Engineering:Uttam AESA Radar

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Short description: India's indigenous AI AESA Radar programme

Uttam
Uttam AESA radar displayed at Aero India 2019
Country of originIndia
ManufacturerBharat Electronics
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
DesignerElectronics and Radar Development Establishment
IntroducedIn development
TypeSolid-state AESA
FrequencyX Band
Power9.12 kW[1]

Uttam (lit. Excellent)[2] is a solid-state gallium arsenide (GaAs) based AESA radar under development by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a laboratory of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is an LPI (Low Probability of Intercept) liquid cooled AESA radar featuring quad-band modules that can be stacked to form a larger unit. The Uttam Mk-1 has a total of 912 TRMs.[3][4]

Development

The project was initiated in 2008, and the development began in 2012. Its full-scale model was displayed at the 2017 Aero India air show and aviation exhibition.[2][5] People who worked for DRDO AEW&CS's main radar and Maritime Patrol Radar were part of the project team.[6][7] A fully functional active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar prototype was unveiled at Aero India 2019, the prototype was mounted inside the glass nose of a HAL Tejas prototype.[8]

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is the lead integrator and Bharat Electronics is the major supplier of subsystems. As per Project director D Seshagiri of the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Uttam AESA radar is 95% indigenous, with only one imported subsystem. The National Flight Testing Centre had evaluated the radar and cleared it after performance tests. The integration problem of Astra BVRAAM due to older generation of radars will also be solved by Uttam.[9]

During Aero India 2021, there was a licensing agreements for technology transfer from DRDO to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for manufacturing and integration of the Uttam in the Mark 1A variant of the HAL Tejas.[10] The technology transfer to HAL was finished by DRDO in July 2023, and the radar was approved for export as well.[2][6]

Testing

As of 2021, three units were in various phases of testing. The Uttam radar has completed 230 hours of airborne testing onboard two Tejas fighter jets (LSP2 and LSP3) and on an executive jet; presumed to be DRDO's Dornier 228 "Nabhratna" used as a flying test bed by LRDE.[11] Once fully validated and certified, it is planned is to introduce the radar in later batches of Tejas Mark 1A aircraft.[12][13] The Uttam radar will be used with DRDO's Unified Electronic Warfare suite.[14] Indian Air Force Test Pilot School would start final demonstration trial of Uttam AESA radar from December 2021 and if successful will be sent for serial production. LRDE has completed 250 hours of performance testing on two Tejas fighters as well as Hawker 800 executive jet.[9]

The flight evaluation of the radar aboard Tejas Mark 1 is over, and the Uttam radar has successfully completed flight testing in all modes. In 2023, an updated Uttam radar was developed and placed on Limited Series Production aircraft in order to satisfy Tejas Mark 1A requirements. The Uttam radar was modified with an Active Array Antenna Unit and flight tested in Air to Air mode of operation for maximum range in July 2023.[15]

As of April 2024, the radar has completed 125 test sorties onboard Tejas Mk 1 prototypes as per ADA Director Jitendra Jadhav. The radar has cleared testing Air to Air (A2A) and Air to Ground (A2G) modes while few more tests are yet to be conducted. The performance of the radar is on par with other proven designs like EL/M-2052.[3] In April 2025, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification informed HAL and DRDO internally that the Uttam radar had finished four stages of flight testing. Furthermore, the radar hardware has passed qualification tests in accordance with the specifications of the Tejas Mark 1A. CEMILAC suggested that construction of the radar subsystems be started in order to facilitate the induction of the radar, with the principal system integrator being Hyderabad based HAL's avionics division.[2]

Features

Operational Modes

Uttam AESA radar has a total of 18 modes in Air to Air, Air to Ground and Air to Sea roles. The modes have been validated on-board a business jet and further proofing is being done on HAL Tejas to validate the same on supersonic platform.[21]

  • Air-to-Air
    • TWS/Multi-target detection and tracking
    • Multi-target ACM
    • High resolution raid assessment
  • Air-to-Ground
    • High resolution imaging (SAR Mode)
    • High resolution tracking (SAR Mode)
    • AGR – Air-to-Ground Ranging
    • RBM – Real Beam Map
    • DBS – Doppler Beam Sharpening
    • GMTI on RBM, SAR
    • Weather
  • Air-to-Sea
    • High resolution imaging (SAR Mode)
    • High resolution tracking (SAR Mode)
    • Sea search and multi-target tracking
    • RS and ISAR classification modes.

