Universal reconnaissance containers "Sych" in the Special Operations
The Su-34 front-line bomber is capable of not only destroying ground targets, but also conducting reconnaissance. In order to expand these capabilities of the aircraft, a family of so-called. universal reconnaissance containers under the code "Sych". Recently it became known that such equipment is used during the Special Operation and contributes to the detection and destruction of enemy targets.
Latest news
From the very beginning of the Special Operation, the Ministry of Defense regularly shows episodes of the combat use of front-line aviation. Back in April, in one of the official videos on this topic, a Su-34 bomber appeared with an unusual product on an external sling. Under the fuselage was a hanging container with special equipment. Apparently, it was one of the products of the Sych series.
New information on the topic of hanging containers was revealed on July 27 by the RIA agency News. With reference to an informed source in an unnamed structure, it is reported that as part of the Special Operation, they began to use a new reconnaissance complex based on a bomber. Such a complex includes the Su-34 itself and suspended universal reconnaissance containers (UKR). Three types of containers with different equipment have been developed. They are intended for optoelectronic, electronic and radar reconnaissance.
RCCs of three models are capable of observing and searching for ground targets in flight. The equipment determines the coordinates, type and other parameters of the found object with high accuracy. Target data is transmitted to ground forces and / or fire weapons for subsequent strike. Data exchange is carried out through automatic channels on a time scale close to real.
Unfortunately, specific examples of the use of the Su-34 with Sych containers are not given. However, based on available materials, it can be judged that such products are used in conjunction with all major air-to-surface weapons. On the whole, it is clear that the new RCCs are making their contribution to the overall results of the combat use of front-line aviation and land fire weapons.
Theme "Owl"
According to known data, universal reconnaissance containers for the Su-34 were created from the middle or end of the XNUMXs. Experimental design work with the Sych code was carried out at the Kulon Research Institute (Moscow) from the Ruselectronics holding. The objective of the project was to create three unified RBMs with different equipment and different capabilities.
At the end of 2011, it became known that Sukhoi ordered the production of the first batch of new containers. Their production was entrusted to PO "Strela" (Orenburg), which is part of NPO Mashinostroeniya. It was planned to supply eight prototypes of all three versions.
In the following years, the Sych UKR passed the necessary tests, incl. with flights on the external sling of a regular carrier. Later, photos of an aircraft with such a load got into the public domain. In addition, new types of containers were repeatedly mentioned in the context of the further development of the Su-34 and the improvement of its combat qualities.
For example, in May 2020, it became known about a new contract for the production of 76 modernized Su-34s. As one of the main differences of the updated machine, compatibility with the new UKR was mentioned. The first batch of such bombers, designated Su-34M, entered service last year, and production continues.
Now it has become known that the Sych products and their carriers have reached combat units, have been mastered and are used in the course of a real operation. Probably, new details of their work will soon become known.
Three samples
Products of the Sych series are interchangeable hanging containers with special equipment. They are built in an oblong body several meters long and are intended for suspension on the central ventral assembly. At the same time, the UCR devices are connected to the aircraft systems. First of all, data exchange is organized between the container and the sighting and navigation complex of the bomber.
The Sych family includes three types of containers. So, the UKR-RL product is a suspended side-looking radar station. This container is distinguished by the presence of large side radio-transparent panels. UKR-RL is designed to detect single and group ground targets at ranges up to 300 km. With it, you can identify enemy troops on the march, in places of concentration or in positions.
The UKR-RT container is equipped with electronic intelligence devices. It allows the bomber to detect enemy communications and radars, determine their coordinates and provide other information, incl. used in striking. Depending on the features of the radio equipment, it can be detected at ranges from tens to hundreds of kilometers.
There is also a UKR-OE container with an optical-electronic station. It is intended for visual observation of the terrain at any time of the day and also allows you to find targets and determine their location.
The primary data from the Sych UKR are transferred to the bomber's PRNK for processing. Information about targets can be used by the aircraft itself, followed by a strike, or transmitted to headquarters to organize an attack by other means. According to known data, the entire cycle of target detection, processing and issuing data takes no more than a few minutes.
Unified Benefits
Suspended containers of the Sych series give the Su-34M front-line bomber new capabilities, and therefore are of great interest to the Aerospace Forces. With their help, the aircraft improves its own combat qualities, and also gets the opportunity to more effectively help ground formations.
It should be noted that the Su-34, even without additional equipment, is capable of conducting reconnaissance, detecting targets and transmitting information about them. However, built-in instruments have some limitations in terms of their tasks or performance. The installation of an external RCM, in turn, allows you to fill in the gaps and build up the main parameters.
For example, the regular Sh-121 radar provides an overview of the front hemisphere, search and shelling of targets. The station from the UKR-RL allows you to observe the lateral hemisphere, which is more useful for reconnaissance of enemy positions. The situation is similar with the electronic intelligence container. Of great importance is the optical-electronic container UKR-OE, due to which the range of visual observation is sharply increased.
A unified container is selected in accordance with the tasks of a specific sortie and the characteristics of the reconnaissance objects. It can supplement the on-board facilities of the carrier aircraft or perform the tasks of missing instruments. In all cases, the necessary capabilities are provided, an increase in the detection range, accuracy of determining coordinates, etc. is achieved.
The resulting aviation complex is distinguished by its versatility and flexibility. The data from the Sych can be used by the bomber itself - and immediately strike at the identified target with the help of a suitable weapons. In addition, it is possible to transfer target designation to other weapons, and this process takes a minimum of time and reduces the chances of the enemy to escape from the blow.
Thus, universal containers can be used not only in individual reconnaissance flights, but also in "normal" combat work. In any case, the required advantages are achieved and the necessary capabilities appear, both for the carrier aircraft itself and for other means of our army.
As foreign experience shows, the idea of a hanging container with equipment has great prospects. In the future, new analogues of the Sych may be created with different equipment, higher performance, etc. With their help, it will be possible to improve the capabilities of the Su-34M again without its own modernization, which is more complex and expensive.
Useful novelty
Thus, the Aerospace Forces have received, mastered and are using new models of special equipment. The Sych-series UCRs close the existing gaps and give the Su-34M bombers completely new opportunities in the field of reconnaissance and detection of ground targets. At the same time, new devices are used not only in the interests of the Aerospace Forces.
The current Special Operation has once again shown the significance and potential of front-line bombers and the entire range of their weapons. In addition, the Aerospace Forces checks new developments that have entered service in recent years. Judging by the known results of combat work, the Sych universal reconnaissance containers and other novelties cope with their tasks and help both aviation and ground forces.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Alexei Karpulev / Russianplanes.com
Information