India’s indigenous airborne early warning fleet is set for a major sensor upgrade. DRDO’s Netra
Mkl Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) is reportedly being lined up to receive
a Multispectral Long Range Oblique Photography (LOROP) EO/IR system, capable of imaging
targets well beyond 100 kilometres in both electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) bands.
What Is LOROP and why It Matters for Netra
LOROP is a long-range, high-magnification imaging technique that lets an aircraft photograph
ground targets from extreme standoff distances without entering hostile airspace or contested
airspace defended by air defence networks. Instead of flying directly over a target, the sensor uses
a large-aperture telephoto optical system, mounted at an oblique angle, to capture high-resolution
imagery from far away.
For a platform like Netra — already tasked with airborne early warning, battle management, and
situational awareness — adding a multispectral LOROP EO/IR payload converts it into a dual-role
asset: part surveillance radar aircraft, part long-range reconnaissance platform. The Indian Air
Force has previously outlined a requirement for EO/IR LOROP systems with ranges in excess of 150
km for its broader Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR)
roadmap, underscoring how central this sensor class has become to India’s airborne intelligence-
gathering plans.
How the EO/IR Multispectral System Works
A multispectral LOROP payload typically combines two imaging channels:
• Electro-Optical (EO) channel — captures high-resolution visible-light imagery, ideal for
daytime reconnaissance and precise target identification.
• Infrared (IR) channel — enables imaging in low-light, night, or poor-visibility conditions by
detecting heat signatures, making it effective against camouflaged or thermally distinct
targets.
Running both channels simultaneously gives operators continuous, all-weather, day-and-night
imaging capability from a single stabilized sensor turret — critical for persistent monitoring of
borders, troop movements, and strategic installations at ranges beyond 100 km.
Boosting Netra’s Role Beyond Airborne Early Warning
Netra Mkl, built on the Embraer EMB-145 platform, has so far been primarily associated with its
Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which provides wide-area airborne and
maritime target detection. The aircraft recently received Final Operational Clearance (FOC) from
DRDO, with reports indicating an upgraded Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based AESA radar has already
been fitted to one of the three in-service Mkl aircraft, extending detection ranges significantly.
Layering a long-range multispectral EO/IR LOROP system onto this radar-centric platform would
give the Indian Air Force a single aircraft capable of:
1. Detecting and tracking airborne and surface threats via radar
2. Visually confirming and imaging targets at long standoff distances
3. Operating day or night, regardless of ambient light conditions
4. Feeding real-time intelligence to ground stations and fighter aircraft over secure data links
This combination reduces the need to risk manned reconnaissance aircraft or rely solely on
satellite passes for time-critical imagery.
Strategic Significance for Border Surveillance
A 100+ km imaging range means the LOROP-equipped Netra could photograph targets deep inside
adversary territory while remaining well within Indian airspace or over friendly territory — a
significant advantage along sensitive borders. This stand-off imaging capability is particularly
valuable for:
Monitoring military build-ups and troop movements
•
Verifying infrastructure changes near contested borders
•
Supporting real-time battlefield damage assessment
•
• Enhancing persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) coverage without
crossing into contested airspace
Such capability aligns with a broader push by DRDO and the IAF toward network-centric, sensor-
fused airborne platforms, where AEW&C aircraft double as intelligence hubs rather than pure air-
defence radar pickets.
Part of a Larger Netra Modernization Push
The LOROP EO/IR upgrade fits into a wider modernization effort around India’s AEW&C fleet:
• Netra Mkl — the original three EMB-145-based aircraft, now FOC-certified and receiving GaN
AESA radar upgrades
• Netra Mk1A — additional EMB-145-class aircraft planned with more advanced mission
systems
• Netra Mk2 — a larger Airbus A321-based platform in development, offering extended radar
coverage and endurance
Integrating a long-range EO/IR sensor onto the Mkl fleet suggests DRDO is looking to maximize
the operational value of existing airframes even as the larger Mk2 program matures. It also
mirrors global trends, where AWACS-class aircraft increasingly carry auxiliary imaging payloads
to support multi-domain awareness rather than radar detection alone.
What This Means for India’s Airborne ISR Capability
If integrated successfully, the multispectral LOROP EO/IR system would make Netra Mkl one of the
few AEW&C-class platforms in the region combining wide-area radar surveillance with long-
range photographic reconnaissance in a single airframe. For India, this translates into:
• Reduced dependency on foreign-sourced reconnaissance imagery
• Faster turnaround on time-sensitive intelligence
• A more versatile platform for both peacetime monitoring and contingency operations
As development details firm up, further clarity is expected on the sensor’s exact manufacturer,
integration timeline, and whether the upgrade will extend to the upcoming Mk1A and Mk2
variants as well.
