Central Acquisition Radar (3D-CAR)
Encyclopedia
The Central Acquisition Radar (3D-CAR) is a 3D radar developed by DRDO for use with Akash
SAM
capable of tracking 150 targets.
India has further developed its 3D CAR into all new locally produced ROHINI & REVATHI variants. The ROHINI is the Indian Air Force
specific variant whereas the REVATHI is for the Indian Navy
. These replace the original joint development items such as the planar array antenna with new locally developed ones which are more capable than the original design. A third variant, known as the 3D Tactical Control Radar has been developed for the Indian Army
and has cleared trials.
, Larsen & Toubro
, Astra Microwave and Entec. The radar employs a planar array antenna and provides simultaneous multi-beam coverage. It can handle 150 targets in track while scan
mode.
.
delivered the first ROHINI to the Indian Air Force
on August 6, 2008. Around 20 radars can be manufactured annually.
The ROHINI has a new Indian-developed antenna which is more advanced than that on the original CAR terms of power handling and beam forming technology.
Seven Rohinis were initially ordered by the Indian Air Force for their radar modernization program. The IAF then ordered 30 more radars after evaluation, making total orders 37 of the type.
The IAF has ordered eight Akash SAM squadrons, and the ROHINIs act as the central early warning system for an Akash squadron deployment.
The Revathi adds two axis stabilization for operation in naval conditions, as well as extra naval modes.
Two REVATHI radars were ordered by the Indian Navy for their P-28 Corvette program. Given that the Indian Navy intends to have up to 4-6 P-28 Corvettes, further orders are likely from the Navy as well.
A Revathi derivative is believed to be on the Shivalik frigate as well, which would translate to 3 additional radars as three ships of the Shivalik class are being made.
Additional orders are also expected from the Indian Army if they order the Akash SAM system.
The Indian Army is also expected to order another 3D CAR variant. The third Indian developed variant of the 3D CAR is known as the 3D TCR or tactical control radar, with a tracking range of 90 km. The radar has a lower antenna mount and is packaged in two vehicles instead of three for the Rohini. It can also feed data to a weapons station 20 km away. The radar cleared trials in 2008-09 and 29 numbers have been ordered to BEL .
Overall, the 3D CAR program highlights India and DRDO's success in developing and manufacturing a modern 3D radar.
Akash missile
Akash is India's medium range surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Bharat Electronics Limited as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The missile can target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to...
SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
capable of tracking 150 targets.
India has further developed its 3D CAR into all new locally produced ROHINI & REVATHI variants. The ROHINI is the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
specific variant whereas the REVATHI is for the Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
. These replace the original joint development items such as the planar array antenna with new locally developed ones which are more capable than the original design. A third variant, known as the 3D Tactical Control Radar has been developed for the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
and has cleared trials.
Details
The Central Acquisition Radar (CAR) is a medium range high-resolution 3-dimensional surveillance radar. The Central Acquisition Radar has been designed by LRDE, a DRDO laboratory, and is produced by a joint venture between BELBharat Electronics Limited
Bharat Electronics Limited is a state-owned electronics company with about nine factories, and few regional offices in India. It is owned by the Indian Government & primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for the Indian Armed Forces.BEL is one of the eight PSUs under Ministry of...
, Larsen & Toubro
Larsen & Toubro
Larsen & Toubro Limited is an Indian multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Mumbai, India. The company has four main business sectors: technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing. L&T has an international presence, with a global spread of offices and factories, further...
, Astra Microwave and Entec. The radar employs a planar array antenna and provides simultaneous multi-beam coverage. It can handle 150 targets in track while scan
Track while scan
The track while scan is a mode of radar operation in which the radar allocates part of its power to tracking the target or targets while part of its power is allocated to scanning, unlike the straight tracking mode, when the radar directs all its power to tracking the acquired targets...
mode.
Rohini
The Rohini radar is mounted on a modified TATRA heavy truck and supported by a mobile auxiliary power unit. The TATRA is license manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)BEML
Bharat Earth Movers Limited now known as BEML is an Indian Public Sector Undertaking, with headquarters in Bangalore. It manufactures a variety of heavy equipment, such as that used for earth moving, transport and mining....
.
Features
These features relate to the 3D CAR radar. Specifications for the Rohini, 3D TCR and Revathi are available in the links below.- Medium range 3D surveillance
- S band operation
- Surveillance Range up to 180 km
- Covers elevation of up to 18 km in height
- High altitude deployability
- Deployment in less than 20 minutes
- 150 Targets in TWSTrack while scanThe track while scan is a mode of radar operation in which the radar allocates part of its power to tracking the target or targets while part of its power is allocated to scanning, unlike the straight tracking mode, when the radar directs all its power to tracking the acquired targets...
- Array of ECCM features
- Integrated IFFIdentification friend or foeIn telecommunications, identification, friend or foe is an identification system designed for command and control. It is a system that enables military and national interrogation systems to identify aircraft, vehicles, or forces as friendly and to determine their bearing and range from the...
- Capable of detecting low altitude targets, and supersonic aircraft flying at up to Mach 3
- Frequency agility and jammer analysis
Current status
BEL anticipates a requirement for 100 Rohini radars. BELBharat Electronics Limited
Bharat Electronics Limited is a state-owned electronics company with about nine factories, and few regional offices in India. It is owned by the Indian Government & primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for the Indian Armed Forces.BEL is one of the eight PSUs under Ministry of...
delivered the first ROHINI to the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
on August 6, 2008. Around 20 radars can be manufactured annually.
The ROHINI has a new Indian-developed antenna which is more advanced than that on the original CAR terms of power handling and beam forming technology.
Seven Rohinis were initially ordered by the Indian Air Force for their radar modernization program. The IAF then ordered 30 more radars after evaluation, making total orders 37 of the type.
The IAF has ordered eight Akash SAM squadrons, and the ROHINIs act as the central early warning system for an Akash squadron deployment.
The Revathi adds two axis stabilization for operation in naval conditions, as well as extra naval modes.
Two REVATHI radars were ordered by the Indian Navy for their P-28 Corvette program. Given that the Indian Navy intends to have up to 4-6 P-28 Corvettes, further orders are likely from the Navy as well.
A Revathi derivative is believed to be on the Shivalik frigate as well, which would translate to 3 additional radars as three ships of the Shivalik class are being made.
Additional orders are also expected from the Indian Army if they order the Akash SAM system.
The Indian Army is also expected to order another 3D CAR variant. The third Indian developed variant of the 3D CAR is known as the 3D TCR or tactical control radar, with a tracking range of 90 km. The radar has a lower antenna mount and is packaged in two vehicles instead of three for the Rohini. It can also feed data to a weapons station 20 km away. The radar cleared trials in 2008-09 and 29 numbers have been ordered to BEL .
Overall, the 3D CAR program highlights India and DRDO's success in developing and manufacturing a modern 3D radar.
Pictures
Rohini radar handover ceremony picturesExternal links
- 3D Surveillance Radar for Air Defense - Rohini http://www.bel-india.com/index.aspx?q=§ionid=435
- 3D Tactical Control radar http://www.bel-india.com/index.aspx?q=§ionid=436
- 3D Naval Surveillance radar - Revathihttp://www.bel-india.com/index.aspx?q=§ionid=443