Central acquisition radar (3D-CAR) explained

The central acquisition radar (3D-CAR) is a 3D radar developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for use with Akash Surface-to-air missiles and is capable of tracking 150 targets.^[2]

Details

The central acquisition radar (CAR) is a long-range high-resolution 3D surveillance radar. The entral acquisition radar was designed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a DRDO laboratory, and is produced by a joint venture between BEL, Larsen & Toubro, Astra Microwave and Entec. The radar employs a planar array antenna and provides simultaneous multi-beam coverage. It can handle 200 targets in track while scan mode and has a range of more than 150 km and up to 18 km altitude.

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 more than 200 km
• Covers elevation of 18 km in height
• High-altitude deployability
• Deployment in less than 20 minutes
• 150 Targets in TWS
• Array of ECCM features
• Integrated IFF
• Capable of detecting low-altitude targets, and also supersonic aircraft flying at over Mach 3 speed
• Frequency agility and jammer analysis

Variants

DRDO has further developed its into three variants which are:

RohiniThe 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).^[3]

RevathiRevathi is the ship-borne secondary surveillance radar especially designed for the navy to search the air and sea target. The radar can auto track up to 150 targets including tracking. There are three Antenna Rotation Rates (ARR) of 6, 12, 24 RPMs. The radar has ECCM features.^{[4] [5]}
Revathi radar is used to equip the 4 Kamorta-class corvettes.

3D TCRIt has been developed for Indian Army,^[6] 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. It is currently in service.

Current status

BEL anticipates a requirement for 100 Rohini radars. BEL delivered the first ROHINI to the Indian Air Force on August 6, 2008. Around 20 radars can be manufactured annually.^[7]

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.

Additional orders are also expected from the Indian Army if they order the Akash (missile) system.

As of 2022 the Sri Lanka Air Force is planning to purchase of two Rohini Radar systems.^[8]

Armenia placed an order for 15 Akash missile system for an order of . The delivery of the system is expected to take begin from Q2 2024.^{[9] [10] [11]}

Myanmar Navy's frigate Sin Phyu Shin (F14) was spotted with the Revathi radar during Milan 2024 naval exercise.

Operators

• India
  • Indian Air Force
  • Indian Army
  • Indian Navy
    • • • • • • • • (decommissioned)
              • Myanmar
  • Myanmar Navy
    • • Armenia
  • Armenian Armed Forces — Armenia acquired 15 Akash Air Defence System from Bharat Dynamics Limited, with the transaction estimated to be valued at .^{[10] [11]}
• Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka Air Force^[8]

External links

• 3D Surveillance Radar for Air Defense - Rohini http://www.bel-india.in/Products.aspx?MId=13&LId=1&link=59
• 3D Tactical Control radar http://www.bel-india.in/Products.aspx?MId=13&LId=1&link=59
• 3D Naval Surveillance radar - Revathi http://www.bel-india.in/Products.aspx?MId=13&LId=1&link=69

Notes and References

1. Web site: Raksha Mantri to commission 'INS Kamorta'. 20 Aug 2014 . Indian Navy.
2. Web site: 12 March 2024 . Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System . 2024-10-02 . Airforce Technology . en-US.
3. News: Rohini . Deagel. 20 July 2021 .
4. News: 3D Surveillance Radar for Indian Navy -Revathi . DRDO . . 20 July 2021 .
5. News: Revathi Radar . DRDO . New Delhi . 20 July 2021 . 27 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210827120516/http://14.143.90.243/drdoaudit/revathi-radar . dead .
6. News: 3D Central Acquisition Radar . India Science and Technology . 19 July 2021 .
7. http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=41106 BEL Hands Over State of The Art ‘Rohini’ Radar to IAF
8. Web site: Annual Performance Report for the year 2022 Sri Lanka Air Force . parliament.lk . Parliament of Sri Lanka . 25 October 2023.
9. News: Rath . Anuvesh . Indian defence triumph: Bharat Dynamics secures major deal from Armenia amidst global achievements, say sources . 19 December 2023 . Zee Business . 18 December 2023.
10. News: Dubey . Ajit . 19 December 2023 . After Armenia order, Philippines, Brazil, Egypt showing interest in Akash air defence missile system . ANI . 19 December 2023.
11. Web site: India to Export Air Defence System to Armenia. Pubby. Manu. Economic Times. 2023-12-20.