A radar warning receiver (RWR) is an electronic warfare device used primarily on military aircraft to detect and identify incoming radar signals from potential threats, such as enemy aircraft or surface-to-air missile systems.
Its primary function is to alert the pilot or crew to the presence of radar emissions, allowing them to take defensive measures, such as deploying electronic countermeasures or evasive maneuvers, to avoid being followed or targeted by hostile radar-guided weapons.
Radar warning receivers operate by continuously scanning the electromagnetic spectrum for radar signals emitted by enemy radars. These signals may include search radars used to detect aircraft or ground surveillance radars.
When an RWR detects radar emissions, it analyzes the frequency, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and other characteristics to identify the type of radar and estimate its location relative to the aircraft. This information is then displayed to the pilot or crew through visual or auditory alerts, indicating the direction and level of threat posed by the detected radar emissions.
The function of a radar receiver in a radar system is to capture, amplify and process reflected radar signals returned from objects within the radar’s detection range.
In radar systems, the receiver plays a critical role in detecting and interpreting echoes from transmitted radar pulses, which provide information such as distance, direction and speed of detected objects. The receiver must be sensitive enough to detect weak return signals while filtering out background noise and interference, ensuring accurate detection and tracking capabilities for the radar system.
Warning radar generally refers to a radar system designed to detect and alert operators or systems to potential threats or dangerous conditions.
This may include weather radar systems that provide early warnings of severe weather, such as thunderstorms or tornadoes, allowing safety measures to be implemented in a timely manner. In military contexts, warning radars are used for early detection of enemy aircraft, missiles or other threats, providing critical situational awareness to military personnel for defensive or offensive operations.
The Tarang Radar Warning Receiver is a specific model used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN) on their aircraft and naval vessels.
It is designed to detect and identify radar signals from potential threats, including enemy radars used in air defense systems or surveillance. The Tarang RWR provides real-time alerts to pilots or crew members of the presence and characteristics of detected radar emissions, enabling rapid responses to threats and improving the survivability of military platforms in hostile environments