Virupaaksha

Virupaaksha radar is an advanced version of the Uttam Mk-II radar. The radar under development will replace the current N011M Bars radar being used onboard the Sukhoi Su-30MKI after the Super Sukhoi upgrade program.[22][23][24] Virupaaksha weighs half as much as the N011M Bars.[25] The LRDE was working on the project, but got approval in October 2024.[26] LRDE plans to set up "assembly jigs" to begin ground testing soon. These will be delivered within 16 weeks of the contract’s approval. The assembly will be completed within 15 weeks while the last week will be reserved for acceptance testing.[27]

Virupaaksha utilises Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology with improved radar operational characteristics than Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) used by earlier variants. GaN provides better power output, enhanced thermal efficiency, wider bandwidth of operation, and a longer lifespan compared to earlier variants. The radar incorporates the quad transmit-receive modules (T/R modules) similar to Uttam but has a more densely packed configuration and has around 2400 modules based on GaN based planks. The plank configuration eases maintenance operations.[27][28] Reportedly, the radar succeeded to track 64 to 100 aerial targets simultaneously during trials and offers at least 1.7 times increased head-on search range over the 140 km-range N011M Bars radar. It features advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM).[24]

The Virupaksha radar operates in the S-band frequency range, and can detect and track a wide range of targets like aircraft, helicopters, drones, and even ballistic missiles. It has a reported head-on search range of over 400 km, though the value is officially classified.[29] In air-to-air attack mode, Virupaaksha can maneuver, control, and direct six missiles simultaneously towards the target.[25] It also features electronic steering, also present on Captor-E of the Eurofighter Typhoon, allowing a higher angle of view.[30]

The radar constitutes of eight Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) which includes :[30]

  1. Active Array Antenna Unit
  2. Exciter Unit
  3. Radar Receiver Unit
  4. Antenna Positioner
  5. Radar Processing Unit
  6. Cooling Unit
  7. Radome
  8. Antenna Power Supply Unit

The DRDO is yet to select the Development and Production Partner (DcPP) for the programme. The DcPP will be responsible to build a complete industrial ecosystem to supply the radars and must be equipped with skilled manpower, advanced infrastructure, and certified quality systems. The industrial partner will oversee integration, flight validation, and large-scale production of the radars along with its post-deployment support for 20 years. This mode of development will see the programme responsibility shifting towards the industry.[30]

The programme, after DcPP selection, will proceed in four phases. The first phase will span for 16 months and will include hardware realisation as well as designing of Ground Support and Automated Test Equipment. This will be immediately followed by a 15 month-long integration phase and 9 month-long flight trials for the radar's in-flight performance validation. The fourth and final stage will see the commencement of serial production within a two month window, after production clearance and the transfer of non-exclusive production license. Initially, LRDE is expected to deliver three radars for evaluation.[30]

The IAF plans to upgrade 84 Su-30MKIs with this radar in the first phase from 2026.[31]

According to IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, over 200 of Su-30MKIs shall be upgraded to the Super Sukhoi standard with the Virupaksha radar.[32]

Applications

The fighter jet platforms that have been integrated with Uttam radar or are planned to be integrated are as follows:

Status of Radar Integration/Testing
Aircraft / Platform Status Notes References
HAL Tejas Mk1/1A Testing phase; Integrated on LSP 2 and 3 Completed 125 developmental flights. [9]
Hawker 800 Testing phase Flight testbed configuration. [33]
HAL Tejas Mk 2 More capable version planned "Angad", "Uttam" to replace imported systems. [34][35]
Sukhoi Su-30MKI Planned from 2025 During the Super Sukhoi upgrade, the present PESA Bars radar will be replaced by the Virupaaksha radar. In the first phase, 84 units would be upgraded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India, which would later increase to 200+ aircraft. [22][36][32]
Mikoyan MiG-29UPG/Mikoyan MiG-29K Planned from 2025 [9][36]
HAL TEDBF Planned [37]
HAL AMCA Virupaaksha variant planned [38]
  • Uttam AESA Radar integrated in LCA Tejas showcased during Aero India 2019.
    Uttam AESA Radar integrated in LCA Tejas showcased during Aero India 2019.
  • Uttam AESA radar on display at Aero India 2019
    Uttam AESA radar on display at Aero India 2019
  • Side profile of Uttam AESAR.
    Side profile of Uttam AESAR.
  • The Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU) of Uttam AESA radar on static display at Aero India, 2019
    The Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU) of Uttam AESA radar on static display at Aero India, 2019

