Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar: Difference between revisions

{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}

'''Swordfish''' is an Indian [[active electronically scanned array]] (AESA)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=2019-04-22|title=India completes phase one of ballistic missile defence programme, nod for missiles awaited|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-completes-phase-one-of-ballistic-missile-defence-programme-nod-for-missiles-awaited/224959/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Technologies {{!}} Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-establishment/technologies/electronics-radar-development-establishment-lrde|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-29|website=}}</ref> long-range tracking radar specifically developed to [[missile defense|counter ballistic missile threat]]. It will be a part of the [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme]]. First testing of this radar was in March 2009. Main aim of the test was to validate the capabilities of the ''Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar'' (LRTR). "The missile to be hit will be fired from a longer distance than it was in the earlier test. [[DRDO]] tested whether the radar could track the incoming missile from that distance or not," said a member of the project. This radar is an acknowledged derivative of the Israeli [[EL/M-2080 Green Pine]] long range radar, which is the critical component of that country's Arrow missile defence system.<ref name="domain-b1">{{cite web|url=http://www.domain-b.com/aero/mil_avi/miss_muni/20090306_successful_missile.html |title='Swordfish' radar with successful missile defence test |publisher=Domain-b.com |date=2009-03-06 |access-date=2011-01-24}}</ref> However, it differs from the Israeli system as it employs Indian Transmit Receive modules, signal processing, computers and power supplies. It is also more powerful than the base Green Pine system and was developed to meet India's specific BMD needs.

[[Indian Armed Forces|Indian armed forces]] acquired two Green Pine long range base variant radar from Israel in July 2002 and August 2005 since USA vetoed the complete sale of [[Arrow (Israeli missile)|Arrow 2]] [[missile defense]] system in 1999 due to violation of [[Missile Technology Control Regime]] (MTCR) which India at that time was not a participating member state.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-30|title=Why Do We Need 'Super'-Swordfish Radar?|url=https://defenceupdate.in/why-do-we-need-super-swordfish-radar/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Indian Defence News|language=en-US}}</ref> From March 2009, DRDO started validation trials for its own long-range capabilities of Swordfish radar.<ref name="domain-b1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=DRDO Ballistic Missile Defence System|url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/drdo-bmd/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Army Technology}}</ref> More tests were conducted in 2009 to enhance the capabilities of [[Advanced Air Defence]] (AAD) endo-atmospheric missile to intercept incoming missiles at altitudes up to 15&nbsp;km. If no issues crop up, then the tentative date for deployment is 2015. As of January 2019, Swordfish was able to detect over 10 successful missile interceptions that includes two exo-atmospheric hit-to-kill missions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=SV|first=Vikas|date=2019-01-08|title=Swordfish radar: Key to India's multi-layered air defence system|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/swordfish-radar-key-india-s-multilayered-air-defence-system-2833294.html|access-date=2020-03-24|website=One India|language=en}}</ref>

=== Variant ===

A new upgraded 1,500 km range ''Super Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar'' is under development by the [[Electronics and Radar Development Establishment]] (LRDE) from 2011 in view of [[multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle]] (MIRV) development taking place in China and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=9 March 2009|title=DRDO claims to better US, Russian missile defence|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/drdo-claims-to-better-us-russias-missile-defence/story-OydfKeGAXyUKyM4BiBBryI.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Richardson|first=Jack|date=2020-06-01|title=India Ready to Install Ballistic Missile Defence|url=https://euro-sd.com/2020/06/news/17401/india-ready-to-install-ballistic-missile-defence/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=European Security & Defence|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan gets powerful missile tracking system from China: Report|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-sells-pakistan-sensitive-missile-technology/articleshow/63415007.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Syed|first=Shoaib Hasan|date=2010-12-01|title=Pakistan's growing nuclear programme|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11888973|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Keck|first=Zachary|date=2018-03-09|title=Pakistan Has Just Tested the Ultimate Nuclear Missile|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/pakistan-has-just-tested-the-ultimate-nuclear-missile-24834|access-date=2021-03-29|website=The National Interest|language=en}}</ref> ISRO is already using an [[L band]] AESA radar called [[Indian_Space_Research_Organisation#Directorate_of_Space_Situational_Awareness_and_Management|Multi Object Tracking Radar]] (MOTR) which is based on the same technology with fixed horizontal and vertical angle rotating at 360°. It is capable of tracking 0.25 m² object at 1,000 km and 0.09 m² at 800 km of [[Low Earth orbit|Low Earth Orbit]] (LEO). Astra Microwave developed the antenna, transmit and receive (T/R) module and [[DC-to-DC converter]]. NS Engineering created the cooling system and mechanical structure. Cape Electronics developed the power distribution system.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2015-05-15|title=ISRO to launch first indigenous multi-object tracking radar in 3-5 months|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/isro-to-launch-first-indigenous-multi-object-tracking-radar-in-3-5-months-115051500868_1.html|access-date=2021-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pathri|first=Rajasekhar|date=2015-05-16|title=Isro’s tracking radar to start work|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150516/nation-current-affairs/article/isro%E2%80%99s-tracking-radar-start-work|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>

 

The upgraded Super Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar was raised in 2017 for [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme]] and is now operational.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Peerzada|first=Abrar|date=3 December 2009|title=Major defence deals up for grabs|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/major-defence-deals-up-for-grabs/articleshow/5294065.cms|access-date=2021-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Major Achievements from 2014 to 2018|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/4YearsOfNDA/Comprehensive-Materials/defence.pdf|access-date=30 September 2021|website=Press Information Bureau|publisher=Ministry of Defence, Government of India}}</ref>

* Can Guide Exo-atmospheric interceptor missile PAD to hit its target in space at an altitude over 80&nbsp;km from earth.

* The Swordfish LRTR currently has a range of {{convert|600|km|abbr=on}}-{{convert|800|km|abbr=on}} km range and can spot objects as small as a [[cricket ball]] (3-inches in diameter), which the DRDO is in the process of upgrading it to 1,500&nbsp;km as of 2012.<ref name="IT">{{cite news|title=India has all the building blocks for an anti-satellite capability|newspaper=IT|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/agni-v-drdo-chief-dr-vijay-kumar-saraswat-interview/1/186248.html|access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Phase One of Indian BMD programme on track for completion by 2011|url=http://www.domain-b.com/aero/mil_avi/miss_muni/20090310_drdo.html|access-date=2011-01-24|publisher=Domain-b.com}}</ref><ref name="et">{{cite news|date=2009-12-03|title=Major defence deals up for grabs|work=The Times Of India|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Major-defence-deals-up-for-grabs/articleshow/5294065.cms}}</ref> These may end up as entirely new designs as well.