Indigenous "Hawk I" GaN-Based AESA Radar with 2700 TRMs Emerges as Strong Contender for Su-30MKI Upgrade, Challenging "Virupaksha"

A new, indigenously developed radar system is vying to become a key component of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet upgrade program.

DATA Patterns, a prominent Indian defence electronics firm, showcased its "Hawk I 2700" X-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar at the recent Aero India 2025 exhibition.

Company representatives stated that the Hawk I 2700 is not a modified version of the existing "Virupaksha" AESA radar, but rather a direct competitor offering unique and advanced features.

The Hawk I 2700 radar boasts a significant number of Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs), totaling 2700. This surpasses the Virupaksha radar, which is reported to have 2400 TRMs.

A higher number of TRMs generally correlates with improved radar performance, including greater range and resolution. The Hawk I 2700 is reportedly capable of detecting targets with a Radar Cross-Section (RCS) of 5 square meters at a distance of up to 350 kilometers.

For smaller targets, with an RCS of 2 square meters, the detection range is stated to be 250 kilometers. Even targets with a small RCS of 1 square meter can be detected at a range of 200 kilometers.

A key feature of the Hawk I 2700 is its use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology in its TRMs. GaN components offer superior power efficiency and reliability compared to older technologies like Gallium Arsenide (GaAs). This translates to a more powerful and robust radar system.

Additionally, the Hawk I 2700 includes a "Swash Controller Unit," which allows the radar antenna to tilt mechanically on both sides. This feature enhances the radar's scanning capabilities, providing a wider field of view and improved tracking flexibility.

The introduction of the Hawk I 2700 creates a competitive landscape for the Su-30MKI upgrade. The Indian Air Force is expected to carefully evaluate both the Hawk I 2700 and the Virupaksha to determine the best solution for enhancing the combat capabilities of its Su-30MKI fleet.

Beyond the IAF, DATA Patterns is also reportedly considering marketing the Hawk I 2700 to international operators of Su-30 variants, many of whom currently rely on older Russian-made PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) radar systems, like the N011M Bars.

The newer AESA technology offers significant advantages over PESA radars, including improved target tracking, electronic counter-countermeasures, and multi-tasking capabilities.

 

[sanket]

Good, But even after having more TRM, it has a range up to 350 km, while Virupaksha has 350 to 400 km with 2400 TRM. While both have swash plates for more coverage, it would have been good if they had developed a smaller version of the Hawk GaN AESA Radar for Tejas MK1A & Tejas MK2. DRDO has developed a GaA-based AESA Radar called Uttam. Hawk needs to be tested on one of the Su-30 MKIs for A2Sea, A2G & A2A. That's why I always said one full squadron would have been ordered for the Su-30 MKI instead of 12. It would have been used for a test bed for various sensors, weapons, tech features, engines, etc. HAL should have at least 2 to 3 test beds.

 

[मित्र]

Seems like good days ahead 😃

 

[मित्र]

Good, But even after having more TRM, it has a range up to 350 km, while Virupaksha has 350 to 400 km with 2400 TRM. While both have swash plates for more coverage, it would have been good if they had developed a smaller version of the Hawk GaN AESA Radar for Tejas MK1A & Tejas MK2. DRDO has developed a GaA-based AESA Radar called Uttam. Hawk needs to be tested on one of the Su-30 MKIs for A2Sea, A2G & A2A. That's why I always said one full squadron would have been ordered for the Su-30 MKI instead of 12. It would have been used for a test bed for various sensors, weapons, tech features, engines, etc. HAL should have at least 2 to 3 test beds.

Can't totally trust HAL's claim of range, let IAF evaluate them and give fair competition. If Data Patterns wins here, it will set a trend and will force HAL to work harder.

 

[Frank]

So it's that easy to develop an AESA radar.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

So it's that easy to develop an AESA radar.

Yes, but miniaturization needs some ideas. Adding 300 more processing units in the same form factor needs some innovation. I think instead of the swashplate, the SU-30 could add three smaller, side- and top-looking, flat AESA panels. That would reduce the weight and cost of adding mechanical swashplates. Then, all targets will stay tracked.

 

[Praveen]

So it's that easy to develop an AESA radar.

Not easy to develop but easy to assemble. Just like those drones made previously mostly bought from CCP or US and assembled here. R&D is huge money burning one and time consuming. Without sufficient infrastructure and expertise its not possible.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Good, But even after having more TRM, it has a range up to 350 km, while Virupaksha has 350 to 400 km with 2400 TRM. While both have swash plates for more coverage, it would have been good if they had developed a smaller version of the Hawk GaN AESA Radar for Tejas MK1A & Tejas MK2. DRDO has developed a GaA-based AESA Radar called Uttam. Hawk needs to be tested on one of the Su-30 MKIs for A2Sea, A2G & A2A. That's why I always said one full squadron would have been ordered for the Su-30 MKI instead of 12. It would have been used for a test bed for various sensors, weapons, tech features, engines, etc. HAL should have at least 2 to 3 test beds.

I suggest adding smaller, side- and top-facing radar panels and keep this radar facing 30 degrees downward, looking just like the F-22 and J-20. Then you can constantly track all sides. Swashplate mechanisms will lose track of all boundary airspace when the radar points away from one side to another.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Identifying 5th-gen jets with RCS ~ 0.1 early will be a challenge for Virupaksha and Hawk-I as well.

 

[Kira]

Seems like good days ahead 😃

But since the MoD only really allows PSU products, they will stick to the DRDO option even if this radar offers enhanced capabilities.

 

[Nagendra simh]

So it's that easy to develop an AESA radar.

Everything is easy, if you have will to do it
Hope more private companies participate and compete with DRDO and other public companies.

