Modern radar. Radar "Voronezh": America's new headache Promising radar

Good evening everyone :) I was surfing the Internet after visiting a military unit with a considerable number of radar stations.
I was very interested in the radars themselves, I think that not only me, so I decided to post this article :)

Radar stations P-15 and P-19

The P-15 UHF radar is designed to detect low-flying targets. Introduced into service in 1955. It is used as part of radar posts of radio engineering formations, control batteries of anti-aircraft artillery and missile formations of the air defense operational link and at tactical air defense command posts.

The P-15 station is mounted on one vehicle together with the antenna system and is deployed into a combat position in 10 minutes. The power unit is transported in a trailer.

The station has three operating modes:
- amplitude;
- amplitude with accumulation;
- coherent-impulse.

The P-19 radar is designed for reconnaissance of air targets at low and medium altitudes, target detection, determination of their current coordinates in azimuth and identification range, as well as for transmitting radar information to command posts and to interfaced systems. It is a mobile two-coordinate radar station located on two vehicles.

The first car is equipped with transmitting and receiving equipment, anti-jamming equipment, indicator equipment, equipment for transmitting radar information, simulating, communicating and interfacing with consumers of radar information, functional control and equipment for a ground-based radar interrogator.

The second car is equipped with an antenna-rotary radar device and power supply units.

Difficult climatic conditions and the duration of operation of the P-15 and P-19 radar stations have led to the fact that by now most of the radar stations require resource restoration.

The only way out of this situation is considered to be the modernization of the old radar fleet based on the Kakta-2E1 radar.

The modernization proposals took into account the following:

Maintaining intact the main radar systems (antenna system, antenna rotation drive, microwave path, power supply system, vehicles);

Possibility of modernization in operating conditions with minimal financial costs;

Possibility of using the released P-19 radar equipment to restore products that have not been modernized.

As a result of the modernization, the P-19 mobile solid-state low-altitude radar will be able to perform the tasks of airspace monitoring, determining the range and azimuth of air objects - aircraft, helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft and cruise missiles, including those operating at low and extremely low altitudes, at background of intense reflections from the underlying surface, local objects and hydrometeorological formations.

The radar is easily adaptable to use in various military and civilian systems. It can be used for information support of air defense systems, air forces, coastal defense systems, rapid reaction forces, civil aircraft traffic control systems. In addition to the traditional use as a means of detecting low-flying targets in the interests of the armed forces, the modernized radar can be used to control the airspace in order to prevent the transportation of weapons and drugs by low-altitude, low-speed and small aircraft in the interests of special services and police units involved in the fight against drug trafficking and arms smuggling. ...

Upgraded radar station P-18

Designed to detect aircraft, determine their current coordinates and issue target designation. It is one of the most popular and cheapest VHF stations. The service life of these stations is largely exhausted, and their replacement and repair are difficult due to the lack of an outdated element base.
To extend the service life of the P-18 radar and improve a number of tactical and technical characteristics, the station was modernized on the basis of a mounting kit with a resource of at least 20-25 thousand hours and a service life of 12 years.
Four additional antennas for adaptive suppression of active interference, installed on two separate masts, were introduced into the antenna system.The purpose of the modernization is to create a radar with performance characteristics that meet modern requirements, while maintaining the appearance of the basic product due to:
- replacement of the outdated element base of the P-18 radar equipment with a modern one;
- replacement of a tube transmitter with a solid-state one;
- introduction of a signal processing system on digital processors;
- introduction of a system of adaptive suppression of active noise interference;
- introduction of systems for secondary processing, control and diagnostics of equipment, display of information and control on the basis of a universal computer;
- ensuring interfacing with modern automated control systems.

As a result of modernization:
- the volume of the equipment is reduced;
- increased product reliability;
- increased noise immunity;
- improved accuracy characteristics;
- improved performance.
The mounting kit is built into the equipment cabin of the radar instead of the old equipment. The small dimensions of the mounting kit allow for the modernization of products on site.

Radar complex P-40A


Rangefinder 1RL128 "Bronya"

Radar rangefinder 1RL128 "Bronya" is a radar of all-round visibility and together with radar altimeter 1RL132 forms a three-coordinate radar complex P-40A.
Rangefinder 1RL128 is designed for:
- detection of air targets;
- determination of the slant range and azimuth of air targets;
- automatic output of the altimeter antenna to the target and displaying the target height value according to the altimeter data;
- determination of the state ownership of the goals ("friend or foe");
- control of their aircraft using an all-round visibility indicator and aircraft radio station R-862;
- direction finding of active jammers.

The radar complex is part of the radio-technical formations and air defense formations, as well as anti-aircraft missile (artillery) units and formations of the military air defense.
Structurally, the antenna-feeder system, all the equipment and the ground-based radar interrogator are located on the 426U self-propelled tracked chassis with their own components. In addition, it houses two gas turbine power units.

