IMI Tavor

The T.A.R. 21 uses a bullpup design, as seen with the French FAMAS, the British SA80, Austrian Steyr AUG, and the Chinese Norinco QBZ-95. Bullpup rifles are configured in a layout in which the bolt carrier group is placed behind the pistol grip; this shortens the overall length but does not sacrifice barrel length. The T.A.R. 21 provides carbine length, but rifle muzzle velocity. The bullpup design is also used to minimize the silhouette of soldiers and to maximize effectiveness in turning corners in urban warfare.
The T.A.R. 21 has ejection ports on both sides of the rifle so it can easily be reconfigured for right or left-handed shooters. However, this process requires partial disassembly, so it can not be quickly reconfigured while the rifle is in use.
The T.A.R. 21 design is based on advanced ergonomics and composite materials in order to produce a more comfortable and reliable rifle. The T.A.R. 21 is waterproof and lightweight. It has a normal metal sight but also includes an advanced red-dot reflex sight and can be mounted with different scopes, night vision systems and other electronic devices.
The semi-automatic Tavor Carbine (T.C. 21) has been conceived for civilian customers, and as a Police patrol carbine for those Countries, or Law Enforcement agencies, where full-automatic firearms are issued only to SWAT-like units. A semi-automatic Tavor carbine was first seen at the 2002 SHOT Show, when agreements were announced between IMI and the Barrett Firearms Company to manufacture the Tavor in both its military and civilian variants in the United States[2]. This was probably done in order to allow Israel to procure the Tavor using United States military aid money, since, according to American military assistance agreements, said funds must be spent to purchase US-manufactured equipments. The agreement between IMI and Barrett was never finalized, and the semi-automatic Tavor carbine as shown at the 2002 SHOT Show was never manufactured, although that specific design has recently resurfaced. The current Tavor Carbine, made in Israel by IWI, has been designed with slightly shortened barrel, otherwise being identical to the standard T.A.R. 21 assault rifle. As of 2008, it is available for civilian customers to purchase in Canada.[3] The Canadian civilian version comes standard with the Mepro reflex sight and a slightly longer barrel to meet the Canadian requirement for semi-automatic rifles to have a barrel length of at least 18.5 inches. There was a report by Charles Daly President Micheal Kassnar that plans were being made to import, or at least partially build, the Tavor in the United States, which was released through the Charles Daly forums

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar System (AESA)

An Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), also known as active phased array radar is a type of phased array radar whose transmitter and receiver functions are composed of numerous small solid-state transmit/receive (T/R) modules. AESAs aim their "beam" by broadcasting a number of different frequencies of coherent radio energy that interfere constructively at certain angles in front of the antenna. They improve on the older passive electronically scanned radars by spreading their broadcasts out across a band of frequencies, which makes it very difficult to detect over background noise. AESAs allow ships and aircraft to broadcast powerful radar signals while still remaining stealthy.
Radar systems generally work by connecting an antenna to a powerful radio transmitter to broadcast a short pulse of signal. The transmitter is then disconnected and the antenna is attached to a sensitive receiver which amplifies any echos from target objects and then sends the resulting output to a display of some sort. The transmitter elements were typically klystron tubes, which are suitable for amplifying a small range of frequencies. In order to scan a portion of the sky, the radar antenna has to be physically moved to point in different directions.
Starting in the 1960s new solid-state delays were introduced that led to the first practical large-scale passive electronically scanned array (PESA), or simply phased array radar. PESAs took a signal from a single source, split it up into hundreds of paths, selectively delayed some of them, and send them to individual antennas. The resulting broadcasts overlapped in space, and the interference patterns between the individual signals was selected in order to reinforce the signal at certain angles, and mute it down in all others. The delays could be easily controlled electronically, allowing the beam to be steered without the antenna having to move. A PESA can scan a volume of space much more quickly than a traditional mechanical system. Additionally, as the electronics improved, PESAs added the ability to produce several active beams, allowing them to continue scanning the sky while at the same time focusing smaller beams on certain targets for tracking or guiding semi-active radar homing missiles. PESAs quickly became widespread on ships and large fixed emplacements in the 1960s, followed by airborne sensors as the electronics shrank.