 

[kumar]

Pretty good development. Years of efforts beginning to bear fruit. We are not too far behind others when it comes to electronics. If only we had invested in engines, we could have come up to speed there as well. There was no need to depend on that damned GE company as well for the F404 engine.

 

[Abs29]

Yes, but miniaturization needs some ideas. Adding 300 more processing units in the same form factor needs some innovation. I think instead of the swashplate, the SU-30 could add three smaller, side- and top-looking, flat AESA panels. That would reduce the weight and cost of adding mechanical swashplates. Then, all targets will stay tracked.

Data Patterns as a company has specific expertise in miniaturizing components and collapsing, and subsequently condensing circuits on single system on chip module. So its quite probable that they could comparatively integrate lot more modules than even Virupaksha.

 

[Abs29]

Not easy to develop but easy to assemble. Just like those drones made previously mostly bought from ccp or US and assembled here. R&D is huge money burning one and time consuming. Without sufficient infrastructure and expertise its not possible.

Miniaturizing circuits and system modules also requires extensive R&D and expertise. Data patterns has previously demonstrated exceptional expertise in area when they worked with ISRO. So they do have their own R&D and quite good one at that.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Data Patterns as a company has specific expertise in miniaturizing components and collapsing, and subsequently condensing circuits on single system on chip module. So its quite probable that they could comparatively integrate lot more modules than even Virupaksha.

I like Data Patterns as a company. They are innovating for long time. A lot of skill is needed to be a leader in defence electronic hardware software area. If they could come up with small installable side patches for the SU30, that would really be a game changer and could be incorporated to AMCA as well.

 

[Sankari_1010]

I can say from my personal experience that Data Pattern is a company with credibility in technical activities. However, an AESA radar is only proven when integrated in fighter aircraft and carry out missile deployment with accuracy.
I did the first AESA radar ( ELM 2052) integration in country on Jaguar DARIN III upgrade .
Uttam , I have seen closely. Any new sensor’s acid test is perfection in integration with HMI , weapon , manoeuver of aircraft.
So lots of road is ahead.
Some armchair specialists feels criticising HAL enhances their credibility on knowledge but today in aviation whatever the country is proud of are the outcomes of HAL’s R&D efforts.
S P Bhattacharya, Ex Director (Retired) , HAL
P.s - I will enjoy the abuses directed to me after this post as we enjoyed during our working life.

 

[Sandeep]

Not easy to develop but easy to assemble. Just like those drones made previously mostly bought from CCP or US and assembled here. R&D is huge money burning one and time consuming. Without sufficient infrastructure and expertise its not possible.

This is manufactured indigenously. The Chinese aren’t going to give away whatever junk they have created to their enemy.

 

[Sandeep]

But since the MoD only really allows PSU products, they will stick to the DRDO option even if this radar offers enhanced capabilities.

No necessarily. They will test the radar out and it’s performance and if the technology and price is good then they can buy this radar instead.

 

[Vivek Singh]

That's fantastic news!

The Indian Air Force (IAF) should conduct a thorough and fair assessment of both the Virupaksha and Hawk systems. The contract should be awarded to the product that best meets the performance requirements.

If one system significantly outperforms the other, even if both meet the performance criteria, the superior system should be chosen.

However, if both systems meet the performance requirements and are closely matched, the IAF should consider splitting the order. In this case, the supplier with the lowest bid (L1) would provide 60% of the radars, while the second-lowest bidder (L2) would supply the remaining 40%, at the price of L1.

The Su-30 MKI fleet is large enough to support two manufacturers. Eventually, derivatives of these radars could be integrated into other aircraft.

Having multiple suppliers of airborne AESA radars in India would foster competition and innovation, driving down costs and improving performance.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great that we now have private companies that are now designing, developing and manufacturing advanced radar systems. While this radar is larger with a higher TRM they still have to conduct a lot of tests and trials in the air which will take a long time.

So far we will be using different variants of the Uttam radar for Tejas MK1A, MK2 and Sukhoi 30 jets. If the performance, quality, reliability and accuracy is better than the Uttam series of radars then they could use the Hawk radar

 

[Dredd]

No necessarily. They will test the radar out and it’s performance and if the technology and price is good then they can buy this radar instead.

They will go with the L1 bidder who meets the minimum requirements rather than the one with the best capability.

 

[Dredd]

It’s great that we now have private companies that are now designing, developing and manufacturing advanced radar systems. While this radar is larger with a higher TRM they still have to conduct a lot of tests and trials in the air which will take a long time.

So far we will be using different variants of the Uttam radar for Tejas MK1A, MK2 and Sukhoi 30 jets. If the performance, quality, reliability and accuracy is better than the Uttam series of radars then they could use the Hawk radar

They also showcased radar for Tejas and MiG-29. We can ask them to test the radar on the MiG-29 platform.

 

[Abs29]

I like Data Patterns as a company. They are innovating for long time. A lot of skill is needed to be a leader in defence electronic hardware software area. If they could come up with small installable side patches for the SU30, that would really be a game changer and could be incorporated to AMCA as well.

Data Patterns is one exceptional company with a unique expertise in downsizing and miniaturizing components and collapsing circuits on single System on Chip module. The amount of weight reduction and package miniaturization they can achieve is mind boggling. If anyone can do it, its them. I fully expect their radar and avionic upgrade package to really be exceptionally effective.

 

[Sandeep]

They will go with the L1 bidder who meets the minimum requirements rather than the one with the best capability.

No they set out the standard, technology requirements, content etc very clearly. Once those are met and proven then they select the company that quotes the lowest price.

Otherwise they can get any old radar that doesn’t meet the specifications or standards at the cheapest price but it will be a piece of junk. So technology requirements and specifications are laid out and must be met.