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Uttam at Aero India 2025". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ofKFSKNW1pY&pp=ygUOZGVmZW5jZSBtYXRyaXg%3D. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Sagar, Pradip R. (2025-06-28). "A make in India snub" (in en). https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20250707-a-make-in-india-snub-2747046-2025-06-28. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "UTTAM AESA Radar Integrated With TEJAS MK-1: Dr Jitendra Jadhav Director ADA". https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2024/04/uttam-aesa-radar-integrated-with-tejas.html. 
  4. ↑ Defence Matrix- हिंदी (2025-02-13). New Uttam Radar for Tejas Mk1A & M2 | Details and Future | हिंदी में. Retrieved 2025-02-14 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ "Uttam AESA radar ready for induction in Tejas MK1A". https://defenceview.in/uttam-aesa-radar-ready-for-induction-in-tejas-mk1a/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Bengaluru-built Uttam radar ready for export, says DRDO". The Times of India. 2023-02-15. ISSN 0971-8257. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/bengaluru-built-uttam-radar-ready-for-export-says-drdo/articleshow/97930824.cms. 
  7. ↑ "Technologies and Products". https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/technology-cluster-links/labs-products-detail/2011/191. 
  8. ↑ "India Displays Locally-made AESA Radar for Tejas Jet at Aero India 2019". DefenseWorld. https://www.defenseworld.net/news/24318/India_Displays_Locally_made_AESA_Radar_for_Tejas_Jet_at_Aero_India_2019#.Xp_nUZrhWV4. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Gupta, Shishir (2021-12-08). "India develops AESA radar to make IAF fighters more lethal" (in en). https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-to-showcase-use-of-indigenous-aesa-radar-101638924141445.html. 
  10. ↑ "DRDO hands over Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology for 14 technologies to 20 industries". Press Information Bureau. 5 February 2021. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1695630. 
  11. ↑ "Exclusive: Why desi Uttam AESA radar is a game-changer". https://guardingindia.com/exclusive/exclusive-why-desi-uttam-aesa-radar-is-a-game-changer/. 
  12. ↑ Ajai Shukla. "Rs 26k-crore order for building Tejas Mark 1A to open door for Mark 2". Business Standard. https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rs-26k-cr-order-for-tejas-mark-1a-to-open-door-for-mark-2-119121600021_1.html. 
  13. ↑ "HAL cuts its profit on Tejas Mark 1A deal by 50%, fighter jets to take to sky by 2022". The Print. https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/hal-cuts-its-profit-on-tejas-mark-1a-deal-by-50-fighter-jets-to-take-to-sky-by-2022/383730/. 
  14. ↑ "Single Engine Fighter Cancellation Provides An Opening For Tejas MK-2". Delhi Defence Review. http://delhidefencereview.com/2018/02/26/single-engine-fighter-cancellation-provides-an-opening-for-tejas-mk-2/. 
  15. ↑ "2023-24 Annual Report". 10 October 2025. https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_2023-24-new-23-9-2025.pdf. 
  16. ↑ Linganna, Girish (2025-07-04). "Why Uttam will not be onboard Rafale-M fighter aircraft" (in en). https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/india-rafale-uttam-aesa-radar-row-pm277kkg. 
  17. ↑ "French Block on Uttam AESA Radar: India’s Rafale M Plans Face Hard Reality Check" (in en-GB). 2025-07-02. https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/french-block-on-uttam-aesa-radar-indias-rafale-m-plans-face-hard-reality-check/. 
  18. ↑ Baidya, Satyaki (16 October 2025). "India's AMCA Rollout: 120 Jets At Rs 1,57,844 Crore, 2,600 km/h Speed, 6,500 kg Payload". news18.com. https://www.news18.com/india/indias-amca-rollout-120-jets-at-rs-157844-crore-2600-km-h-speed-6500-kg-payload-ws-dkl-9639719.html. 
  19. ↑ Yadav, Abhinav (2025-08-04). "This made in India radar helps the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet track and lock on to 50 enemy jets at once" (in en). https://www.wionews.com/photos/this-made-in-india-radar-helps-the-tejas-mk2-fighter-jet-track-and-lock-on-to-50-enemy-jets-at-once-1754297812340. 
  20. ↑ "Sukhoi Fighter Aircraft: DRDO Developed Fighter Jets With Indigenous Technology" (in en). 2024-10-08. https://www.patrika.com/en/special-news/sukhoi-fighter-aircraft-will-be-upgraded-with-indigenous-technology-19048729. 
