The radar system in latest China-Japan row, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• Japan accused Chinese fighters of directing fire-control radars at its F-15s near the Okinawa islands.
• The incident involved Chinese J-15 jets, allegedly launched from China’s Liaoning carrier.
• Japan views the radar illuminations as dangerous and beyond what is necessary for safe flight.
• China maintains its actions were in line with international law and standard practices for carrier-borne aircraft training.

Detailed Insights:

• Fire-control radars emit short pulses for precise targeting, unlike search radars that use long pulses.
• Directing radar at another aircraft is seen as a threatening act, signaling potential aggression and prompting evasive maneuvers.
• The diplomatic tension follows comments made in November regarding a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan and a possible military response from Japan.
• Search radars are commonly activated during training exercises to ensure flight safety, especially for countries with carrier-borne aircraft.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Fire-control radar: A radar system that provides precise targeting data for weapons systems.
• Search radar: A radar system used to scan a wide area to detect potential targets.
• Radar illumination: The act of directing a radar beam at another object, often interpreted as a hostile act.