One of the largely ignored (but very significant for the IAF) exhibit at #AeroIndia2019 was the latest incarnation of the Nebo-M system from Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Research Institute of Radio Engineering (NNIIRT) - a multi-band counter stealth mobile radar system.
The system comprises of the RLM-ME VHF band AESA radar that is capable of detecting & tracking fighters, including stealth fighters, at 10-km height to a distance of 380-km & at 500m height to a distance of 90-km
The networked RLM-DE UHF L band AESA radar that can track all fighters, including LO fighters, using tracking information from the RLM-ME. A track seen by RLM-ME & not seen by RLM-DE establishes the target as LO.
And the networked RLM-SE S band AESA radar that can provide weapon grade tracking against all fighters, including LO fighters, using tracking information from the RLM-ME. For targets identified as LO, missiles are guided differently (beam side) for terminal lock.
The RLM ME is a more powerful (more emitters) variant of the RLS 1L125E VHF AESA (a component of the Nebo SVU multi-band anti stealth radar system) was also on display at #aeroindia2019
Deployed along the LAC, the Nebo M system can negate most of the J-20, J-35 advantage that the PLAAF will increasingly enjoy in the future. A warfighter overview the Nebo - M system can be read at sites.google.com/site/idpsentin…
J-35 = J-31
A variation of the Nebo-ME, called the 55Zh6UME (Nebo-UME), was also displayed at Aero India 2019. The RLK 55Kh6UME Nebo-UME component of the Nebo-UME combines the VHF (metric) AESA and the UHF (decimeteric) AESA surveillance radars into a single integrated system.
The two antenna units are mounted back-to-back in a single rotating assembly, considerably reducing the footprint of the system.
You would think widespread deployment of metric & decimetric radars like the Russian Nebo M would doom stealth fighters More likely, stealth fighters would evolve - grow in size, slow down to facilitate broadband & IR stealth, blurring the distinction between fighters & bombers.
The USAF is sticking with stealth, choosing to make it more effective (all aspect, broadband) rather than abandoning it. One very good reason for the US approach being duplicating or countering stealth imposes prohibitive financial costs on the adversary. aviationweek.com/defense/us-air…
I maintain and frequently update, as I did today, a page on IDP Sentinel that tracks evolving counter stealth technology in straightforward English at sites.google.com/site/idpsentin…
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Russia Stepping Up Production of Tu-214, Tu-160M
Russia is stepping up the production of Tu-214 up to ten pieces a year. In the future, production may be increased to 20 aircraft annually, according to Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec State Corporation. 1/n
At the same time, the enterprise is increasing the production of the White Swan Tu-160 strategic missile carrier.
Production facilities of the two aircraft at the Kazan Aviation Plant are undergoing large scale modernization and technical re-equipment. 2/n
Until recently, the Tu-214 was produced in limited nos for special customers but still established itself as a reliable and efficient machine. Now the Kazan Aviation Plant has put into production the first batch of aircraft for commercial passenger air transportation. 3/n
The decision to train Ukrainian pilots was made on the eve of Zelensky's visit to Paris on Feb 8.
If a political decision is made, France could supply AFU with a dozen Mirage 2000 fighters, writes Le Figaro.
Here is the catch - France likely doesn't have Mirage 2000 fighters!
On August 31, 2021 India reportedly signed a contract with France for acquiring 24 Mirage 2000 fighters being phased out of French Air Force service. Of the 24, only 8 were reportedly flight worthy. The rest were to serve as Christmas Trees for spares for the @IAF_MCC
Why a NATO / Russia Confrontation Maybe Inevitable
Repeated proclamations by US/NATO leaders that they don't want to become a party to the conflict in Ukraine need to be interpreted as they don't want to become a party to the conflict in Ukraine as of now. 1/n
The proclamations don't rule out an intervention eventually.
The Russian military campaign in Ukraine is carefully calibrated to preserve Russia's ability to fight NATO, should it choose to intervene. 2/n
The slow and deliberate pace of the Russian campaign is largely aimed at reducing human & equipment losses, preserving its strength, therby deterring US/NATO intervention.
Similarly, US/NATO willingness to financially & militarily support Ukraine's war against Russia ... 3/n
Russia continues to develop its Soviet era Su-25 ground attack aircraft. The most modern iteration of the aircraft - the Su-25SM3 - has now been deployed in Ukraine. Besides facilitating use of new weapons, the aircraft features the Russian-made SOLT-25 OLS 1/
SOLT-25 includes conventional & thermal imaging observation channels with a two fold increase in range and a laser rangefinder-target designator that facilitates use of laser homing "smart" ammunition. The system is supplemented with the ability to automatically track targets. 2/
The Su-25SM3 is additionally equipped with an improved airborne self-defense system.
Besides improved capability, RuAF is now using better tactics as a result of which Su-25 losses are now rare.
The Su-25 variants provide ground support under cover of Su-35S and Su-30SM 3/
Some interesting observations on the Russian missile attack against Ukrainian infrastructure on Feb 16 1. None of the 12 Kh-22 missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bombers was intercepted 2. Russian forces are launching cruise missiles at night, instead of day. 1/
The Kh-22 cruises at speeds between M 3.5 to M 4.6 at altitudes upto 40-km.
On launch, the missile climbs to about 40 km, leaving the stratosphere, then vertically dives down on the target, making it extremely difficult to shoot down 2/
One reason why Russia may have switched to night attacks may be to counter deployment of visual observers who can help plot incursions without the need to switch on radars which become susceptible to Kh-31P attack as soon as they light up. 3/
DRDO says Uttam AESA radar will eventually be integrated with IAF Su-30MKI & MiG-29!
On February 14, 2023, Director General - Electronics & Communication Systems (ECS) at DRDO, BK Das, said that the Uttam AESA will be mapped to LCA Mk-1 within 6 months to an year. 1/
The Uttam radar is currently being tested on two LCAs — LSP2 and LSP3 — and one executive jet. (Production variant of the Tejas Mi-1 likely differ internally from the LSP variants.) 2/
According to DG ECS, following successful integration with Tejas Mk-1, the Uttam will be integrated with fighter jets like Sukhoi-30MKI and Mig-29. The integration of the Uttam on these platforms would begin by 2025. 3/