why RBE2 aesa radar was the safest bet for india in MMRCA evaluations

[DrSomnath999]

After rafale had been declared the winner of MMRCA deal there were many angry reactions coming from many self proclaimed
defence experts & arm chair generals in india that Rafale's puny radar wont be able to give IAF any edge in future aerial combat & IAF would be losing it's combat edge against it's adversary.But people dont understand that RBE 2 AESA radar was the safest bet for IAF in comparision to all MMRCA contenders AESA radar's at that time
& would be in future also .


This article tries to explain why RBE 2 AESA radar was the safest bet for IAF in MMRCA evaluations??

1st we should know what was the MMRCA radar requirement at that time??

MMRCA RADAR REQUIREMENTs

1) MINIMUM DETECTION RANGE FOR AN AESA RADAR

One of the selection criteria in the tender is that the fighter's radar must have an active phased array radar with a target detection range of at least 130 kilometers (about 80 miles)."

Zhuk-AE X-band AESA radar offered to India ~ ASIAN DEFENCE


2) DEMONSTRATION OF ATLEAST WORKING AESA MODEL IF NOT OPERATIONAL
But what about the crucial AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, which is operational only on American fighters at present? MoD said the ASQRs did "not require a flying AESA radar''. Instead, vendors had to demonstrate "a baseline radar model in flight or on a test-bed, the complete working model in a lab and how it would be integrated'' on the Indian MMRCA. "Five fighters, including Rafale and Typhoon, met this requirement,'' said the source.

India goes full steam to finalize $10.4bn jet deal - The Times of India

So for comparitive basis We would be stressing more on Air to air capabilities meanwhile ignoring the Air to ground capabilities of all the radars available at that time.





SO 1st get started by taking a brief look about RAfale"S RBE 2 aesa RADAR & it's capabilities .

RBE 2 AESA radar

The french rafale at that time of MMRCA evaluations had fielded a prototype of RBE 2 aesa radar as it was not operational at that time .


a)No of T/R modules ~ Approximately around 1000 T/R modules according to thales .

SOURCE
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/sponsors/sponsor_rafale/img/fox3_11.pdf

The exact T/R module count is though classified . There were speculations of around 840/870 T/r module by seeing some pictures on net but those pics are not the real production RBE -2 AESA model but rather they are dummy models displayed during Le bourgett air show. Infact French dassault deliberatley shows the blurred production RBE -2 AESA model pics in the net & brochures to prevent exact T/R module count.

b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target = 180-190km (ESTIMATED) maximum range around 200km

RBE 2 pesa has a detection range of (75 nautical miles) 130/135 km & tracking range beyond 60 nautical miles for a target 3m2 (fighter size target)

source Avionics Magazine :: Serious Squall


but French DGA claims RBE 2 aesa radar range is increased by 50% compare to PESA radar
Thales's RBE2 AESA Radar successfully completes new series of tests | Customer Online

& some even claim almost twice the detection range of RBE pesa radar

Delivery of Rafale C n°137, the first European combat aircraft equipped with an active phased array radar

though if we take those claims then increase by 50% detection range of RBE 2 PESA radar it equals around 190/195km against a 3m2 target & if we take almost double claim then it's 200+ km range against a fighter size 3m2 target

Though it is estimated to have maximum range around 200km if we trust French version of wikipedia of rafale & refer it's citations about those claims

Dassault Rafale — Wikipédia



c) maximum no aerial target it can track=40

maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy =8
Source
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i441/somnath30/RAFALE/rbe2functions.jpg
from this
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/dae/sponsors/sponsor_rafale/img/fox3_2.pdf






d)angular coverage = 140 °

the RBE2 aesa provides +/- 70 degree azimuth and elevation coverage in comparison to RBE 2 pesa +/- 60 degree azimuth and elevation coverage


e)average input power of 9.6 kW -10 kW
Source
Rafale News: Air and Cosmos insight on the future Rafale
Air&Cosmos 2150, Dec 5th , 2008

f) Type of active radar array= Fixed plate



FUTURE PLANS
....In the longer term, Thales plans to develop a conformal AESA radar featuring ultra-thin, lightweight antennas and very fast data links that could greatly increase the integration of onboard systems and permit them to fuse data and perform a host of new missions at an affordable cost. ......

...The ultimate aim is to develop a multipurpose conformal array with a shared common aperture that could be distributed all over the fuselage and wings without significantly affecting aircraft aerodynamics. This will take 10-12 years, Chaltiel says, meaning it could be available for the Rafale F4 standard, which is expected to be introduced around *2020, or the Mid-Life Update, planned for 2025-30......

