DRDO's LRDE Achieves Cooling Breakthrough for Upgraded Su-30 MKI AESA Radar, Unlocking Full Potential

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) continues to make strides in the advancement of its indigenous fighter aircraft technology.

The Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) has made significant headway in developing critical components for the upgraded Su-30 MKI fighter jet.

Cooling System Breakthrough​

The LRDE has achieved a breakthrough with its Vapor Cycle Cooling System (VCM). Designed to counter the substantial heat generated by the Su-30 MKI's new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the VCM is crucial for the radar's optimal performance.

This closed-loop VCM, designated G2A, possesses the capacity to absorb a remarkable 10.5 kW of heat load.

A successful prototype of the cooling system was displayed at Aero India 2021, highlighting its readiness for integration into the upgraded fighter.

Enhanced Radar Capabilities​

Alongside the cooling system, LRDE is developing an enhanced iteration of its Uttam AESA Fire Control Radar (FCR). This upgraded version is anticipated to feature approximately 1200-1400 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs).

This marks a notable increase from the existing configuration, resulting in a projected boost to the Search and Track range of the Su-30 MKI to nearly 350 km. The Indian Air Force stands to gain a substantial tactical edge from this improvement.

Indigenous Technology Advancements​

The successful development of the VCM and the continuous refinements to the Uttam AESA radar exemplify the growth of India's domestic defense technologies.

These milestones underscore the nation's progress toward equipping its Su-30 MKI fleet with state-of-the-art capabilities, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture in protecting India's airspace.

 

[Pink Panther]

LRDE can do it without any doubt.

 

[sanket]

So it does mean Super sukhoi may have GaA Based AESA Radar and Not GaN. what about Virupaksha 1800 TO 2400 TRM going to b dveloped for Super sukhoi.

 

[ryan]

Superb. It will be a mini Awacs ... almost entire beggaristan airspace will be in sight from a near border flying Sukhoi

 

[NSR]

Congratulations on such a great accomplishment.

Uttam AESA Radar with 1200-1400 TRMs and search and track range of 350 kms is awesome and it will mesh very well with Astra Mk2 160+ km range and Astra Mk3 with 250+ kms range.

Uttam AESA radar is based on only GaA technology so it generates huge heat but when the technology moves to GaN one, it will not need much power and will be very easy to cool down.

India is already developed a huge Naval AESA radar and is in process of testing.
All future AWACS and AEWCs will carry Indian AESA radars.

Way to go!!!

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Superb. It will be a mini Awacs ... almost entire beggaristan airspace will be in sight from a near border flying Sukhoi

It will have a powerful radar sure. But it cant take awacs role. Awacs is much more than just large flying radar.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant achievement and another cooling part that we won't have to import and it will save us a lot more money. The indigenous cooling system can be used for our other jets as well like Tejas MK2 and the AMCA so it's crucial that we develop a cooling system that can absorb the maximum amount of heat that's possible.

As for the Uttam radar we should definitely develop one with the maximum amount of TRM as possible so it gives us the longest range thats possible and we need one which can pick out targets with a range of least 400km as the current radar that we use on the Sukhoi MKI jets allows us to.