Mech radar
.jpg?lang=en) | |
| Country of origin |  Soviet Union/ Russia |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1985 |
| Type | Twist cassegrain PESA antenna (N001VEP+Pero) |
| Frequency | X-band |
| Range |
|
| Diameter | 1.075m |
| Azimuth | ±60 |
| Elevation | -55 +60 |
| Power | 1kw (average) |
N001 Mech (Russian: Меч, lit. 'Sword') is a Russian (former USSR) all-weather multimode airborne radar developed by the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (NIIP) for the Su-27 multi-role combat aircraft.
Description
[edit]The N001 radar for the Su-27 was designed by Viktor Grishin. Pushing the state of the art for the USSR, the original design, known as Mech, was supposed to draw heavily on technologies developed for the experimental Soyuz radar program led by NPO Istok. It was intended to have a great deal of commonality with the MiG-29's N019 Rubin radar. N001 has a 1.075m antenna diameter twist-cassegrain antenna. A pulse-doppler design operating in the 3 cm band using medium and high PRFs for optimum lookdown capability, the N001 has a search range of 80–100 km against a 3m2 RCS target in a headon engagement, 140 km against a large bomber. It can track a 3m2 target at 65 km. In a pursuit engagement, search range for a 3m2 target falls to just 40 km. Azimuth limits are ±60. Initial units had a MTBF of only 5 hours, but later type is 100 hours; MTBF was eventually brought up to 200 hours. The Su-33 used an updated SUV-33 control system, the N001 radar was largely unchanged but with sea optimised lookdown capability and support for the carrier-based GCI system.
Variants
[edit]- N001 (RLPK-27)
- Standard model.
- N001E
- Export version of N001.
- N001V (RLPK-27V)
- Processor replaced TS101M capable of single target engagement and simultaneously tracking 10 targets during an engagement.
- N001VE (RLPK-27VE)
- Fitted to Chinese Su-30MKK. This will substantially improve air-to-air performance, and increase air-to-ground resolution. N001VE incorporated the moving target indication (MTI) and mapping capabilities, and capability to detect low flying or hovering helicopters. Processor replaced Baguet series BCVM-486-6, capable of simultaneously engaging two of ten targets tracked with semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles and compatibility for R-77/RVV-AE.[1] Tracking distance is extended up to 70 km.
- N001VEP (RLPK-27VEP)
- Fitted to Su-30MK2 and the upgraded Su-27SMx. Can simultaneously track 10 targets and engage one, with an improved version able to engage two. It can provide mid-course guidance for the R-77/RVV-AE up to 40km. In air-to-air modes, it nominally has a 50% probability of detecting a 3 square meter target at 100km, with the longest range search mode being able to detect such a target at 150km. The radar also has four surface search modes, including a low resolution synthetic aperture surface imaging mode and a ground moving target indicator mode with a 90km range against tanks. The radar can be used to cue targets for missiles such as Kh-31A, Kh-35, and Kh-59.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Carlo, Kopp (2008-04-03). "Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat": 1.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Н001 «Меч»". Балтийский государственный технический университет Военмех. June 2016. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat
- Overscan's guide to Russian Military Avionics
- Russian Knight's History of the Su-27