IAF Pursues Cutting-Edge Phased-Array Drone Radar Systems for Advanced Detection Capabilities

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is demonstrating a strong interest in integrating cutting-edge reconfigurable phased-array radar systems into its aerial drone fleet. This move promises to greatly enhance the IAF's surveillance and target detection abilities within the modern battlespace.

Phased-array radars have inherent advantages over traditional mechanical radar systems. They utilize electronically steered antenna systems that can switch beams rapidly across various directions without the need for physical antenna movement. This translates to faster scanning times and superior tracking accuracy of potential targets.

Taking this technology further, reconfigurable phased-array radars can dynamically adjust their beam shapes and frequencies, boosting overall flexibility in detecting and pinpointing a wide range of targets.

By mounting such radar systems on drones, the IAF could deploy powerful surveillance platforms at key locations or dispatch them to specific areas.

The drones could provide persistent aerial monitoring, transmitting real-time radar data back to command centers. This capability offers enormous potential for border surveillance, tracking enemy activity, and supporting tactical operations in complex environments.

The IAF's push for drone-mounted phased-array radars complements its expanding focus on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs have demonstrated their value across diverse military functions and the IAF continues to actively integrate them for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and combat missions.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

One advantage can be that these drones can be flown at altitude, this removes the limitations that the horizon places on detecting low flying objects. We have used tethered drones in some capacity, maybe tethered drones can be used here for mounting radars

 

[Sandeep]

These small radars will be ideal to use in high altitude and rough terrain areas where it can be easily set up. Another benefit is that it can be ideal to look for low flying threats or small drones that can pose a threat as well.

Having this type of radar flying on a drone will allow us to scan areas for potential threats at a very fast pace which will increase our defence.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

These small radars will be ideal to use in high altitude and rough terrain areas where it can be easily set up. Another benefit is that it can be ideal to look for low flying threats or small drones that can pose a threat as well.

Having this type of radar flying on a drone will allow us to scan areas for potential threats at a very fast pace which will increase our defence.

The key point will be how large of a drone are we talking about. Assuming the image is representational, An AESA radar would require a pretty powerful Auxiliary Power Supply Unit and thus the Drone itself has to be fairly large to accommodate it. However that brings another problem larger drones are easier to detect on radars, track, and subsequently shoot down. Unless you intend to deploy it on HALE UAV or at least a MALE UAV it makes little sense.

Even mounting them on tethered drones would require a fairly large octa -copter to be able to handle the excess weight of radar module which would at least be about 50-100kg. Standard quad-copters would not be able to support the weight and would a drone require the size of a small car with fairly large propellers to lift--off.