Mech radar
{{Short description|Type of multimode aircraft radar}}
{{Infobox Radar
|name = N001
|image =Sukhoi Su-30MK on the MAKS-2009 (01).jpg
|caption =The Mech radars are used on the Su-27 and Su-30MK variants
|country = {{USSR}}/{{RUS}}
|introdate = 1985
|type = Twist cassegrain
PESA antenna (N001VEP+Pero)
|frequency = X-band
|range = *100km (fighter)
- 140km (bomber)
- 65km (track range)
|diameter = 1.075m
|azimuth = ±60
|elevation = -55 +60
|power = 1kw (average)
}}
N001 Mech ({{langx|ru|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
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 3m{{sup|2}} RCS target in a headon engagement, 140 km against a large bomber. It can track a 3m{{sup|2}} target at 65 km. In a pursuit engagement, search range for a 3m{{sup|2}} 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
;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.{{Cite journal|last=Carlo|first=Kopp|date=2008-04-03|title=Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat|pages=1|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker-Radars.html}} 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.{{Cite web |date=June 2016 |title=Н001 «Меч» |url=http://library.voenmeh.ru/jirbis2/files/materials/ifour/book2/book_on_main_page/15.7.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201200339/http://library.voenmeh.ru/jirbis2/files/materials/ifour/book2/book_on_main_page/15.7.htm |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=May 31, 2025 |website=Балтийский государственный технический университет Военмех}}
See also
References
External links
- [http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Flanker-Radars.html#mozTocId228428 Flanker Radars in Beyond Visual Range Air Combat]
- [https://archive.today/20120707010504/http://aerospace.boopidoo.com/philez/Su-15TM%20PICTURES%20&%20DOCS/Overscan's%20guide%20to%20Russian%20Military%20Avionics.htm Overscan's guide to Russian Military Avionics]
- [http://russianknights.ru/istoriya-sozdaniya/ Russian Knight's History of the Su-27]
{{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}}{{Soviet and Russian radars|state=expanded}}
Category:Science and technology in the Soviet Union
Category:Soviet military radars
Category:Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design products