India's ability to monitor its airspace and detect airborne threats is set to dramatically improve with the development of the next-generation Netra Mk1A and Mk2 airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).
These advanced aircraft, developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will utilize cutting-edge Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology in their Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars.
The incorporation of GaN-based transmit/receive modules (TRMs) represents a significant upgrade from the current Netra Mk1 system. The existing Mk1 uses older Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based radar technology, developed by the DRDO's Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in Bengaluru.
The switch to GaN will provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with enhanced radar performance, greater efficiency, and improved operational capabilities.
The currently operational Netra Mk1, mounted on an Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, has proven its worth in providing crucial surveillance and radar coverage, including during operations like the 2019 Balakot airstrike. Its AESA radar offers 240-degree coverage.
However, GaAs technology has inherent limitations in power, heat management, and range compared to newer technologies. These limitations have driven the DRDO's pursuit of GaN-based systems for the Mk1A and Mk2 programs.
The LRDE, a DRDO laboratory with extensive experience in radar development (including the Uttam AESA radar for fighter jets), is leading the integration of GaN-based TRMs into the Netra Mk1A and Mk2's AESA radar. This move is consistent with a global shift towards GaN in advanced radar systems, due to its superior performance.
The Netra Mk1A will be an upgraded version of the existing Mk1, retaining the Embraer ERJ-145 platform. Key improvements include the GaN-based TRMs, as well as updated software, improved user interfaces, and enhanced mission systems.
While maintaining the 240-degree radar coverage, the Mk1A will benefit from increased range and detection capabilities due to the GaN technology.
The IAF currently operates three Netra Mk1 aircraft and plans to acquire six more Mk1A units, at an estimated cost of Rs 9,000 crore (approximately $1.08 Billion USD).
These new aircraft will replace imported systems with domestically produced alternatives, bolstering India's self-reliance in defense technology. This will include incorporating domestic electronic intelligence (ELINT) and radar warning receiver (RWR) systems.
The Mk2 will boast even greater capabilities to handle a wide variety of threats, including advanced self-protection features like dual-colour missile approach warning systems (DCMAWS), electronic countermeasures, and SATCOM data links.
This positions the Netra Mk2 as an important step towards the DRDO's long-term objective of developing a full-fledged AWACS with 300-degree surveillance coverage.
Advantages of Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology
The shift to GaN offers significant improvements over the older GaAs technology:- Greater Power Output: GaN-based TRMs produce a stronger signal, allowing the radar to detect targets at greater distances and with better resolution. This is essential for providing early warnings of threats far inside enemy territory.
- Increased Efficiency: GaN's improved efficiency means less power is consumed, allowing for longer operational durations without straining the aircraft's systems.
- Better Heat Management: GaN handles heat much more effectively than GaAs. GaN's thermal conductivity is significantly higher (130-170 W/mK compared to GaAs's 46 W/mK). This allows for higher performance without the need for complex cooling systems, reducing the aircraft's weight and complexity.
- Wider Operational Range: GaN allows the radar to operate across a broader range of frequencies, enhancing its ability to detect and identify various targets, including stealth aircraft and small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
