The third eye of the ongoing P17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, the “STAR” descending down the horizon, from the sky to Indian waters – the MF-STAR radar is a game changer in not just predicting, but detecting the threats from far away.
Project 17A in Brief
Project P17A (pronounced P17 Alpha) is a keystone project in fulfilling the mission, catered by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. It is an advanced stealth frigate class of 7 ships, succeeding Shivalik class frigates of the Indian Navy. The main focus of the ‘stealth’ is towards reducing the infrared signature and the hydrodynamic noise by efficient heat rerouting and propeller acoustic modifications respectively.
To read more on the project and the features of the Nilgiri-class frigates, read here.
About MF-STAR Radar
The Commissioning History
Showcased back in Euronaval 2014 – the development of the MF-STAR radar system is two decades old. The first commissioning was successful in the Sa’ar 5 (INS Lahav) and 6 class corvette ships of the origin country Israel. The next significant leap was the partnership of IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) and DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) to implement the radar into P15A ships (Kolkata class destroyer), P15B ships (Vishakhapatnam class), INS Vikrant refits, and now latest, P17A ships – and such a merger of defence technological giants is the main topic of this article. It is also commissioned in ROKS Marado in the Republic of Korea Navy.
A ‘STAR’ Indeed
EL/M-2248 MF-STAR or Multi-Function Surveillance and Threat Alert (MFSTAR) Radar with 4 active arrays – that do hear you in S-Band (2 to 4 gigahertz frequency), but you will not hear the 6690 tons beast even breathe a bit. It has AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) detection mode – which is explained in the easiest way like this – it looks at every direction at once, by sending beams with computer generated algorithms through numerous solid state TRMs (transmitter-receiver modules). To know more about AESA, you may read this.
It has an electronic counter-countermeasure system (ECCM) – which is a protection from electronic warfare in hostile situations – keeping and signal channels and the ship totally ready and hidden. Not just that, it also guides the missiles accurately to the target, via tracking and periodic illumination and also get engaged into multiple systems at once – even splash detection as well.
Model Versions
There are two models for the MF-STAR radar – one designed for swift corvettes, and another model for frigates – the latter being implemented in the P17A ships.
Here are the features of the two models:
- Corvette Version
- Each radar face weighs 500 kg with the dimension of 1 × 2 m.
- Weight Below Deck: 1300 kg.
- Whole system weighs 3300 kg.
- Frigate Version
- Each radar face weighs 1500 kg with a diameter of 3m.
- Weight Below Deck: 4000 kg.
- Whole system weighs 10000 kg.
| Parameter | Corvette Version | Frigate Version |
| Maximum Detection Range | >250 km (high altitude targets) | >450 km (high altitude targets) |
| Sea-Skimming Missile Detection | >25 km | >25 km |
| Azimuth Coverage | 360° | 360° |
| Elevation Coverage | -20° to +85° | -20° to +85° |
| Antenna Size | 1 m x 2 m | 3 m diameter (approx.) |
| Weight per Radar Face | 500 kg | 1,500 kg |
| Weight Below Deck Equipment | 1,300 kg | 4,000 kg |
| Total System Weight | ~3,300 kg | ~10,000 kg |
| Frequency Band | S-band | S-band |
| Number of Antenna Faces | 4 | 4 |
| Simultaneous Track Capacity | >1,000 air targets, 300 surface targets | >1,000 air targets, 300 surface targets |
| Elevation Coverage | Up to 70° (effective) | Up to 70° (effective) |
| Refresh Rate | Very fast | Very fast |
| Missile Guidance Support | Mid-course updates, illumination for active/semi-active missiles | Mid-course updates, illumination for active/semi-active missiles |
| Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) | Advanced ECCM features | Advanced ECCM features |
| Operational Capability | All-weather, day/night | All-weather, day/night |
MF-STAR to MRSAM – The BEL Powerup
The MF-STAR AESA radar system is not implemented in the cutting-edge technological marvel of P17A frigate ships standalone. It is combined with an advanced Weapon Control System (WCS) and a vertical launcher unit (VLU).
- Capable of detecting and tracking various targets including missiles such as Anti-Ship Missiles (AshM), sea-skimming missiles, aircraft, and air-to-surface guided weapons.
- Facilitates the formation and operation of task forces under Joint Targeting Control (JTC) alongside other ships equipped with MRSAM systems.
- Enables the creation and management of a comprehensive unified Air Situation Picture (ASP).
- Supports operations involving missile launches and gunfire control.
- Manages data link control and communication between ships.
- Equipped with an Active Phased Array MFSTAR radar that offers surveillance coverage up to 350 kilometers.
- Provides 360-degree azimuth coverage through four fixed AESA antenna arrays.
- Offers elevation coverage reaching up to 70 degrees.
- Capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets.
- MFSTAR radar can track over 1,000 air targets and 300 surface targets at the same time.
- Incorporates advanced Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) and is capable of operating effectively in all weather conditions.
- Able to classify air targets and identify/classify helicopters.
Conclusion
The MF-STAR radar empowers India’s P17A stealth frigates with advanced long-range detection, multi-target tracking, and missile guidance, significantly enhancing naval situational awareness and combat readiness in modern maritime warfare, just like its fruitful implementation in the preceding destroyer classes of Indian Navy.