AESAs are the result of further developments in solid-state electronics. In earlier systems the broadcast signal was originally created in a klystron tube or similar device, which are relatively large. Receiver electronics were also large due to the high frequencies that they worked with. The introduction of gallium arsenide microelectronics through the 1980s served to greatly reduce the size of the receiver elements, until effective ones could be built at sizes similar to those of handheld radios, only a few centimeters in volume. The introduction of JFETs and MESFETs did the same to the transmitter side of the systems as well. Now an entire radar, the transmitter, receiver and antenna, could be shrunk into a single "transmitter-receiver module" (TRM) about the size of a carton of milk.
The primary advantage of a AESA over a PESA is that the different modules can operate on different frequencies. Unlike the PESA, where the signal was generated at single frequencies by a small number of transmitters, in the AESA each module broadcasts its own independent signal. This allows the AESA to produce numerous "sub-beams" and actively "paint" a much larger number of targets. Additionally, the solid-state transmitters are able to broadcast effectively at a much wider range of frequencies, giving AESAs the ability to change their operating frequency with every pulse sent out. AESAs can also produce beams that consist of many different frequencies at once, using post-processing of the combined signal from a number of TRMs to re-create a display as if there was a single powerful beam being sent.
Radar systems work by sending out a signal and then listening for its echo off distant objects. Each of these paths, to and from the target, is subject to the inverse square law of propagation. That means that a radar's received energy drops with the fourth power of distance, which is why radar systems require high powers, often in the megawatt range, in order to be effective at long range.
The radar signal being sent out is a simple radio signal, and can be received with a simple radio receiver. It is common to use such a receiver in the targets, normally aircraft, to detect radar broadcasts. Unlike the radar unit, which has to send the pulse out and then receive its reflection, the target's receiver does not need the reflection and thus the signal drops off only as the square of distance. This means that the receiver is always at an advantage over the radar in terms of range - it will always be able to detect the signal long before the radar can see the target's echo. Since the position of the radar is extremely useful information in an attack on that platform, this means that radars generally have to be turned off for lengthy periods if they are subject to attack; this is common on ships, for instance.
Turning that received signal into a useful display is the purpose of the "radar warning receiver" (RWR). Unlike the radar, which knows which direction it is sending its signal, the receiver simply gets a pulse of energy and has to interpret it. Since the radio spectrum is filled with noise, the receiver's signal is integrated over a short period of time, making periodic sources like a radar add up and stand out over the random background. Typically RWRs store the detected pulses for a short period of time, and compare their broadcast frequency and pulse repetition frequency against a database of known radars. The rough direction can be calculated using a rotating antenna, or similar passive array, and combined with symbology indicating the likely purpose of the radar - airborne early warning, surface to air missile, etc.
This technique is much less useful against AESA radars. Since the AESA can change its frequency with every pulse, and generally does so using a pseudo-random sequence, integrating over time does not help pull the signal out of the background noise. Nor does the AESA have any sort of fixed pulse repetition frequency, which can also be varied and thus hide any periodic brightening across the entire spectrum. Traditional RWRs are essentially useless against AESA radars.

Javelin (Antitank missile system )

The FGM-148 Javelin is an American-made man-portable anti-tank guided missile fielded to replace the Dragon antitank missileJavelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armored vehicles (attacking the top armor which is generally thinner) but can also take a direct-attack mode for use against buildings or fortifications. This missile also has the ability to engage helicopters in the direct attack mode. The missile reaches a peak altitude of 150m (492 ft.) in top attack mode and 50m ( 164 ft.) in direct fire mode. The missile is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker. The tandem warhead is fitted with two shaped charges: a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor and a primary warhead to penetrate base armor. The Javelin was used in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, with devastating effects on the Iraqi version of T-72s and Type 69 tanks.
The missile is ejected from the launcher so that it reaches a safe distance from the operator before the main rocket motors ignite; a "soft launch arrangement". This makes it harder to identify the launcher and allows it to be fired from within buildings; however, back-blast from the launch tube still poses a hazard to nearby personnel. Thanks to this "fire and forget" system, the firing team may move on as soon as the missile has been launched. The missile system is carried most often by a two man team consisting of a gunner and an ammo bearer, although it can be fired with just one person if necessary. While the gunner aims and fires the missile, the ammo bearer scans for prospective targets and watches for threats such as enemy vehicles and troops.
Components
Missile
Warhead
The Javelin missile’s tandem warhead is a high-explosive antitank round.[2] This round utilizes an explosive shaped charge to create a jet of superplasticity deformed metal formed from trumpet-shaped metallic liners. The result is a high velocity jet that can penetrate armor.
