HAL and BEL's Indigenous IRST System for IAF Su-30MKI Fighters Nears Trials

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), two prominent Indian defence companies, are preparing for crucial trials of their jointly developed long-range dual-band infrared search and track (IRST) system for Su-30MKI fighter jets in late 2024. This indigenous IRST system represents a significant stride towards India's self-reliance in critical defence technology for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF intends to equip 84 of its upgraded Su-30MKI aircraft, designated as Super-30 MKI, with this advanced IRST system. These upgraded jets will undergo a local transformation process under the supervision of HAL. Currently, these aircraft rely on Russian-origin IRSTs, highlighting the importance of this indigenous development.

The project received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the "Make II" category in May 2018. While the initial timeline aimed for induction between 2018 and 2021, the project faced delays.

The IAF has set demanding specifications for the IRST system, including:

• Long-range IR detection: The system must detect infrared signatures of enemy aircraft at substantial distances.
• Wide field of view (FoV): A large FoV allows pilots to scan a broader area for potential threats.
• High-resolution displays: The IRST should provide pilots with clear, high-resolution infrared (IR) and electro-optical (EO) images for precise target identification.
• Automatic tracking: The system should automatically track air and ground targets, reducing pilot workload.
• 3D localization: An eye-safe laser rangefinder integrated with the IRST will enable accurate 3D target location.

The successful trials and subsequent induction of this IRST system will significantly enhance the IAF's air combat capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers for critical technology.

 

[wallisk]

Range havent mentioned . what is the Range 150 kM or same as Russian.

Your darling Rafales might gets cancelled now I think so, becoz NDA-MoD are demanding 100% ToT transfers on make in India for MRFA tender jets now..... .....indiandefensenews......in/2024/06/policy-switch-to-make-full-fighter-jets.html......

 

[Pink Panther]

150km is too much. Range is usually much less than 100km.

Yes most modern fighter jets can do a max of 100 km depending on various factors like cloud, altitude, air temperature and other, typically frontal tracking is less range 30-50 km range compared to rear tracking of jets 90-100km, because of target jet’s engine location in the rear.

 

[desigandu]

Great, how does our desi IRST system compare with the American F-35s EOTS, and what will it take for us to get there with AMCA??? Fact based opinions without global gyan, please….

The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for the F-35 Lightning II is an affordable, high-performance, lightweight, multi-function system that provides precision air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting capability. The low-drag, stealthy EOTS is integrated into the F-35 Lightning II's fuselage with a durable sapphire window and is linked to the aircraft's integrated central computer through a high-speed fiber-optic interface.

As the first sensor to combine forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality, EOTS enhances F-35 pilots’ situational awareness and allows aircrews to identify areas of interest, perform reconnaissance and precisely deliver laser and GPS-guided weapons. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 850 systems for the F-35 Lightning II.

Advanced EOTS, an evolutionary electro-optical targeting system, is available for the F-35’s Block 4 development. Designed to replace EOTS, Advanced EOTS incorporates a wide range of enhancements and upgrades, including short-wave infrared, high-definition television, an infrared marker and improved image detector resolution. These enhancements increase F-35 pilots’ recognition and detection ranges, enabling greater overall targeting performance.

 

[Pink Panther]

Your darling Rafales might gets cancelled now I think so, becoz NDA-MoD are demanding 100% ToT transfers on make in India for MRFA tender jets now..... .....indiandefensenews......in/2024/06/policy-switch-to-make-full-fighter-jets.html......

SU-57

 

[Pink Panther]

Russian IRST is good for only 50 kms ranges to fire missiles my friend....

One in SU-35 is 90Km.

 

[Pink Panther]

Range havent mentioned . what is the Range 150 kM or same as Russian.

Next is making S-400 in India, soon the deal is going to be signed.

 

[Torontodude]

far superior only on paper final product still not tested yet...

That's why the article says it is being developed. You're interpreting the obvious

 

[Akshat]

It is far superior to the existing Russian systems. Clearly data is classified and should be. However I'd like to add that the benchmark is OFS on Rafale.

So the data is classified but you know already that it is superior?

 

[Akshat]

SU-57

Never ever. India's enemies can keep hoping we waste money on that junk.

 

[Akshat]

Your darling Rafales might gets cancelled now I think so, becoz NDA-MoD are demanding 100% ToT transfers on make in India for MRFA tender jets now..... .....indiandefensenews......in/2024/06/policy-switch-to-make-full-fighter-jets.html......

In that case MRFA itself would get cancelled. No one will give full 100%. And before that the plane itself has to clear trials, where EF and Rafale will only qualify, with F15 being a possibility as it's a new one. Boeing will never do it, as has been proven in the past. And same for EF. So Rafale anyways has the best chances.

