OVERVIEW: Fire-control radars developed in the 2010s provide medium-range, multi-target tracking and engagement with superior resistance to jamming and low probability of intercept.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This class of radar uses Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, featuring thousands of solid-state transmit/receive modules to achieve rapid beam steering, high-resolution tracking, and enhanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). Deployed primarily as fire-control radars (FCR) on modern fighters and air defense systems, they allow simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, including target detection, tracking, missile guidance, and terrain mapping. AESA radars of this generation emphasize modularity, low sidelobes, and LPI/LPD (Low Probability of Intercept/Detection) characteristics, making them critical to modern networked warfare and sensor fusion systems.

ROLE SUMMARY:
Category: Airborne or ground-based fire-control radar (FCR)
Primary Use: Medium-range target detection, tracking, and engagement
Function: Multi-role fire control and tactical situational awareness
Platform: 4.5–5th gen fighters (e.g., F-16V, Rafale F3R, J-10C), SAM systems
Export: Widely fielded among NATO, allied, and regional defense platforms
Integration: Interfaces with weapons (missiles/bombs), data links, and EW systems

Type: Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)

See Specific information under [Sensors/EW] section.

SOURCE:
U.S. Air Force and NATO Fighter Sensor Integration Docs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_electronically_scanned_array