DRDO's Project Virupaksha to Give Su-30MKI Cutting-Edge AESA Radar with Antenna Repositioner

DRDO has confirmed Project Virupaksha, an ambitious endeavor to modernize the Su-30MKI fighter jets with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars. This upgrade is set to significantly bolster the fighter's capabilities, including enhanced air surveillance, air-to-ground targeting, and weapon control.

A key highlight of this project is the inclusion of an antenna repositioner, enabling the radar's antenna to be maneuvered in both elevation and azimuth planes. This will greatly expand the radar's field of view, enhancing its overall performance and versatility. The Laboratory for Electronics and Instrumentation (LRDE) is currently developing the Uttam Mk2 antenna with this repositioner capability.

The Virupaksha AESA radar represents a major advancement in India's radar technology. By replacing the existing mechanically steered antennas and high-power transmitters, the Su-30MKI will be equipped with a more agile and versatile radar system capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously.

This upgrade is initially planned for the first lot of 84 Su-30MKIs due for Super-30 upgrades. The Virupaksha AESA radar, with its extended range, is anticipated to transform the Su-30MKI into a 'Mini-AWACS', significantly boosting its combat capabilities and making it a formidable asset for the Indian Air Force.

As Project Virupaksha progresses, it will be fascinating to observe the evolution of AESA radar and antenna repositioner technology, and their contribution to India's ongoing military modernization efforts.

 

[PKPRS]

Let all the dreams come true.

 

[bonito]

Antenna positioning is cutting edge !

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Oh cheese DRDO back to its antics doing all sorts of PR stunts, reading through the fancy title "Repositioner", had me thinking what possibly could it be. Turns out its a mechanical steerable antenna mount. Would have been far better if they developed a swashplate similar to pone used in Gripen, rather than a hydraulically or electrically actuated plate to mount antenna as atleast it would have saved weight.

 

[Raj]

Why daily updates. U can give update on super Sukhoi, MK2 once in a year. Nobody waits for us, don't know how GOI trust's u in AMCA development. Why DRDO people shying away from foreign collaboration?

 

[Mithu Roy]

One more dream sold by drdo.Where is uttam in Tejas 1a.
they are tom toming only

 

[Schysst]

Let all the dreams come true.

Like an Elephant with a bell tied to it's neck that announces that it is coming, people will hear the bell from far away before the actual elephant shows up, Indian defense establishments drew a picture with Swashplate in their SU-30 ugrade announcing that SAAB Gripen-E is coming and it has already been preselected before the actual competition, poor French guys still think they are in the competition, they didn't realize that MRFA is just an eyewash, SAAB will defenitely offer Radar Swashplate tech as promised with HAL unlike French to not honor the promise, we are a professional company and we honor all our obligations, we SAAB hope that this TOT would be very useful for your Super Sukhoi upgrade and for all the the future jet programs.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

What are the timelines?

 

[Jitender Saroha]

60k crores for upgradation for 84 Su MKI's and 21K crores for AL31P engines. (950) i.e. 22 crore per engine. 3713 crores for 168 engines. 63713 crores approx. and may be more. 90 million dollars per jet. 70.3 million dollars per new Su 30mki by HAL and 42.15 million dollars per Su 30mki made in Russia. What is going on?

Thread 'HAL to Produce 12 Su-30MKI Fighters, But High Costs and Russian Reliance Raise Concerns'

Jul 12, 2024

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received an order to manufacture 12 Su-30MKI multirole fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), bolstering the country's air defence capabilities. However, the deal highlights the ongoing challenge of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Su-30MKI, produced under license from Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, comes at a significant cost. A senior IAF official revealed that each HAL-built unit costs $70.3 million...

• RonitBisht
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Indian Air Force

 

[sanket]

It is Not GaN based AESA Radar for Super sukhoi ..............???

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

One more dream sold by drdo.Where is uttam in Tejas 1a.
they are tom toming only

Kids who are there for comment only & knows nothing

Haven't seen the ADA chief video with Ananth Krishnan N , few months back ? In the video he said the UTTAM AESA is doing Last couple of tests and will be ready in a couple of months...

Talking about the delay in Uttam mk1 , the TR modules have been increased by a number of 100-150 , it was not planned but now that we got expertise in radars making & Tejas is our jet , it become possible

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

What are the timelines?

I guess the whole super Sukhoi Upgrade is in a planned phase , not in one go phase..

I believe by 2028 the first lot of Sukhois will be upgraded into super Sukhois

 

[sanket]

Like an Elephant with a bell tied to it's neck that announces that it is coming, people will hear the bell from far away before the actual elephant shows up, Indian defense establishments drew a picture with Swashplate in their SU-30 ugrade announcing that SAAB Gripen-E is coming and it has already been preselected before the actual competition, poor French guys still think they are in the competition, they didn't realize that MRFA is just an eyewash, SAAB will defenitely offer Radar Swashplate tech as promised with HAL unlike French to not honor the promise, we are a professional company and we honor all our obligations, we SAAB hope that this TOT would be very useful for your Super Sukhoi upgrade and for all the the future jet programs.

Swashplate or Repositiner is same

 

[sanket]

Oh cheese DRDO back to its antics doing all sorts of PR stunts, reading through the fancy title "Repositioner", had me thinking what possibly could it be. Turns out its a mechanical steerable antenna mount. Would have been far better if they developed a swashplate similar to pone used in Gripen, rather than a hydraulically or electrically actuated plate to mount antenna as atleast it would have saved weight.

Both are same Repositioner or swashplate update urself first

 

[Akshat]

Swashplate or Repositiner is same

Oh you mean the failed plane which couldn’t even clear the trials? No thanks. Not interested,

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Why daily updates. U can give update on super Sukhoi, MK2 once in a year. Nobody waits for us, don't know how GOI trust's u in AMCA development. Why DRDO people shying away from foreign collaboration?

Because Foreign Collaboration means giving away funds for a small helping hand....

We can't provide funds for a engine testing facility, even Armoured vehicle engines are being tested on higher altitude, does it make sense that you have load that Engine in a plane & then with a help of a helicopter or a truck to have a Transport that engine to that place 🤦

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Both are same Repositioner or swashplate update urself first

Functionally same but operationally much different..The way it works

 

[desigandu]

How many TRMs?

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Why daily updates. U can give update on super Sukhoi, MK2 once in a year. Nobody waits for us, don't know how GOI trust's u in AMCA development. Why DRDO people shying away from foreign collaboration?

Reason for daily updates is DRDO releasing details one by one

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

What are the timelines?

It requires TOTAL rebuild of airframe so it takes longer than building a new jet in reality! It will be smoothened to look like SU35S and will get the latest of fbw s/w's for SU35S from Sukhoi directly too....