"Plug and Play" Virupaksha AESA Radar Promises Seamless Integration to IAF's Su-30MKI Fleet, Enhancing Anti-Stealth Power Without Modifications

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to significantly enhance the capabilities of its Su-30MKI fighter fleet with the introduction of the indigenously developed Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this advanced radar system boasts 2400 Transmit/Receive (TR) modules, promising a dramatic leap in detection and tracking capabilities.

What sets the Virupaksha Radar apart is its "plug and play" design, specifically tailored for the Su-30MKI. This means the radar can be directly integrated into the aircraft's existing nose cone without requiring any structural modifications.

This approach streamlines the upgrade process, minimizing both the time and cost associated with equipping the Su-30MKI fleet with this cutting-edge technology.

Furthermore, the integration of the Virupaksha Radar has been meticulously planned to ensure compatibility with the Su-30MKI's current systems.

The aircraft's existing AL-31F engines have ample power to meet the radar's energy demands, eliminating the need for engine modifications or replacements.

Additionally, the avionics infrastructure that currently supports the N011M BARS Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar will be able to interface seamlessly with the new Virupaksha system. This compatibility with existing infrastructure further reduces the complexity and cost of the upgrade while maintaining the aircraft's overall performance and operational integrity.

The transition from the N011M BARS to the Virupaksha Radar represents a generational leap in radar technology for the IAF. The increased number of TR modules translates to a significant boost in the Su-30MKI's detection range, target tracking accuracy, and resistance to electronic countermeasures.

This upgrade is crucial in the face of evolving aerial threats, particularly stealth aircraft, as it provides pilots with enhanced situational awareness and a wider field of view.

The Virupaksha Radar will undoubtedly bolster the Su-30MKI's combat effectiveness, ensuring its continued relevance as a frontline fighter in the IAF's arsenal.

 

[sanket]

Virpaksha AESA Radar is going to be a game changer. Next will be the swashplate for rotating the radar for a better degree of angle. All this will make it a mini AWACS with a combo of Tejas MK1A & Super Sukhoi. It will have a great impact on combat missions with a detection range of 350 km to 400 km. It will be far superior to the F-15 EX fighter jet, which is a contender for MRFA. Once Astra MK3 is inducted by 2031 after finishing a couple of years, that means by 2028, the Virupasha AESA Radar & Astra MK3 combo will be deadly given the modern threat detection, including stealth fighter jets. As far as the F-15 EX is concerned for MRFA, its challenge is over.

 

[R. Singh]

We need upgrade for Su-30MKi like new 145+ KN engines to attain Mac-2.5 speed ,NEW home made AESA radar mentioned VIRUPAKSHA and reduce its RCS and arm it with new long range BVRAAMS, ASTRA-II, III R-37M and L& T MBDA made BVRAAMS !

 

[Frank]

Range?

 

[sanket]

Range?

350km to 400km, it's a GaN-based AESA radar, swashplate-based. It can also detect stealth fighter jets.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

What about its engine? AL31 is old now. Has India talked with Russia for new engines? Because without engine upgradation, Sukhoi modernization will not serve its purpose.

 

[beencensured]

Virpaksha AESA Radar is going to be a game changer. Next will be the swashplate for rotating the radar for a better degree of angle. All this will make it a mini AWACS with a combo of Tejas MK1A & Super Sukhoi. It will have a great impact on combat missions with a detection range of 350 km to 400 km. It will be far superior to the F-15 EX fighter jet, which is a contender for MRFA. Once Astra MK3 is inducted by 2031 after finishing a couple of years, that means by 2028, the Virupasha AESA Radar & Astra MK3 combo will be deadly given the modern threat detection, including stealth fighter jets. As far as the F-15 EX is concerned for MRFA, its challenge is over.

Very nice indeed, but many have said that this radar will use less power than the old one, so could it not be upgraded for 360-degree coverage with electro-optics and IR to give better situation awareness and maybe also give the ability of AI targeting and flight control?

 

[Kailash]

Is the AL-31's thrust been enhanced due to some local modifications or some electrical means of generating more power from the same engine output introduced?

Either way, that would be most interesting. As a technology stack, we can do this upgrade of radar plus the engine mods plus the electrical power increase for other client countries operating Su-30 variants. With dovetail well with act-east policy.

 

[Arin Kumar]

Many people are celebrating the large increase in the number of TRM modules in the Virpaksha AESA radar. But the real issues that are remaining are:

1. Cooling of the radar. The AESA radar generates a high amount of heat.
2. AESA is vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Chinese are masters in this. So we have a long way to go to protect in case of cyberattacks.
3. Weight is a huge factor. A large number of AESA radars with a huge weight will not be usable.

 

[Sandeep]

Many people are celebrating the large increase in the number of TRM modules in the Virpaksha AESA radar. But the real issues that are remaining are:

1. Cooling of the radar. The AESA radar generates a high amount of heat.
2. AESA is vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Chinese are masters in this. So we have a long way to go to protect in case of cyberattacks.
3. Weight is a huge factor. A large number of AESA radars with a huge weight will not be usable.

The Virupaksha radar will be housed in a liquid cooled nose cone and the use of gallium nitride reduces the amount of electricity it uses and reduces the amount of heat it produces.

Also our jet will be very well protected with the indigenous EW, ECCM and carry on both sides the self protection jammer pod. All of that will make it impossible for China to try and hack or succeed in using EW against us.

As it’s a new radar with AESA and despite using a high amount of T/M it will be much lighter than the previous heavy and bulky PESA radars using old technology, parts, components and equipment so it won’t be a problem at all.

 

[Sandeep]

Finally we have a 100% indigenously designed, developed and manufactured radar in India by using local raw materials.

We are implementing the Super Sukhoi upgrade program which is a major technology upgrade and improves our fire power range, accuracy and lethality.

We should also install another variant for the Tejas MK1A and MK2 jets. We will also need more time before we can produce a larger amount of Tejas jets and the different types of radars. We need to replace the Mig 29 and Mirage 2000 and it will still be in service for the next 10-15 years until we phase those jets out completely. So we need to make a comprehensive upgrade of those jets, all of its technology and equipment before we can replace them with our better indigenous jets.

 

[हरिः व्योम]

HAL should consider the new 41FS engine as against the 31F. They keep negativity because of existing baselines. Like the IAF chief said, HAL is a lazy organization.

 

[Hey]

What about its engine? AL31 is old now. Has India talked with Russia for new engines? Because without engine upgradation, Sukhoi modernization will not serve its purpose.

India isn't interested in AL-41 engines as there is not much difference between AL-31 & AL-41. Though there are chances that we will pick the AL-31 5th gen engine that Russia showcased and offered to India.

Or in the future, we will buy AL-51 engines & power consumption will be low in GaN-based systems compared with GAA-based systems.

 

[GMR]

Will be a great enhancement. question is when it will be done..

 

[Rational Guy]

Many people are celebrating the large increase in the number of TRM modules in the Virpaksha AESA radar. But the real issues that are remaining are:

1. Cooling of the radar. The AESA radar generates a high amount of heat.
2. AESA is vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Chinese are masters in this. So we have a long way to go to protect in case of cyberattacks.
3. Weight is a huge factor. A large number of AESA radars with a huge weight will not be usable.

AESA with a large number of TRM modules means it will be a very capable jammer as well.

GaN tech is lighter than old PESA and GaAs tech.