Electronic reconnaissance complex "Thorn-MDM" in Special Operations
Complex "Thorn-8P" in position
The Russian army has a wide arsenal of various reconnaissance equipment that allows it to track enemy actions in various conditions and spectrums. Electronic reconnaissance complexes such as Thorn-MDM occupy an important place in this system. Recently, the Ministry of Defense demonstrated the operation of such a complex and talked about its use during a Special Operation.
Equipment at the front
The Department of Defense regularly publishes reports on the work of various intelligence complexes that serve the interests of various units or the entire army.
On July 9, a new video was published dedicated to the Thorn-MDM electronic reconnaissance complex and its crew, which are participating in a special operation to protect Donbass.
The heroes of the report were military intelligence officers from the North group of troops, who operate in an unnamed area. The Thorn-MDM complex is constantly in the working position and operates around the clock. For this purpose, shift duty of combat crews has been organized.
Operators monitor the radio air and look for various radio channels and signals, both open and encrypted. One of the main tasks of the complex is to determine the source of these signals - the type of enemy radio system and its coordinates. Also, Thorne-MDM operators are engaged in intercepting transmissions and listening to open channels in order to obtain more information about the enemy.
Disguised position of "Thorn-MDM" involved in the Special Operation
Based on the intelligence and information obtained as a result of interception, target designations for fire weapons are formed. During the special operation, the Torn-MDM systems transmit information artillery and other systems that inflict fire damage on the enemy.
In a short interview, the operator of the complex with the call sign “Sagittarius” spoke about one episode of combat work. During offensive operations, his crew monitored enemy activity and listened to negotiations in real time. When Ukrainian militants found themselves in a difficult situation, they stopped encrypting their negotiations and began to speak openly. This helped our intelligence officers to better understand them and issue more accurate target designations to fire weapons.
It is worth noting that for the first time the Ministry of Defense is talking about the use of Thorne-MDM complexes in a special operation zone. This equipment has probably been involved in hostilities from the very beginning, but for unknown reasons the department has not demonstrated it before. However, the presence or absence of open publications does not affect the effectiveness of any system.
Little known product
Little is known about the Thorn-MDM electronic reconnaissance complex for a number of reasons. In the open press and official communications, this technique is mentioned only to a limited extent. However, it has long been used in units of the ground forces and successfully fulfills its tasks of collecting the necessary data.
Working with a remote control
According to various sources, the development of the Thorne-MDM complex began in the 2000s. The main goal of the project was to create a new means of electronic and radio-technical reconnaissance, which could complement and subsequently replace existing equipment of this class. Apparently, development was completed at the beginning of the last decade.
In December 2021, the Ministry of Defense for the first time officially announced the delivery of several new DER systems to the troops. "Thorns" were transferred to intelligence units of one of the armies of the Central Military District, stationed in the Volga region. The number of systems supplied and other delivery details were not specified.
Apparently, this is not the first batch of such equipment delivered to the troops. This conclusion can be drawn based on the article “There is no limit to perfection,” published in the November 2021 issue of the Army Thought magazine. This article described battalion tactical exercises conducted earlier in one of the combined arms formations of the Russian army.
As part of the group that participated in the exercises, a so-called mixed maneuver group of electronic reconnaissance and warfare was formed. It included the Torn-MDM electronic reconnaissance complex and the R-330Zh electronic warfare complex. The mixed group acted in the interests of other troops and successfully completed the assigned tasks. However, for obvious reasons, Army Thought did not disclose the details of her work.
Operators at work
As you know, there is an export version of this complex. In the catalog of products intended for deliveries abroad, which is maintained by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, this product is designated as “Thorn-8P”. However, it is unknown how the export version differs from the model intended for the Russian army.
Combat application
From the available data it follows that by the beginning of the current decade, our army received a number of Thorn-MDM complexes. They were mastered and used as part of the exercises. Since 2022, this equipment and its crews have been participating in the Special Military Operation to protect Donbass and help in the forced demilitarization of Ukraine.
There is other information about the use of "Thorns", but their reliability is questionable. Back in 2015, Ukrainian propaganda reported the appearance of such complexes among “separatists” from the two republics. Later these messages were repeated.
In addition, several times Ukrainian formations announced the destruction of the new RER complex. Such "news» arrived both in the last decade and since 2022.
Obviously, the Ukrainian reports should be taken with skepticism. Kyiv has too often been caught in forgeries and outright lies. His formations “found” and “destroyed” even those samples of Russian development that, by definition, could not be present at the specified time and in the specified place.
Apparently, reports about the Thorne-MDM product that have been received since 2015 are also untrue.
Technical features
"Thorn-MDM" is a reconnaissance complex that is designed to receive and intercept radio signals. He determines the sources of these signals and transmits data about them to higher command or directly to fire assets.
The complex can be installed on a vehicle chassis or made in a stationary version, depending on the needs of the customer and the conditions of future operation.
The mobile version of the Torna is installed on a KamAZ chassis. The necessary radio-electronic equipment and crew workstations are located in standard kung vans. The complex also includes a set of remote antenna posts with telescopic masts.
Before work, all means of the complex are deployed on the ground and connected by cables.
The exact characteristics and capabilities of the Thorne-MDM product are unknown. According to the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), the Thorn-8P modification is capable of detecting and intercepting radio signals with a frequency from 1,5 to 3000 MHz. Operation on standard frequencies of civil communication systems is also ensured.
The complex determines the direction to the signal source and calculates the distance to it using triangulation. The received data about the enemy is transmitted via standard army radio communications.
Intelligence capabilities
The Russian army has various means of reconnaissance and detection of the enemy. During the special operation to demilitarize Ukraine, these funds are actively used.
According to the Ministry of Defense, along with other similar complexes, the Thorne-MDM system is used. It is capable of detecting enemy communications systems and locators, as well as intercepting their communications.
Electronic and electronic reconnaissance systems play an important role in monitoring the enemy and collecting data for subsequent strikes. Thanks to new developments such as Thorne-MDM, the effectiveness of these systems is increasing, facilitating faster demilitarization.
Information