INDIGENOUS TECH · DRDO CLASSIFIED: UNCLASSIFIED PUBLIC DATA

Uttam AESA Radar

Integration Enters Final Phase

India's indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array fire-control radar — developed by DRDO's Electronics Research and Development Establishment (LRDE) — enters the final integration phase, marking a pivotal milestone in defence self-reliance.

FIRE-CONTROL RADAR SOURCE: DRDO PRESS RELEASE AUG 2026
128+
T/R MODULES
10+
SIMULTANEOUS TARGETS
100+ km
DETECTION RANGE
LRDE
DRDO LABORATORY
01 / BACKGROUND

Project Origins & Mandate

The Uttam AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) fire-control radar is a flagship programme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), developed at the Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in Bengaluru. The programme was conceived to give the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft a world-class, indigenously produced radar, eliminating reliance on foreign fire-control systems.

Named after the Sanskrit word for "excellent" or "supreme", Uttam represents India's deepest foray into active phased-array radar technology — a domain previously held only by a handful of nations. The programme is a critical pillar of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) defence initiative.

02 / TECHNOLOGY

How Active Phased-Array Works

Unlike older mechanically-scanned radars that physically rotate an antenna dish, an AESA radar uses hundreds of miniature Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules, each capable of independently generating and receiving radio frequency signals. The beam is "electronically" steered by adjusting the phase of signals across these modules — enabling near-instantaneous directional shifts without any moving parts.

radar
BEAM AGILITY

Electronically steered beam switches targets in microseconds — no mechanical lag.

track_changes
MULTI-TARGET

Simultaneously tracks and engages more than 10 aerial targets across multiple threat axes.

security
LOW OBSERVABILITY

Low probability of interception (LPI) waveforms make the radar harder for adversaries to detect.

This beam agility also enables the radar to simultaneously perform multiple functions — air-to-air target search, ground mapping, weather avoidance, and electronic warfare support — without mode-switching delays, giving the pilot a significant tactical advantage.

03 / DEVELOPMENT

Programme Milestones

2010
PROGRAMME LAUNCH

DRDO LRDE formally initiates development of an indigenous AESA fire-control radar for the Tejas LCA programme, with MoD backing under the Technology Perspective Capability Roadmap.

2017
PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATION

First working prototype demonstrated. Ground testing validates antenna performance and T/R module integration across simulated threat scenarios.

2020
FLIGHT TRIAL PHASE

Uttam begins airborne trials integrated onto a modified Tejas platform at Aeronautical Test Range, Challakere. Multi-target tracking validated in controlled environments.

2026
FINAL INTEGRATION — CURRENT PHASE

Full integration into Tejas Mk1A avionics suite enters final qualification phase. Uttam demonstrates superior multi-target tracking against 10+ simultaneous targets. Clearance for series production expected upon successful completion.

04 / SIGNIFICANCE

Strategic Impact

"Uttam places India in an elite club — alongside the US, Europe, Russia, and China — of nations capable of indigenously designing and producing an airborne AESA fire-control radar."

— DRDO LRDE ASSESSMENT (PUBLIC RELEASE)

The radar's induction into the Tejas Mk1A directly addresses one of the most critical technology dependencies in the LCA programme. Prior variants relied on the Israeli EL/M-2032 mechanically-scanned radar; Uttam marks a full transition to domestic supply.

Beyond the Tejas, Uttam's modular architecture means it can be scaled and adapted for future platforms — including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — laying the groundwork for an entire ecosystem of indigenous airborne radar capability.