Group : Radar Systems
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Advanced Fifth-generation Aircraft Radar (AFAR), Belka, N036, N036-1-01, N036B-1-01, N036L-1-01, SH-121
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KRET, NIIP
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2015
Total Production : ?

The N036 Byelka is a state-of-the-art radar system derived from the Su-35's N035 Irbis radar and intended for the Russian Air Force PAK FA T-50 fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft. The Moscow-based Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (NIIP) is developing the new radar which features both air-to-air and air-to-surface modes that can work simultaneously against multiple ground and airborne targets. The Byelka features an advanced antenna with electronically controlled beam and elements of nanotechnology similar to the Western Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. NIIP claims that the new radar delivers an impressive target detection range with the ability to detect and classify of a single or a group of objects while operating in the presence of electronic countermeasures. The Byelka radar started flight testing onboard the T-50-3 prototype in August 2012. NIIP may use the impressive Byelka radar technology for the modernization of airborne and ground-based air defense radars.

The Byelka radar system comprises the N036-1-01 nose-mounted X-band AESA radar with 1522 Transmitter/Receiver (T/R) modules, two smaller N036B-1-01 X-band AESA radars with 358 T/R modules mounted on the sides of the forward fuselage, and two N036L-1-01 L-band arrays on the wing's leading edge extensions that are not only used for identification friend-or-foe (IFF) but also for electronic warfare purposes. Computer processing of the X- and L-band signals enable detection of critical targets such as hostile stealth aircraft. This advanced radar system may have a maximum detection range of 400 kilometers. Byelka also includes an advanced data-link to exchange radar information between aircraft formations.