Components and capabilities of the Unified tactical echelon control system
General principles of ESU TK work. Graphics B
To date, the industry has developed and brought to serial production the Unified Tactical Control System (ESU TZ). Now it is being deployed in units and subdivisions of the ground forces, as a result of which they increase their performance and receive fundamentally new capabilities. All these advantages are provided by a number of new radio-electronic devices and samples of equipment for various purposes.
Under development
For various reasons, the development of a new control system turned out to be a difficult and time-consuming process. So, the concept of such a network-centric type system was proposed in the early eighties, but for two decades it did not receive proper development. Only in 2000-2001 a full-fledged project of this kind was launched, which received the code "Constellation-M".
The head developer of ESU TZ is the Sozvezdie concern, which is part of the Ruselectronics holding from the Rostec state corporation. The concern carries out general coordination of work, as well as designs and manufactures some components of the system. Also, some other enterprises of the radio-electronic and defense industries are engaged in the development and production of equipment.
Operator terminal of one of the command and staff vehicles from the ESU TZ. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In the second half of the 2016s, the first version of the future ESU TK was tested, according to the results of which it was sent for revision. The next full-scale inspections took place in the mid-tenths. So, the first major event using ESU TK was the Caucasus-XNUMX exercise. According to their results, the system was again improved, and then recommended for adoption.
At the end of 2018, the Ministry of Defense placed the first order for the serial production of ESU TZ components. Then it was reported that over the next few years, dozens of brigade sets of equipment and equipment would be delivered to the ground forces.
To date, these plans have been fulfilled, at least in part. The Ministry of Defense and the media report a complete re-equipment of four divisions. At the same time, the supply of new products does not stop and are carried out in the interests of other connections. According to known data, serial samples of ESU TK have already been tested during exercises of various scales.
Operator at work. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In parallel with the production of a modern ESU TK, a promising system for the same purpose, referred to under the code "Constellation-2015", is being developed. Technical details have not yet been mentioned, but it is reported that such a system will not be inferior to the best world analogues, and in some parameters will even surpass them. Also, an export version of the ESU TZ is being introduced to the market under the name "Automated command and control system of tactical echelons".
Hardware
In its current form, ESU TK is a multicomponent battlefield control complex with a number of different functions. As part of the system, 11 subsystems for various purposes operate simultaneously, which are responsible for exchanging data on the tactical situation, transmitting orders, interacting with other troops, etc.
One of the options for devices for the infantry is the UNKV-E complex. Photo Concern "Constellation"
ESU TK is built on the basis of a number of types of command and staff and communication vehicles with modern electronic equipment and computing facilities. For use on various equipment and in subdivisions, software and hardware complexes of the required composition have been developed. All these components make it possible to collect all infantry units from a squad, armored vehicles, reconnaissance equipment, headquarters, etc. in a single information and control field.
The key components of the ESU TK are radio stations of several types, providing voice and data transmission, incl. over a secure channel. In particular, the stations of the R-168 "Aqueduct" family are used in different designs. The control system also includes several types of computers for processing and distributing data. Measures are envisaged to protect radio channels from interference, interception and "hacking".
Hardware and software complex for armored vehicles. Graphics Concern "Constellation"
For infantry units, regardless of their specialization, the so-called. portable set consisting of a tablet computer and a radio station. With the help of such equipment, integrated with standard equipment, the unit commander can monitor the tactical situation and exchange data with the superior commander. Similar devices receive calculations for light UAVs, ATGMs, towed artillery, etc.
Armored vehicles of all main classes are equipped with a special software and hardware complex. The commander of the vehicle receives a terminal for issuing and entering data, associated with the accompanying computing equipment and communication facilities. In new projects of armored vehicles, such devices are provided immediately. According to known data, the T-14 tank, new models of infantry armored vehicles, the "Coalition-SV" self-propelled guns, etc. were initially adapted for network-centric work. Older equipment receives such devices during modernization. They are already being installed on the T-90M MBT, Msta-SM2 self-propelled guns, etc.
All units and equipment are assembled into a single network with the help of appropriate equipment. So, the ESU TZ includes unified command and staff vehicles R-149MA1, communication machines R-142NMR, MP-1IM, etc. In the course of combat work, all of them must form an information and control field with the ability to quickly and freely exchange data between almost all participants in accordance with their needs.
Transportable radio station R-168-100KAE in export version. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
It is envisaged to integrate ESU TK with the existing control systems of some combat arms. For this, the regular command posts of the latter receive additional software and hardware modules. For example, air defense control is integrated with ESU TZ using the Barnaul-T system, and the old artillery systems will be able to use the 1V172-2 unified command vehicle.
New guidelines
The ESU TK uses a network-centric principle that is new for our army. This means that the general control loops include command posts of different levels, as well as individual units, vehicles, etc. Each element of such a system solves its own problems and interacts with others, at its own level or higher. At the same time, there are no pronounced centers in the system that are critical for all circuits.
Working as part of the Unified Control System, each combat vehicle, unit, reconnaissance vehicle, etc. transfers to the general field data on the identified goals and other information. These data are immediately available to all other participants in the ESU TK at the same or higher level. The subunit / formation commander can distribute targets and issue target designations with almost instant transmission to the selected firepower.
Unified command and staff vehicle R-149MA1. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In fact, with the help of ESU TK in real time, the most detailed map of the battlefield with various enemy objects and identified targets is formed. Thanks to this, the command gets the opportunity to see the entire situation in the area of operation and make the most effective use of the entrusted forces and assets. According to some reports, computing facilities based on artificial intelligence can be introduced into the Unified Control System. They will analyze the situation and suggest the best solutions to the commanders.
Tests and operation in the troops showed that the use of ESU TK in the existing organizational and staff structure can significantly increase all indicators of units and subunits. In particular, the speed of control loops increases by 3 times. Updating data on the enemy is accelerated 4-5 times. Accordingly, it becomes possible to more quickly deliver strikes against newly identified targets - no more than a few minutes pass from detection to hitting a target.
Great benefits
Unfortunately, the concept of a network-centric troop command and control system did not immediately receive the necessary attention and support. It was possible to start work on the most important project only two decades ago, and its results in the form of new equipment and machines appeared in the troops only now.
Self-propelled guns "Msta-SM2". Due to the installation of the ESU TZ terminal, these vehicles show increased combat qualities. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties of the past, the task of creating an ESU TZ has been successfully solved, and now the Sozvezdie concern, together with its subcontractors, produces the necessary products and transfers them to the troops. In just a couple of years, we managed to get some of the desired results, and in the foreseeable future, the re-equipment will continue. Moreover, in the long term, an improved version of the ESU TK with improved characteristics is expected to appear. We should not forget the export project of ACCS TK, which can bring a lot of money to our country.
Bringing ESU TK to the troops leads to several important results. First of all, this is the emergence of completely new control loops with fundamentally new capabilities. In addition, the ground forces receive modern command and staff and communication vehicles with a full resource, which can remain in service for a long time. The same applies to equipment for infantry and combat vehicles. At the same time, all components of the control system are created on a modern element base, which also prolongs their service life.
Thus, after a long wait, our army receives new controls that will positively affect all its main indicators. The process of re-equipment of parts and connections has reached the required pace and gives the required results. This means that in just a few years our ground forces will completely switch to ESU TK and become an even faster, more flexible and effective force.
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