  21. ↑ Uttam AESA Radar Update with Project Director Mr. D Seshagiri (LRDE). Delh Defence Review. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "India plans to equip Russian-origin Su-30MKIs with indigenous 'Virupaaksha' radar". https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-plans-to-equip-russian-origin-su-30mkis-with-indigenous-virupaaksha-radar/articleshow/104561110.cms. 
  23. ↑ "Air Force to equip Su-30MKI fleet with indigenous 'Virupaaksha' radar" (in en). 2023-10-19. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/su-30mki-fighters-air-force-to-equip-its-fleet-with-indigenous-virupaksha-radar-2451237-2023-10-19. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Virupaksha will transform IAF's Su-30MKI fighter into Super Sukhoi" (in en). 2024-08-06. https://english.mathrubhumi.com/features/specials/virupaksha-will-transform-iaf-sukhoi-fighter-aircraft-1.9790465. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Linganna, Girish (2024-08-06). "Virupaksha will transform IAF's Su-30MKI fighter into Super Sukhoi" (in en). https://english.mathrubhumi.com/features/specials/virupaksha-will-transform-iaf-sukhoi-fighter-aircraft-1.9790465. 
  26. ↑ "All-new AESA Radar “Virupaksha” for Su-30MKI Upgrade Shown At Aero India 2025". https://www.defensemirror.com/news/38803/All_new_AESA_Radar____Virupaksha____for_Su_30MKI_Upgrade_Shown_At_Aero_India_2025. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Monstrous Virupaksha Radar of Su30 MKI Upgrade" (in en-US). 2024-10-08. https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/10/09/monstrous-virupaksha-radar-of-su30-mki-upgrade/?amp=1. 
  28. ↑ Thakkar, Dharmesh (2025-04-03). "India Surpasses Europe In Long-Range Radar Tech; DRDO’s Indigenous Systems Outmatch Western Counterparts" (in en). https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/india-surpasses-europe-in-long-range-radar-tech-drdos-indigenous-systems-outmatch-western-counterparts. 
  29. ↑ "Super-maneuverable Su-30 MKI gets an Indian all-seeing radar". https://bulgarianmilitary.com/amp/2023/10/20/super-maneuverable-su-30-mki-gets-an-indian-all-seeing-radar/. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 "Virupaksha AESA Radar for IAF Su-30 MKI -- The Beast in Making" (in en-US). 2025-07-18. https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2025/07/19/virupaksha-radar-su30-upgrade/. 
  31. ↑ "IAF to Equip 84 Su-30MKI with Indigenous Virupaksha GaN-based AESA Radar Starting 2026, Countering Stealth Threats from China-Pak" (in en-US). 2025-04-13. https://defence.in/threads/iaf-to-equip-84-su-30mki-with-indigenous-virupaksha-gan-based-aesa-radar-starting-2026-countering-stealth-threats-from-china-pak.13695/. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Khan, Sana (2025-10-09). "IAF Begins Super Sukhoi Program to Transform 200 Su-30MKI Fighters into 4.7-Gen Platforms" (in English). https://jetlinemarvel.net/iaf-launches-super-sukhoi-program-transforming-200-fighters-into-4-7-gen-powerhouses/. 
  33. ↑ "Flight testbed to look out for on the static ramp at Aero India 2023! Introducing, RFT Hawker BAe 125 Series 800A in flight testbed configuration. @praneethfranklin". https://www.instagram.com/p/CocfVqDvNfR/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=e462981a-9036-4f74-aed4-03a53bab01a8&img_index=1. 
  34. ↑ "Angad', 'Uttam' to replace imported systems in indigenous LCA fighter jets". ANI. 15 October 2023. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/angad-uttam-to-replace-imported-systems-in-indigenous-lca-fighter-jets20231015182148/. 
  35. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (12 August 2017). "Is India on the Verge of Building a Super Jet Fighter?" (in en). The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/india-the-verge-building-super-jet-fighter-21880. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Singh, Mayank (2023-02-15). "DRDO pushes for indigenous radar in Indian combat fleet" (in en). https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/Feb/15/drdo-pushes-for-indigenous-radar-in-indian-combat-fleet-2547533.html. 
  37. ↑ "Atma Nirbhar defence: Indigenous projects to look out for at Aero India 2021" (in en). https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/02/03/atma-nirbhar-defence-indigenous-projects-to-look-out-for-at-aero-india-2021.html. 
  38. ↑ "Uttam AESA radar: Everything you need to know". Aero Journal India. http://www.aerojournalindia.com/enews/?p=2914. 



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