Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar

Swordfish is an Indian active electronically scanned array (AESA)[1][2] long-range tracking radar specifically developed to counter ballistic missile threat. It will be a part of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Programme. First testing of this radar was in March 2009. Main aim of the test was to validate the capabilities of the Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR). "The missile to be hit will be fired from a longer distance than it was in the earlier test. DRDO tested whether the radar could track the incoming missile from that distance or not," said a member of the project. This radar is an acknowledged derivative of the Israeli EL/M-2080 Green Pine long range radar, which is the critical component of that country's Arrow missile defense system.[3] However, it differs from the Israeli system as it employs Indian Transmit Receive modules, signal processing, computers and power supplies. It is also more powerful than the base Green Pine system and was developed to meet India's specific BMD needs.[4]

Swordfish
Country of originIndia
ManufacturerBharat Electronics Limited, Electronics and Radar Development Establishment
Introduced2009
TypeTransportable multi-mode solid state active electronically scanned array
FrequencyL Band
Range600 km (370 mi) to 800 km (500 mi).
Upgraded to 1,500 km (930 mi)
PowerClassified

Development

Indian Armed Forces acquired two Green Pine long range base variant radar from Israel in July 2002 and August 2005 since USA vetoed the complete sale of Arrow 2 missile defense system in 1999 due to violation of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) which India at that time was not a participating member state.[5] From March 2009, DRDO started validation trials for its own long-range capabilities of Swordfish radar.[3][6] More tests were conducted in 2009 to enhance the capabilities of Advanced Air Defence (AAD) endo-atmospheric missile to intercept incoming missiles at altitudes up to 15 km. If no issues crop up, then the tentative date for deployment is 2015. As of January 2019, Swordfish was able to detect over 10 successful missile interceptions that includes two exo-atmospheric hit-to-kill missions.[4]

Super Swordfish

A new upgraded 1,500 km range Super Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar or Very Long Range Tracking Radar (VLRTR) was developed since 2011 by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in view of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) development taking place in China and Pakistan.[7][8][9][10][11] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is already using an L band AESA radar called Multi Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) which is based on the same technology with fixed horizontal and vertical angle rotating at 360°. It is capable of tracking 0.25 m² object at 1,000 km and 0.09 m² at 800 km of Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Astra Microwave developed the antenna, transmit and receive (T/R) module and DC-to-DC converter. NS Engineering created the cooling system and mechanical structure. Cape Electronics developed the power distribution system.[12][13]

As per Ministry of Defence (MoD), two units of VLRTR systems were accorded by Union Government under memorandum of understanding (MoU) between National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and Indian Air Force for Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme. First unit was raised in 2017 and the system is operational.[14][15]

Capabilities
  • Target acquisition and fire control radar for the BMD system.
  • Can Guide Exo-atmospheric interceptor missile PAD to hit its target in space at an altitude over 80 km from earth.[16]
  • It can detect and track 200 targets simultaneously travelling at a speed of over Mach 12.[4][17]
  • The Swordfish LRTR currently has a range of 600 km (370 mi)-800 km (500 mi) km range and can spot objects as small as a cricket ball (3-inches in diameter), which the DRDO is in the process of upgrading it to 1,500 km as of 2012.[18][19][20] These may end up as entirely new designs as well.

Users

References
  1. Philip, Snehesh Alex (22 April 2019). "India completes phase one of ballistic missile defence programme, nod for missiles awaited". ThePrint. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  2. "Technologies | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  3. "'Swordfish' radar with successful missile defence test". Domain-b.com. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  4. SV, Vikas (8 January 2019). "Swordfish radar: Key to India's multi-layered air defence system". One India. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  5. "Why Do We Need 'Super'-Swordfish Radar?". Indian Defence News. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  6. "DRDO Ballistic Missile Defence System". Army Technology. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  7. Singh, Rahul (9 March 2009). "DRDO claims to better US, Russian missile defence". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  8. Richardson, Jack (1 June 2020). "India Ready to Install Ballistic Missile Defence". European Security & Defence. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  9. "Pakistan gets powerful missile tracking system from China: Report". The Economic Times. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  10. Syed, Shoaib Hasan (1 December 2010). "Pakistan's growing nuclear programme". BBC News. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  11. Keck, Zachary (9 March 2018). "Pakistan Has Just Tested the Ultimate Nuclear Missile". The National Interest. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  12. "ISRO to launch first indigenous multi-object tracking radar in 3-5 months". Business Standard India. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  13. Pathri, Rajasekhar (16 May 2015). "Isro's tracking radar to start work". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  14. Peerzada, Abrar (3 December 2009). "Major defence deals up for grabs". The Economic Times. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  15. "Major Achievements from 2014 to 2018" (PDF). Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  16. "DRDO Ballistic Missile Defence System". Army Technology. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  17. Roblin, Sebastien (15 October 2017). "Get Ready, Pakistan: India Is Developing Its Own Missile-Defense Shield". The National Interest. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  18. "India has all the building blocks for an anti-satellite capability". IT. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  19. "Phase One of Indian BMD programme on track for completion by 2011". Domain-b.com. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  20. "Major defence deals up for grabs". The Times Of India. 3 December 2009.
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