We are looking at two different radars option for JF-17 fleet Block-II & Block-III.
These two Radars may possibly solve curiousity in regard to AESA Radar for Block-II & Block-III. Many had question on mind that KLJA or LKF601E may or may not fit into nose cone of Block-II, so the possible scenario as following may help to understand possible integration.
LKF601E AESA radar seems to be possible option for Block-II for its small size & air-cooling that deals with any low power. Clearly mentions FC-1 so one can assume that the same is purely offered for JF-17 (Block-II for its size & apparent fitment) AESA solution with 170 KM claimed range of 15 target tracking & 4 locks at the same time. Or, to go by the word FC-1 that seems an upgrade for the foreign customers of Block-II if they interest. That said "being fully air cooling, which significantly reduces system weight and the need for rewiring, and the secondly is to replace the existing KF-17 radar without major modification".
Furthermore, the chatter has it that the same AESA radar was too on offer for Block-III but not sure.
So far known details are:
- Range:
- Look-up: Fighter-sized targets at 170 km
- Look-down: large targets from 200 km in the Sea (Ships)
- Total targets tracked: tracks up to 15 targets simultaneously and engages four with air/air missiles
- Weight: 69kg + 35kg (radar + (processor + power module))
View attachment 576746
With 864 TR modules.
And seems they did some tests after installing one on JF-17 Block-II
Apparently, the serial number also seems to be 06 which is also highlighted in one of the above pictures at 2018 China Airshow.
Now coming to Block-III possibility of Chinese AESA radar in view of more detection range, power & built in capabilities. I can guess that it would be KLJA with two different models being displayed. One with front Array only and the other with one front Array + two side Arrays as well. Both Radars the KLJ7A & KLJ7A with side looking arrays are pictured in single frame.
- Range:
- Look-up: 170 km for targets of 3m² RCS (RCS of smaller or stealthier aircraft...none in possession of indian armed forces....also drones)
- 200 km against aerial target with 5m² RCS (RCS of base model Rafael and Gripen...Su-30MKI has even higher RCS @ 20m²)
- Total targets tracked: 15 in TWS (Track-While-Scan) mode and engage 4 simultaneously
KLJ7A with only front facing Array is claimed to be the ideal option for JF-17 Block-III.
Now the KLJ7A with side arrays is claimed to have 600 TR modules for side arrays that are more than SU-57 side array AESA radar, that provides JF-17 Block-III with front, sides & coverage from back as well due to side arrays placement. However, this upgrade seems to be expensive and may need more power that gives a possibility for some future projection like NxGF.
There is a possibility that we may wait for AVIC KLJ7A retrofit version for Block-II planes (Block-I upgraded scenario) to avoid having two different AESA radars from two different suppliers but that is unclear and my opinion only.
Then comes the possibility that in my view, seems to be latest update & carries more weight (thanks to @messiach for valuable input) that we are looking at in-house solution for AESA radar (indigenous to the extent) with the help of foreign friends including assistance from Russia as well. This solution comes into mind for the our freedom of integration of weapons from different sources either be it Chinese or Western. That seems possible to me because Chinese will not share source code with Western Radar and neither the Western Source will provide source codes for integration with Chinese Radars. So, to solve this issue we are moving towards an independent Radar built in house so that none of the sources will have any issue in regard to source codes for weapon integration on our fighter fleet.
What comes may next, is yet unclear though, few of above posts pushed me to share my observation and understanding as well.
I will however, request the members that please let's keep Block-II discussion out of this thread. I did on my part but that was in regard to LKF601E AESA Radar possibility for the Block-III as well.
Thanks to the all sources (OSINT) is done here.
Regards,