EIRS has been developed to meet Türkiye’s strategic long-range air surveillance and early warning requirements with indigenous capabilities. Unlike conventional mechanically rotating radar systems, EIRS uses AESA technology, enabling electronic beam steering, multi-beam operation, enhanced electronic protection, and high operational reliability.

Operational Purpose and Role

The primary role of EIRS is deep airspace surveillance and early detection of aerial threats, particularly low radar cross-section and low-altitude targets. The system is designed to detect and track:

• Fighter aircraft
• Helicopters
• Cruise missiles
• UAV and UCAV platforms
• Low RCS air-breathing threats

EIRS acts as a strategic sensor layer within integrated air defense systems, providing early track data to increase engagement reaction time.

Doctrine and Concept of Operations

EIRS supports distributed and mobile radar deployment concepts rather than fixed-site dependency. This enables:

• Rapid deployment to crisis regions
• Threat-axis-based positioning
• Sensor data fusion within radar networks
• Integration into NATO ACCS architecture

The distributed architecture reduces single-point vulnerabilities and enhances survivability.

System Architecture

EIRS consists of four primary subsystems:

• AESA antenna array
• Digital beamforming unit
• Radar signal processing and threat evaluation modules
• Command and control and data link infrastructure

The S-Band frequency selection provides an optimal balance between atmospheric attenuation and long-range detection performance, particularly against low RCS air-breathing targets.

The multi-channel receiver architecture enables simultaneous tracking of multiple targets. The exact number of simultaneous tracks is not publicly disclosed.

Survivability and Electronic Protection

EIRS incorporates advanced electronic protection measures, including:

• Sidelobe blanking
• Low sidelobe levels
• Wideband operation
• Frequency agility
• Advanced cybersecurity architecture

The AESA design supports low probability of intercept characteristics and strong resilience in dense electronic warfare environments.

Precision, Reaction Time, and Engagement Support

EIRS generates a 3D air picture by simultaneously providing:

• Range
• Azimuth
• Altitude

The system does not perform engagement directly; it is an early warning sensor. However, its track data is transmitted to air defense systems to support fire control solutions and engagement planning.

Integration and Ecosystem

EIRS is compatible with:

• Control and Reporting Centers
• Tactical data link networks
• NATO ACCS infrastructure
• Integrated air and missile defense systems

The integrated Mode 5 IFF interrogator complies with NATO STANAG-4193, enabling secure long-range identification friend or foe functionality.

Advantages Against Modern Threats

• Detection of low RCS targets
• Multi-target tracking capability
• High resistance to electronic warfare
• Mobile deployment capability
• High operational availability

Limitations

• Publicly disclosed maximum detection range is not available
• Publicly confirmed ballistic missile early warning capability data is not available

Operational Status

EIRS systems have entered service with the Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri. Exact deployment locations and system quantities are not publicly disclosed.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Frequency Band

• S-Band

Radar Architecture

• Active Electronically Scanned Array AESA
• Digital beamforming technology

Dimensions and Weight

• Transportable by 10-ton class tactical wheeled vehicles.
• Exact system weight is not publicly disclosed.

Transportability

• Air transportable via C-130 and A400M class military transport aircraft.

Deployment Time

• Approximately 30 minutes for setup or teardown.

Performance

• Long-range air surveillance
• 3D target detection
• Multi-target tracking
• 99.9 percent availability
• 3000 hours MTBCF

The exact maximum detection range is not publicly disclosed.

Sensors and Detection Capability

• Multi-channel receiver architecture
• Digital beamforming
• Detection of low radar cross-section targets

IFF

• Mode 5 IFF
• NATO STANAG-4193 compliant

Electronic Warfare Resilience

• Sidelobe blanking
• Low sidelobe emission
• Frequency agility
• Integrated cybersecurity protections

Environmental Compliance

MIL-STD-810G compliant

Personnel and Operational Concept

Exact personnel requirements are not publicly disclosed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EIRS used for?

• EIRS is designed for long-range air surveillance and early warning. It enhances air defense reaction time by providing early detection and tracking data to integrated air defense systems.

What is the maximum range of EIRS?

• The exact maximum detection range has not been publicly disclosed. It is classified as a long-range early warning radar.

What types of targets can EIRS detect?

• It is capable of detecting fighter aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and low radar cross-section air-breathing targets.

How many targets can it track simultaneously?

• The system supports multi-target tracking; however, the exact tracking capacity is not publicly available.

Is EIRS mobile or fixed?

• EIRS is a mobile radar system. It can be deployed within approximately 30 minutes and transported via tactical wheeled vehicles and military transport aircraft.

Is it NATO compatible?

• Yes. The system includes Mode 5 IFF and supports integration with NATO ACCS infrastructure.

Is it resistant to electronic warfare?

• Yes. Its AESA architecture, frequency agility, and sidelobe suppression features provide strong resilience against electronic jamming.

What are its equivalents?

• EIRS belongs to the category of long-range S-Band AESA early warning radars. Comparable systems exist in other countries, though direct performance comparisons require classified or proprietary data.

Sources

• ASELSAN official product documentation
• ASELSAN product catalogs
• NATO STANAG-4193 documentation
• Open-source defense industry publications