AIRBORNE
ELECTRONIC WARFARE
A composite view that shows the sub-systems that make-up Saab Electronic Defence Systems’ generic IDAS suite © Saab Electronic Defence Systems
Elsewhere within India’s national capability, AMR is aware of DARE’s 1 to 18 GHz band Siva emitter location system (for use with the Russian Kh-31P anti-radiation missile) and an RWR for MiG-21 class aircraft from national contractor Bharat Electronics. Looking to the future, the country’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition looks set to provide the world’s EW manufacturers with what will probably be the region’s biggest fast-jet countermeasures opportunity of the first half of the 21st Century. Here, research suggests that Lockheed Martin is offering Raytheon’s Advanced Countermeasure Electronic System (ACES – AN/ALR-69A digital RWR, AN/ALQ187(V)2 radar jammer and AN/ALE-47 CMDS) as part of its F-16IN MMRCA submission, while Boeing is proposing a suite that includes the AN/ALR-67(V)3 RWR, AN/ALQ-214(V) IDECM system and the AN/ALE-47 CMDS as part of its F/A-18IN proposal. For its part, Italian contractor Elettronica is offering its ELT-568(V)2 radar jammer for use on the MiG-35, while Dassault’s Rafale would come equipped with the type Thales/MBDA Spectre DAS. Similarly, Eurofighter is understood to be proposing the incumbent Praetorian DAS on an Indian Typhoon with the possibility of integrating Selex Galileo’s Seer digital RWR into the architecture. Moving south, Japan has followed the China/India route and produces most of its fast-jet EW equipment nationally. Here, examples include Tokimec’s J/APR-2 (F-4EJ), J/APR-3 (F-1), J/APR-4/4A (F-15J/-15DJ),
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J/APR-4B (J/APR-4A with an interface for the J/APQ-1 MAW), J/APR-5 (RF-4EJ) and J/APR-6/6A (F-4EJ Kai) RWRs; the internallymounted J/ALQ-6 radar jammer (F-1, F-4EJ and RF-4EJ) and the internally-mounted 1 to 18 GHz band J/ALQ-8 radar jammer (F-15J/DJ and interfaced with the J/APR-4A RWR). Elsewhere, Japanese contractor Mitsubishi has licence built the Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-131(V) pod-mounted radar jammer for use aboard the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force’s (JASDF) F-4EJs and F-15Js, with the latter combination operating in the electronic ‘aggressor’ training role. Again, JASDF F-15J aircraft are fitted with the BAE Systems AN/ALE-45 CMDS. As a final point concerning JASDF fast-jet EW provision, it is perhaps worth noting that the service’s RF-4EJKai (a conversion of the F-4EJKai fighter) reconnaissance aircraft are capable of carrying the podmounted, 0.4 to 40 GHz band, Thales Analyseur de Signaux TACtiques (ASTAC) tactical electronic intelligence gathering system. Designed to detect, identify and locate ground-based radar emitters in dense signals environments, ASTAC is designated as the
[India’s] Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition looks set to… be the region’s biggest fast-jet countermeasures opportunity of the first half of the 21st Century. ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
TACtical Electronic Reconnaissance (TRACER) system in JASDF service, with the programme having Mitsubishi as its prime contractor. North of Japan, South Korea’s LIG NEX1 (formerly LG Innotek’s Systems Division) has produced the 2 to 18/20 GHz band ALQ-88K and AK (‘suitable’ for use aboard F-4D/E and F-16C/D aircraft respectively) and ALQ-202 pod-mounted radar jammers which are believed to have been procured by the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF). Elsewhere, RoKAF F-15K aircraft are equipped with a DAS that includes the BAE Systems AN/ALR-56C(V)1 RWR and the Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-135M internally-mounted radar jammer, while its Block 40/50 F-16C/D fighters are fitted with BAE Systems’ AN/ALR-56M RWR. Interestingly, the combination of the AN/ALR-56C(V)1 and the AN/ALQ-135M probably give the F-15K a better EW self-protection capability than that installed on the United States Air Force’s F-15 aircraft. Here, the AN/ALR-56C(V)1 is described as being a ‘complete’ system redesign (and one that represents the ‘best that can be done with analogue technology’), while the AN/ALQ-135M (which is co produced by Samsung Thales and Northrop Grumman) features PowerPC-based programming, microwave power module technology and an in-country reprogramming capability. Elsewhere within the RoKAF orbit, Israel’s Elisra has been contracted to prototype and (eventually) produce up to 60 examples of an EW package for the FA-50 light strike aircraft. Turning to Southeast Asia, the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Su-30MKM multi-role fighters sport an interesting DAS sourced from the Swedish-South African Saab Electronic Mission Systems concern. Designated as the Integrated DAS (IDAS), the baseline suite incorporates the company’s 0.7 to 40 GHz RWS-300 RWR, MAW-300 MAW, LWS-310 laser warner and a BOP series CMDS. Elsewhere within the RMAF’s inventory, the service’s F/A-18Ds are understood to be equipped with an internally-mounted AN/ALQ-126B radar jammer and Northrop Grumman’s 0.5 to 18/20 GHz band AN/ALR-67(V)2 RWR. Moving back to the sub-continent, the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) F-16A/B fighters are believed to have been fitted with the Northrop Grumman AN/ALR-69(V) RWR, a CMDS and Northrop Grumman’s AN/ALQ131(V) Block I/II pod-mounted radar jammer. Moving forward to the service’s second gen-