.....Moreover, the new design will be based on a patented “cloud transmit/receive module” (TRM) approach that will allow novel technologies such as gallium nitride modules to be inserted without changing the overall radar architecture or requiring full requalification.....


pg 32 & pg 33
http://s25.postimg.org/he4isg7n3/Activating_AESA_1.jpg
http://s25.postimg.org/631v430rz/Activating_AESA_2.jpg

Aviation Week & Space Technology | Jul-12-10 | Inside | Zinio Digital Magazines

That means enhanced angular coverage ( conformal arrays on fuselarge or wings) + greater detection range of aerial targets thanks to GaN (5 times more powerful than current GaAS) T/R modules


Drawback of RBE 2 AESA radar
It has a limited angular coverage (foV) due to it's fixed aesa plate design compare to Swashplate aesa radars which have wider angular coverage (FoV) .So in a bvr warfare scenario after EM guided missile has been launched from rafale against a plane having a swashed plate or fixed plate array , the rafale cannot manuveur more than 70 degree from the viewing angle in comparision to swash plate aesa radar planes which have more than 90 degree FOV .
So that means rafale would be closing in against those fighters which has a swash plate aesa radar or fixed plate aesa radar & meanwhile planes having swash plate aesa radar would be flying perpendicular or away from the rafale's BVR missile during it's evasion course but it would still be able to provide midcourse updates to it's own launched BVR missile .That could
make rafale more prone to enemy fighters BVR missile attack.


But according french Air&Cosmos 2355 issue defence magazine MBDA, Thales and Sagem started future Mica NG where provision has been included for third party targeting also in which wingmen / buddy rafale which is in active mode can also provide mid course updates to mica missiles launched by shooting rafale from a safe distance through (Mini awacs concept) .So the shooting rafale plane can easily move away from after launching BVR missile to it's target.





Also after inclusion of conformal radar arrays in future this would also increase the angular coverage of RBE 2 aesa radar even further & negate the disadvantage of fixed plate RBE 2 aesa radar

Meanwhile lets take a brief look about the capabilities of other AESA radar available during MMRCA evaluations & indian perspective regarding those aesa radar during MMRCA evaluations at that time

1) MiG 35's ZHUK-AE AESA radar

The Russian side have two variants of ZHUK-AE aesa radars one is FGA-29 model & other is FGA -35 model .During the evaluations they have fielded FGA 29 model but have claimed the FGA -35 model would be the real radar for MIG 35 in future.

a)No of T/R modules
Zhuk-AE' – FGA-29 model

T/R modules=652
Phazotron Zhuk AE: Assessing Russia's First AESA

'Zhuk-AE'FGA -35 model
T/R modules=1064

b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target 3m2

'Zhuk-AE' – FGA-29 model
130 km (head on) in both look-up or look down modes.
Look-up tail-on detection range is 50km (40km look down).
DSC01637-773847.JPG (image)

somewhere it was reported they have achieved 148 kilometers, according to Vyacheslav Tishchenko, the company's general director.
Zhuk-AE X-band AESA radar offered to India ~ ASIAN DEFENCE

'Zhuk-AE'FGA -35 model
The detection range of this model is 200 km against a fighter plane size target as claimed by phazotron

c) Maximum no of aerial targets tracked & engage simultaneously

For FGA -29

Maximum aerial targets scanned=30


maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy=6

Phazotron Zhuk AE AESA Radar
DSC01637-773847.JPG (image)

For FGA -35 model
Maximum aerial targets scanned=60
maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy=8

d) Type of active radar array=fixed plate

e) angular coverage=120 degree i.e +/-60 degrees
Defunct Humanity: AESA radars for fighters. Brief review.

COMPARISION TO RBE 2 AESA radar
definitely RBE 2 aesa radar out performs Zhuk ae 29 model in every thing but ZHUK AE 35 model was going to be the real radar
of MiG 35 .Zhuk ae 35 radar has almost equal detection range or slightly higher .But it has higher no of aerial targets scanned compare to RBE 2 aesa radar.

Indian perspective

The IAF were not impressed by the performance of FGA-29 model basically they wanted a more powerful radar .
Engines and radar to blame for MiG-35 failure in MMRCA contest - 8/4/2011 - Flight Global

Also the Russians had not shown the FGA 35 model at that time it was in sketches only .They displayed it 1st time during MAKS 2013 airshow basically .Had they demonstrated it little earliear during MMRCA evaluations it would have made an impact .Not only that Mig 35 was not inducted by russian airforce by that time .One could be easily skeptical to beleive those claims whther the russians would indeed deliver on their promises.Still critics also claimed T/R modules MMIC technology which the russians have is inferior to western standards may be IAF didnt have beleive that russians can field an AESA comparable to western standards

Source
http://s25.postimg.org/enx10r6pb/russia_far_behind_the_us_on_MMIC_used_on_TR_modu.jpg
http://carnegieendowment.org/files/Decoding_Indias_MMRCA_Decision.pdf

But none the else it's performance would also have been more or less equal to RBE 2 aesa radar in detection range .No major diffence would have happen even if they had demonstrated during evaluations.

2)F16(IN) block 60 APG 80 aesa radar

http://www.mycity-military.com/thumbs2/56181_tmb_68081959_apg80.jpg

The Northrop Grumman APG 80 AESA radar was one of the only fully developed integrated AESA radar that is operational during the intial MMRCA trials


a)No of T/R modules =1000

source

Active Electronically Steered Arrays - A Maturing Technology


b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target (3m2) =120-125 miles (210-215km)
Source
Actual radar range is classified and depend on the target and altitude. But roughly, the F-16 upgrade will likely come in at 125 mi. or slightly less.
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman battle over F-16 radars

it's has a range of 70-80 miles for a 1-sqm target according to (AW&ST 03/13/00)

