Modern Russian means of electronic warfare under the force of "cut down" an entire regiment
Modern weapon It becomes more intelligent and perfect, but at the same time it depends more and more on various radio-electronic systems. Modern military equipment is literally crammed with electronics, various sensors and sensors, which makes it more efficient, but at the same time more vulnerable for modern EW facilities. In Russia, the creation of modern electronic warfare is in full swing. Information has appeared on new developments in the field of electromagnetic weapons, for example, the Alabuga complex. Modern EW assets are actively being received by the troops, and their main producer is OJSC Concern Radioelectronic Technologies (KRET), which is part of the state corporation Russian Technologies.
The fact that an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is able to literally burn out electronics and prevent the passage of radio waves has been known for quite some time. This is clearly demonstrated by testing nuclear weapons. When the bomb exploded, a powerful electromagnetic pulse was generated, which disrupted electrical and electronic equipment, as well as disrupted radio communications. In 1961, when testing the Tsar Bomba (also known as Kuz'kina Mother) in the New Earth, the ionization of the atmosphere caused serious radio interference even hundreds of kilometers from the explosion site. Interference persisted for at least 40 minutes. Naturally, this phenomenon could not go unnoticed by the military.
The element base of radio-electronic means (RES) is very sensitive to energy overloads, so the flow of electromagnetic energy of sufficient density is able to burn semiconductor transitions, partially or completely disrupting their normal operation. So low-frequency electromagnetic weapons (EMO) can create electromagnetic pulsed radiation at frequencies below 1 MHz, and high-frequency electromagnetic radiation is affected by microwave radiation, both continuous and pulsed. Low-frequency electromagnetic interference has an impact on the affected objects by targeting wired infrastructure, including external power supply cables, information feed and retrieval, telephone lines. A high-frequency electromagnetic radiation directly penetrates into the electronic equipment of the target object through its antenna systems.
Knowing all this, the military wanted to possess such weapons. This weapon can not be called something supernatural for the Russian army. Back at the beginning of 1990, specialists from the Radiopribor Scientific Research Institute (now this division, part of the Almaz-Antey Concern) and the Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, worked on a new design of the air defense system, which would be based on the effect of microwave radiation from the ground on air objects. It was assumed that the use of such weapons would be effective even against combat units of ICBMs, but the project was not implemented at that time.
However, there is already a real-life prototype of an electromagnetic weapon - the Russian “Knapsack” complex, which was first shown back in 2001 at an exhibition in Malaysia. According to information from open sources, this complex is able to provide guaranteed destruction of aircraft electronics, ground equipment or guided munitions at a distance of up to 14 km. "Satchel" is not without flaws, but then he and the prototype.
For the first time, the complex was shown at the Lima-2001 exhibition in Malaysia, where the export version of this installation was presented under the designation Ranets-E. The prototype of the electromagnetic weapon was built on the chassis of the MAZ-543 and had a mass of about 5 tons. The use of the “Knapsack” ensured the defeat of electronics of ground and air targets, as well as a variety of guided munitions at a distance of 14 kilometers, while the disruption of the electronics occurred at a distance of up to 40 kilometers. This development made then a real sensation in the world media. But even then, experts noted a number of shortcomings of the “Backpack”. First, the size of an effectively hit target does not exceed 30 meters in diameter. Secondly, the weapon, in fact, is disposable - the complex is of the order of 20 minutes. During this time, the miracle weapon will be able to destroy 15 from the air, and it can only work on targets in open areas where there are no significant visual obstacles. Most likely, this is why the United States abandoned these types of electromagnetic weapons of directional action, focusing more on lasers. However, in Russia, such developments and their "refinement to the mind" continue. An example of the continuation of work in this direction is the Alabuga project.
According to the specialists who are working on the project, the development of the technology has already passed the field test stage, work is underway on errors, the specialists are trying to increase the power, accuracy and range of the radiation. Currently, Alabuga, having exploded at an altitude of 200-300 meters, is able to turn off all electronic equipment within a 3,5 radius of a kilometer and leave the enemy's military unit (battalion / regiment) without controls, communications, fire guidance. With such a development of events, all the equipment can turn into a pile of unnecessary scrap metal. In this situation, the best solution for the enemy will be the surrender and transfer of heavy weapons as trophies. They have no other options for action.