The Javelin counters the advent of explosive reactive armor (ERA). ERA panels lie over a vehicle’s main armor and explode when impacted by a warhead. This explosion does not harm the vehicle’s main armor, but causes steel panels to fly into the path of the antitank round’s jet, so that the jet expends its most potent energy cutting through the panels, rather than through the main armor. The Javelin uses two shaped-charge warheads in tandem. The precursor charge sets off the ERA and clears it from the path of the main charge, which then penetrates the target’s primary armor.
A two-layered molybdenum liner is used for the precursor and a copper liner for the main charge.
To protect the main charge from the explosive blast, shock, and debris caused by the impact of the missile's nose and the detonation of the precursor charge, a blast shield is used between the main and precursor charge. This was the first composite material blast shield and the first that had a hole through the middle to provide a jet that is less spread out.
A newer main charge liner produces a higher velocity jet. This change makes the warhead more effective as a penetrator and smaller, with more room for propellant to increase the missile's range.
Electronic arming and fusing, called Electronic Safe Arming and Fire (ESAF), is used. The ESAF system enables the firing and arming process to proceed, while imposing a series of safety checks on the missile. ESAF cues the launch motor after the trigger is pulled. When the missile reaches a key acceleration point (indicating that it has cleared the launch tube), the ESAF initiates a second arming signal to fire the flight motor. After another check on missile conditions (target lock check), ESAF initiates final arming to enable the warheads for detonation upon target impact. When the missile strikes the target, ESAF enables the tandem warhead function (provide appropriate time between the detonation of the precursor charge and the detonation of the main charge).

Most rocket launchers require a large clear area behind the gunner to prevent injury from backblast, and thus cannot be fired from within a building. To address this shortcoming without increasing recoil to an unacceptable level, the Javelin system uses a soft launch mechanism. A launch motor using conventional rocket propellant ejects the missile from the launcher, but stops burning before the missile clears the tube. The flight motor is ignited only after a delay to allow for sufficient clearance from the operator. To save weight, the two motors are integrated together with a burst disc between them; it is designed to tolerate the pressure of the launch motor from one side, but to easily rupture from the other when the flight motor ignites. Both motors use a common nozzle, with the flight motor's exhaust flowing through the expended launch motor. Because the launch motor casing remains in place, an unusual annular (ring-shaped) igniter is used to start it; a normal igniter would be blown out the back of the missile when the flight motor ignited and could injure the operator.
In the event that the launch motor malfunctions and the launch tube is overpressurized -- for example, if the rocket gets stuck -- the Javelin missile includes a pressure release system to prevent the launcher from exploding. The launch motor is held in place by a set of shear pins, which fracture if the pressure rises too high and allow the motor to be pushed out the back of the
Seeker
As a fire-and-forget missile, after launch the missile has to be able to track and destroy its target without the gunner. This is done by coupling an onboard imaging IR system (different from CLU imaging system) with an onboard tracking system.
The gunner uses the CLU’s IR system to find and identify the target then switches to the missile’s independent IR system to set a track box around the target and establish a lock. The gunner places brackets around the image for locking.
The seeker stays focused on the target’s image continuing to recognize as the target moves or the missile’s flight path alters or as attack angles change. The seeker has three main components: 1) focal plane array (FPA); 2) cooling and calibration; and 3) stabilization.
1) Focal plane array (FPA) - The seeker assembly is encased in a dome which is transparent to the FPA long-wave infrared radiation. The IR radiation passes through the dome and then through lenses that focus the energy. The IR energy is reflected by mirrors on to the FPA. The seeker is a two-dimensional staring FPA of 64x64 MerCad (HgCdTe) detector elements [6]. The FPA processes the signals from the detectors and relays a signal to the missile’s tracker.
The staring array is a photo-capacitive device where the incident photons stimulate electrons and are stored in the detector as an accumulated charge. The electrons are discharged, pixel by pixel, as currents to a readout integrated circuits attached at the rear of the detector. A better photovoltaic mechanism in which a voltage signal is developed directly from the impact of the photons and charge storage is done in the readout rather than in the detector material.
2) Cooling/Calibration - The FPA must be cooled and calibrated. The CLU’s IR detectors are cooled using a Dewar flask and a closed-cycle Stirling engine. But in the missile there is not sufficient room. So prior to launch, a cooler mounted on the outside of the launch tube activates the electrical systems in the missile and supplies cold gas from a Joule-Thompson expander to the missile detector assembly while the missile is still in the launch tube. When the missile is fired this external connection is broken and coolant gas is supplied internally by an onboard argon gas bottle. The gas is held in a small bottle at high pressure and contains enough coolant for the duration of the flight of approximately 19 seconds.
