Skip to main content

Scenarios of AESA Radar Usage in Air Combat

 

Introduction

AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar technology has revolutionized air combat by offering superior detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities over older mechanically scanned radars. These radars are now standard in most modern fighter aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and J-20. This article explores real-world and hypothetical scenarios where AESA radar plays a pivotal role in air combat operations.

1. Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) Engagement

Scenario: Two opposing fighter jets—an F-35 and a legacy fourth-generation MiG-29—are flying in contested airspace. The F-35 uses its AN/APG-81 AESA radar to detect the MiG-29 at over 100 km, while remaining undetected due to its stealth features and low-probability-of-intercept radar emissions.


AESA Role:

  • Tracks multiple targets simultaneously.

  • Provides range, speed, and heading to cue long-range missiles like the AIM-120D AMRAAM.

  • Engages without visual contact, achieving a kill before the opponent is even aware.

2. Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM)

Scenario: A hostile aircraft uses radar jamming pods (e.g., ALQ-99) to disrupt friendly radar systems.

AESA Role:

  • Its frequency agility and beam steering capabilities allow it to "burn through" jamming.

  • Quickly switches frequencies to maintain lock on targets.

  • Retains tracking capability in dense electronic warfare (EW) environments.


Example: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with its AN/APG-79 AESA radar, maintains radar contact even under heavy jamming.

3. Multiple Target Tracking and Engagement

Scenario: A Rafale confronts a mixed formation of drones and fighters approaching a defensive airspace.

AESA Role:

  • Tracks up to 40–60 targets at once (depending on radar model).

  • Can guide multiple missiles in-flight via Track-While-Scan (TWS) mode.

  • Increases kill probability by engaging threats in succession without interrupting surveillance.


Example: Rafale’s RBE2-AA AESA radar scans the airspace, prioritizes targets, and engages drones and fighters simultaneously.

4. Low-Observable or Stealth Aircraft Detection

Scenario: A Eurofighter Typhoon is deployed to detect a suspected J-20 stealth fighter approaching a strategic facility.

AESA Role:

  • Uses high-frequency L-band radar or integrates with other sensors (IRST, passive RF).

  • Combines high resolution with beam shaping to detect stealth aircraft from off-boresight angles.

  • Coordinates with AWACS or other fighters using data links like Link 16.


Example: The Typhoon’s CAPTOR-E AESA radar supports long-range stealth detection in a networked environment.

5. Maritime and Ground Attack Support

Scenario: A multirole fighter supports a naval strike group by scanning for low-flying cruise missiles or surface vessels.

AESA Role:

  • Sea and ground mapping via Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) modes.

  • Simultaneously detects air and surface threats.

  • Queues up air-to-ground weapons like JSOW or AASM bombs with precision.


Example: The Su-57’s N036 Belka AESA radar detects low-profile ships while maintaining air situational awareness.

6. Passive Targeting and Emissions Control

Scenario: A J-20 enters enemy airspace on a deep penetration strike mission, minimizing its radar signature.

AESA Role:

  • Can passively detect radar emissions from enemy aircraft.

  • Operates in Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) mode.

  • Reduces detectability while feeding real-time data into the pilot’s sensor fusion system.


Example: The J-20’s AESA radar collects targeting data passively, relaying it via encrypted datalink to another platform for engagement.

7. Cooperative Engagement and Networking

Scenario: An F-22 detects enemy fighters and shares tracking data with an F-35 and ground-based missile system.

AESA Role:

  • Serves as a sensor node in a distributed network.

  • Communicates through secure data links like MADL and Link 16.

  • Supports cooperative engagement capability (CEC), allowing one platform to launch a weapon and another to guide it.


Example: An F-35 spots a threat and guides a Patriot SAM battery on the ground to intercept it using fused AESA radar data.

Conclusion

AESA radar is not just a technological upgrade—it’s a game-changer in air combat. Its ability to detect, track, and guide weapons with precision across various mission profiles makes it indispensable for modern air forces. Whether engaging enemies BVR, defeating jamming, or integrating with other assets, AESA radar defines the cutting edge of air dominance.