"Sky-SV" two-coordinate standby radar


Designed for detection and identification of air targets in standby mode when working as part of radar units of military air defense, equipped and not equipped with automation.
The radar is a mobile coherent-pulse radar station located on four transport units (three cars and a trailer).
The first vehicle is equipped with receiving and transmitting equipment, anti-jamming equipment, indicator equipment, equipment for automatic pickup and transmission of radar information, simulation, communication and documentation, interfacing with consumers of radar information, functional monitoring and continuous diagnostics, equipment for a ground-based radar interrogator (NRZ).
The second car is equipped with an antenna-rotary radar device.
The third car has a diesel power plant.
An antenna-rotary device NRZ is located on the trailer.
The radar can be equipped with two remote indicators of a circular view and interface cables.

Mobile three-coordinate radar station 9С18М1 "Kupol"

Designed to provide radar information to command posts of anti-aircraft missile formations and military air defense units and command posts of air defense system facilities of motorized rifle and tank divisions equipped with Buk-M1-2 and Tor-M1 air defense systems.

The 9S18M1 radar is a three-coordinate coherent-pulse station for detection and target designation, using long-duration probing pulses, which provides high energy of the emitted signals.

The radar is equipped with digital equipment for automatic and semi-automatic acquisition of coordinates and equipment for identifying detected targets. The entire process of radar operation is maximally automated thanks to the use of high-speed computing electronic means. To improve the efficiency of work in conditions of active and passive interference, the radar uses modern methods and means of anti-jamming.

The 9S18M1 radar is mounted on a high-cross-country tracked chassis and is equipped with an autonomous power supply system, navigation, orientation and topography equipment, telecode and voice radio communications. In addition, the radar has a built-in automated functional control system, which provides a quick search for a faulty replaceable element and a simulator for processing the skills of the operators. To transfer them from the traveling position to the combat position and vice versa, devices for automatic deployment and folding of the station are used.
The radar can operate in harsh climatic conditions, move under its own power on roads and off-road, as well as be transported by any type of transport, including air.

Air Defense Air Force
Radar station "Defense-14"



Designed for early detection and measurement of the range and azimuth of air targets when operating as part of an automated control system or autonomously.

The radar is located on six transport units (two semi-trailers with equipment, two with an antenna-mast device and two trailers with a power supply system). A separate semitrailer has a remote post with two indicators. It can be removed from the station at a distance of up to 1 km. To identify air targets, the radar is equipped with a ground radio transmitter.

The station uses a folding design of the antenna system, which made it possible to significantly reduce the time of its deployment. Protection against active noise interference is provided by tuning the operating frequency and a three-channel auto-compensation system, which automatically forms "zeros" in the antenna directional pattern in the direction of the jammers. To protect against passive interference, coherent compensation equipment based on potentioscopic tubes was used.

The station provides three modes of viewing space:

- "lower beam" - with an increased target detection range at low and medium altitudes;

- "upper beam" - with an increased upper limit of the detection area in elevation;

Scanning - with alternate (through the review) the inclusion of the upper and lower beams.

The station can be operated at an ambient temperature of ± 50 ° С, wind speed up to 30 m / s. Many of these stations were exported and are still in operation in the military.

Radar "Oborona-14" can be upgraded on a modern element base using solid-state transmitters and a digital information processing system. The developed installation kit of the equipment allows, directly at the customer's position, to perform work on the modernization of the radar in a short time, to bring its characteristics closer to the characteristics of modern radars, and to extend the service life by 12-15 years at costs several times less than when purchasing a new station.
Radar station "Sky"


Designed for detection, identification, measurement of three coordinates and tracking of air targets, including airplanes manufactured using stealth technology. It is used in the Air Defense Forces as part of an automated control system or autonomously.

The "Sky" all-round radar is located on eight transport units (on three semi-trailers - an antenna-mast device, on two - equipment, on three trailers - an autonomous power supply system). There is a portable device transported in container boxes.

The radar operates in the meter wavelength range and combines the functions of a rangefinder and an altimeter. In this range of radio waves, the radar is hardly vulnerable to homing shells and anti-radar missiles operating in other ranges, and these weapons are currently absent in the operating range. In the vertical plane, electronic scanning with an altimeter beam in each element of the range resolution is implemented (without the use of phase shifters).

Noise immunity in conditions of active interference is provided by adaptive tuning of the operating frequency and a multichannel auto-compensation system. The passive interference protection system is also based on correlation autocompensators.

For the first time, to ensure noise immunity in the presence of combined interference, the space-time isolation of protection systems against active and passive interference has been implemented.

Measurement and delivery of coordinates are carried out using auto-pickup equipment based on a built-in special calculator. There is an automated control and diagnostics system.

The transmitting device is distinguished by high reliability, which is achieved due to one hundred percent redundancy of a powerful amplifier and the use of a group solid-state modulator.
Radar "Sky" can be operated at an ambient temperature of ± 50 ° C, wind speed up to 35 m / s.
1L117M three-coordinate mobile surveillance radar


Designed to monitor airspace and determine three coordinates (azimuth, slant range, altitude) of air targets. The radar is built on modern components, has high potential and low energy consumption. In addition, the radar has a built-in state identification interrogator and equipment for primary and secondary data processing, a set of remote indicator equipment, due to which it can be used in automated and non-automated air defense systems and the Air Force for flight control and interception guidance, as well as for air control. traffic (ATC).

The 1L117M radar is an improved modification of the previous 1L117 model.

