YURI BELY
“PAK FA’s AESA radar development
is right on schedule”
The PAK FA future tactical fighter, which prototypes made their debut at the MAKS
2011 air show, will feature, inter alia, a highly automated multifunctional integrated
active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system under development by
the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (Tikhomirov-
NIIP). To date, Tikhomirov-NIIP has made several X-band AESA prototypes and
L-band experimental AESA examples and performed a considerable volume of
tests, with the AESA radar soon to be mounted on the fighter. Tikhomirov-NIIP’s
X-band AESA prototype, L-band example and their transmit/receive (T-R) modules
could be seen at the company’s booth at MAKS 2011. We spoke with Tikhomirov-
NIIP Director General Yuri Bely about the state of the AESA programme and other
topical matters.
Mr. Bely, let us start with the main innovative programme of Tikhomirov-NIIP,the AESA radar for the fifth-generation fighter. What is the status of the programme?
What did you achieve?
PAK FA’s AESA radar system development is right on schedule approved by the prime contractor for the plane, the Sukhoi company. Under the schedule, two prototypes are being rig-tested,with one more being ready for installation on a PAK FA prototype. This, third, AESA radar prototype will be handed over to Sukhoi, and it will begin to work on board the third flying PAK FA aircraft. Manufacture of more radars is under way, e.g. the fourth set is being assembled to fit another PAK FA prototype and the fifth one’s manufacture has begun.The first AESA radar has logged two years on our test rig, most of its issues have been ironed out and its software is being refined now. The second AESA complete set has been placed on a test rig earlier this year and will soon be handed over to Sukhoi as part of the PAK FA avionics suite for rig testing. The third example has completed its rig tests and now is ready for mounting on a plane. The fourth set is to be made before year-end.Our institute performs the assembly,adjustment and rig testing of the AESA radars so far, and at the same time, its productionising is underway at the State Ryazan Instrument Plant (GRPZ) that is setting up new manufacturing lines and buying advanced equipment and has erected a special shop to this end. The plant also has taken part in the manufacture of the AESA radar since its early examples had been made; in particular, it has been making the distribution system, waveguide runs, T-R module cases, etc. We have been handing radar part manufacture off to the plant gradually; thus, the plant will productionise the AESA radar in full. We will be able to launch its production as soon as next year.
What problems do you encounter in AESA development?
Since the AESA radar is a drastically novel product not only to us at Tikhomirov-NIIP, but to the whole of Russian industry as well, it is no secret that there are problems, mostly due to electronic componentry,specifically due to the productionising of T-R modules under way at the Istok scientific and production association and to ensuring their reliability. Hence, many things have to be done over and reconsidered.As far as characteristics are concerned,we are satisfied now with the T-R modules supplied to us, but their reliability is yet to be enhanced. The cause of the current situation is the slippage of Istok’s production facilities renovation programme,due to which some work is still done using obsolete equipment with lower precision.The financing is in a stop-and-go manner; hence, Istok is experiencing problems with its production facilities renovation and, therefore, with the reliability of the early T-R modules they made. Nevertheless,I would like to stress again that we have been settling all issues with success no matter what and the programme has been on schedule.The AESA radar development is gradual,given the scale of the job to be done. First,priority is given to the forward-looking AESA and its integration with the electronic countermeasures (ECM), IFF and other avionics. In parallel, other units and systems are being developed, and the radar system is beefed up as they are developed.In the end, we will get a full-fledged multifunctional integrated radio-electronic system of the fifth-generation aircraft.
While working on the AESA, you do not neglect passive phased-array radars either, do you?
Certainly, we have developed the unique phased-array radar, the Irbis-E, with an airborne target acquisition range of 400 km. Three prototypes of the radar have been undergoing their flight trials on two Su-35 prototypes and a Su-30MK2 flying testbed for several years now. This year, the first production Su-35S fighter built by KnAAPO Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association under the Russian Defence Ministry-awarded contract has entered its trials. It carries a full production-standard Irbis set made by GRPZ plant at its production line.Tikhomirov-NIIP staff has been proactive in supporting the radar’s flight tests, its productionising by GRPZ and settling all issues cropping up in the process. Mention should be made that the radar has a good prospect not only on board the Su-35. We have received inquiries as to the feasibility of using Irbis-E derivatives on board ships and as part of ground-based radar systems.We have not neglected the Irbis’s predecessor, the Bars phased-array radar, which is in mass production and exported extensively as part of the Su-30MKI fighters and its versions to India, Malaysia and Algeria. As is known, the Russian Defence Ministry, too, has recently decided to buy a batch of aircraft like that, designated as Su-30SM, in the near future. We have got a contract with the Sukhoi company for development of a Bars version to fit these fighters. We also are taking part in the programme on upgrade of the Indian Air Force Su-30MKIs. Provision has been made for enhancing the performance of the Bars radar and its current phased array and, possibly, fitting the radar with an AESA further down the road. However, we believe that such an upgrade of the Bars should be conditioned on the programme for development of an AESA radar for the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) being co-developed by Russia and India, so that our experience in developing the AESA can be used in subsequent upgrade of in-service Su-30MKI fighters.
Do you continue to upgrade other airborne radars you developed?
We certainly do. We are further honing our first phased-array radar, the Zaslon, used on the MiG-31 interceptor. The upgraded MiG-31BM has kicked off the second phase of its official trials recently. Advanced operating modes are being implemented into its Zaslon radar, to which new long- and medium-range missiles are being adapted as well. The MiG-31’s tactical capabilities will grow by far owing to the ongoing upgrade. In addition, Su-27SM(3) fighters have been fielded with Russian Air Force combat units this year. We have upgraded their N001 fire control radar again, with advanced operating modes introduced and modified medium-range missile application ensured. The work is going on.
