Complex "Burak-M": protection for submarines and concern for PLO

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In the spring of this year, it became known that the Russian navy had begun testing the Burak-M electronic warfare system for submarines. Since then, no new information has been received on the progress of the project; remain unknown and the main tactical and technical characteristics of the complex. However, this does not prevent the emergence of various versions and assessments, some of which may end up being correct.

Product tested


According to various sources, the development of an electronic warfare complex with a special buoy "Burak-M" started in the mid-nineties. In the future, work proceeded at a slow pace, which is why real results were obtained only to date. How the requirements and appearance of the product have changed over the years is unknown. Probably the original project was deeply modernized to meet modern needs. fleet.



In August 2018, it became known about the planned purchase of new type of buoys. The Ministry of Defense was going to purchase 10 complexes with a total cost of approx. RUB 30 million Half of the products were supposed to arrive in 2019, the rest in 2020. At the same time, the composition of the complex and the amount of certain components were not specified.

In March of this year, the domestic media reported the beginning of tests of "Burak-M". Then it was reported that strategic missile carriers of projects 667BDRM "Dolphin" and 955 "Borey" will receive such equipment. Some technical details were also announced. These publications attracted attention in our country and abroad, which led to the emergence of new estimates and versions.

Buoy against communication


According to known data, the product "Burak-M" is part of a larger complex of means of protecting the submarine from enemy anti-submarine weapons. The buoy is used with the Modul-D vertical launcher and, if necessary, is fired to the surface where it starts to work
On board the buoy, electronic warfare equipment is installed to suppress enemy radio communication channels.


Currently, one of the main means of searching for submarines is the sonar buoys (RGAB) dropped by patrol aircraft and helicopters. Such products operate on the sea surface and maintain communication with their carrier or other components of the PLO system. "Burak-M" must suppress communication channels, as a result of which the RGAB cannot transmit information about the underwater situation or issue target designations.

In the case of anti-submarine aviation RGAB are the primary means of detecting underwater targets. Lacking data from such buoys, the patrol aircraft is unable to conduct further searches with sufficient efficiency. Accordingly, the overall indicators of both the aviation component of the ASW and the entire system as a whole decrease.

In the future, buoys of electronic warfare "Burak-M" will be included in the ammunition load of a number of domestic submarines and will help them hide from possible observation. It should be noted that such means of jamming will become the next element of a larger complex of measures to protect the submarine from enemy ASW. Buoys will allow for more flexible response to emerging threats.

American calculations


In the wake News about the start of tests in the foreign press there were several interesting publications with attempts to analyze. So, The Drive reviewed the available data and made some conclusions, incl. affecting the development of foreign PLO.


It was noted that EW buoys are received by strategic missile submarines. These submarines are of particular importance for national security, and therefore it is they who are primarily equipped with new means of protection. Products "Burak-M" and other systems should ensure maximum stealth of the submarine during patrolling and preparation for launching missiles.

It also notes the need to use electronic warfare buoys on diesel-electric submarines of projects 636.3 and 677. Due to the impossibility of permanent stay under water and the need for regular surfacing, they are more vulnerable to enemy ASW. The consequence of this is the need for a developed complex of means of protection or camouflage.

The Drive recalls that in recent years, Russian submarine forces have increased their presence in the Atlantic and Arctic. In this regard, the United States and NATO countries are taking measures to strengthen anti-submarine systems. The basis of such measures is the active work of patrol aviation, dropping the RSAB. The latter are required in large quantities, and their purchase is associated with large expenses.

So, in the draft US defense budget for FY2021. the purchase of tens of thousands of buoys with a total value of $ 238 million was envisaged. They also demanded to reserve $ 26,2 million for additional orders of such products in case of unplanned operations. In the coming years, expenditures for the RSAB will remain approximately at the same level.


The authors of The Drive assumed that the US and other navies would continue their current anti-submarine activities while maintaining existing activities. At the same time, the fear was expressed that "Burak-M" would not be the last novelty in the field of countering anti-aircraft missiles, and new products would follow.

