INDIAN AIR FORCE JAGUAR EQUIPPED WITH AESA RADAR PERFORMS FIRST FLIGHT

The AESA radar has been procured from ELTA and will enable Indian Air Force Jaguar attack aircraft to track multiple targets and communicate in multiple frequencies through high bandwidth besides offering high accuracy and resolution

As reported by The Hindu, on Aug. 10, 2017 an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar attack aircraft equipped with an Israeli active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has flown, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) disclosed.

Noteworthy the AESA radar has been procured from ELTA and will enable the Jaguar to track multiple targets and communicate in multiple frequencies through high bandwidth besides offering high accuracy and resolution.

According to T. Suvarna Raju, HAL Chairman, AESA radar is part of an upgrade which will give operational life to the aircraft for another 20 years.

Of the 120 Jaguar attack aircraft originally built by HAL in fact, 60 are being upgraded from DARIN I (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation I) to DARIN III.

According to AirForce Technology, DARIN III upgrade includes an open system architecture mission computer (OSAMC), engine and flight instrument system (EFIS), fire control radar, inertial navigation system with GPS and Geodetic height correction.

The SEPECAT Jaguar attack aircraft have also been fitted with solid state digital video recording system (SSDVRS), solid state flight data recorder (SSFDR), smart multi-function display (SMD), radio altimeter with 20,000ft range, autopilot with alt select and HNAV and identification of friend or foe (IFF).

As we have recently explained, the French government made an offer of sale for 31 Jaguar fighters to India about six months ago. The news has been confirmed by a top Indian Ministry of Defence official who added that his country was actively considering acquiring the aircraft after proper refurbishment.

Few days after French President Emmanuel Macron not only confirmed the rumor but also revealed that his country intends to donate the ex-French Air Force Jaguars to India.

Photo credit: Indian Ministry of Defense and SSGT Mathew Hannen / U.S. Air Force