Zhuhai (TDI): At the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, China showcased a major advancement in anti-stealth technology, alongside its new stealth fighters—the J-35A, J-20S, and J-35.
Developed by the No.14 Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), the YLC-2E radar represents a leap in anti-stealth radar systems, adopting the S-band to offer long-range, high-precision detection.
Traditionally, anti-stealth radar technology relies on low-frequency, meter-wave radars to counter stealth designs by exploiting the limitations in stealth aircraft.
While these radars are effective in identifying the presence of stealth targets, they struggle with precision, reducing their suitability for guiding interception.
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In response, CETC’s YLC-2E uses the S-band, a higher-frequency band known for its accuracy in detection and tracking, which could overcome the limitations seen in meter-wave systems.
CETC experts emphasized that the YLC-2E radar merges cutting-edge hardware with intelligent algorithms to enhance detection capability.
The radar incorporates high-power T/R modules across an array that spans half a badminton court, allowing it to generate substantial energy for identifying stealth targets. This energy, combined with sophisticated algorithms, optimizes the radar’s detection and tracking performance, even under significant jamming interference.
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By advancing the S-band’s role in anti-stealth radar, the YLC-2E offers a crucial complement to existing radar systems like the YLC-8B and YLC-8E.
While the YLC-2E does not replace conventional meter-wave anti-stealth radars, it augments China’s defense network by providing high-precision, long-range detection—a step forward in countering modern aerial threats.