The seeker is calibrated using a chopper wheel. This device is a fan of 6 blades: 5 black blades with very low IR emissivity and one semi-reflective blade. These blades spin in front of the seeker optics in a synchronized fashion such that the FPA is continually provided with points of reference in addition to viewing the scene. These reference points allow the FPA to reduce noise introduced by response variations in the detector elements.
3) Stabilization - The platform on which the seeker is mounted must be stabilized with respect to the motion of the missile body and the seeker must be moved to stay aligned with the target. The stabilization system must cope with rapid acceleration, up/down and lateral movements. This is done by a gimbal system, accelerometers, spinning mass gyros (or MEMS), and motors to drive changes in position of the platform. The system is basically an autopilot. Information from the gyros is fed to the guidance electronics which drive a torque motor attached to the seeker platform to keep the seeker aligned with the target. The wires that connect the seeker with the rest of the missile have no friction to keep the seeker platform balanced.
Tracker
The tracker is key to guidance/control for an eventual hit. The signals from each of the 4,096 detector elements in the seeker are passed to the FPA readout integrated circuits which reads then creates a video frame that is sent to the tracker system for processing. By comparing the individual frames the tracker determines the need to correct so as to keep the missile on target. The tracker must be able to determine which portion of the image represents the target. The target is initially defined by the gunner who places a configurable frame around it. The tracker then uses algorithms to compare that region of the frame based on image, geometric, and movement data to the new image frames being sent from the seeker, similar to pattern recognition algorithms. At the end of each frame the reference is updated. The tracker is able to keep track of the target even though the seeker’s point of view can change radically in the course of flight.
To guide the missile the tracker locates the target in the current frame and compares this position with the aim point. If this position is off center the tracker computes a correction and passes it to the guidance system which makes the appropriate adjustments to the four moveable tail fins, as well as six fixed wings at mid-body. This is an autopilot. To guide the missile the system has sensors that check that the fins are positioned as requested. If not, the deviation is sent back to the controller for further adjustment. This is a closed-loop controller.
There are three stages in the flight managed by the tracker: 1) an initial phase just after launch; 2) a mid-flight phase that lasts for most of the flight; and 3) a terminal phase in which the tracker selects the sweet spot for the point of impact. With guidance algorithms, the autopilot uses data from the seeker and tracker to determine when to transition the missile from one phase of flight to another. Depending on whether the missile is in top attack or direct attack mode, the profile of the flight can change significantly. The top attack mode requires the missile to climb sharply after launch and cruise at high altitude then dive on the top of the target (curveball). In direct attack mode (fastball), the missile cruises at a lower altitude directly at target. The exact flight path which takes into account the range to the target is calculated by the guidance unit.

SUKHOI-30MKI

Development History
The Su-30 MKI is essentially a customized version of the Su-27 PU (NATO codename: Flanker) that is being built according to Indian specifications. In the abbreviation MKI, the M stands for Modernized, the K for Commercial and the I for Indiski (India). This is probably the first ever time that the Russian aircraft industry has embarked upon manufacturing a combat aircraft specifically designed according to the specifications given by a foreign customer country. Notwithstanding the fact that the basic aircraft design including the airframe, the powerplant and some of the weapons will remain of Russian make, the incorporation of Western avionics equipment on the aircraft is actually an outcome of the realization by the Indian Air Force that Russian technology is lagging far behind that available to it from some of the western countries such as France. It is also possible that the Indians will capitalize on their improving relationship with Israel and involve some of the frontline Israeli aviation technology firms in provisioning of the avionics equipment for these aircraft. As such, in electronic equipment terms, the aircraft will at best be a hybrid between Russian and Western technology with the associated integration difficulties having to be catered for and overcome. Since integration is a time consuming and complicated process, it is understandable that the project might suffer from certain unavoidable time delays - something that is already becoming a source of worry and concern for the Indian Air Force.
The IAF compared the Su-30 MKI against the French Mirage 2000-5 and reportedly opted for the former primarily because of economic reasons since the Russian aircraft was appreciably cheaper and as such the number that could be acquired would be substantially larger. This option was resorted to by the IAF despite the fact that it already is operating the Mirage 2000 aircraft and inducting more of the same would have been significantly more economical in logistic, operational and maintenance terms.