The main difference of the improved radar is the use of a klystron output power amplifier of the transmitter, which made it possible to increase the stability of the radiated signals and, accordingly, the coefficient of suppression of passive interference and improve the characteristics of low-flying targets.

In addition, due to the presence of frequency tuning, the characteristics are improved when the radar operates in interference conditions. In the device for processing radar data, new types of signal processors are used, the system of remote control, monitoring and diagnostics has been improved.

The basic set of radar 1L117M includes:

Machine No. 1 (transceiver) consists of: lower and upper antenna systems, a four-channel waveguide path with transmitting and receiving equipment PRL and state identification equipment;

Machine No. 2 has a pickup cabinet (point) and an information processing cabinet, a radar indicator with remote control;

Vehicle No. 3 transports two diesel power plants (main and backup) and a set of radar cables;

Machines # 4 and # 5 contain auxiliary equipment (spare parts, cables, connectors, mounting kit, etc.). They are also used for transporting a disassembled antenna system.

Survey of space is provided by mechanical rotation of the antenna system, which forms a V-shaped directional pattern, consisting of two beams, one of which is located in the vertical plane, and the other in a plane located at an angle of 45 to the vertical. Each radiation pattern, in turn, is formed by two beams formed at different carrier frequencies and having orthogonal polarization. The radar transmitter generates two sequential phase-shift keying pulses at different frequencies, which are sent to the feeds of the vertical and inclined antennas through the waveguide path.
The radar can operate in the mode of a rare pulse repetition rate, providing a range of 350 km, and in the mode of frequent transmissions with a maximum range of 150 km. At increased speed (12 rpm), only the frequent mode is used.

The receiving system and digital equipment of the SDC provide reception and processing of target echo signals against the background of natural interference and meteorological formations. The radar processes echoes in a "moving window" with a fixed false alarm rate and has interscope processing to improve target detection in the presence of interference.

The SDC equipment has four independent channels (one for each receiving channel), each of which consists of coherent and amplitude parts.

The output signals of the four channels are combined in pairs, as a result of which the normalized amplitude and coherent signals of the vertical and oblique beams are supplied to the radar extractor.

The information pickup and processing cabinet receives data from the PLR ​​and state identification equipment, as well as rotation and synchronization signals, and provides: the choice of an amplitude or coherent channel in accordance with the information of the interference map; secondary processing of radar images with the construction of trajectories according to radar data, combining the marks of the radar and state identification equipment, displaying the air situation on the screen with forms "tied" to targets; extrapolation of target location and collision prediction; introduction and display of graphic information; control of the mode of recognition; solution of guidance (interception) tasks; analysis and display of meteorological data; statistical assessment of the radar operation; generation and transmission of exchange messages to control points.
The remote monitoring and control system provides automatic operation of the radar, control of operating modes, performs automatic functional and diagnostic monitoring of the technical condition of the equipment, identification and troubleshooting with the display of methods for carrying out repair and maintenance work.
The remote control system provides localization of up to 80% of malfunctions with an accuracy of up to a typical replacement element (TEC), in other cases - to a group of TECs. The display screen of the workplace gives a complete display of the characteristic indicators of the technical condition of the radar equipment in the form of graphs, diagrams, functional diagrams and explanatory notes.
It is possible to transmit radar data via cable communication lines to remote display equipment for air traffic control and provision of guidance and intercept control systems. The radar is supplied with electricity from an autonomous power source included in the delivery set; can also be connected to an industrial network 220/380 V, 50 Hz.
Radar station "Casta-2E1"


Designed to control airspace, determine the range and azimuth of air objects - aircraft, helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft and cruise missiles flying at low and extremely low altitudes, against the background of intense reflections from the underlying surface, local objects and hydrometeorological formations.
The Kasta-2E1 mobile solid-state radar can be used in various military and civilian systems - air defense, coastal defense and border control, air traffic control and airspace control in airfield zones.
Distinctive features of the station:
- block-modular construction;
- interfacing with various consumers of information and data output in analog mode;
- automatic control and diagnostics system;
- additional antenna mast kit for mounting the antenna on a mast with a lifting height of up to 50 m
- solid-state radar construction
- high quality of output information when exposed to impulse and noise active interference;
- the ability to protect and interface with the means of protection against anti-radar missiles;
- the ability to determine the nationality of the detected targets.
The radar station includes an equipment vehicle, an antenna vehicle, an electrical unit on a trailer and a remote operator's workstation, which allows the radar to be controlled from a protected position at a distance of 300 m.
The radar antenna is a system consisting of two reflector antennas with feeds and compensation antennas located in two floors. Each antenna mirror is made of a metal mesh, has an oval contour (5.5 mx 2.0 m) and consists of five sections. This makes it possible to stack the mirrors during transport. When using a standard support, the position of the phase center of the antenna system is ensured at a height of 7.0 m. The survey in the elevation plane is carried out by the formation of one beam of a special shape, in azimuth - due to uniform circular rotation at a speed of 6 or 12 rpm.
To generate sounding signals in the radar, a solid-state transmitter is used, made on microwave transistors, which makes it possible to receive a signal with a power of about 1 kW at its output.
Receiving devices carry out analog processing of signals from three main and auxiliary receiving channels. To amplify the received signals, a solid-state low-noise microwave amplifier with a transmission coefficient of at least 25 dB with an intrinsic noise level of not more than 2 dB is used.
The radar modes are controlled from the operator's workstation (RMO). Radar information is displayed on a coordinate-symbolic indicator with a screen diameter of 35 cm, and the results of monitoring the radar parameters - on a table-symbolic indicator.
The Kasta-2E1 radar remains operational in the temperature range from -50 ° C to +50 ° C in conditions of atmospheric precipitation (frost, dew, fog, rain, snow, ice), wind loads up to 25 m / s and the location of the radar on altitude up to 2000 m above sea level. The radar can operate continuously for 20 days.
To ensure high availability of the radar, there is redundant equipment. In addition, the radar kit includes spare property and accessories (spare parts), designed for a year of operation of the radar.
To ensure the readiness of the radar within the entire service life, a group spare parts kit (1 set for 3 radars) is supplied separately.
The average service life of the radar before overhaul is 1 15 thousand hours; average service life before overhaul is 25 years.
The Kasta-2E1 radar has a high modernization ability in terms of improving certain tactical and technical characteristics (increasing potential, reducing the amount of processing equipment, display facilities, increasing productivity, reducing deployment and folding times, increasing reliability, etc.). The radar can be delivered in a container version using a color display.
Radar station "Casta-2E2"


