Design
The WLR is similar to the AN/TPQ-37 radar in design and performance but is reportedly more user friendly. It is a passive phased array radar, derived from the Rajendra Radar (which is the fire control radar for the Akash missile system). During tests of the Akash missile at Chandipur, engineers noticed the Rajendra radar was able to detect and track artillery shells being test fired at a nearby range. Based on this observation, LRDE scientists were able to adapt the Rajendra Array into the WLR.
The WLR Array is an electronically-steered radar, meaning the radar antenna does not move while in operation. The radar can electronically scan a +/-45° range of azimuths for incoming rocket, artillery and mortar fire. The radar antenna is slewable up to +/-135° within 30 seconds, which gives the WLR the ability to quickly change its scanning sector, and provides it 360° scan capability. The Coherent TWT based transmitter of the WLR emits 40 kW of power.
Tracking of the target is done with monopulse signals with Pulse compression, which improves the radar's LPI. The radar processors conduct real time signal processing of the received signals. The weapon locating algorithm is an adaptive algorithm based on a modified version of the Runge-Kutta method, and uses Constant false alarm rate (CFAR) techniques to detect the target accurately. The operator can choose the CFAR technique to be used to maximize the accuracy of information. The data is processed on a programmable digital signal processor using a modified extended Kalman filter, with two filters - one with 6 states, and another with 7 states. Clutter rejection is achieved through Moving target indication (MTI), Airborne MTI (AMTI) and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).
Information is displayed on ruggedised power PCs on a high resolution multi-mode colour display. The data is displayed in real-time and can be overlayed on a 3D digital map. The WLR can store a 100 km x 100 km size digital map for display at any time. Other modes include Plan position indicator (PPI) display, RHI displays, etc. Up to 99 weapon locations can be stored and tracked at any time and can be transmitted to the command centre.
Read more about this topic: BEL Weapon Locating Radar
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