SOURCE
Look-up detection range of the AN/APG-66/68 radar family
so for 3sqm target it should be higher for sure around 120-125 miles (210-215km) or slightly higher than that





c) Maximum no of aerial targets tracked & engage simultaneously
Maximum aerial targets tracked=20
maximum aerial targets engagement simultaneously=6

Source

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems developed the AN/APG-80 Aesa radar for the F-16E/F fighters ordered by the United Arab Emirates. This has a greater detection range than the mechanically scanned AN/APG-68 that is fitted to most current-production F-16s, and can track up to 20 targets simultaneously or up to six with the accuracy normally associated with single target tracking
Fighters face the Aesa revolution: since 2000, a small number of fighter aircraft have been flying with Active Electronically Scanned Array (Aesa) radars. To date, these have all been American, but design teams around the world are working to develop their own Aesa fighter radars. - Free Online Library

d) Type of active radar array=Fixed plate AESA array

The antenna of the Super Viper AESA is a fixed plate that does not move. Gone are the stability limits of the actuators driving the mechanical antennas in other fighters.

India MMRCA Programme - Lockheed Martin Presents the F 16IN Super Viper

e) angular coverage=120 degree i.e +/-60 degrees
Defunct Humanity: AESA radars for fighters. Brief review.

COMPARISION TO RBE 2 AESA radar
So APG 80 has slightly higher detection range than RBE 2 aesa radar by around 10% .But regarding maximum no of aerial target
& maximum no of aerial targets engaged it is inferior to RBE 2 aesa radar

But Dassault in order to meet the UAE requirement, the power output will be increased from 9.6 kW to 14 kW by changing the cooling pomp. This should provide an additional 10% range bonus.
SOURCE
Rafale News: Air and Cosmos insight on the future Rafale

3)F/A-18IN (model E/F) super hornet APG 79 aesa radar

It was argurably one of the most advanced US AESA radars offered to india at that time MMRCA evaluations

a)No of T/R modules =1100


Active Electronically Steered Arrays - A Maturing Technology

b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target (3m2) =215/225km (ESTIMATED FIGURE)
For RCS = 1 m2 target : 120~130 km
Defunct Humanity: AESA radars for fighters. Brief review.

some even claim 200km +
http://s25.postimg.org/n2v17t19r/apg_79_radar_range.jpg
http://carnegieendowment.org/files/Decoding_Indias_MMRCA_Decision.pdf




c) Maximum no of aerial targets tracked & engage simultaneously
Maximum aerial targets tracked= > 20 targets
maximum aerial targets engagement simultaneously=??? ( Not known in open sources)

Defunct Humanity: AESA radars for fighters. Brief review.



d) Angular coverage =120 degrees i.e +/- 60 degrees

Defunct Humanity: AESA radars for fighters. Brief review.

e) Type of aesa radar array= fixed array


Comparision to RBE 2 aesa radar

THe APG -79 aesa radar is definitely more capable & technologically advanced than RBE 2 aesa radar but strangely recent
disclosures from US DoD discloses that APG 79 aesa radar has failed to achieve any improvements in detection range compare
legacy APG 73 radar during operational testing

source
http://s25.postimg.org/r9atq0ujz/apg_79_poor_performance_in_evaluations.jpg
http://s25.postimg.org/wm4q19orz/apg_79_poor_performance_in_evaluations_2.jpg
http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2012/pdf/navy/2012fa18ef.pdf

Indian perspective for all American AESA radar


Unlike the french RBE 2 aesa radar which are offering Full ToT with source codes

There would have been limited Transfer of Technology on the radar, up to the level approved by the US Government. However, Raytheon stated that the level of ToT offered would be compliant with the RFP requirements

The technology transfer, though likely to be limited, would meet the requirements of the IAF. Our proposal will be compliant with the request for proposal (RFP) issued by the IAF for the 126 combat aircraft," he said.
domain-b.com : Raytheon to transfer AESA radar technology to India up to the level permitted by US government

 

[DrSomnath999]

4)Gripen (IN) Raven ES-05 radar

The Gripen had not demonstrated Raven ES-05 radar prototype at that time they had stated it would be installed in future .
Looking at specifications & configurations following info we have found in open sources


a)No of T/R modules =1000

b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target (3m2) = >150km (estimated)
a thousand T/R modules would generate atleast a detection range of 150km or even higher than that but not less than that for sure

there are no info /claims about it's detection range at the web one can only speculate but surely 150km+ greater than meteor's bvraam operatioonal range as it is it's primary BVRAAM in future







maximum no aerial target it can track ???
maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy ???

as no specification is available for ES-05


c)Angular coverage( Field of regard) = 200 degrees ie ±100º
source
Selex to supply Raven AESA radar for Saab Gripen NG fighters - Airforce Technology

d)Type of active radar array= Swashed plate


advantage of swashed plate array of RAVEN ES-05 radar

In long-range air-to-air combat, the highest FoV means that a Gripen can maneuver at an angle in relation to the viewed axis of the target (off-boresight angle) greater than what is possible with an AESA radar with fixed TRMs matrix after launching a BVR missile and still be able to send updated information to the missile. In turn, a potential enemy will be limited to deviating up to 60º of the viewed angle after launching the BVR missile. Therefore, it will still be displacing towards a missile launched by Gripen while this, in turn, will be flying perpendicularly or even away from the enemy missile. Simulations made showed that this capacity should not be underestimated and it will have a devastating effect in the engagement result of the BVR.

