Irbis-E

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Irbis-E radar
Electronically Scanned Array IRBIS E.jpg
Role X band Hybrid Passive electronically scanned array
National origin Russia
ManufacturerTikhomirov NIIP
DesignerTikhomirov NIIP
StatusOperational
Primary user Russian Air Force
Developed from Bars radar
Developed into Byelka

Irbis-E (Snow Leopard) is a Russian multi-mode, hybrid passive electronically scanned array radar system developed by Tikhomirov NIIP for the Sukhoi Su-35 multi-purpose fighter aircraft. NIIP developed the Irbis-E radar from the N011M Bars radar system used on Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft.

Contents

Design

Irbis-E development started in 2004 and the first radar prototype entered flight tests on board an Su-30M2 aircraft acting as a test bed in early 2007. The resulting radar system provides air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground (ground mapping, Doppler beam sharpening and Synthetic Aperture Radar modes) modes with improved performance in intense clutter (radar) environments compared to its predecessor, the Bars system. In addition, Irbis has been designed to detect low and super-low observable/stealth airborne threats.

This is an multifunctional X band multi-role radar with a passive phased antenna array (PAA) mounted on a two-step hydraulic drive unit (60° in azimuth and elevation). The antenna device scans by an electronically controlled beam in azimuth and angle of elevation in sectors not smaller than 60°. The two-step electro-hydraulic drive unit additionally turns the antenna by mechanic means to 60° in azimuth and 120° in elevation. Thus, in using the electronic control and mechanical additional turn of the antenna, the maximum deflection angle of the beam grows to 120°. [1] The radar employs 900mm passive phased array antenna mounted on a hydraulic actuator. [2]

The Irbis-E is a direct evolution of the BARS design, but significantly more powerful. While the hybrid phased array antenna is retained, the noise figure is slightly worse at 3.5 dB, but the receiver has four rather than three discrete channels. The biggest change is in the EGSP-27 transmitter, where the single 7-kilowatt peak power rated Chelnok TWT is replaced with a pair of 10-kilowatt peak power rated Chelnok tubes, ganged to provide a total peak power rating of 20 kilowatts. The radar is cited at an average power rating of 5 kilowatts, with 2 kilowatts CW rating for illumination. NIIP claim twice the bandwidth and improved frequency agility over the BARS, and better ECCM capability. The Irbis-E has new Solo-35.01 digital signal processor hardware and Solo-35.02 data processor, but retains receiver hardware, the master oscillator and exciter of the BARS. A prototype has been in flight test since late 2005. [3]

Operational features

According NIIP's product specification, the Irbis-E can detect and track up to 30 airborne targets at a time and attack up to 8. [4] In air-to-surface mode the Irbis-E provides mapping allowing to attack four surface targets with precision-guided weapons while scanning the horizon searching for airborne threats that can be engaged using semi-active radar homing missiles. [5] In air-to-surface mode, the radar has a limited SAR resolution. [5]

It can detect a target with radar cross-section (RCS) 3m2 at up to 350 km when searching in a narrow FOV, 200 km otherwise. [6] [7] [8] In track-while-scan mode, the radar can engage two targets with semi-active radar homing missiles. [2]

Application

In 2007, the first radar prototype entered flight tests on board an Su-30MK2 aircraft. [2] Tikhomirov NIIP Irbis-E radar is operational with the Su-35 multi-purpose fighter aircraft and the Su-30SM2.

Related Research Articles

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The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two improved derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable air superiority fighters, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by Sukhoi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhoi Su-30</span> Russian fighter aircraft

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air interdiction missions.

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The Sukhoi Su-37 was a single-seat twin-engine aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau which served as a technology demonstrator. It met the need to enhance pilot control of the Su-27M, a further development of the Su-27. The sole example built was originally the eleventh Su-27M (T10M-11) built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association before having thrust-vectoring nozzles installed. It also had updated flight- and weapons-control systems. The aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1996. Throughout the flight-test program, the Su-37 demonstrated its supermaneuverability at air shows, performing manoeuvres such as a 360-degree somersault. The aircraft crashed in December 2002 due to structural failure. The Su-37 did not enter production, despite a report in 1998 which claimed that Sukhoi had built a second Su-37 using the twelfth Su-27M airframe, T10M-11 remained the sole prototype. Sukhoi had instead applied the aircraft's systems to the design bureau's other fighter designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Active electronically scanned array</span> Type of phased array radar

An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a type of phased array antenna, which is a computer-controlled antenna array in which the beam of radio waves can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the antenna. In the AESA, each antenna element is connected to a small solid-state transmit/receive module (TRM) under the control of a computer, which performs the functions of a transmitter and/or receiver for the antenna. This contrasts with a passive electronically scanned array (PESA), in which all the antenna elements are connected to a single transmitter and/or receiver through phase shifters under the control of the computer. AESA's main use is in radar, and these are known as active phased array radar (APAR).

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The Sukhoi Su-30MKA is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi made for the Algerian Air Force. A variant of the Sukhoi Su-27S, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter. The aircraft is based on the Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI III and is the 2nd adaptation of the same, after the first one being the Malaysian Sukhoi Su-30MKM.

References

  1. "sukhoi 35s radar". sukhoi company. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ancile". www.deagel.com. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  3. Kopp, Carlo (3 April 2008). "Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat". ausairpower.net: 1. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  4. "РЛСУ "Ирбис"". Archived from the original on 2018-03-18. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  5. 1 2 "An in-depth analysis of why the Sukhoi Su-35 is the most overhyped 4th generation fighter aircraft". The Aviation Geek Club. 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  6. "UAC :: Су-35". 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-02-02.
  7. "Радиолокационная система управления "ИРБИС-Э" для истребителя Су-35" [Radar control system "IRBIS-E" for the Su-35 fighter] (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2011-12-30.
  8. "Niip official". tikhominov niip. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

See also