Israel Aerospace Industries (Chalet 210, Static A9) is unveiling advanced UHF Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar at the Paris Air Show. It is designed to search, detect and track “air breathing targets” including low-observable (stealth) aircraft, missiles, UAVs and ballistic missile targets at very long range, operating early warning missions.
The new radar, which has already become operational with an unspecified customer, is part of the new ULTRA family of UHF radars developed by IAI's ELTA Systems Group and subsidiary.
"Ballistic missiles present a significant global threat to nations,” said Nissim Hadas, IAI executive VP and ELTA president. "We note increasing requirements worldwide for early warning radars, in order to extend the currently available air situation picture and allow commanders and decision makers the valuable extra time for making informed and educated decisions concerning necessary defensive measures."
According to ELTA sources, the ULTRA (ELM2090) often operates as an early warning asset, supporting other radars, such as Super Green Pine (ELM2080S) and Multi-Mission Radar (ELM2084). It provides increased early warning of all types of threats, including stealth aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) well beyond the range of existing sensors. Once such targets are detected, tracks can be transferred to other assets, providing target acquisition and fire control.
Paris Air Show 2015
The basic module, designated ULTRA-C1, comprises a single AESA cluster measuring 3x3 meters. It is mounted on a rotating pedestal covering 360 deg. ULTRA C-1 is configured as a relocateable system designed to provide an autonomous search and detection capability up to 500 km for a typical fighter aircraft.
Another variant is ULTRA-C6 using six clusters (three stacks of two units). It is designed for an early warning and long range of satellites, ballistic missiles and airborne targets at long ranges. The ULTRA C-22 (22 clusters configuration) is a strategic system for ballistic missiles and space objects detection and tracking at very long ranges.
Both C-6 and C-22 are based in fixed sites but can be aimed at a specific sector, using trainable mounts pointing the entire array with an area coverage of 320 deg.
The ULTRA C-22 radar measures 10 by 30 meters, packing 11 stacks of two modules. The ULTRA radars, already operationally proven, use a modular, common UHF-band cluster architecture capable of wide angle electronic scan in both elevation and azimuth.
The ULTRA radars can be used as autonomous search radar supporting all defense layers: air defense surveillance for medium range, early warning system for long ranges, and a strategic system for very long ranges.