source
http://i16.servimg.com/u/f16/14/36/46/56/vixen10.jpg
Raven ES-05 AESA Brings Wider Eyes For The Gripen NG - Gripen




COMPARISION TO RBE 2 AESA RADAR

ignoring the swash plate scenario The Gripen E 1000 T/R modules Raven ES-05 Aesa radar would be slightly more or less equal to RBE 2 1000 T/R module aesa radar in performance in detection range basically but not more than that differnce one can expect from it. Until and unless they field GaN T/R modules in future which Sweedish are also planning like French then only
can they boast of overwhemingly superior Es-05 radar compare to RBe2 aesa radar But at the moment they are plans only for EW suite not AESA radar they are using GaAS T/R modules for ES-05 radar basically.


Gallium Nitride Gets Fighter Debut With Saab | Defense News | defensenews.com

But unlike the french they dont have plans of conformal radar arrays in future



Indian perpesctive
BTW They havenot demonstrated this AESA radar protype in MMRCA evaluations at all leading to it's cancellation. IAF sources reveal that Gripen failed to provide proof that their AESA radar development was on track and that they could integrate it on a fighter. In contrast, Dassault had fitted two prototype AESA radars on Rafale fighters, proving they were close to completion. Eurofighter, too, test-flew a prototype AESA radar for the IAF evaluation team, convincing them it would be ready by 2014-15.

Rejected MMRCA vendors fight to return | Business Standard News

Not only that At one stage, Saab had considered offering the EL/M-2052 as part of its Gripen NG proposal for the Indian air force's medium multi-role combat aircraft requirement, but US armtwisted isreal not to sell it
Israel bars AESA radar export to India - 1/11/2011 - Flight Global

5)Eurofighter Typhoon's CAPTOR-E aesa radar

Typhoon consortium group had demonstrated a prototype model of Captor-E/ CAESAR model during the MMRCA evaluations .It was
touted the 2nd best AESA radar after F22's APG-77 radar thanks to it' enormous T/R module count & aperture size compare to all rivals at that time


a)No of T/R modules =T/R modules=1400-1500 (estimated)
The Captor-E will contain about 1,500 transmit-receive modules, and Morrison said the Typhoon’s relatively large nose means it could hold a bigger array than the equivalent radar built by Thales for the Rafale, France’s twin-engine fighter.
First Typhoon Flight With AESA Could Open Door to Exports | Defense News | defensenews.com


b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target (3m2) = 240/250km or even higher (ESTIMATED FIGURE)

Detection range for CAPTOR -M not CAPTOR E

In 1997 Marconi indicated CAPTOR had detected fighter sized aircraft at ranges of well over 160km and larger aircraft at double that. More recent information indicates the systems range accuracy is within 10 metres while it can obtain a target angle to within 1 miliradian. The system is capable of tracking 20 air targets simultaneously, automatically identifying and prioritising them.
Eurofighter Technology and Performance : Sensors

some sources say 180km for a fighter size target
http://eurofighter.airpower.at/sensorik-captor.html

So detection range for Captor E AESA version estimated should be higher than Captor M for a fighter size target
For RCS 3.0 m2 class target should be : 240-250 (minimum value it can also be higher than this value ) but on PEN & PAPER at the moment .Only after proper evaluations we can
confirm that IF similiar scenario happens like we are seeing with APG 79 Aesa radar then this claim cannot be confirmed

Other specifications like

maximum no aerial target it can track ???

maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy ???

cannot be confirmed at the moment due to lack of sources




c)Angular coverage = 200 degree +

In addition, the Captor-E will also be mechanically gimballed so that it can be slewed within the nose of the Typhoon, increasing the coverage of the radar from around 90° to 120°
https://www.rusi.org/images/library/LI53C54BEA6A077.jpg

d) Type of active radar array =Swashed plate ACTIVE RADAR ARRAYS

Comparison between FIXED PLATE & SWASHED PLATE ACTIVE RADAR ARRAYS

The Captor-E will sit on a moving plate, or “repositioner,” giving it a 100-degree field of regard, as distinct from US AESA radars, which sit on a fixed plate. The advantage of a fixed plate, say US makers, is minimal maintenance.


With a fixed plate, Thales says the radar’s front end needs maintenance once every 10 years.

But Morrison said the movement of the repositioner required by the Captor-E does not prompt a constant need for maintenance.
“It is a gentle, rhythmical movement compared to mechanically scanned radars, and the need for maintenance is not great,” he said. “US aircraft fitted with AESA like the F-16 have a smaller nose, and would not be able to fit a repositioner in any case.
First Typhoon Flight With AESA Could Open Door to Exports | Defense News | defensenews.com


Comparision to RBE 2 AESA radar

Ignoring the swash plate advantage of CAPTOR -E aesa radar over RBE 2 aesa radar.

Captor-E on pen & paper is definitely superior to RBE 2 aesa radar in terms of performance & Capabilty thanks to it's increased T/R module count & big aperature size . But it can only be confirmed after proper evaluations & testing if similiar scenario happens like APG 79 aesa radar then !!!