Designed to control airspace, determine the range, azimuth, flight level and route characteristics of air objects - aircraft, helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft and cruise missiles, including those flying at low and extremely low altitudes, against the background of intense reflections from the underlying surface , local subjects and hydro-meteorological formations. The Kasta-2E2 low-altitude three-coordinate all-round radar station is used in air defense systems, coastal defense and border control, air traffic control and airspace control in airfield zones. Easily adaptable to use in various civilian systems.

Distinctive features of the station:
- block-modular construction of most systems;
- deployment and folding of a standard antenna system using automated electromechanical devices;
- completely digital processing of information and the ability to transmit it via telephone channels and radio channels;
- fully solid-state construction of the transmission system;
- the possibility of installing the antenna on a light high-altitude support of the "Unzha" type, which ensures the phase center is raised to a height of up to 50 m;
- the ability to detect small objects against the background of intense interfering reflections, as well as hovering helicopters while simultaneously detecting moving objects;
- high protection against asynchronous impulse noise when working in dense groupings of radio-electronic means;
- a distributed complex of computing facilities that automates the processes of detecting, tracking, measuring coordinates and identifying the nationality of air objects;
- the ability to issue radar information to the consumer in any form convenient for him - analog, digital-analog, digital coordinate or digital route;
- the presence of a built-in system of functional and diagnostic control, covering up to 96% of the equipment.
The radar station includes control room and antenna vehicles, main and backup power plants mounted on three KamAZ-4310 off-road vehicles. It has a remote operator's workstation, which provides control of the radar, located at a distance of 300 m from it.
The design of the station is resistant to overpressure in the shock front and is equipped with sanitary and individual ventilation devices. The ventilation system is designed to operate in recirculation mode without using intake air.
The radar antenna is a system consisting of a double curvature mirror, a feed horn assembly and side lobe suppression antennas. The antenna system forms two beams with horizontal polarization along the main radar channel: acute and cosecant, which overlap the given field of view.
The radar uses a solid-state transmitter, made on microwave transistors, which makes it possible to receive a signal with a power of about 1 kW at its output.
The control of the radar modes can be carried out both by the operator's commands and by using the capabilities of the complex of computing facilities.
The radar provides stable operation at an ambient temperature of ± 50 ° С, relative air humidity up to 98%, wind speed up to 25 m / s. The altitude above sea level is up to 3000 m. Modern technical solutions and element base, used in the creation of the Kasta-2E2 radar, made it possible to obtain tactical and technical characteristics at the level of the best foreign and domestic models.

Thank you all for your attention :)

Modern war is swift and fleeting. Often, the winner in a combat clash is the one who is the first to be able to detect a potential threat and respond adequately to it. For more than seventy years, the method of radar based on the emission of radio waves and registration of their reflections from various objects has been used to search for the enemy on land, sea and in the air. Devices that send and receive such signals are called radar stations (radars) or radars.

The term "radar" is an English abbreviation (radio detection and ranging), which was launched in 1941, but long ago became an independent word and entered most of the world's languages.

The invention of the radar is definitely a landmark event. It is difficult to imagine the modern world without radar stations. They are used in aviation, in sea transportation, with the help of radar, the weather is predicted, violators of traffic rules are identified, and the earth's surface is scanned. Radar complexes (RLC) have found their application in the space industry and in navigation systems.

However, the most widespread use of radars is found in military affairs. It should be said that this technology was originally created for military needs and reached the stage of practical implementation just before the outbreak of World War II. All major countries participating in this conflict actively (and not without result) used radar stations for reconnaissance and detection of enemy ships and aircraft. It can be confidently asserted that the use of radars has decided the outcome of several landmark battles both in Europe and in the Pacific theater of operations.

