Automated control system "Cassiopeia-D" goes to the test
Armored personnel carrier BTR-MDM, on the basis of which a part of the Cassiopeia-D automated control system was made
In the interests of the airborne troops, the Russian defense industry creates various samples and systems. In particular, a new automated command and control system Cassiopeia-D has been developed. Prototypes from the composition of this system are now being transferred for testing, according to the results of which it will have to go into service.
Latest news
News the progress of work on the Cassiopeia-D ACCS project for the Airborne Forces did not appear for a long time. New messages on this subject have arrived a few days ago and give cause for optimism. They show that the development of a new management system continues and enters a new important stage.
On August 3, RIA Novosti, referring to the Roselectronics holding, announced the transition to the testing stage. So, as of the end of July, prototypes of equipment from the new automated control system had already been sent for testing. Unfortunately, more accurate and complete information about the planned events is not provided. In particular, it is not specified what kind of tests we are talking about - so far only about factory or already about state ones.
One way or another, it follows from the latest news that in the near future the funds from the Cassiopeia-D will undergo a set of necessary checks. Apparently, the tests will take place in the conditions of landfills, incl. with the involvement of the personnel of the Airborne Forces. The equipment will have to confirm the calculated performance characteristics, as well as show compliance with customer requirements.
Command vehicle "Andromeda-D" on the chassis of the BTR-D
If Cassiopeia-D copes with the tests, the industry will have to master the production of new equipment and begin its delivery to the airborne troops. In the armed forces, this ACCS will complement the current Andromeda-D control system. In the long term, obviously, there will be a transition to a newer and more advanced system. However, the timing of this remains unknown.
Consistent development
In recent decades, the Russian Ministry of Defense has paid great attention to the issues of improving command and control systems. New ACCS with certain features are being developed and implemented, incl. designed for specific types of troops and types of armed forces.
So, in 2010, the introduction and trial operation of the latest Andromeda-D control system began in the Airborne Forces. This automated control system was developed at the Research Institute of Communications and Control Systems from the Roselectronics holding specifically for the Airborne Forces. The requirements for such a system took into account all the specific features and differences of the airborne troops. In particular, the main elements of the system were made on the basis of the actual armored vehicles of the Airborne Forces.
At the beginning of the tenth years, the Andromeda-D automated control system went through the stages of testing and trial operation. In addition, its work was repeatedly tested in the framework of exercises of various sizes. During all these events, the new ACCS confirmed compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Defense, after which it was put into service. By the middle of the decade, the Airborne Forces had completely switched to such a control system.
Radio station R-419-MP, involved in "Andromeda-D"
As reported, in the future, the Andromeda-D system was updated and modernized. In order to improve the working and operational characteristics, various elements of the system were updated. At the same time, it was decided to develop the next generation ACCS, which received the code "Cassiopeia-D". It was supposed to perform the same functions, but differ in enhanced performance and have other advantages over its predecessor system.
The enterprises of Ruselectronics were again responsible for the development of the Cassiopeia-D system. The main work was completed in the middle of the last decade, and in the near future such an automatic control system was expected to appear in the troops. So, in the summer of 2017, the command of the Airborne Forces reported that the deployment of the new system would begin next year 2018.
However, for unknown reasons, this did not happen. Work on the Cassiopeia-D topic continued, and only now the finished components of the new automated control system are being tested. Apparently, five years ago the project ran into some difficulties that led to the need to rework it, as well as to change the deadlines.
Judging by the latest news, all these problems have been resolved, and the Cassiopeia-D project is moving to the next stage. The start of testing the new command and control system indicates that its adoption and implementation among the troops is now only a matter of time.
Complex of funds
Technical information about the promising Cassiopeia-D automatic control system has not yet been disclosed. Only the use of components characteristic of the Airborne Forces was mentioned. Thus, command and staff vehicles for the new control system should be built on the basis of the modern airborne armored personnel carrier BTR-MDM "Rakushka". Due to this, command posts and other means of control will be able to work in the same order with the line of equipment of the Airborne Forces and effectively manage it.
Airborne control system operators at work
Other features of the new ACCS remain unknown. However, having considered the existing Andromeda-D system, one can imagine how the new Cassiopeia-D is built and what it can do. Apparently, the two systems are similar to each other, but the newer one has improved performance and has other advantages.
ACS "Andromeda-D" includes components of various kinds that solve certain problems. For processing collected data, issuing orders, etc. the system includes stationary command posts and command and control vehicles on serial chassis. Their work and interaction with other elements of the system is provided by communication stations, etc. means.
KP and KShM are equipped with automated workstations with computers and means of communication. At the disposal of the crews of equipment, artillery crews, etc. there are terminals and means of communication for automatically receiving information from the outside and sending data to surrounding consumers.
The deployed Andromeda-D system provides the collection of tactical information about the situation. Information from the lower link, from third-party intelligence tools, etc. arrive in real time. The state of their units and materiel is also monitored. After the necessary processing, the data is issued to the formation commanders, who can distribute targets and combat missions between different units and crews.
Crews, calculations, etc. with the help of their workstations, they get access to the information they need, and they also receive orders and data on targets. In addition, individual combat vehicles and subunits themselves are a source of information about the situation on the battlefield.
In general, the Andromeda-D automated control system has a positive effect on the work of both individual units and military groups. It increases the speed of data exchange and information processing in comparison with the old principles of work organization. The reaction of troops to certain events and threats is accelerated accordingly. In fact, we are talking about the full implementation of the so-called. network-centric principles of organization of control systems with all their characteristic advantages.
Reserve for the future
According to known data, the existing Andromeda-D automated command and control system, which was put into service about 10-12 years ago, fully complies with the requirements of the Airborne Forces and gives them all the necessary capabilities. The potential of this ACCS was repeatedly confirmed during the exercises, and now it is being used as part of the Special Operation to Protect Donbass.
Nevertheless, sooner or later, for various reasons, Andromeda-D will become obsolete morally and physically. For this reason, the development of a new generation of ACCS for the Airborne Forces began quite a long time ago. After noticeable delays, such a project is gradually approaching the desired result. The components of the new Cassiopeia-D system have been submitted for testing, and in the near future they will confirm the calculated characteristics and show all their capabilities.
It may take several more years to test, manufacture and introduce a new ACCS. Then, for some time, the two systems will be operated together until the older one gives way to the promising Cassiopeia-D. Nevertheless, such an expectation is quite justified, and new opportunities for the Airborne Forces are worth it.
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