As with most Indian defence deals, the Su-30 MKI deal also took a long time before being finalized. Following the initial evaluation of the Su-27 aircraft by the IAF in 1994 in Russia1, the contract for the initial batch of 40 aircraft was signed in 1996 with the aircraft scheduled to be delivered in progressively improved batches from 1997 to 2000. Subsequently, in 1998, the size of the Indian order was increased by another 10 aircraft.2
As the Indians had done with some of their previous aircraft acquisitions, such as the Anglo-Fresh Jaguar, the imperative of saving costs while ensuring that the substantial Indian aviation industry remained involved actively, the Indian Government decided to ask Russia for complete transfer of technology so that subsequent manufacture of the Su-30MKI could be undertaken indigenously in India. This proposal led to the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Russia and India for the acquisition of an additional number of 140
Su-30 MKI aircraft that were to be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The immense size of the programme and the large quantum of aircraft involved meant that this project would be completed by the year 20173. Interestingly, the news report in November 2003 that reported the above news also stated that the Indians were continuing negotiations with the French for transfer of technology pertaining to the Mirage 2000 aircraft.4
The simultaneous Indian endeavour to negotiate for transfer of technology for both, the Su-30 MKI and the Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft is significant and has probably come about because of the one or more of the following reasons:-
Having been confronted with a serious setback as regards the logistical support for their predominantly Soviet military aircraft inventory, the Indian Government in general and the IAF in particular had realized that they could not afford to put all their eggs in the same basket. This required increasing the diversity of sources from which they were acquiring military wherewithal. The IAF has traditionally been operating combat aircraft of Soviet origin since the early 1970s when it first inducted the MiG-21 Fishbed series of fighter aircraft. Subsequently, the IAF went on to become the largest operator of Soviet origin aircraft outside the USSR when it also acquired the MiG-23, the MiG-25, the MiG-27, the MiG-29 and finally the Su-30 MKI. In the immediate aftermath of the demise of the erstwhile USSR, the IAF faced a major problem in getting spare parts and logistical support for its Soviet origin aircraft since Russia did not possess all the manufacturing establishments for these aircraft and some were located in the newly independent Commonwealth of Independent States. This stoppage in the supply of essential parts created a major problem in maintainability for the IAF and is probably one of the major reasons for it to start thinking in terms of diversifying its sources of equipment procurement.
Although the Indian aviation industry is fairly well-established and is capable of assembling modern combat aircraft, its capability to design and manufacture a modern combat aircraft has become seriously questionable after the experience of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) which is still to materialize and according to some sources, is likely to be scrapped and never built in substantial numbers. Being focussed entirely on the LCA for decades, the Indian aviation industry was confronted with stagnation as regards its technological expertise and needed a major shot in the arm. The deals to transfer technology from the West and also from Russia could provide a kick-start to the Indian aviation industry.
India sees her emerging role as a regional/global power of consequence very seriously and wants to assert that her military potential is in accordance with her perceived power potential and clout. This could explain the decision to go in for such a large number of Su-30 MKI aircraft.
In line with her enhanced regional role and to substantiate her growing strategic alliance with the United States, India finds it imperative to evolve from a regionally limited and confined South Asian power to a Southern Asian one with a wider power spread and perspective. This is a fall-out of the implicit albeit unsaid requirement for the US to promote India as a counterweight to emerging China which is increasing her influence in Asia steadily and also has strong ties with Pakistan. Interestingly, the long range and radius of action of the Su-30 MKI is an absolute non-requirement when Pakistan is considered as the adversary since this aircraft is capable of virtually crossing the entire width of the territorial expanse of Pakistan and go even beyond. There is an obvious implied meaning in acquiring such a long-range capability when one considers that this aircraft would be capable of reaching targets well inside mainland China. The IAF does not need such a long reach aircraft against any regional threat but could possibly need it when operating in the extra-regional context.
India has gained tremendously in economic strength over the past decade and one of the first sectors in which increased national wealth becomes evident is defence. This could explain India's substantial increases in defence budget over the past few years even though that of neighbouring Pakistan has remained virtually stagnant or as some reports suggest, has actually reduced in view of the inflation.
When considered along with the yet unpublicized Indian quest for leasing a limited number of Tupolev
Tu-22 Blinder supersonic strategic bomber aircraft, one is led to the conclusion that the IAF has embarked on a plan to transform itself from a purely tactical air force to one that has significant strategic potential.