Today, radars are used for an extremely wide range of military missions, from tracking ICBM launches to artillery reconnaissance. Each plane, helicopter, and warship has its own radar system. Radars are the backbone of an air defense system. The newest radar complex with a phased antenna array will be installed on the promising Russian Armata tank. In general, the variety of modern radars is amazing. These are completely different devices that differ in size, characteristics and purpose.

We can say with confidence that today Russia is one of the recognized world leaders in the development and production of radars. However, before talking about the trends in the development of radar systems, a few words should be said about the principles of radar operation, as well as about the history of radar systems.

How radar works

A location is a method (or process) of determining the location of something. Accordingly, radar is a method of detecting an object or object in space using radio waves that are emitted and received by a device called a radar or radar.

The physical principle of operation of a primary or passive radar is quite simple: it transmits radio waves into space, which are reflected from surrounding objects and return to it in the form of reflected signals. By analyzing them, the radar is able to detect an object at a certain point in space, and also show its main characteristics: speed, height, size. Any radar is a complex radio-technical device consisting of many components.

Any radar consists of three main elements: a signal transmitter, an antenna and a receiver. All radar stations can be divided into two large groups:

• pulse;
• continuous action.

A pulse radar transmitter emits electromagnetic waves for a short period of time (fractions of a second), the next signal is sent only after the first pulse returns back and enters the receiver. Pulse repetition rate is one of the most important characteristics of a radar. Low frequency radars send out several hundred pulses per minute.

The pulse radar antenna works for both reception and transmission. After the signal is emitted, the transmitter is turned off for a while and the receiver is turned on. After receiving it, the reverse process takes place.

Pulse radars have both disadvantages and advantages. They can determine the range of several targets at once, such a radar may well manage with one antenna, the indicators of such devices are simple. However, in this case, the signal emitted by such a radar must have a fairly high power. You can also add that all modern tracking radars are made according to a pulse scheme.

Pulse radar stations usually use magnetrons or traveling wave tubes as a signal source.

The radar antenna focuses and directs the electromagnetic signal, picks up the reflected pulse and transmits it to the receiver. There are radars in which the reception and transmission of the signal are produced by different antennas, and they can be located at a considerable distance from each other. The radar antenna is capable of emitting electromagnetic waves in a circle or work in a specific sector. The radar beam can be directed in a spiral or in the form of a cone. If necessary, the radar can track a moving target, constantly pointing an antenna at it using special systems.

The functions of the receiver include processing the received information and transmitting it to the screen, from which it is read by the operator.

In addition to pulse radars, there are continuous radars that constantly emit electromagnetic waves. Such radar stations use the Doppler effect in their work. It lies in the fact that the frequency of an electromagnetic wave reflected from an object that is approaching the signal source will be higher than that from a receding object. In this case, the frequency of the emitted pulse remains unchanged. Radars of this type do not detect stationary objects, their receiver picks up only waves with a frequency higher or lower than the emitted one.

A typical Doppler radar is the radar used by traffic police officers to determine the speed of vehicles.

The main problem of continuous radars is the impossibility with their help to determine the distance to the object, but during their operation there is no interference from stationary objects between the radar and the target or behind it. In addition, Doppler radars are fairly simple devices that require low power signals to operate. It should also be noted that modern continuous-emission radars have the ability to determine the distance to an object. This is done by changing the frequency of the radar during operation.

One of the main problems in the operation of pulsed radars is interference from stationary objects - as a rule, it is the earth's surface, mountains, hills. When airborne impulse radars of aircraft operate, all objects located below are "shaded" by a signal reflected from the earth's surface. If we talk about ground or shipborne radar systems, then for them this problem manifests itself in the detection of targets flying at low altitudes. To eliminate such interference, the same Doppler effect is used.

In addition to primary radars, there are also so-called secondary radars, which are used in aviation to identify aircraft. The composition of such radar systems, in addition to the transmitter, antenna and receiver, also includes an aircraft transponder. When it is irradiated with an electromagnetic signal, the transponder provides additional information about the height, route, board number, and its nationality.

Also, radar stations can be divided according to the length and frequency of the wave at which they operate. For example, waves of 0.9-6 m (frequency 50-330 MHz) and 0.3-1 m (frequency 300-1000 MHz) are used to study the Earth's surface, as well as to work at significant distances. For air traffic control, radar with a wavelength of 7.5-15 cm is used, and over-the-horizon radars of missile launch detection stations operate on waves with a length of 10 to 100 meters.

Radar history

The idea of ​​radar arose almost immediately after the discovery of radio waves. In 1905, Christian Hülsmeier, an employee of the German company Siemens, created a device that could detect large metal objects using radio waves. The inventor suggested installing it on ships so that they could avoid collisions in poor visibility conditions. However, the shipping companies were not interested in the new device.

Experiments with radar were also carried out in Russia. Back in the late 19th century, the Russian scientist Popov discovered that metal objects impede the propagation of radio waves.

In the early 1920s, American engineers Albert Taylor and Leo Young were able to detect a passing ship using radio waves. However, the state of the radio engineering industry at that time was such that it was difficult to create industrial designs for radar stations.

