Concern Radioelectronic Technologies (KRET, part of Rostec State Corporation) and the Advanced Research Foundation signed an agreement on the implementation of scientific and technological project “Development of an active phased array based on radio-photonics” (“ROFAR”). The project includes the creation of a new specialized laboratory and the development of a multipurpose technology, which will be used in development of next-generation radars and electronic warfare systems. The amount of investments in the project is around 680 million rubles, the press service of KRET reports.
“Nanophotonics - a promising research area, which soon will define the vector of development of dual-use technology in the developed countries, - CEO of KRET, Nikolai Kolesov, said. – Cutting-edge technologies will allow us to create efficient and advanced transmitter-receivers, radar systems, electronic intelligence systems and EW suites, which will replace the existing products”.
The laboratory will be opened on the basis of KRET concern using test benches of a number of KRET companies: Fazotron-NIIR, RPKB, GRPZ, KNIRTI, NPO Ekran, etc. It will be fitted with all the equipment required to carry out scientific studies and “clean room” mode (concentration of dust, microorganisms and chemical fumes reduced to minimum values) will be implemented there. Doctor of Technical Sciences, Deputy General Designer of Fazotron-NIIR, Dmitry Zaitsev, was appointed the head of the laboratory. It is planned that 680 million rubles will be allocated from the federal budget in order to implement the project.
“The development and production of a next-generation active phased antenna array (its major components will be developed using the principles of radio-photonics) will be one of the major areas of “ROFAR” project. These components will help reduce the weight of the equipment 1.5-3 times, increase its reliability and efficiency 2-3 times, as well as dramatically increase the scanning speed and resolution. In case of successful implementation of the project, the technology will open up new possibilities for improving the characteristics of a “smart skin” used on the latest Russian-produced helicopters and airplanes. The system of ROFAR elements integrated into a fuselage and distributed all over its area will allow a crew to receive a coherent radar picture within a radius of 360 degrees, assure work of antenna systems in active and passive radar modes, allow using all kinds of jamming countermeasures, hidden and jamming-resistant transmission, assure communication with ground facilities and other aircraft, friend or for identification, etc.,” KRET explained.
On the basis of new materials and components developed using principles of photonics KRET will implement advanced technologies for production of powerful light-sensitive detectors and semiconducting laser modules. The active phased antenna array technologies are widely used in development of radars for advanced fighters. So far the concern has already developed radars with active phased antenna array for MiG-35, Zhuk-AE, FGA and FGA 35 aircraft. This technology allows an aircraft to track a large number of targets due to electronic control of the beam’s position. The radars are able to detect and acquire sea, ground and air targets, define the target’s class, type and size. They may also be used for navigation purposes and in order to target high-precision weapons.