But unlike the french they havent disclosed anything about GaN T/R modules nor conformal arrays in future at the moment.
May be perhaps in future we can know about that part


Indian perspective

From combat aircraft monthly jan 2013 magazine an article was posted by award winning legendary defence journalist Jon lake
Eurofighter typhoon what lies ahead?

In his article he claims

....Combat Aircraft understands that Eurofighter GmbH has resolved this impasse and that there is now an AESA radar ‘road map’, with an initial FSD 'Radar 1’ to meet export requirements in 2015, providing a credible export-standard AESA, followed by a ‘Radar 2 to meet core four-nation requirements around 2017, and eventually a derived 'Radar 3' (almost certainly with a new antenna array) to fulfil the UK’s more ambitious needs......

.....In ‘Radar 1’ form, the E-Scan Captor should offer equivalent performance to the mechanically scanned version, but with all of the traditional advantages of AESA in terms of reliability and multi-mode flexibility as well as enhanced electronic counter-count enneasu res (ECCM).

In 'Radar 2’ guise the new radar will offer increased detection and tracking ranges bv comparison with the standard Captor-M radar......
Source
http://s25.postimg.org/74h9kk0q7/jon_lake_s_article_from_Combat_aircraft_monthly.jpg
http://s25.postimg.org/4ofg6pinj/Typhoon_3_aesa_radar_programs.jpg




So basically radar 1 which is for exports wouldnot have any increased detection & tracking range than captor M .That means india gonna have to funds it's own radar requirements with the partner states .That would be too sketchy
& uncertain for india .It would be cumbersome for india to regulate with each Eurofighter partner states to develop & also would be dependent on each individual partner states level of ToT permissible to their own country's export standards

CONCLUSION

so after having a nit pick reviews of all aesa radars available during MMRCA evaluations ,It is becoming really clear that
RBE 2 AESA radar was indeed the safest bet for IAF during MMRCA evaluations




REASONS

1) 1st non US & completely french Content operational ready AESA radar at that time of winner of MMRCA evaluations as it was going to be inducted in 2012 .

2) Did met IAF's requirement of AESA radar detection range of atleast 130km or more just looking at recent trials in mont de marsan air base french airforce indeed claim of more than 50 % increase in range compare to RBE PESA radar & It' detection
range & specifications is not that bad as claimed by certain self proclaimed defence experts & arm chair generals in india
as compare to those aesa radars available at that time



Only E captor radar block 2 variants for partner states & block 3 for Britain may be overwhelmingly superior to RBE 2 aesa radar.That too is in pen & paper at the moment we got to wait in future to confirm that after proper evaluations & testing


3) Promising future upgrades of RBE 2 aesa radar during MLU program of rafale if india opts for it during 2023+ time period
thanks to it's conformal radar arrays + GaN tech T/R module leading to increased angular coverage & detection range.
It would be able to keep up with new level of future threats

4) (MOST IMPORTANT) Complete TOT of RBE 2 AESA radar with source code unlike other competitors


Critically for India, the transfer-of-technology (T-o-T) would include that of a state-of-the-art Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that would provide Rafale the ability to also function as a close battlefield support airborne warning and control system (AWACS), apart from its designed function as a fighter. The AESA radar T-o-T would also include transfer of software source code, according to Chabriol.

This is a matter of great concern for India, or any country, that seeks T-o-T of sensitive equipment. Lack of access to the source code would not allow a country to re-programme a radar or any sensitive equipment should it so wish.

Defence analysts point out that this could seriously compromise India's national security as the IAF would not be able to re-programme the radar should it wish to at a later stage.

Two other competing fighters Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the European conglomerate Eurofighter's Typhoon are also being made available with AESA radars though with the provision that transfer of technology for this equipment would be dependent on the decision of their respective governments.

Earlier statements from manufacturers of AESA radars has been categorical about the fact that transfer of source code is not on the cards. Since source code enables programming of the radar, what this implies is that the IAF would have to specify mission parameters to foreign manufacturers to enable configuration of their radar, seriously compromising security in the process.
Source
domain-b.com : Dassault ups the ante with full technology transfer for Rafale





PLEASE NOTE-

1) I tried my level best to give accurate values of radars as available in the net though mistakes can also happen

2) I intentionally not included the SWISS EVALUATION REPORT as at that time some planes didnt have aesa radar in those evaluations. So no point of including them here

3) Kindly for god's sake ignore the grammar & Spelling mistakes in this article

REGARDS

 

[TimeTraveller]

Thankyou for this thread...A great knowledge indeed..

 

[DrSomnath999]

you are welcome

This thread would indeed silence all critics regarding Rafale's puny radar bashing

CHEERS

 

[Basel]

nice article.

@DrSomnath999: Sorry for off topic: what u think if JF-17 is updated with Raven ES 05 or Zuke AE FGA35 will it be able to handle all IAF fighters other then MKIs? What class of fighter it will become, please give your opinion on that too.