The first radar stations that could be used for solving practical problems appeared in England around the middle of the 30s. These devices were very large and could only be installed on land or on the decks of large ships. It was only in 1937 that a prototype of a miniature radar was created that could be installed on an aircraft. By the start of World War II, the British had a deployed chain of radar stations called the Chain Home.

We were engaged in a new promising direction in Germany. And, I must say, not without success. Already in 1935, Raeder, the commander-in-chief of the German fleet, was shown a working radar with an electron-beam display. Later, on its basis, serial samples of radars were created: Seetakt for the naval forces and Freya for air defense. In 1940, the Würzburg radar fire control system began to enter the German army.

However, despite the obvious achievements of German scientists and engineers in the field of radar, the German army began to use radars later than the British. Hitler and the top of the Reich considered radars to be exclusively defensive weapons, which were not too needed by the victorious German army. It is for this reason that by the beginning of the Battle of Britain, the Germans had deployed only eight Freya radars, although in terms of their characteristics they were at least not inferior to their British counterparts. In general, we can say that it was the successful use of radars that largely determined the outcome of the Battle of Britain and the subsequent confrontation between the Luftwaffe and the Allied Air Force in the skies of Europe.

Later, on the basis of the Würzburg system, the Germans created an air defense line, which was called the "Kammhuber line". Using special forces, the allies were able to unravel the secrets of the work of German radars, which made it possible to effectively jam them.

Despite the fact that the British entered the "radar" race later than the Americans and Germans, at the finish line they managed to overtake them and approach the beginning of World War II with the most advanced radar aircraft detection system.

Already in September 1935, the British began building a network of radar stations, which had already included twenty radars before the war. She completely blocked the approach to the British Isles from the European coast. In the summer of 1940, British engineers created a resonant magnetron, which later became the basis for onboard radar stations installed on American and British aircraft.

Work in the field of military radar was carried out in the Soviet Union as well. The first successful experiments to detect aircraft using radar stations in the USSR were carried out in the mid-1930s. In 1939, the first radar RUS-1 was adopted by the Red Army, and in 1940 - RUS-2. Both of these stations were put into serial production.

The Second World War has clearly shown the high efficiency of the use of radar stations. Therefore, after its completion, the development of new radars became one of the priority areas for the development of military equipment. Over time, airborne radars received all military aircraft and ships, without exception, radars became the basis for air defense systems.

During the Cold War, the United States and the USSR acquired a new destructive weapon - intercontinental ballistic missiles. Detecting the launch of these missiles has become a matter of life and death. Soviet scientist Nikolai Kabanov proposed the idea of ​​using short radio waves to detect enemy aircraft at long distances (up to 3 thousand km). It was quite simple: Kabanov found out that radio waves 10-100 meters long can be reflected from the ionosphere, and irradiating targets on the earth's surface, return the same way to the radar.

Later, on the basis of this idea, radars for over-the-horizon detection of the launch of ballistic missiles were developed. An example of such a radar is Daryal, a radar station that for several decades was the basis of the Soviet missile launch warning system.

Currently, one of the most promising directions in the development of radar technology is the creation of a radar with a phased antenna array (PAR). Such radars have not one, but hundreds of radio wave emitters, the work of which is controlled by a powerful computer. Radio waves emitted by different sources in a phased array can amplify each other if they are in phase, or, conversely, weaken.

The radar signal with a phased array can be given any desired shape, it can be moved in space without changing the position of the antenna itself, and it can work with different radiation frequencies. A phased array radar is much more reliable and sensitive than a conventional antenna radar. However, such radars also have disadvantages: cooling the radar with phased array is a big problem, in addition, they are difficult to manufacture and are expensive.

New phased array radars are being installed on fifth-generation fighters. This technology is used in the US missile early warning system. A radar complex with a phased array will be installed on the newest Russian tank "Armata". It should be noted that Russia is one of the world leaders in the development of phased array radars.

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As reported to RIA Novosti with reference to the press service of the RTI concern, a new generation early warning radar Voronezh-DM, located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, first detected a ballistic target from North America. This radar, which has become the fruit of the work of two institutes of long-range radar, is a station of high factory readiness. Its deployment takes from a year to one and a half years, while the construction of stations of previous generations took 5-10 years.

Due to the high technological effectiveness of the deployment of Voronezh, by 2018 a network of early warning stations will be created in Russia, which will not only allow full control of all missile-hazardous directions, but also aim the anti-missile systems of the ABM system at targets.

However, even at present, the area of ​​competence of these stations is extensive. There are 4 stations on alert, three more are in trial operation. They control airspace from the coast of Morocco to Svalbard, from southern Europe to the northern coast of Africa, from the west coast of the United States to India, and over all of Europe, including the United Kingdom.

Thus, the overwhelming majority of the "Egyptian pyramids", which in terms of size and labor expended on their construction are the early-warning radars of the previous generation, will be sent to rest. The missile attack warning system (SPNR) will be based on the Voronezh radar. Also, the SPNR includes a space segment - a satellite network. It began to unfold last year with the launch of the 14F142 Tundra satellite. Satellites track ICBM launches using the torch of operating rocket engines.

