Published: 5/22/1998

The Moscow-based radar developer, Phazatron, has begun to offer a radar upgrade programme for MiG-23 users, being primarily third-world countries. The programme has three options. The first one calls for replacing the old R-23 and R-24 semi-active air-to-air missiles with the more recent R-27 and the state-of-the-art RVV-AE missiles. To use these new missiles, the MiG-23's aiming system needs upgrading. However, the existing MiG-23 radar is said to be capable of launching an RVV-AE at a distance of 50km in head-on engagements. As an alternative, the MiG-23 can be outfitted with the Topaz radar, a recent version of the N019 in widespread use on MiG-29s. According to Phazatron, the Topaz has a range of 80km in the forward hemisphere. The second and third options are aimed at bringing the MiG-23 up to the level of current fourth-generation fighters, such as the F-16C and Mirage 2000-9. The second option is based on installation of the Super-Kopyo radar with an acquisition radius of 80km. It will provide aiming for the RVV-AE, R-27 and R-73 air-to-air, X-31A anti-ship missiles, as well as KAB-500, NRS and SPV guided bombs. The Super-Kopyo is said to be capable of tracking eight targets simultaneously and shooting at two of them. It also can measure distances to airborne and ground targets. In the ground mode, the radar uses ray Doppler sharpening and synthetic aperture techniques for selecting moving targets. The third option calls for the installation of the Mosquit-23 multi-mode radar, which is the most recent product of Phazatron with a range of 70km in the air-to-air mode. In the ground mode, the Mosquit-23 is capable of terrain-mapping and aiming the X-31A anti-ship missiles at sea-going targets within a distance of 100km. Reportedly, the cost of modernisation is estimated at $0.3m under the first option (upgrade of the existing radar) and $1m under the second and third options. Phazatron is already engaged in an upgrade programme for the Indian Air Force MiG-21bis tactical fighters, which includes the replacement of its outdated Saphir-21 with the Kopyo radar. Also, Phazatron will be upgrading N-019 radars on the Malaysian MiG-29s, enabling them to shoot at two targets simultaneously.(IN598.4) (VK)  

Article ID: 159