 

[Echo_419]

4)Gripen (IN) Raven ES-05 radar

The Gripen had not demonstrated Raven ES-05 radar prototype at that time they had stated it would be installed in future .
Looking at specifications & configurations following info we have found in open sources


a)No of T/R modules =1000

b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target (3m2) = >150km (estimated)
a thousand T/R modules would generate atleast a detection range of 150km or even higher than that but not less than that for sure

there are no info /claims about it's detection range at the web one can only speculate but surely 150km+ greater than meteor's bvraam operatioonal range as it is it's primary BVRAAM in future







maximum no aerial target it can track ???
maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy ???

as no specification is available for ES-05


c)Angular coverage( Field of regard) = 200 degrees ie ±100º
source
Selex to supply Raven AESA radar for Saab Gripen NG fighters - Airforce Technology

d)Type of active radar array= Swashed plate


advantage of swashed plate array of RAVEN ES-05 radar

In long-range air-to-air combat, the highest FoV means that a Gripen can maneuver at an angle in relation to the viewed axis of the target (off-boresight angle) greater than what is possible with an AESA radar with fixed TRMs matrix after launching a BVR missile and still be able to send updated information to the missile. In turn, a potential enemy will be limited to deviating up to 60º of the viewed angle after launching the BVR missile. Therefore, it will still be displacing towards a missile launched by Gripen while this, in turn, will be flying perpendicularly or even away from the enemy missile. Simulations made showed that this capacity should not be underestimated and it will have a devastating effect in the engagement result of the BVR.

source
http://i16.servimg.com/u/f16/14/36/46/56/vixen10.jpg
Raven ES-05 AESA Brings Wider Eyes For The Gripen NG - Gripen




COMPARISION TO RBE 2 AESA RADAR

ignoring the swash plate scenario The Gripen E 1000 T/R modules Raven ES-05 Aesa radar would be slightly more or less equal to RBE 2 1000 T/R module aesa radar in performance in detection range basically but not more than that differnce one can expect from it. Until and unless they field GaN T/R modules in future which Sweedish are also planning like French then only
can they boast of overwhemingly superior Es-05 radar compare to RBe2 aesa radar But at the moment they are plans only for EW suite not AESA radar they are using GaAS T/R modules for ES-05 radar basically.


Gallium Nitride Gets Fighter Debut With Saab | Defense News | defensenews.com

But unlike the french they dont have plans of conformal radar arrays in future



Indian perpesctive
BTW They havenot demonstrated this AESA radar protype in MMRCA evaluations at all leading to it's cancellation. IAF sources reveal that Gripen failed to provide proof that their AESA radar development was on track and that they could integrate it on a fighter. In contrast, Dassault had fitted two prototype AESA radars on Rafale fighters, proving they were close to completion. Eurofighter, too, test-flew a prototype AESA radar for the IAF evaluation team, convincing them it would be ready by 2014-15.

Rejected MMRCA vendors fight to return | Business Standard News

Not only that At one stage, Saab had considered offering the EL/M-2052 as part of its Gripen NG proposal for the Indian air force's medium multi-role combat aircraft requirement, but US armtwisted isreal not to sell it
Israel bars AESA radar export to India - 1/11/2011 - Flight Global

5)Eurofighter Typhoon's CAPTOR-E aesa radar

Typhoon consortium group had demonstrated a prototype model of Captor-E/ CAESAR model during the MMRCA evaluations .It was
touted the 2nd best AESA radar after F22's APG-77 radar thanks to it' enormous T/R module count & aperture size compare to all rivals at that time


a)No of T/R modules =T/R modules=1400-1500 (estimated)
The Captor-E will contain about 1,500 transmit-receive modules, and Morrison said the Typhoon’s relatively large nose means it could hold a bigger array than the equivalent radar built by Thales for the Rafale, France’s twin-engine fighter.
First Typhoon Flight With AESA Could Open Door to Exports | Defense News | defensenews.com


b)DETECTION RANGE Against fighter size target (3m2) = 240/250km or even higher (ESTIMATED FIGURE)

Detection range for CAPTOR -M not CAPTOR E

In 1997 Marconi indicated CAPTOR had detected fighter sized aircraft at ranges of well over 160km and larger aircraft at double that. More recent information indicates the systems range accuracy is within 10 metres while it can obtain a target angle to within 1 miliradian. The system is capable of tracking 20 air targets simultaneously, automatically identifying and prioritising them.
Eurofighter Technology and Performance : Sensors

some sources say 180km for a fighter size target
http://eurofighter.airpower.at/sensorik-captor.html

So detection range for Captor E AESA version estimated should be higher than Captor M for a fighter size target
For RCS 3.0 m2 class target should be : 240-250 (minimum value it can also be higher than this value ) but on PEN & PAPER at the moment .Only after proper evaluations we can
confirm that IF similiar scenario happens like we are seeing with APG 79 Aesa radar then this claim cannot be confirmed

Other specifications like

maximum no aerial target it can track ???

maximum no aerial target engaged simulataneoulsy ???

cannot be confirmed at the moment due to lack of sources




c)Angular coverage = 200 degree +

In addition, the Captor-E will also be mechanically gimballed so that it can be slewed within the nose of the Typhoon, increasing the coverage of the radar from around 90° to 120°
https://www.rusi.org/images/library/LI53C54BEA6A077.jpg

d) Type of active radar array =Swashed plate ACTIVE RADAR ARRAYS

Comparison between FIXED PLATE & SWASHED PLATE ACTIVE RADAR ARRAYS

The Captor-E will sit on a moving plate, or “repositioner,” giving it a 100-degree field of regard, as distinct from US AESA radars, which sit on a fixed plate. The advantage of a fixed plate, say US makers, is minimal maintenance.