The Voronezh radar network began to develop in 2011 with the commissioning of a station in Pionersky, Kaliningrad Region. To date, 4 stations have done an impressive job. They detect and accompany up to 40 launched space and ballistic missiles annually. Warned about 30 dangerous encounters of space objects with spacecraft of the Russian orbital group. Rescued the ISS from space debris 8 times.

And in 2013, Voronezh exposed the Americans who decided to conduct a secret intelligence operation against the Syrian army. The new radar station showed the Pentagon in the most graphic way that from now on even their most disguised actions in the space controlled by Russian radars are visible at a glance.

On September 2, 2013, a radar located in Armavir, Krasnodar Territory, recorded the launch of two of the latest American supersonic missiles in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, it is only one of all the radars of this type existing in the world that was able to detect these missiles. The purpose of these launches was to check the reaction times and locations of Syrian air defense systems capable of shooting down ballistic targets. The Pentagon said that the event was aimed solely at testing the combat effectiveness of Israel's air defense systems in order to train the servicemen serving them.

However, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Anatoly Antonov, having met on September 4 with the military attachés of the United States and Israel, showed them the parameters of these launches recorded by Voronezh. The presented ballistic trajectories accurately indicated the goals and objectives of these launches. At the same time, under certain conditions, if the missiles, according to the scenario, did not self-destruct, they could reach the borders of Russia.

This precedent showed American strategists that the new, fourth, generation of Russian SPNR radars in a number of characteristics, the main ones, are superior to their American counterparts, most of which have existed since the Cold War.

The response time of the Voronezh phased array antenna is 40 milliseconds. The best American antennas have 60 milliseconds. Well, the most ancient American radars of the SPNR are equipped with giant rotating parabolic antennas. The time for signal processing and transmission of all data on the speed and trajectory of the target near Voronezh to the control center does not exceed 6 seconds. For Americans, this procedure takes 10 seconds. Well, the resolution of the two radars is already different at times. Voronezh determines the coordinates of a target moving at a distance of several hundred kilometers at hypersonic speed with an error of no more than 11 meters.

American stations are capable of determining the coordinates of the target with an accuracy of 120 meters horizontally and 90 meters vertically.

Moreover, the target detection range is comparable to the range of "Voronezh" only in the only, newest, radar AN / FPS-132. It is 5,000 kilometers, against 6,000 kilometers for the Russian radar. Previous developments of the Americans, which are still in operation, reach only 4500 kilometers.

Strictly speaking, Voronezh is not one replicated station, but a family of stations. Here are the radars included:

- "Voronezh-M" meter range. Development of RTI them. A.L. Mints;

- "Voronezh-DM" decimeter range. Development of NIIDAR;

- "Voronezh-VP" - high-potential radar. Development of RTI them. A.L. Mints. Works in the meter range;

- "Voronezh-SM" centimeter range. At the moment it is at the design stage.

The stations have different radio technical characteristics, predefined schemes used, principles of control of emitted signals and methods of processing the received responses. At the same time, due to the existing ability to change the nature of the signal, the stations are able to "adjust" to the targets for their better identification and tracking. Up to 500 targets are tracked simultaneously.

Radars of the "Voronezh" family, due to the high degree of unit unification, can be upgraded in order to increase their capabilities in terms of range and target determination accuracy.

The emergence of the Voronezh-SM radar will make it possible to use the SPNR network not only for detection and tracking, but also for targeting missile weapons. Since the radars of the centimeter range have a resolution that allows you to solve such a problem.

The range of the family's stations is in the range from 4500 km to 6000 km. The height of the detected objects is up to 4000 km. That is, Voronezh works both with ballistic and aerodynamic aircraft and with satellites.

At the moment, there are 4 stations on alert:

- Voronezh-M (Lekhtusi, Leningrad Region) controls the airspace from the coast of Morocco to Spitsbergen. Upgrades are planned to control the east coast of the United States;

- "Voronezh-DM" (Armavir, Krasnodar Territory) controls the airspace from Southern Europe to the northern coast of Africa;

- "Voronezh-DM" (Pionersky, Kaliningrad region) controls the airspace over all of Europe, including the UK;

- "Voronezh-VP" (Mishlevka, Irkutsk region) controls the airspace from the west coast of the United States to India.

3 stations, which are in trial operation, will be put on alert this year:

- "Voronezh-DM" (Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Territory);

- "Voronezh-DM" (Barnaul, Altai Territory);

- "Voronezh-M" (Orsk, Orenburg region).

At the moment, two radars are under construction - in the Komi Republic and in the Amur Region. The construction of another one - in Murmanskaya - is planned for next year.

In addition to the indisputable tactical and technical merits of the Voronezh radars, they also have economic advantages in comparison with the Egyptian pyramids of the previous generation.

They have significantly lower power consumption. If the Daryal radar, commissioned in 1984, consumes a power equal to 50 MW, then the meter and decimeter Voronezh - 0.7 MW each, and the new high-potential radar - 10 MW. This has a beneficial effect not only on operating costs, but also on a less cumbersome cooling system. If "Daryal" needs 150 cubic meters of water per hour for this purpose, then "Voronezh" does not need water for cooling.

Accordingly, new stations are much cheaper - 1.5 billion rubles versus 10-20 billion.