 

[Akshat]

Why? Even F22 is 1990s tech. F35 is 2000s tech. So what? The airframe is the only thing of 1990s. And FBWs which are part of the airframe has not advanced as they are simple controls. All other advanced features are from LRU, avionics & sensors which are modular and can be changed as per needs. This is why even F16, F15 made in 1970s are still being upgraded. Older planes with no FBW based airframes like Mig21 are obsolete as FBW is a critical element. But any plane with FBW is good enough for upgrades

F22 is set to be retired in this decade. F35 has not even received FOC and is being upgraded. So the upgrades are badly needed and HAL and DRDO seem incapable of doing it in time.

 

[AK S]

So the data is classified but you know already that it is superior?

To know something is superior, do you need to know the classified data? Really interesting observation.

AESA is superior to PESA. Deduction is based on the use of technology. In this case, I noted more than the tech - I referred to the benchmark.

 

[AK S]

Never ever. India's enemies can keep hoping we waste money on that junk.

We off-boarded the Su 57 ship and that’s gone. We are not boarding that ship again.

MRFA will see drastic changes, it’s not just the level of ToT, even order size will be staggered. A lot depends on when Tejas Mk2 takes to sky. Wish AMCA could fly in next 3 years - that would change everything.

 

[Akshat]

We off-boarded the Su 57 ship and that’s gone. We are not boarding that ship again.

MRFA will see drastic changes, it’s not just the level of ToT, even order size will be staggered. A lot depends on when Tejas Mk2 takes to sky. Wish AMCA could fly in next 3 years - that would change everything.

The order size is unlikely to be staggered. Ex-CDS had suggested it, but IAF chief went public and confirmed that they will buy the entire 114 lot in one go. As for Mk2, it's not flying anytime soon. Not before MRFA. Even longer for MRFA. Mk2 was supposed to be rolled out by 2014 but has been delayed ever since. So there is no clarity whatsoever in that program and we can confidently say anything only after it happens. IAF can't plan in that manner.

 

[Akshat]

To know something is superior, do you need to know the classified data? Really interesting observation.

AESA is superior to PESA. Deduction is based on the use of technology. In this case, I noted more than the tech - I referred to the benchmark.

Exact opposite. You need to know the data to know something is superior. That data may or may not be classified. You are the one who is claiming that the concerned data is classified.

And we know AESA is superior because there is data to back it up. That data is available in the public domain. Or at least everyone in the world, who can interpret that data, agrees. Who in the world has agreed that Indian IRST is superior to Russian systems? Just saying that it is superior is not enough to make it happen.

 

[Pad UwU]

Need some testing in real war🔥🔥🔥

 

[wallisk]

In that case MRFA itself would get cancelled. No one will give full 100%. And before that the plane itself has to clear trials, where EF and Rafale will only qualify, with F15 being a possibility as it's a new one. Boeing will never do it, as has been proven in the past. And same for EF. So Rafale anyways has the best chances.

Already Saab have approached HAL for jv, promising 100% tech transfers by replacing all EU and USA avionics systems displays computers with DRDO-BEL and/or Saab make ones... Saab will 100% win this MRFA tender soon, as USA-India GEF414 deal also getting signed soon! F21 F18SH F15EX SU57 SU35S no chance of getting 100% ToT at all!

 

[Akshat]

Already Saab have approached HAL for jv, promising 100% tech transfers by replacing all EU and USA avionics systems displays computers with DRDO-BEL and/or Saab make ones... Saab will 100% win this MRFA tender soon, as USA-India GEF414 deal also getting signed soon! F21 F18SH F15EX SU57 SU35S no chance of getting 100% ToT at all!

But they don't have 100% tech. How will they give the engine tech, for example? Saab hasn't won any tender at all in the whole last decade. The Indo-US deal also says only 80% ToT. And then there are many systems which Saab or DRDO can't make. Say, the ejection seat. Only Rafale has a chance at winning.

Oh and moreover, Saab itself is trying to buy 100% share and make the planes on their own.

And after all that, who will pay for the development of new subsystems? There is no such proposal whatsoever.

 

[PKPRS]

Never ever. India's enemies can keep hoping we waste money on that junk.

better than wasting money on super expensive obsolete tech.

 

[PKPRS]

The order size is unlikely to be staggered. Ex-CDS had suggested it, but IAF chief went public and confirmed that they will buy the entire 114 lot in one go. As for Mk2, it's not flying anytime soon. Not before MRFA. Even longer for MRFA. Mk2 was supposed to be rolled out by 2014 but has been delayed ever since. So there is no clarity whatsoever in that program and we can confidently say anything only after it happens. IAF can't plan in that manner.

How is Dassault going to make 382 Rafale’s in 5 year’s, which is one of the conditions of MRFA, also 70% TOT, can’t meet the timeline or the TOT so your favorite jet 👎 👋✋