Deliveries of Su-30 to India
As stated earlier, most Russian weapon system deliveries to India in the recent past have all been delayed and the Su-30 aircraft were no exception to this rule. It was not until the middle of 2002, at the height of its military stand-off with Pakistan that the first Su-30 aircraft reached the IAF base at Lohegaon in Pune. In fact the issue gained prominence when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Indian Parliament Lok Sabha expressed concern at the delay in the delivery of Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI-2 and Su-30 MKI-3) aircraft and criticised the Defence Ministry for not furnishing the current status of the envisaged upgradation of these aircraft to the desired multi-role version.5 This led to the first two IAF Squadrons, No 24 (Hunting Hawks) and No 20 (Lightnings), being earmarked to receive and induct the new weapon system. Though subsequent deliveries have continued in small batches, none of the aircraft received by the IAF meet the complete specifications of the Su-MKI as stipulated by the IAF and some modifications still have to be incorporated on these aircraft.
The report of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee cited above went on to say that “As per the revised delivery schedule effected in February 2001, 10 fully upgraded multi-role aircraft [Su-30 MKI-3] were expected to be made available between July and December 2003 and 22 partially upgraded aircraft, including ten aircraft in Phase I and twelve in Phase II were to be delivered at the latest by June 2002 and June 2003 respectively. As against this, only 10 Su-30 MKI-1 aircraft were received and inducted into the Indian Air Force in September 2002.” According to the report, these delays have already caused an increase of
Rs 546 crores in the project cost which was earlier valued at
Rs 6310 crores, due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.6

Su-30/Su-30MK will be powered by 2 x Al-31F turbofan engines with each rates at 27,500 lbs of thrust at maximum after-burner setting, the Su-30 MKI aircraft will have the Al-31FP engines which have a maximum power rating of 29,500 lbs. Additionally, these engines will be equipped with thrust vectoring nozzles (TVNs) which will aid immensely in enhancing the manoeuvring potential of the aircraft. These nozzles will be capable of deflecting 32 degrees in the horizontal plane and 15 degrees in the vertical plane.
The engines reportedly have an MTBO of around 1000 hours, while the TVNs will have an MTBO of around 250 hours.
Apart from being refuelled in flight by a tanker aircraft, the
Su 30 MKIs also can use the
Mk 32.B buddy-buddy refuelling pods for providing fuel to each other during flight.
Cockpit. Both the aircrew are provided with a modern zero-zero ejection seat with the rear occupant's seat being slightly raised for improved visibility. Like the US F-16 aircraft, the seats of the
Su-30 MKI are also inclined rearwards at an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical.
The six liquid crystal displays (LCDs) installed in the cockpit have been provided by Sextant Avionique of France. The same company is responsible for providing the six Multi-Function Displays (MFDs), the Totem INS system with GPS technology and the VEH-3000 holographic Heads-Up Display (HUD).
The pilot will also have the Gzarkhov 45A HMS (Helmet Mounted Sight) unit, which can guide the R 73s and the R60 MK air-to-air missiles.
Airframe. The Su 30 MKI is a twin-finned aircraft. The airframe is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The engine nacelles are fitted with trouser fairings to provide a continuous streamlined profile between the nacelles and the tail beams. The central beam section between the engine nacelles contains the equipment compartment, fuel tank and the brake parachute container. The fuselage head is of semi-monocoque construction and includes the cockpit, radar compartments and the avionics bay.
Su 30 MKIs also have a high percentage of composites used in the air-frame. Stability and control are assured by a digital Fly-by-Wire (FBW) system and the prominent canard notably assists in controlling the aircraft at large angles of attack (AoA) and bringing it to a level flight condition.
Su-30 MKI Avionics Suite
The N011-M Bars Radar for the Su 30 MKI is a phased array system with a powerful processor and multiple targets track capability using NCTR7 methods.

Radar System. The avionics package of the Su-30 MKI is based around the N1011M phased array radar which is the main sensor of the aircraft. Capable of operating in the 'I' and 'D' bands, this multi-mode radar is capable of detecting fighter-sized targets at ranges as far as 150-160 kms with the capability of tracking 20 targets simultaneously and engaging eight out of these. In the air-to-ground functioning mode, the radar can provide modes like ground-mapping, terrain-following and terrain-avoidance. In the air-to-surface function, the radar is capable of acquiring large-sized ground targets at ranges upto 400 kms and smaller targets of the size of a typical tank at ranges between 40 and 50 kms.
