The Indian organization DRDO has confirmed the existence of the Virupaksha program. This ambitious project aims to upgrade Su-30MKI fighters by installing modern radars equipped with AFAR technology. As explained in the DRDO manual, the new radar is expected to have advanced capabilities, simultaneously performing aerial surveillance, targeting, and weapon control.
One of the most notable features of the project is the developers’ intention to use an antenna positioner in the radar’s operation. This mechanical device will allow the antenna to change position, directing it both in elevation and azimuth planes, significantly expanding the aircraft’s field of view. This will greatly enhance the overall performance and versatility of the radar.
Technically, the concept of AFAR (Antenna à Faisceau à Antenne Réseau), or Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) in English, is an advanced radar technology that offers numerous improvements over traditional mechanically scanned radars. The term “variable-position antenna” refers to the capability of these radars to electronically steer their radio wave beams without physically moving the antenna.
An AFAR radar consists of thousands of small transmitter/receiver modules, often called “T/R modules” (Transmission/Reception). Unlike traditional radars that use a single transmitter and receiver to emit a wide beam and scan the space, each T/R module in an AFAR system can independently emit and receive signals. These modules are organized in arrays, allowing for the creation of highly precise beams that can be quickly directed in different directions.