China exhibits world-class anti-drone, long-range, anti-stealth radars at expo

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Ma Jun in Hefei Published: May 19, 2025 03:35 PM

The 11th World Radio Detection and Ranging Expo (World Radar Expo), which is being held in Hefei, East China’s Anhui Province from Saturday to Monday, is displaying some of China’s top radar equipment, such as low-altitude anti-drone radars, long-range radars, and anti-stealth radars, as the Global Times visited the event to learn about China’s world-leading radar technologies.

Having achieved multiple successes in counter-drone operations, the JY-11 S-band three-faced array low-altitude surveillance radar on display at the expo is a perception hub in low-altitude anti-drone system, the Global Times learned from the radar’s maker, the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC).

The radar employs advanced digital array technology and software-defined radar technology. It is capable of simultaneously detecting and tracking fighter jets, low-altitude cruise missiles, as well as small, medium-sized, and mini drones. With its strong multi-mission capability, powerful detection of low, slow, and small targets, high tracking data rate, and advanced automation, it can provide guidance and target designation for electro-optical equipment and high-precision radars.

The YLC-12 C-band medium- and low-altitude multirole radar, a star system in low-altitude airspace surveillance, is also on display at the expo. According to CETC, it effectively addresses the challenges of detecting medium- to low-altitude targets that are small, slow-moving, or highly maneuverable. Boasting superior low-altitude detection performance, high adaptability to deployment conditions, excellent mobility, strong resistance to complex electromagnetic environments, and accurate target radar identification capabilities, this radar stands out as a cutting-edge solution.

To better adapt to complex electromagnetic environments, it incorporates an intelligent anti-jamming design philosophy, ensuring optimal countermeasure effectiveness by dynamically aligning radar anti-jamming techniques with prevailing interference conditions.

When it comes to long-range surveillance, a CETC expert told the Global Times that the JYL-1 long-range 3D surveillance radar on display at the expo can be left unattended for four months once it is deployed at a fixed position. This radar system adopts a highly reliable and fully automated operation design, primarily tasked with air surveillance, guidance, and air traffic control detection missions. It meets the construction requirements of unattended radar stations in remote and challenging environments such as plateaus, high mountains, extreme cold regions, deserts, islands, and rainforests.

Another highlight of the event is the JY-27V high-mobility meter-wave air surveillance radar. This next-generation meter-wave anti-stealth radar incorporates three advanced technologies: a low-frequency band, a high-power aperture and sophisticated intelligent algorithms. These features enable precise detection of stealth targets, leaving them nowhere to hide, the CETC expert said.

Another advanced anti-stealth radar showcased at the expo is the YLC-8E, which is a three-coordinate air surveillance radar that works on the UHF band. Its antennas are integrated onto a single vehicle. Equipped with high-precision sensors, the antenna system can be automatically deployed and retracted, according to CETC expert.

The Global Times learned from the radar developer that the YLC-8E provides long range early warning and detection of stealth aircraft through a fully digital phased array system featuring 2D phased scanning and directional mechanical scanning, large phased array antennas, and high-power, high-efficiency digital T/R units. The system offers several advantages, including enhanced anti-stealth capability, mobility, anti-jamming performance, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

Facing the new trend of joint operations, the Chinese radar developer also built an intelligent hub of information system covering the land, sea, air, space, electromagnetic space and cyberspace, forming a digital foundation for an all-terrain combat system. At the expo, CETC displayed achievements in early warning information systems and command information systems.

This includes a type of mobile command vehicle that is equipped with functions such as all-domain situational awareness, multi-domain joint planning, and coordinated action control, according to CETC, noting that the air and missile defense early warning system can form an air surveillance network with complementary frequency bands, full airspace coverage, and multiple overlapping layers, enabling real-time monitoring of various targets.