Formations capable of conducting large-scale network-centric operations have appeared in the Russian army
Over the past several years, the Russian army has been carrying out measures to integrate and master the Unified Tactical Control System (ESU TZ). The units and formations regularly and rhythmically receive separate means and complexes from the composition of this system, due to which the existing control loops are modernized. In the foreseeable future, it is planned to complete the transfer of the army to the ESU TK and fully receive all the expected benefits.
Retrofitting processes
ESU TK was developed by the Sozvezdie concern (now part of the Ruselectronics holding of the Rostec state corporation) with the participation of a number of other enterprises since the beginning of the 2010s. By XNUMX, work was completed on the first version of the project, which was then sent off for revision. The final version of the new control system was created and tested in the mid-tenths.
At the end of 2018, the first contract was signed for the supply of serial components of ESU TZ to combat units of our army. It was reported that the transfer and introduction of new products will begin in 2019 and will continue for several years. The domestic press reported that 2020 brigade sets of new equipment are planned to be delivered to the troops by the end of 40.
The production, supply, development and integration of new communication and control devices continues to this day and shows some success. So, in mid-October, the Ministry of Defense reported that by now four formations of ground forces have been completely transferred to the ESU TZ. Two more similar kits will be delivered by the end of the year. At the same time, the recipients of the new equipment and its number are not specified.
December 1, RIA News with reference to its "informed sources" revealed new details of the update of control systems. The agency confirms the information on the equipping of several connections with the new ESU TK. In particular, they recalled that the Vistula motorized rifle division had recently undergone a similar modernization.
Also, sources of RIA Novosti indicate the receipt of fundamentally new opportunities. Having received ESU TK, combat units can participate in full-scale network-centric operations. Accordingly, information and communication superiority over the enemy is ensured.
New opportunities
The unified control system and its individual components are mastered by the troops and are regularly used in practical activities. So, five years ago, the first major exercise took place with the use of the then experienced ESU TK - "Kavkaz-2016". In the future, experimental equipment was repeatedly used in new exercises, and since 2019, serial samples have been used in maneuvers of various levels and scales.
This year, similar exercises continued, and this time completely new capabilities were tested and practiced. For example, in January, the Ministry of Defense reported that artillery exercises were held at the training grounds of the Western Military District, in which network-centric principles of combat work were used.
The available UAVs conducted reconnaissance, spotted objects of the imaginary enemy and, through the ESU TZ, gave target designation to fire weapons in the form of batteries of the Msta-SM2 self-propelled guns. Self-propelled guns fired, and the calculations of unmanned systems carried out the adjustment. Working through the ESU TK made it possible to speed up the exchange of data at times and get an almost real time scale.
It is obvious that such events will continue. New means of communication and control will gradually master and test all artillery units at the range. In addition, similar training for other combat arms will continue. Also ESU TK will ensure the fight against a conditional enemy in the course of all future full-scale exercises.
Principles of modernization
ESU TK is a complex multicomponent system that unites all types of troops and formations of different levels. Due to this, a single information and control space is formed, which ensures the accumulation, processing and distribution of data about the situation on the battlefield, about goals, etc. The unification of intelligence, command and fire weapons through the ESU TZ makes it possible to accelerate the speed of the military groupings and, accordingly, increase their effectiveness.
According to available data, the ESU TK in its current form includes 11 subsystems for various purposes. First of all, it is a single information network that unites military communications of all types used. There are also separate control subsystems for different types of troops, electronic intelligence and electronic warfare subsystems, as well as means of control over material and technical support.
ESU TK is built on the basis of command-staff vehicles and communication systems of modern models with the necessary equipment. It also provides for the integration into the system of existing control points for various purposes, for which additional hardware or software modules are used.
Integration tanks, ACS and other combat vehicles in ESU TZ is carried out at the expense of appropriate communication means and special terminals. They can be installed during the construction phase of a new machine or during its modernization. For example, this year the industry announced that the promising T-14 MBT will initially carry the necessary devices. In addition, a unified kit is being developed for installation on older machines.
The infantry is encouraged to use similar terminals, but in a different design. Such products are included in the command version of the Ratnik outfit and, in some cases, are integrated with other devices.
Future systems
The development and fine-tuning of the future Unified Command and Control System of the tactical echelon lasted for a decade and a half. However, the work was completed with the required results, and fundamentally new communication and control systems entered the series and went to the troops. To date, ESU TZ has been deployed and is fully operational in several large formations of ground forces. In addition, new tools are regularly mobilized for exercises and are showing their full potential.
Thanks to ESU TK for the first time in stories Our army has created and deployed high-speed, high-performance integrated control loops that unite all branches of the armed forces and auxiliary structures. This increases the main indicators of the army, and also gives it fundamentally new opportunities. Now any firearm has a connection with any reconnaissance means, and the speed of reaction to emerging threats grows significantly.
In the coming years, the main task for the development of communications and management will be the production and development of new brigade or divisional sets of ESU TK, as well as the release of equipment that initially has the necessary equipment. In parallel with this, work should be carried out to modernize existing components of the control system or develop new ones. As a result, a complete transition of the army to ESU TK should be expected in a few years, which will lead to obvious positive consequences.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
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