Chinese estimates


Recently, the Chinese edition "Zhongguo Junwang" turned to the topic of electronic warfare buoys. It considered general issues of detecting submarines and countering them, and also pointed out some of the characteristic features of the promising Russian Burak-M.

It is noted that the principle of operation of the electronic warfare buoy provides high potential and efficiency. The most common RGABs of our time have relatively low-power transmitters that do not provide high noise immunity. Thus, a buoy from a submarine will be able to effectively suppress the enemy's PLO communications. Thanks to this, the submarine will be able to secretly escape.

At the same time, the proposed application concept has a significant drawback. Having lost contact with sonar buoys, the enemy can determine the area where the source of interference is located. This, in turn, will show that a submarine with special equipment was present in this area - the search will be somewhat simplified.

Classified perspective


At the moment, it is known about the existence of the "Burak-M" complex, as well as about its withdrawal for testing using unnamed submarines as experimental platforms. In addition, its general capabilities are known, but the tactical and technical characteristics remain secret. New information is likely to emerge upon completion of ongoing activities.


It is curious that even on the basis of the limited available data, it is possible to draw some conclusions and determine the approximate prospects of a new sample. In addition, the prerequisites for its appearance and the possible consequences of widespread introduction and use are easily determined.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the Burak-M project did not go unnoticed abroad. So far, we are talking only about publications in various publications, but it cannot be ruled out that the fleets and developers of anti-submarine systems are showing the most serious interest in Russian development - and are already preparing to respond to such countermeasures.

In the meantime, while discussions continue at various levels, the Russian fleet is carrying out a program for testing new equipment. Thanks to this, in the near future, the submarine forces will increase their capabilities to counter the ASW of a potential enemy, and at the same time, they will improve the overall combat potential.
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29 comments
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  1. +9
    24 September 2020 18: 13
    Specialists, of course, know better, but as for me: leave the jamming buoy for the submarine == mark "I was here."
    1. +9
      24 September 2020 18: 44
      Quote: ares1988
      Specialists, of course, know better, but as for me: leave the jamming buoy for the submarine == mark "I was here."


      I think that you have not understood the principle of operation of the electronic warfare buoy.

      The electronic warfare buoy is fired back from the submarine after the RGAB, dropped from the helicopter / plane of the PLO, began to "extinguish" the submarine with an active search. And transfer to the carrier all data about the location of the submarine.
      Those. the carrier already knows about the location of the submarine.

      And the release of an electronic warfare buoy, which can "extinguish" radio communications for 10-15 minutes, gives the submarine a chance to try to escape from the helicopter / plane of the submarine.
      1. +3
        24 September 2020 19: 12
        Quote: SovAr238A
        The electronic warfare buoy is fired back from the submarine after the RGAB, dropped from the helicopter / plane of the PLO, began to "extinguish" the submarine with an active search. And transfer to the carrier all data about the location of the submarine.
        Those. the carrier already knows about the location of the submarine.

        And the release of an electronic warfare buoy, which can "extinguish" radio communications for 10-15 minutes, gives the submarine a chance to try to escape from the helicopter / plane of the submarine.

        That is, it is proposed to use them at the second stage of the search - when the PLO aircraft, which arrived to trigger passive buoys from the previously set barrier, has already set up a second barrier or circle, specifying the position and elements of movement of the submarine? But in this case, the plane will circle almost over the buoys, so the power of the electronic warfare should be decent.
        And what is possible for 10-15 minutes of communication failure? Go 4-6 miles? So the adversary will again throw the buoys ... or take the signal from the old ones - after all, they work until 8 o'clock.
        1. 0
          24 September 2020 20: 15
          Quote: Alexey RA

          And what is possible for 10-15 minutes of communication failure? Go 4-6 miles? So the adversary will again throw the buoys ... or take the signal from the old ones - after all, they work until 8 o'clock.

          well, you can find out, for example, from Mina or Rudolph ...
          It seems to me you can go the same 5-6 miles, change the depth, course ...

