1A!

 

[Sandeep]

@Radha Ramanan
You're factually incorrect. The current Sukhoi does have a MAWS. Otherwise, during the Balakot skirmish, how did our pilots know that several missiles were fired at them? A jet and its missiles would be traveling at a very fast speed at that time, and the pilots wouldn't even be able to see it, as the US missile doesn't emit any smoke trail either. Our pilots survived that attack by jamming the missiles, deploying chaff, and evasive maneuvers. Also, the Pakistani F-16s do have MAWS, but our missile was launched at a very close range, and the F-16 couldn't react or didn't succeed in time, and our missile hit it.

 

[Sandeep]

This article is factually incorrect as they do have a MAWS. The proof to that is the Balakot skirmish. Pakistan launched several missiles at our Sukhoi jet so if there was no MAWS then how did our pilots know that several missiles were fired at them? The jet and missiles were travelling at a very high speed so the pilots couldn’t see them either. Our pilot survived because they received the early warning and deployed chaff and jammed their missiles along with using evasive manoeuvres.

It’s great that we are 100% indigenously developing our own dual coloured MAWS which will inform the pilots of the number of different missiles fired at them. This will also be installed under the Super Sukhoi program which will begin soon and it should be done as quickly as possible as the entire technology, equipment, jet computer, radar, EW etc need urgently changing. The current technology and equipment is about 30 years old so this is a major project that’s a priority.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

@Radha Ramanan
You're factually incorrect. The current Sukhoi does have a MAWS. Otherwise, during the Balakot skirmish, how did our pilots know that several missiles were fired at them? A jet and its missiles would be traveling at a very fast speed at that time, and the pilots wouldn't even be able to see it, as the US missile doesn't emit any smoke trail either. Our pilots survived that attack by jamming the missiles, deploying chaff, and evasive maneuvers. Also, the Pakistani F-16s do have MAWS, but our missile was launched at a very close range, and the F-16 couldn't react or didn't succeed in time, and our missile hit it.

I'm replying not to dispute that the Su-30 or the F-16 have MAWS or not. Just want to clarify that there are other means to identify whether AMRAAMs were fired.

1. The datalink from the F-16 radar to the AMRAAM will be picked up by the RWR of the Su-30MKI as well as the EL-8222 jamming pods carried by them, which jammed the AMRAAMs. They have radar frequency memory storage databanks that can be accessed after the mission.
2. The AMRAAMs power on their active radar seeker when they come into homing range. The waveforms of all these are well known, as the AMRAAM is an old missile but nonetheless effective.
3. The time when each AMRAAM turned on its seeker will be recorded as well by the onboard RWR. Again, the mission data of each fighter can be downloaded and analyzed after each sortie. This helps in analyzing the whole mission and finding out what went wrong or right and also about the tactics used by the enemy.

I usually don't reply to barbs, jealous remarks, or downright hostile comments. As you asked a technical question, I'm replying.

 

[Sandeep]

@Radha Ramanan
Yes but the RWR has a difficult job because the missile is much smaller compared to a jet and in those cases it would pick up a jet much earlier than the missile and it may not detect the missile at the same time when fired or it will detect the missile to late for the pilot to react on time. It’s the same for the indigenous self protection jamming pods which have an even shorter detection capability.