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T-129 ATAK begins testing MİLDAR millimeter wave radar

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Meteksan have begun testing Meteksan’s MİLDAR millimeter wave radar from onboard the TAI T-129 ATAK dedicated attack helicopter.

TAI and Meteksan have spent the past several months integrating the MİLDAR to the T-129. Currently, the MİLDAR-equipped T-129 is undergoing ground control tests (C4Defence).

The Turkish Undersecretariat of Defence Industries (SSM) commissioned Meteksan to develop the radar in June 2013 with the aim of delivering the system to the Turkish armed forces in 2018-2019.

 

Notes & Comments:

An millimeter wave radar is essentially an Extremely High-Frequency synthetic aperture radar (which is typically used to ‘map’ a picture of the ground). Millimetric wave radars for helicopters, such as the AH-64D Longbow, are used for target tracking and engagement, especially for moving vehicles such as tanks.

Functionally, a millimeter wave radar can be used against ground targets in the same manner as an airborne radar can be used against aerial targets. For example, the MİLDAR could identify and track targets on land. If equipped with millimeter wave radar-tipped air-to-ground missiles, the T-129 can engage those targets. Semi-active seekers would require the MİLDAR to keep a lock on the target for the missile, but an active-seeker (akin to the one on the MBDA Brimstone) would provide fire-and-forget capability.

It appears that the T-129 ATAK will carry the MİLDAR from one of its wing-based stations, which is unlike the AH-64D, which carries the AN/APG-78 above the main rotor.

author avatar
Bilal Khan Founder
Founder of Quwa, Bilal has been researching Pakistani defence industry and security issues for over 15 years. His work has been cited by Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU), the Council of Foreign Relations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Centre of Airpower Studies and many others. He has a Hons. B.A in Political Science and Masters of Interntional Public Policy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
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20 Comments

  • by Qasim57
    Posted December 2, 2016 12:43 am 0Likes

    Very interesting — Is the AH-1Z (or any other of our options, Z-10, etc) liable to get milimeter radars too (and preferably not using a hardpoint would be a plus, like the AH-64).

    Was reading “The Bear Trap” about the Afghan-Soviet war, and it seemed like an attack-heli’s self-protection/counter-MANPADS capability is *crucial*, I would love to hear your opinion on that too! (and, which of our attack-heli options would you prefer — seemed like you like South African options for TOT, capabilities being a secondary concern).

  • by Mazhar
    Posted December 2, 2016 12:57 am 0Likes

    Good news since Pakistan is seeking this platform, US will never provide us millimeter wave radar. Don’t know if Pakistan is still interested in Z10 or if Z10 has this type of radar. We have to diversify our defense procurement, not to keep stuck with US.

  • by Mohsin E.
    Posted December 2, 2016 4:48 pm 0Likes

    Unfortunately this system is not top-mounted (according to the promo videos I saw) which reduces tactical advantage… Still, better than no MMW capability.

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 3, 2016 1:31 am 0Likes

    Z-10 is already equipped with MILLIMETER WAVE RADAR and best ECM,ESM systems which are equivalent to Apahe AH-64BCD.

    You can see your self
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAIC_Z-10#Radar

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 3, 2016 1:51 am 0Likes

    You are wrong
    KA-52 Aligator
    Mi-Mi – 28 Havoc
    Z-10 has already equivalent capabilities of Apache and in near future the T-129 ATAK will have too.
    Apache is no longer the superior Attack helicopter anymore.

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 3, 2016 6:02 am 0Likes

    Hello Mr. Administrator it’s been two days and no new news on Quwa whats going on ?

  • by Bilal Khan
    Posted December 3, 2016 6:33 am 0Likes

    Generally, no new posts on weekends. You can expect to see new articles by Sunday night Eastern time.

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 3, 2016 9:04 am 0Likes

    Ah, Thanks For this kind information Mr. Administrator
    I am waiting for Sunday.

  • by Sinan Cagrı Kurt
    Posted December 3, 2016 9:55 am 0Likes

    It isn’t standart in z10, idk if Pakistani helis have one. If they don’t this could be alternative solution.

  • by Sinan Cagrı Kurt
    Posted December 3, 2016 10:02 am 0Likes

    It has 28km range, compare to apache’s radar that is really good.

  • by Inco Acun
    Posted December 3, 2016 10:25 am 0Likes

    Mildar i much more than a longbow

    Mildar is newer tech Phased Array multimode Radar using pulse doppler,
    SAR and ISAR modes and much more capable than Longbow. Range for
    instance is ~28km, it can produce moving map images for pilots, SAR
    images and 2D terrain images that helps the pilot avoid collision in
    mountainous areas and fly in adverse weather conditions (rain, snow,
    fogg) with extreme low visibility.

    http://i.hizliresim.com/yNlz57.jpg

  • by Freebird
    Posted December 3, 2016 10:40 am 0Likes

    You are right Andrei, thanks for the correction.

  • by nob hamid gul
    Posted December 3, 2016 2:13 pm 0Likes

    But mi28 is not available with mmw for export. And Z10 is yet to confirm.

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 3, 2016 10:01 pm 0Likes

    Sorry bro I really don’t know about it.

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 3, 2016 10:07 pm 0Likes

    You are good bro.

  • by Andrei Romanov
    Posted December 4, 2016 9:12 am 0Likes

    Hello Mr. Administrator It’s around 5:15 P.M. in my city Maykop , Adyghe.
    I am eagerly awaiting New news on Quwa.

  • by nob hamid gul
    Posted December 4, 2016 4:00 pm 0Likes

    Let’s hope that the radar will be mounted on top once it complete the trial.

  • by Keyser
    Posted December 7, 2016 3:08 pm 0Likes
  • by Keyser
    Posted December 7, 2016 3:10 pm 0Likes

    Yeah I have posted a picture above. It is posted above the weapon hardpoints in a POD

  • by T-123456
    Posted December 8, 2016 12:34 pm 0Likes

    Just for testing,the mounting place is not final yet.

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