Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar

Swordfish is an Indian active electronically scanned array (AESA) long-range tracking radar specifically developed to 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 Green Pine long range radar, which is the critical component of that country's Arrow missile defence system.[1] 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.

Swordfish
Country of originIndia
ManufacturerBharat Electronics Limited
Electronics and Radar Development Establishment
Introduced2009
Range600 km (370 mi) to 800 km (500 mi).
Upgraded to 1,500 km (930 mi)

Capabilities
  • Target acquisition and fire control radar for the BMD system.
  • Can Guide Exo-atmospheric interceptor missile PAD to hit its target in space at an altitude over 80 km from earth.
  • It can detect and track 200 targets simultaneously travelling at a speed of over Mach 12.[2][3]
  • The Swordfish LRTR currently has a range of 600 km (370 mi)-800 km (500 mi) 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 km as of 2012.[4][5][6] These may end up as entirely new designs as well.

Development

In March 2009, India DRDO tested long-range capabilities of its Swordfish radar.[1] More tests were conducted in 2009 to enhance the capabilities of AAD endo-atmospheric missile to intercept missiles at altitudes up to 15 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.[2]

References
  1. "'Swordfish' radar with successful missile defence test". Domain-b.com. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  2. SV, Vikas (8 January 2019). "Swordfish radar: Key to India's multi-layered air defence system". One India. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  3. Roblin, Sebastien (15 October 2017). "Get Ready, Pakistan: India Is Developing Its Own Missile-Defense Shield". The National Interest. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  4. "India has all the building blocks for an anti-satellite capability". IT. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. "Phase One of Indian BMD programme on track for completion by 2011". Domain-b.com. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  6. "Major defence deals up for grabs". The Times Of India. 3 December 2009.
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