Saab is offering a fighter sensor package for the Indian Tejas LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft. The package consist of a state-of-the-art Saab airborne electronically scanned array (AESA) fighter radar closely integrated with a compact electronic warfare (EW) suite using GaN-based AESA technology.
Saab, in partnership with Indian industry, offers a solution that will bring the required AESA fighter radar and EW capability to India and the Indian Air Force. Thanks to the company’s technology development, Saab can offer the latest technology on time for the LCA Mk 1A needs and at low risk.
The AESA fighter radar is developed by Saab with an active antenna based on the latest technologies using GaN on SiC in combination with the latest generation of exciter/receiver and processor technology, giving optimum installed performance in a dense signal environment.
The radar has a complete mode suite which includes air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea capabilities. A built-in memory records a large amount of data from performed flights. Integration in the LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft is enabled by the limited space, power and cooling required.
The EW suite consists of sensors and transmitters developed by Saab and is a highly capable and extremely compact solution that provides essential situational awareness and self-protection. The heart of the suite is an EW receiver that is connected to a front-end receiver and fin tip antennas inside the aircraft. Included is an external AESA jammer pod.
The radar warning system is based on ultra-wideband digital receivers and has very high probability of intercept, very good sensitivity and very high selectivity for handling today's complex signal environments.
The AESA jammer pod is small, low weight and has low drag. Self-protection is based on a wideband digital RF memory (DRFM) that provides advanced jamming techniques and arbitrary combination of jamming waveforms. Jamming is performed using a GaN-based AESA. The EW suite also includes ground support systems and recording capability for advanced mission planning and post flight analysis.
Saab’s solutions are based on the latest state-of-the-art technologies and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The AESA fighter radar and EW units have no ITAR-restricted components, due to the high degree of Saab in-house developed and manufactured building blocks. Using contemporary technology provides the adaptability and growth potential needed to stay ahead. Technologies are re-used between variants and platforms in order to minimize life cycle cost (LCC).
“In our partnership, the transfer of technology will secure an indigenous Indian capability for series production, maintenance, repair and overhaul capability. Testing and development of the fighter sensor package will have synergies with the systems developed for Gripen,” said Anders Carp, head of Saab business area Surveillance.
Saab has a proven background in tailoring systems to customer needs. This brings extensive experience from having open relations with customers when adapting advanced systems to new platforms.
“Saab is a world leading company in the sensor area and has equipped some 4,500 fighter aircraft with radar and electronic warfare systems. This has given us wide experience of successful sensor system integration, testing, and evaluation of radar and EW systems on fighter aircraft,” added Carp.