Article Posted on : - Nov 13, 2008

Rajendra Radar. File photo

BANGALORE (PTI): India is developing new generation radars with multi-function capability that can be integrated with any weapon system, a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) official said here.

Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a DRDO lab, has initiated development of medium power radar and 150 km low-level transportable radar with such capabilities, including surveillance, interceptive guidance, raid assessment, target acquisition, close tracking and potential ones like fire control, LRDE Director S Varadarajan said.

For example, the Rajendra Radar that LRDE developed, is tied-up or 'totally married' with surface-to-air-missile Akash but the new radars being developed with hardware, configuration and power level are highly programmable, he said.

"Our ultimate mission is to extend it for multiple missions and multiple functions," Varadarajan told the media on Tuesday, adding, "The radars that we are making will be a little more broad-based. It can be integrated with any weapon system.’’

"Once these radars are put into the inventory of users, depending on the software configuration, they can be made to work in different environment."

LRDE is also developing synthetic aperture radar which would be capable of generating images of targets. "SAR will be capable of measuring the target up to a metre of accuracy," he said.

Varadarajan also said LRDE has initiated development of active electronically scanned array radar (AESA) for airborne applications. These radars are intended to be integrated with Tejas Light Combat Aircraft-Mark II in 2012-13. "An active electronics scanning array radar in a fighter aircraft is one of the key elements to managing weapon systems, giving enhanced surveillance and fire power," he added.