Electronic warfare complex "Tobol" and the Starlink system. Real tests or fight for contracts
Antenna of the user terminal of the Starlink system. Photo by The Washington Post
The Russian industry is actively engaged in the development of various means of electronic warfare, and new models of this kind are regularly reported, as well as their combat use. According to the foreign press, last year the Russian army began to use the new EW 14Ts227 Tobol complex. It is alleged that with its help they suppress satellite communication channels used by Ukrainian formations.
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On April 18, the American edition of The Washington Post reported on the new Russian development and its use in the framework of the current Special Operation. Information about the Tobol was obtained from classified documents of the American intelligence community, present in a recent leak. The papers cited by the publication date from March 2023. It is not known how true these data are. However, the leak as a whole and the information from it naturally attracted attention.
Referring to Pentagon documents, TWP writes that for several months the Russian army has been experimenting with the Tobol complex. Their goal was to disrupt the operation of the Starlink satellite communications system used by Ukrainian formations.
Abroad, it is believed that to date, seven stationary Tobol complexes have been built in different parts of Russia. The objects closest to Ukraine are located in the Moscow region, the Krasnodar Territory and the Kaliningrad Region. It is assumed that they were involved in the Special Operation.
Reportedly, the experiment began in September 2022. The main task was to suppress satellite communications in the area of the city of Artemovsk (Ukrainian Bakhmut). According to the plan, 25 days were allocated for the experiments. However, in fact, the events continue for several months. What results the Tobol complex showed, how the experiment is going and why it was extended, American intelligence does not know.
One of the alleged positions of the complex 14Ts227 "Tobol". Photo by Thespacereview.com
After receiving new information, TWP turned to the company SpaceX, which developed the Starlink system, but she declined to comment. However, the publication recalls that last year, the founder of the company, Elon Musk, repeatedly wrote about attempts by Russian electronic warfare to influence satellite communication channels. The threat was countered by updating the software of the Starlink tools.
The publication also requested comments from the military departments of the United States and Ukraine. The Pentagon spokesman pointed to the important role of satellite communications in Ukrainian communications. He also recalled the intention of the department to provide the Kyiv regime with the necessary capabilities related to satellites. At the same time, the US representative did not answer on the merits. The Ukrainian representative, in turn, said that Kyiv is aware of Russian attempts to suppress communication, and in this regard, measures are being taken.
Secret development
The foreign press writes about the EW 14Ts227 Tobol complex. Such a development really exists, and several similar products have even been brought to operation. However, due to its special functions and role, the complex is still secret. In free access there are only single mentions, as well as the most general formulations. In addition, some of the available information comes from foreign sources, which raises questions about their reliability.
According to available information, development work with the Tobol cipher started at the beginning of the last decade. The lead contractor was the Russian Space Systems company (Moscow). Also, some other participants in the work are mentioned in foreign materials. The development of "Tobol" was carried out by organizations of the rocket-space and radio-electronic industries. The preparation of the project took several years.
Product 14Ts227 is a complex full-size complex, the deployment of which requires capital facilities. According to other data, container execution is possible with the need for a long and complex deployment in position. In the tenth years, in parallel with the development, there was a preparation for the construction of future facilities. To date, at least 6-7 Tobol complexes have been built in different regions of the country. Perhaps construction will continue in the future.
Antenna devices of one of the Tobols. Photo by Thespacereview.com
Tobol belongs to the field of radio engineering, but the exact goals of the project are still unknown. Its classification as an electronic warfare complex is conjectural and is based only on circumstantial evidence of varying degrees of persuasiveness. It is also assumed that the complex should solve problems of a defensive nature and suppress the offensive means of the enemy. Now, "secret documents" of American intelligence point to its own offensive capabilities.
Suppressant
There is no official open information about the purpose of the Tobol, its capabilities and characteristics. In this regard, foreign experts express their estimates and forecasts based on the few available data. It is assumed that the EW 14Ts227 "Tobol" complex is capable of solving various tasks, incl. the most complex, and with the use of new principles.
The simplest version involves the use of Tobol components for electronic suppression of enemy spacecraft. In this case, regular or third-party means should identify orbital targets and issue target designation to the 14Ts227 complex. According to these data, the complex interferes, preventing the target satellite from receiving a signal from the Earth.
According to another assumption, Tobol can suppress not only ascending signals. In this case, the complex must pick up the satellite signal sent to the ground object and send the appropriate interference. This signal is reflected from the troposphere and goes to the ground target, which is why it cannot receive data from orbit.
The third option involves the use of the electronic warfare complex as a means of protection - in case of an electronic attack on our spacecraft. In this mode, the 14Ts227 complex, either by itself or with the help of third-party means, must catch and process enemy interference directed at the satellite. Then he sends a "neutralizing" signal to the satellite, and the two interference cancel each other out.
It is quite possible that a large and heavy complex in a stationary design has all three modes - or even more. In addition, placement in capital structures allows you to improve the performance characteristics. Thanks to this, even a limited number of deployed complexes can control all the borders of the country and the surrounding territory.
Foreign unmanned boat, which is in service with Ukraine. A flat Starlink antenna is visible in the stern. Photo Telegram / "Rybar"
Which of the versions is true is unknown. There is no official information of this kind, and foreign experts cannot accurately determine the answer to this question. In addition, they may also raise doubts news on the use of the Tobol complex or complexes in the Special Operation.
Secret and obvious
Complex 14Ts227 "Tobol" is of obvious interest, but almost nothing is known about it, and it is not possible to obtain information. At the same time, foreign publications about this product are no less interesting - both in themselves and from the point of view of the subtext contained in them.
According to the latest reports from The Washington Post, citing US intelligence, Russia has created a new electronic warfare system. They decided to test it as part of the Special Operation in Ukraine, but such an experiment was seriously delayed, and it was not possible to suppress the chosen target in the form of the Starlink system. At the same time, the details of the measures taken are not given, but they are trying to determine how dangerous Tobol is for foreign satellites.
It seems that the foreign press is trying to convince the reader that Russia has come up with and is implementing another sinister plan. So, she created an electronic warfare complex capable of threatening satellites and advanced developments in the field of communications. However, the tests of such a complex failed, and the Starlink system, after a small update, continues to work. In addition, at the level of hints, they are promoting the idea of the need to protect the space constellation from threats like product 14Ts227.
This situation is given a special appearance by the fact that it is based solely on certain "secret documents" of dubious origin. However, this circumstance does not prevent us from promoting ideas about the electronic threat from Russia and the need to take action, as well as hinting at the superiority of our own developments.
It is likely that the recent article in The Washington Post appeared not to inform readers, but as a disguised signal to certain individuals and structures. If signals of this kind become widespread and the addressees notice them, the development of an American response to the Russian Tobol may begin. And then it will become clear who could be the initiator and beneficiary of the new "sensation".
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