Technical & Academic Sources

  1. Northrop Grumman – AESA Radar Technology

  2. Raytheon Missiles & Defense – AN/APG-79 AESA Radar

  3. U.S. Department of Defense - F-35 Fact Sheet

  4. Jane’s Defence Weekly

    • Subscription-based resource but widely cited for data on radar ranges, aircraft capabilities.

    • https://www.janes.com

  5. Thales Group – RBE2 AESA Radar (Rafale)

  6. Leonardo – CAPTOR-E Radar (Eurofighter Typhoon)

  7. Defense Update – Su-57 Belka Radar Suite

  8. China Power Project – J-20 and J-10 Radars

Books and White Papers

  1. "Modern Fighter Aircraft Technology" by Martin Streetly

    • Covers radar evolution, including AESA radar in fifth-generation fighters.

  2. NATO RTO Report on Radar Systems (RTO-EN-SET-133)

    • A thorough academic report detailing AESA radar advantages and limitations in operational use.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

J10 - An insight of the Chinese 4.5 Gen Fighter Aircraft (with a Dash of Snark :-) !!!)

  Hold onto your flight helmets, folks, because we’re zooming into the Chengdu J-10, China’s sleek, pointy-nosed fighter jet that’s been turning heads and raising eyebrows—especially in the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis. Nicknamed the “Vigorous Dragon,” this single-engine, multirole beast is packed with electronics and electronic warfare (EW) systems that make it a formidable player in modern warfare. Built by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), the J-10 (especially the J-10CE variant) is Pakistan’s shiny new toy, and it’s been flexing its muscles against heavyweights like Rafale. Let’s unpack why its electronics and EW are the talk of the town, with a side of humor to keep things spicy. Avionics That Could Outsmart a Supercomputer : The J-10 boasts the KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which is like having a hawk’s eyes on steroids including low probability of intercept (LPI). It tracks multiple targets at long ranges (up to 200+ km, per some sources), la...
Post a Comment
Read more

An Analysis of Pakistan’s Choice of J-35 Over J-20

  Pakistan’s decision to acquire the Shenyang J-35A (also referred to as FC-31 or J-31 in earlier iterations) over the Chengdu J-20 from China is a complex choice driven by economic, strategic, operational, and technical factors. This analysis provides a comprehensive examination, including a detailed technical comparison and the reasons behind Pakistan’s preference, based on available information up to May 24, 2025. Technical Analysis of J-35A vs. J-20 To understand Pakistan’s choice, a technical comparison of the two aircraft is essential. Both are fifth-generation fighters, but their design philosophies and capabilities differ significantly. Shenyang J-35A Type and Role : The J-35A is a fifth-generation, multirole stealth fighter, designed for both air superiority and ground attack missions. Its versatility makes it suitable for a range of operational needs. Dimensions : It has a length of approximately 16.9 meters and a wingspan of about 11.5 meters, making it smaller an...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Bird's eye view of Evolution and Technical Prowess of Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft

  The Evolution and Technical Prowess of Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft Fifth-generation fighter aircraft represent the pinnacle of modern aerospace engineering, integrating cutting-edge technologies to dominate the battlespace through stealth, advanced electronics, and unmatched versatility. Designed to operate in highly contested environments, these aircraft combine low-observable characteristics, sensor fusion, network-centric warfare capabilities, and advanced propulsion to outmatch adversaries. Picture this: a 5th generation fighter is like that sleek, mysterious stranger at a party who sneaks in unnoticed, knows everyone’s secrets, and leaves before the bill arrives. Meanwhile, 4.5 generation fighters are the life of the party, loud, versatile, and ready to dance with anyone, but they’re not quite invisible. The 5th generation stealthy superstars are—F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, J20 Mighty Dragon, J-35 Gyrfalcon, and Su-57 Felon—which can hold on their own against the ...
Post a Comment
Read more