Radar Modes. The radar has the following modes of functioning in the air-to-air and the air-to-ground / air-to-sea roles:
• Air-to-Air Role Air-to-Ground Role Air-to-Sea Role
• Velocity search Real Beam Mapping Sea surface search
• Range while search Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS) mapping Moving sea targets selection
• Track while scan Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Mapping Tracking and measuring of sea target coordinates
• Target Identification (ID) Moving ground target selection Sea target ID
• Close Combat Tracking and measurement of ground
• target co-ordinates
Radar Specifications
• Operating Band X and L bands (NATO 'I' and 'D' bands)
• Antenna diameter 1 metre
• Antenna Gain 36dB
• Main side lobe level -25 dB
• Average side lobe level -48 dB
• Beam Width 2.4 degrees (12 different beam shapes)
• Antenna weight 100-110 kgs
• Scan mechanism Mechanical and electronic
The radar reportedly uses an Indian developed Radar Controller that was an outcome of the Project Vetrivale which also developed the mission computer and the display processors for the aircraft. Another distinctive feature of the radar is that the aircraft equipped with it can act as a sort of a command post for other interceptor aircraft. In this function, the target co-ordinates and other associated data can be automatically transferred to four other interceptor aircraft using a secure data link. When employed in a dense aerial environment along with other interceptors, this mode can be of significant help.
Electro-Optic (EO) Surveillance and Targeting System. The Su-30 MKI is planned to be fitted with an EO surveillance and targeting system made up of three component sub-systems: an infra-red (IR) direction finder, a laser range finder and a helmet-mounted sighting system. Designated the OLS-30M, this Russian developed system reportedly has a range of 90 kms when pursuing a target and 40 kms when approaching it head-on.
Communications Equipment. The communications equipment comprises VHF and HF radio sets, a secured digital telecommunications system, and antenna-feeder assembly. It mounts an automatic noise-proof target data exchange system, which provides for coordination of the actions of several fighter aircraft engaged in a group air combat. It is reportedly being developed as part of the INCOM project by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Self-Defence Suite. The self-defence suite incorporates a newly developed accurate Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), called the Tarang Mk. II. The Su 30 MKI incorporates a number of chaff/flare dispensers and active jammers. The Tarang system is a modified version of the similar system that was earlier installed on the MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF. It has also been developed under project Vetrivale.
Probable Employment of Su-30 MKI by IAF8
As the preceding text of this article has highlighted, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is a formidable aerial combat platform, its flexibility being evident from the large variety of weapons that it can carry and its impressive performance characteristics. A look at its design and performance attributes also indicates that the aircraft can be employed effectively across a wide spectrum of air operations stretching from the tactical end of the spectrum to the strategic end.
The envisaged employment of the Su-30 MKI by the IAF that I have worked out takes into consideration various factors including the expected opposition from the PAF, the remaining assets that the IAF possesses and the very nature of the war that India and Pakistan are engaged in.

Employment Considerations. In my opinion the following considerations should govern the IAF's employment of the Su-30 MKI against Pakistan:
Being a prime symbol of its inventory, the Su-30 MKI will be employed by the IAF in a careful, albeit not necessarily a cautious manner.
Roles and functions that can effectively be undertaken by other aircraft available in the IAF inventory will not be assigned to the Su-30 MKI. I do not envisage the Su-30 MKI being employed in conventional offensive strikes since these could be undertaken suitably by other IAF aircraft. In the offensive realm, it could still however be employed for strikes against Pakistani targets located in such depth that places them beyond the effective radii of action of the other offensive aircraft of the IAF.
Being a very potent platform, the Su-30 MKI's employment will be governed by the criticality of the situation. It would be employed for maximum effect and in critical scenarios.
The Su-30 MKI will be employed where its distinctive performance characteristics including reach can have a decisive influence on the outcome of the battle/war. In my opinion, other than strikes aimed at creating a strategic effect, this aircraft would be best employed in the campaign for the achievement of air superiority over the PAF in conjunction with the Phalcon AEW aircraft.
The Su-30 MKI's employment will aim to achieve strategic rather than tactical effects and it will essentially be employed for strategic purposes - functions and roles that are beyond the capability of the other aircraft in the IAF inventory. This aircraft enables the IAF to plan for achieving strategic effects even without resorting to nuclear weapons since its phenomenal reach bestows upon it the capability to undertake operations designed for strategic effect even with just conventional weapons.