With a fixed plate, Thales says the radar’s front end needs maintenance once every 10 years.

But Morrison said the movement of the repositioner required by the Captor-E does not prompt a constant need for maintenance.
“It is a gentle, rhythmical movement compared to mechanically scanned radars, and the need for maintenance is not great,” he said. “US aircraft fitted with AESA like the F-16 have a smaller nose, and would not be able to fit a repositioner in any case.
First Typhoon Flight With AESA Could Open Door to Exports | Defense News | defensenews.com


Comparision to RBE 2 AESA radar

Ignoring the swash plate advantage of CAPTOR -E aesa radar over RBE 2 aesa radar.

Captor-E on pen & paper is definitely superior to RBE 2 aesa radar in terms of performance & Capabilty thanks to it's increased T/R module count & big aperature size . But it can only be confirmed after proper evaluations & testing if similiar scenario happens like APG 79 aesa radar then !!!

But unlike the french they havent disclosed anything about GaN T/R modules nor conformal arrays in future at the moment.
May be perhaps in future we can know about that part


Indian perspective

From combat aircraft monthly jan 2013 magazine an article was posted by award winning legendary defence journalist Jon lake
Eurofighter typhoon what lies ahead?

In his article he claims

....Combat Aircraft understands that Eurofighter GmbH has resolved this impasse and that there is now an AESA radar ‘road map’, with an initial FSD 'Radar 1’ to meet export requirements in 2015, providing a credible export-standard AESA, followed by a ‘Radar 2 to meet core four-nation requirements around 2017, and eventually a derived 'Radar 3' (almost certainly with a new antenna array) to fulfil the UK’s more ambitious needs......

.....In ‘Radar 1’ form, the E-Scan Captor should offer equivalent performance to the mechanically scanned version, but with all of the traditional advantages of AESA in terms of reliability and multi-mode flexibility as well as enhanced electronic counter-count enneasu res (ECCM).

In 'Radar 2’ guise the new radar will offer increased detection and tracking ranges bv comparison with the standard Captor-M radar......
Source
http://s25.postimg.org/74h9kk0q7/jon_lake_s_article_from_Combat_aircraft_monthly.jpg
http://s25.postimg.org/4ofg6pinj/Typhoon_3_aesa_radar_programs.jpg




So basically radar 1 which is for exports wouldnot have any increased detection & tracking range than captor M .That means india gonna have to funds it's own radar requirements with the partner states .That would be too sketchy
& uncertain for india .It would be cumbersome for india to regulate with each Eurofighter partner states to develop & also would be dependent on each individual partner states level of ToT permissible to their own country's export standards

CONCLUSION

so after having a nit pick reviews of all aesa radars available during MMRCA evaluations ,It is becoming really clear that
RBE 2 AESA radar was indeed the safest bet for IAF during MMRCA evaluations




REASONS

1) 1st non US & completely french Content operational ready AESA radar at that time of winner of MMRCA evaluations as it was going to be inducted in 2012 .

2) Did met IAF's requirement of AESA radar detection range of atleast 130km or more just looking at recent trials in mont de marsan air base french airforce indeed claim of more than 50 % increase in range compare to RBE PESA radar & It' detection
range & specifications is not that bad as claimed by certain self proclaimed defence experts & arm chair generals in india
as compare to those aesa radars available at that time



Only E captor radar block 2 variants for partner states & block 3 for Britain may be overwhelmingly superior to RBE 2 aesa radar.That too is in pen & paper at the moment we got to wait in future to confirm that after proper evaluations & testing


3) Promising future upgrades of RBE 2 aesa radar during MLU program of rafale if india opts for it during 2023+ time period
thanks to it's conformal radar arrays + GaN tech T/R module leading to increased angular coverage & detection range.
It would be able to keep up with new level of future threats

4) (MOST IMPORTANT) Complete TOT of RBE 2 AESA radar with source code unlike other competitors


Critically for India, the transfer-of-technology (T-o-T) would include that of a state-of-the-art Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that would provide Rafale the ability to also function as a close battlefield support airborne warning and control system (AWACS), apart from its designed function as a fighter. The AESA radar T-o-T would also include transfer of software source code, according to Chabriol.

This is a matter of great concern for India, or any country, that seeks T-o-T of sensitive equipment. Lack of access to the source code would not allow a country to re-programme a radar or any sensitive equipment should it so wish.

Defence analysts point out that this could seriously compromise India's national security as the IAF would not be able to re-programme the radar should it wish to at a later stage.

Two other competing fighters Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the European conglomerate Eurofighter's Typhoon are also being made available with AESA radars though with the provision that transfer of technology for this equipment would be dependent on the decision of their respective governments.

Earlier statements from manufacturers of AESA radars has been categorical about the fact that transfer of source code is not on the cards. Since source code enables programming of the radar, what this implies is that the IAF would have to specify mission parameters to foreign manufacturers to enable configuration of their radar, seriously compromising security in the process.
Source
domain-b.com : Dassault ups the ante with full technology transfer for Rafale





PLEASE NOTE-

1) I tried my level best to give accurate values of radars as available in the net though mistakes can also happen

2) I intentionally not included the SWISS EVALUATION REPORT as at that time some planes didnt have aesa radar in those evaluations. So no point of including them here

3) Kindly for god's sake ignore the grammar & Spelling mistakes in this article

REGARDS

I always thought
Americans will not give much TOT-so F-16 & F-18 are disqualified
Russian MIG-35 was just a modified MIG-29
Swedish Gripen had many parts from US so again rejected
Only Typhoon & Dassult were left,in which Dassult defeated the Typhoon

nice article.