          The helicopter has a very limited set of RGAB, the plane has a lot more, but you have to scatter a new ring, because there is not much understanding where the submarine could go in such a situation.
          If only PLO specialists have 100% knowledge of the directions, current maps, methodology and tactics of submarine control when leaving the PLO helicopter / aircraft, they can predict a narrower scope of possible directions of departure ...

          At 6 miles - the circle along which it is necessary to throw RGAB with enviable regularity is already 36 miles ...
          And if the electronic warfare buoy will work for half an hour or an hour?
          Half an hour of work - the circle is already 65 miles.
          An hour - 130 miles.

          And being a really powerful product will it work not only with "air" - radio waves, but also with "water" - hydroacoustic noise?
          And most importantly, that it would be inconspicuous, that it would not be possible to see it and shoot it from a machine gun from a helicopter, or drop a small-sized depth charge on it from an airplane ..
          And then it is possible and this - they will paint it white, and he will dangle along the waves - like a target ...
  2. +1
    24 September 2020 18: 16
    threw out an electronic warfare buoy and immediately informed the enemy about their location, and who will then guard this buoy in the open ocean? otherwise they will immediately pick it up and soon there will be zero sense from it
    1. +3
      24 September 2020 19: 32
      Quote: _Ugene_
      threw out an electronic warfare buoy and immediately informed the enemy about their location, and who will then guard this buoy in the open ocean? otherwise they will immediately pick it up and soon there will be zero sense from it

      You can envisage self-destruction after a certain time, like mines.
  3. 0
    24 September 2020 18: 18
    The eternal struggle of the shield and the sword.
  4. 0
    24 September 2020 19: 14
    And what relation to the note have the last 2 photographs, clearly amerikosovskie?
    1. +2
      24 September 2020 20: 21
      Quote: Aviator_
      And what relation to the note have the last 2 photographs, clearly amerikosovskie?


      The most direct.
      Buoy AN / SSQ-53E is the main tool for work on ASW with helicopters and aircraft - the main enemies of the submarine.
      with which the electronic warfare buoys must fight ...
      1. +1
        24 September 2020 20: 28
        In this case, the photo should have been signed, and not given in this form.
    2. 0
      24 September 2020 20: 21
      Quote: Aviator_
      What relation to the note have the last 2 photographs, clearly amerikosovskie?