Reducing the size and energy consumption while maintaining high technical and operational characteristics was achieved due to the miniaturization of equipment, as well as through the use of powerful computing technology that optimizes the operation of stations and allows for higher resolution while reducing energy consumption.

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, in 2017, 70 (radar) were delivered to the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia. Radars are necessary for carrying out radar reconnaissance, whose tasks include the timely detection of various dynamic targets.

“The divisions of the radio-technical troops of the Aerospace Forces received more than 70 newest radars in 2017. Among them are radar systems of medium and high altitudes "Sky-M", radars of medium and high altitudes "Protivnik", "All-altitude detector", "Sopka-2", low-altitude radars "Podlet-K1" and "Podlet-M", " Casta-2-2 "," Gamma-C1 ", as well as modern complexes of automation equipment" Fundament "and other means," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

As noted in the department, the main feature of the latest domestic radars is that they are created on a modern element base. All processes and operations performed by these machines are automated as much as possible.

At the same time, the control systems and maintenance of radar stations have become simpler.

Defense element

Radar stations in the Russian Aerospace Forces are designed for the detection and tracking of air targets, as well as for targeting anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM). Radars are one of the key elements of the air, missile and space defense of Russia.

The Sky-M radar complex is capable of detecting targets at ranges from 10 to 600 km (all-round view) and from 10 to 1800 km (sector view). The station can track both large and small objects made using stealth technology. Deployment time "Sky-M" is 15 minutes.

The Russian Aerospace Forces use the Protivnik-GE radar station to determine the coordinates and track strategic and tactical aircraft and detect American ASALM-type air-to-surface missiles. The characteristics of the complex allow it to accompany at least 150 targets at an altitude of 100 m to 12 km.

The mobile radar complex 96L6-1 / 96L6E "All-Altitude Detector" is used in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to issue target designations to air defense systems. The unique vehicle can detect a wide range of aerodynamic targets (aircraft, helicopters and drones) at altitudes up to 100 km.

Radars "Podlyot-K1" and "Podlyot-M", "Kasta-2-2", "Gamma-S1" are used to monitor the air situation at heights from several meters to 40-300 km. The complexes recognize all types of aviation and rocket technology and can be operated at temperatures from -50 to +50 ° C.

• Mobile radar complex for detecting aerodynamic and ballistic objects at medium and high altitudes "Sky-M"

The main task of the Sopka-2 radar system is to obtain and analyze information about the air situation. The Ministry of Defense is most actively using this radar in the Arctic. The high resolution of the Sopka-2 makes it possible to recognize individual air targets that are flying as part of a group. Sopka-2 is capable of detecting up to 300 objects within 150 km.

Almost all of the above radar systems ensure the security of Moscow and the Central Industrial Region. By 2020, the share of modern weapons in the air defense units of the Moscow area of ​​responsibility should reach 80%.

At the stage of rearmament

All modern radars consist of six main components: a transmitter (source of an electromagnetic signal), an antenna system (focusing the transmitter signal), a radio receiver (processing the received signal), output devices (indicators and computers), anti-jamming equipment and power supplies.

Domestic radars can detect aircraft, drones and missiles, tracking their movements in real time. Radars provide timely information on the situation in the airspace near the borders of the Russian Federation and hundreds of kilometers from state borders. In military language, this is called radar reconnaissance.

The incentive for improving the radar intelligence of the Russian Federation is the efforts of foreign states (primarily the United States) to create stealth aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. So, over the past 40 years, the United States has been actively developing stealth technologies, which are designed to provide an invisible approach to the enemy's lines for the radar.

The huge military budget (over $ 600 billion) gives American designers the opportunity to experiment with radio-absorbing materials and geometric shapes of aircraft. In parallel with this, the United States is improving radar protection (anti-jamming) and radar suppression devices (jamming radar receivers).

Military expert Yuri Knutov is convinced that Russian radar reconnaissance is capable of detecting almost all types of air targets, including American fifth-generation fighters F-22 and F-35, stealth aircraft (in particular, the strategic bomber B-2 Spirit) and objects flying on extremely low altitudes.

• Radar screen that shows the target image synchronized with the movement of the antenna
• Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

“Even the latest American aircraft will not hide from the Sky-M station. The Ministry of Defense attaches great importance to the development of the radar, because these are the eyes and ears of the Aerospace Forces. The advantages of the newest stations that are now entering service are long range, high noise immunity and mobility, "Knutov said in an interview with RT.

The expert noted that the United States does not stop working on the development of radar suppression systems, realizing its vulnerable position in front of Russian radars. In addition, the American army is armed with special anti-radar missiles, which are guided by the radiation of the stations.

“The newest Russian radars are distinguished by an incredible level of automation compared to the previous generation. Remarkable progress has been made in improving mobility. In the Soviet years, it took almost a day to turn the station around and down. Now this is done within half an hour, and sometimes within a few minutes, ”Knutov said.

The interlocutor of RT believes that the radar systems of the Aerospace Forces are adapted to counteract a high-tech enemy, reducing the likelihood of his penetration into the airspace of the Russian Federation. According to Knutov, today the radio-technical troops of Russia are at the stage of active rearmament, but by 2020 most of the units will be equipped with modern radars.

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