Although the Su-30 MKI is an effective ground attack platform, I do not foresee its employment in the Offensive Air Support (OAS) role unless it is absolutely critical and unavoidable. Other than very limited usage against the Pakistan Navy if and when the situation arises, I foresee that the focus of the Su-30 MKI would essentially revolve around the Pakistan Air Force assets being its prime target. It is a very effective air-to-air platform and the IAF will primarily employ it as a means of decisively winning the air war against the PAF. It is by pursuing this employment strategy that the IAF can accrue the maximum benefits out of its Su-30 MKI fleet.
Conclusion
When I embarked on writing this article and all the while that I was involved in completing it, I kept the three basic questions that I set out in the beginning of this article, in mind; What is the Su-30 MKI capable of doing? What are the factors that contributed to the IAF acquiring this aircraft? How is the IAF likely to employ this weapon system in any future war against Pakistan?
The theme of this article must be taken in the correct spirit in which it was written. I am a firm believer in the saying that 'forewarned is forearmed' and as such the purpose of this article is not to paint a gloomy or scary picture but rather to acquaint my readers with the facts that I could lay my hands on from a variety of open sources including printed material as well as the internet.
If after reading this article, some minds are agitated and start thinking on counters to the IAF's Su-30 MKI fleet, I feel that the purpose of writing this article would have been more than fulfilled from my perspective. In order to effectively counter any threat, one must first know as much as possible about it so that an effective and workable counter-strategy can then be devised and subsequently implemented, with a high degree of success.

AKASH AIR DEFENCE MISSILE SYSTEM

Akash (meaning Sky) is a medium range surface-to-air missile developed as part of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program to achieve self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles. It is the most expensive missile project ever undertaken by the Union government in the 20th century. Development costs skyrocketed to almost $120 million which is far more than other similar systems.
Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile with an intercept range of 30 km. It has a launch weight of 720 kg, a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.8 metres. Akash flies at supersonic speed, reaching around Mach 2.5. It can reach an altitude of 18 km. A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55 kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated. It is propelled by a solid fuelled booster stage. The missile has a terminal guidance system capable of working through electronic countermeasures. The entire Akash SAM system allows for attacking multiple targets (up to 4 per Battery). The Akash missile's use of ramjet propulsion system allows it to maintain its speed without deceleration, unlike the Patriot missiles. The missile is supported by a multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called the 'Rajendra' with a range of about 80 km in search, and 60 km in terms of engagement.
The missile is completely guided by the Radar, without any active guidance of its own. This allows it greater capability against jamming as the aircraft self protection jammer would have to work against the high power Rajendra, and the aircraft being attacked is not alerted by any terminal seeker on the Akash itself.
Design of the missile is similar to that of the SA-6 with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid-body between wings. For pitch/yaw control four clipped triangular moving wings are mounted on mid-body. For roll control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted before the tail. However, internal schema shows a completely modernised layout, including an Onboard computer with special optimized trajectories, and an all digital Proximity fuse.
The Akash system meant for the Army uses the T-72 tank chassis for its launcher and radar vehicles. The Rajendra derivative for the Army is called the Battery Level Radar-III. The Air Force version uses an Ashok Leyland truck platform to tow the missile launcher, while the Radar is on a BMP-2 chassis and is called the Battery Level Radar-II. In either case, the launchers carry three ready-to-fire Akash missiles each. The launchers are automated, autonomous and networked to a command post and the guidance radar. They are slewable in azimuth and elevation. The Akash system can be deployed by rail, road or air.
The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997.
The IAF has initiated the process to induct the Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles developed as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Multiple target handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in a C4I environment during the trials. Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005 itself. The Akash System's 3-D central acquisition radar (3-D car) group mode performance was then fully established
In December,2007 Indian Air Force completed user trials for the Akash missile system. The trials, which were spread over ten days were successful and the missile hit its target on all five occasions. Before the ten day trial at Chandipur, the Akash system's ECCM Evaluation tests were carried out at Gwalior Air force base while mobility trials for the system vehicles were carried out at Pokhran. The IAF had evolved the user Trial Directive to verify the Akash's consistency in engaging targets. The following trials were conducted: Against low flying near range target, long range high altitude target, crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low altitude receding targetFollowing this, the IAF declared that it would initiate the induction of 2 squadrons strength (each squadron with 2 batteries) of this missile system, to begin with. Once deliveries are complete, further orders would be placed to replace retiring SA-3 GOA (Pechora) SAM systems.