      The most immediate. Yes laughing
      in the draft US defense budget for FY2021. the purchase of tens of thousands of buoys with a total value of $ 238 million was envisaged. They also demanded to reserve $ 26,2 million for additional orders of such products in case of the start of unplanned operations. In the coming years, expenditures for the RSAB will remain approximately at the same level.
  5. -4
    24 September 2020 19: 21
    I'll read in more detail when
    Missile defense with 100% guarantee of protection
    from overcoming will be invented.
    Then it will be possible
    tanks / boats and other buoys
    measure up.
    In the meantime, irrelevant.
    1. +4
      24 September 2020 19: 50
      The best missile defense system is the detection and destruction of SSBNs before the missiles are launched. And the Americans have already ensured almost constant tracking of our missile carriers. And with the help of MAPL, and with the help of PLO aircraft. "Burak" is a way to break away from the latter.
      1. -2
        24 September 2020 21: 42
        And why should the RPKSN be in the area where the BPAv "partners" freely operate?
        1. 0
          25 September 2020 18: 35
          Why should the RPKSN be in the area where the BPAv "partners" freely operate?
          in the Avacha Bay and at the exit from the Kola Bay, "partners" submarines constantly stick out. BPAv reaches the Barents Sea from Norway.
          1. -1
            25 September 2020 21: 13
            And you want to say that no one can stop them there (not in peacetime)? Can't you hear the roar of fighters in Elizovo?
            1. 0
              25 September 2020 22: 47
              It does not matter. All the same, the Boreis at the Pacific Fleet do not fire rockets. There is a jamb with mines (infa from the Balancer). And since they don't shoot, then there is no need to provide for it yet.
              Are you saying that no one can interfere with them there (not in peacetime)? Can't you hear the roar of fighters in Elizovo?
              And yes, in wartime everything that is in Yelizovo is covered by what the partners in Alaska have. Not counting a couple of AUG and the Japanese Navy.
              1. 0
                26 September 2020 21: 05
                If I understood you correctly, then there is only one hope for Ryazan?
                1. 0
                  26 September 2020 22: 35
                  Why then? There is the Strategic Missile Forces, there is the Northern Fleet with its 667BDRM ... And the problematic Bulava missiles of the first series, which are in the Pacific Fleet's Borei, will sooner or later be changed. And the brigade of PLO corvettes in Vilyuchinsk will be placed, and the diesel-electric submarine brigade will be re-equipped with new Varshavyanka. And Ash trees will come there. Maybe something will change for the better with PLO aircraft ... Moscow was not built right away)))
  6. -1
    24 September 2020 19: 35
    on this buoy, they will make another buoy, and on that other buoy, and how they go to throw buoys on each other laughing
  7. -5
    24 September 2020 20: 41
    The significance of the idea is not clear.
    To begin with, if the boat is looking for passive buoys, then you need to rise to the surface to determine their presence.
    And you need to climb to the periscope depth at a distance of 5-6
    km to the buoys, the maximum radio horizon is small, both by the boat and by the buoys.
    In practice, the periscope boat will become visible under water from the air.
    If there is a helicopter or an airplane, it will sink right away, like on a range.
    Further, if the electronic warfare from the buoy worked, then this icon is the boat here. And if it is not known, an airplane or a helicopter found it at all? Is it to unmask yourself?
    If there is a helicopter, then this does not make much sense at all, this buoy will simply be shot from the air, and the helicopter has a towed GAS antenna. Similarly, it does not make much sense against an PLO ship.
    There are probably cases when it can be used with benefit, but one gets the impression that more often it will only cause problems.
    1. +1
      25 September 2020 10: 35
      Nonsense, the submarine, during its movement, can release a whole network of such buoys, which, upon reaching the surface, will immediately begin to jam the enemy's radio beacons, after which the submarine will immediately change its course and leave the search sector as deep as possible. The only necessary condition is the duration of effective operation of such electronic warfare buoys should not be less than 50-60 minutes, this is the time during which the submarine can leave the enemy's search zone to a safe distance.
      1. -2
        25 September 2020 10: 41
        Do you have a clear idea of ​​the speed of an airplane and a boat?
        After all, you still need to know that there are operating buoys of the aircraft from above, other means of PLO electronic warfare will not be an obstacle.
        In reality, the use of an active enemy buoy immediately before the attack of the boat gives a certain chance.
        All otalnoe - just unmask the boat.
  8. +3
    24 September 2020 21: 57
    If the complex is made, then it is needed. Whoever knows everything about the topic, and the rest should be just happy in their hearts that the sailors will acquire another way of self-preservation and survival.
  9. +4
    24 September 2020 22: 06
    1. Let it be. Theoretically, it can disrupt the attack on the square, when it suppresses the radio channel of the active buoy (which is used to clarify the CPC immediately before using the weapon).
    2. In my opinion, a full-fledged electronic warfare system is needed for submarines, and not individual products.
    1. 0
      25 September 2020 01: 33
      Quote: K298rtm
      In my opinion, a full-fledged electronic warfare complex is needed for pl, and not individual products.

      Separate. Moreover, they have been purchased for 2 years in the amount of as many as 10 pieces, with a total cost of three rubles in Moscow.
  10. +2
    25 September 2020 08: 06
    The appearance of interference (interruption of communication) in the radio link "buoy-aircraft"
    - in itself is an unmasking feature. Application
    this buoy must be performed only in conjunction with other
    means.
    In general - "Volga flows into the Caspian Sea ...", and "Horses eat
    oats and hay ... ".
  11. +1
    25 September 2020 10: 09
    submarine safety is the first priority
  12. -2
    26 September 2020 07: 00
    We already have problems with torpedoes, hydroacoustics and the decisive numerical superiority of (quality) enemy weapons. And this know-how generally raises the question - for what purpose is this done? If this antediluvian 667BDRM is also thrown out, it will be destroyed 100%.

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