Issue 9 of Jane's Defence Weekly states that the extra antenna
housings on either side of the nose and chin-intake are related to
Israeli-sourced electronic warfare and and self-defence systems.
While not confirmed, Jane's believes that the system installed is a
variant of the Elisra Airborne Self-Protection Suite (ASPS) that is
installed on Israeli F-16I Soufa.
Elisra describes the ASPS as being a "state of the art" system that
incorporates active (self-protection jamming - SPJ) and passive
(warning) subsystems and makes use of a range of "proven and new"
technologies. Here, the range includes monolithic microwave
integrated circuitry, application specific integrated circuitry and
multi-miniature travelling wave tubes.
Elisra also notes that the warning subsystem provides wide- and
narrow-band reception, a "full" signal parameter measurement
capability and a selectable operating bandwidth to enhance
sensitivity and signal separation. Data processing and analysis is
performed using multiple processors and "special" gate array
modules.
Elisra describes the system's SPJ component as offering highly
effective radiated power, wideband transmission and reception
coverage; wide angular coverage; the ability to cope with a
multi-threat emitter environment; and "synergetic coupling" with
the warning subsystem.
