OVERVIEW: Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) are electronic systems designed to detect, identify, and warn of radar emissions from hostile threats. They provide situational awareness and tactical cueing to aircraft or vehicles to enable timely defensive measures.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: RWR systems passively intercept radar signals across multiple frequency bands, analyze their characteristics, and classify threat types such as search, tracking, or missile guidance radars. Typically installed on military aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles, they enhance survivability by alerting operators to radar-based threats and enabling electronic countermeasures or evasive actions. These systems cover a broad range of radar bands from VHF to X-band frequencies and continuously evolve to counter new radar technologies.

ROLE SUMMARY:
Category: Electronic Support Measures (ESM) / Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
Primary Use: Detection, classification, and warning of radar threats
Function: Passive signal interception and tactical alerting
Platform: Installed on military aircraft, helicopters, ground vehicles, and naval platforms
Integration: Works with onboard countermeasure and defensive systems

Signal Processing: Threat classification, angle-of-arrival estimation, frequency agility detection
Platform: Fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, ground vehicles, naval vessels

See Specific information under [Sensors/EW] and [Properties] sections.

SOURCE:
Jane’s Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems
Defense Electronic Systems Technical Manuals
Federation of American Scientists (FAS)