@DrSomnath999: Sorry for off topic: what u think if JF-17 is updated with Raven ES 05 or Zuke AE FGA35 will it be able to handle all IAF fighters other then MKIs? What class of fighter it will become, please give your opinion on that too.

Selling Old Helis for Counter Insurgency is a different thing than selling cutting Edge Radar tech which could threaten your Biggest Customer so count the Russian AESA out

you are welcome

This thread would indeed silence all critics regarding Rafale's puny radar bashing

CHEERS

Really great thread man,maybe you should send one copy to Arun Jaitley

 

[Basel]

@Echo_419 I did not asked for opinion in first place, second It was not about Russians providing it or not. I only asked @DrSomnath999 about capabilities it will add n how potent it will make a JF-17 if a Raven or Zuke AESA is added? Just wanted a non biased opinion from Indian side. Not trolling.

 

[kaykay]

nice article.

@DrSomnath999: Sorry for off topic: what u think if JF-17 is updated with Raven ES 05 or Zuke AE FGA35 will it be able to handle all IAF fighters other then MKIs? What class of fighter it will become, please give your opinion on that too.

yes it will but then other things will matter like better EW system and other support systems.

 

[Echo_419]

@Echo_419 I did not asked for opinion in first place, second It was not about Russians providing it or not. I only asked @DrSomnath999 about capabilities it will add n how potent it will make a JF-17 if a Raven or Zuke AESA is added? Just wanted a non biased opinion from Indian side. Not trolling.

Marzi hai bhai tumhari.jab milna hi nahi hai tabhi compare kar rahe ho

 

[DrSomnath999]

nice article.

@DrSomnath999: Sorry for off topic: what u think if JF-17 is updated with Raven ES 05 or Zuke AE FGA35 will it be able to handle all IAF fighters other then MKIs? What class of fighter it will become, please give your opinion on that too.

Hi Basel

1st of all i dont know whether those news are true about JF 17
what i had heard they are going to induct a chinese variant aesa radar in JF 17 block 2 variant

I want to tell u 1 thing french are one of the best in EW department in this world
The rafale is known to be using ACTIVE cancellation tech which can hide anything it carries starting from Drop tanks & weapons under it's belly .& can remain undetected .It's not a stealth plane but it has certain tech in it's kitty
that makes it less observable to radars
I quote

Since the late 1990s, Spectra’s designers have dropped hints that the system can perform “active cancellation”—receiving a radar signal and mimicking the aircraft’s echo exactly one-half wavelength out of phase so the radar sees nothing. Carrara again implies that such a capability is in use: “There are other strategies, such as generating signals that will encompass or be higher than the echo from the aircraft, so that the radar threat will receive a signal that will mask the echo from the aircraft,” Carrara says. “Instead of creating a false echo and drawing the radar to the wrong place, the idea is to produce a signal that will mask the echo of the aircraft, so the radar will be unable to detect the aircraft Spectra is protecting.”

New Avionics For Gripen, Typhoon And Rafale | Defense content from Aviation Week


& sorry i didnt understand this part from your post


What class of fighter it will become, please give your opinion on that too??

which aircraft are you talking about .

CHEERS

 

[kaykay]

Very informative thread. RBE2-aa's ~200 km detection range for 3m2 target is enough for our requirement. also add spectra ew suite(best in the business) and it will be overkill for our enemies.

 

[Mughal-Prince]

This indeed have great insights of top of the line radars available and their somewhat comparison may not be accurate but good enough to understand for people like me. Thanks.

 

[DrSomnath999]

This indeed have great insights of top of the line radars available and their somewhat comparison may not be accurate but good enough to understand for people like me. Thanks.

well i am not defending myself
it is impossible for anyone to post 100 % accurate info about those aesa radars which only an airforce professional can only know

CHEERS

 

[sancho]

@DrSomnath999

The RBE 2 PESA is given around 100Km => 50% more for the AESA then would be 150Km, 100% more (if true) would give a maximum detection range of 200Km. The latter however was evaluated only in later stages of the development and most likely not shown in the trials in Brazil, Switzerland (which evaluated AESA and later version at the end too and included the results as well) and India.
Still it would had been proven to offer the required minimum range and comparable to other competitors, but the radar alone decided in favour for the Rafale of course.

 

[DrSomnath999]

@DrSomnath999

The RBE 2 PESA is given around 100Km => 50% more for the AESA then would be 150Km, 100% more (if true) would give a maximum detection range of 200Km. The latter however was evaluated only in later stages of the development and most likely not shown in the trials in Brazil, Switzerland (which evaluated AESA and later version at the end too and included the results as well) and India.
Still it would had been proven to offer the required minimum range and comparable to other competitors, but the radar alone decided in favour for the Rafale of course.

HI SANCHO

i have posted the link of RBE 2 pesa radar detection range in my thread
75 nm = how many km??
Google

you can do your maths buddy

my safest bet is around 170km /180km (imo)

CHEERS