We have been hearing about the AESA Radar playing a role in the MRCA deal; So what really is AESA Radar? And what make it so advanced.
AESA Radar on MIG-35 at Aero India 2007. (Source: http://www.missiles.ru/AESA_ph_5.htm)
AESA stands for Active Electronically Scanned Array. In an AESA radar the transmitter and the receiver are composed of numerous small T/R modules. AESA radar has instantaneous scanning that have low probability of intercept. They have simple designs because they require no hydraulics or hinges for antenna movement. Its less infrastructure and with no motion so it is cheaper to maintain.
Some more main advantages are that they have extremely fast scanning, multiple target tracking, can also function as a radio jammer and the low probability of interception.
Here is a link for more information on the role of AESA radar in India: http://www.defense-update.com/events/2007/summary/aeroindia07-5.htm
February 25, 2008 at 8:13 am
How good is Israeli AESA EL-M 2052 radar, which is to be mounted on Tejas, compared to American APG-79 or APG-80?
Also I heard Rafael & Typhoon will also have an AESA in 3-4 years? Anybody having info on that.
April 17, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Friends i believe that the radar displayed here is a PESA radar I have checked out at the Migs official site at present they are not offering any AESA radar with the Mig-35
January 24, 2009 at 6:22 pm
@mac
mig-35 originally has a pesa radar….but for india they are ready to provide aesa since aesa radar is a primary requirement of this mrca deal and russian cannot ignore this mouth watering deal(10 bln approx)…phazotron (most probably) could be integreted with mig 35