DRDO’s SCA (Signal Intelligence and COMJAM Aircraft)

SIGINT: COMINT + ELINT

Before we start our video, lets understand 3 important terms which we would be repeating quite frequently in our discussion. These are SIGNINT, COMINT and ELINT.

SIGINT, or signals intelligence, refers to any intelligence-gathering method that involves the interception and analysis of signals emitted by enemy communications systems, radar, and weapons. SIGINT plays a vital role in national security by providing the information needed to see into an adversary’s capabilities, actions, and intentions, which, in turn, help military personnel stay vigilant of current and future threats.

DRDO’s 3 Special Mission Aircraft

The special mission aircrafts have unique unmatched intelligence collection capability which could be game changer in advent of heightened tension with adversary. The special mission aircrafts can perform different roles such as signals intelligence, Maritime Reconnaissance & Airborne Early warning system.

During Aero India 2023, DRDO has showcased three important special mission aircrafts. These three platforms are SCA (Signal Intelligence and COMJAM Aircraft), ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting & Reconnaissance) aircraft and MRMR (Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance)/MMMA (Multi-Mode Maritime Aircraft).

In today’s video, we will discuss about the SCA and in the upcoming videos we will talk about ISTAR and MMMA in detail based on our discussion with DRDO officials during the Aero India 2023.

SCA (Signal Intelligence and COMJAM Aircraft)

During Aero India 2023, DRDO has showcased 1:32 scale model of its SCA aircraft which you can see in the video. The platform proposed for this aircraft is pre-owned Airbus A319. This aircraft is going to be a long endurance multi-mission aircraft capable of performing SIGNIT & COMINT functions. Its primary role is going to be passive intelligence gathering and signal jamming. In COMJAM role, the aircraft will perform the jamming of RF signals based on the signal data collected by aircraft’s ELINT and COMINT assets and even it can receive details via Indian Air Force’s IACCS network.

The aircraft will have flight altitude of 35,000 ft and endurance of 6 hours. It will be integrated with state of art COMINT & ELINT sensors with very high sensitivity and having high probability of Interception. The sensors will be capable of performing high speed scan while flying high in the sky and search for RF signals within the frequency range programmed or desired. Once the sensors are able to detect the desired signal, its direction of arrival and emitting location is determined aided by Artificial Intelligence. It then quickly determines the geo-location of the target. After finding the location of the target, it is automatically jammed. The aircraft is able to maintain continuous communication with ground station via LoS and SATCOM data link.

For its self-protection, the aircraft is integrated with Radar Warning System(RWR), ESM(Electronic warfare support measures), MAWS(Missile Approach Warning System) & CMDS(Counter Measures Dispensing System).

Development Timeline

As per our discussion with DRDO officials, the proposal for SCA & COMJAM aircraft has been given by DRDO to government. The funding approval is awaited to formally commence the work on the same. Back in the year 2017, Indian Air Force has released RFI for 7 airborne electronic intelligence (ELINT) assets at a cost of $570 million. The ELNIT platforms are to be used for signals intelligence, communication-jamming capabilities, electronic warfare and spoofing during any hostilities. The DRDO’s new SCA aircraft fits to this requirement of Indian Air Force.

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