An unnamed expert in an interview with Expert Online reported that an electromagnetic pulsed weapon had become a reality. The main problems now with the development of means of delivering it to the goal. All work on the project "Alabuga" is classified. It is only known that this is a rocket with a combat unit in the form of a high-frequency electromagnetic field generator of high power. The effect of active pulsed radiation produces the same effect as in a nuclear explosion, but without the radioactive component. Field tests show that "Alabuga" strikes not only electronic, but also ordinary electronic equipment of wire architecture. The main problem is related only to the creation of means of delivering such a charge - it has a sufficiently large mass, therefore the rocket must be massive, which increases its vulnerability to enemy air defense / missile defense, the expert noted.
In general, from the state program on rearmament of the army, which is designed for up to 2020 of the year, 15% (more than 3's trillion rubles) are embedded in the attack and defense systems with sources of electromagnetic radiation. For comparison: The Pentagon spends about 10% of all its funds for these purposes. Here, however, we should not forget about the financial capabilities of the Russian and American defense departments. Already, we can consider those systems that can really be “felt”, that is, those that have reached mass production and have begun to enter into service with the Russian army in the last few years.
Such weapons include a mobile electronic warfare complex called "Kraukha-4." Information about this means of electronic warfare is extremely scarce. And on the site of KRET concern contains only a brief description of the complex's capabilities. In particular, it is reported that Krasukha-4 is able to suppress even spy satellites of a potential enemy, as well as its ground-based radars and aviation AWACS systems (early warning and control radar systems). The complex is able to completely hide military installations from 150-300 kilometers of radar detection; in addition, it can inflict radar damage to enemy electronic warfare systems and communications. The operation of the complex consists in staging powerful interference at the main frequencies of the radar and other radio-emitting sources.
The manufacturer of Krasukha-4 is JSC Bryansk Electromechanical Plant (BEMZ), which is part of the KRET concern. Each Krasukha-4 complex consists of two heavy vehicles on the KamAZ-6350 8x8 chassis. For two years 2012-2013 in Bryansk, 10 similar wide-range stations of powerful noise interference or, as they are also called, ground-based multifunctional jamming modules, were assembled. The main purpose of these complexes is to protect stationary objects from radar reconnaissance radars and radars of strike aircraft and reconnaissance / reconnaissance-strike aircraft drones.
In addition, the Russian army receives a sea-based EW complex under the designation TK-25E, which is able to provide effective protection for ships of various classes. TK-25E is designed for electronic protection of offshore facilities from ship-based and air-based radio-controlled weapons by active jamming. It is planned to interface this complex with various systems of the protected object, such as radar, navigation complex, automated combat control system. The equipment used in the TK-25E complex is able to provide various types of interference with a spectrum width from 64 to 2000 MHz, as well as pulsed imitation and misleading interference using signal copies. KRET reports that the complex is able to analyze simultaneously up to 256 targets. It is reported that the installation of such a complex on the protected object in a state of 3 and more likely to reduce the likelihood of his defeat by the enemy.
Technical characteristics of TK-25E:
The detection zone in azimuth is 360 °, in elevation - 0 ... 40 °.
The detection range of radio electronic devices is within the radio horizon for surface targets and anti-ship missiles, aircraft at distances exceeding the vehicle detection range by 10-20%.
The number of simultaneously suppressed directions is from 2 to 4.
Radar detection range - PL, SC, X-Ku, K-Ka, Ka.
The root mean square error of direction finding is no more than 1,5 ... 5 °.
The number of simultaneously analyzed targets is no more than 256.
Types of active interference - pulsed, continuous.
The number of controlled passive jamming tools is up to 16.
The RES catalog is 1000.
Another in service is the multifunctional EW complex “Mercury-BM”. It was created and produced at KRET concern enterprises since 2011, being at the moment one of the most modern EW systems. The main purpose of the Mercury-BM complex is to protect equipment and manpower from single and volley fire with artillery ammunition and missiles equipped with radio fuses. The complex is able to provide protection for equipment and personnel in the territory of 50 ha. The complex is mounted on the basis of a light armored tracked chassis MT-LB, thanks to which it has good mobility and terrain characteristics. The combat crew of the complex consists of two people, the deployment time of the complex is no more than 10 minutes. This EW complex can counteract not only radio fuses, if necessary it can be used to silence the frequencies at which the enemy performs radio communications. Enterprise-developer of the complex - JSC Research Institute "Gradient".
Technical characteristics of "Mercury-BM":
The operating frequency range is 95-420 MHz.
The area covered by interference is at least 20 ha.
Equivalent sensitivity - 95-110 dB / W.
Electronic countermeasure potential - 250 watts.
The probability of suppression is at least 0,8.
The number of VHF radio suppressed lines is 3-6.
The angle of rotation of the antenna device is not less than ± 150 degrees.
Crew - 2 person.
In addition, the concern "Constellation" is engaged in the release of small-sized interference transmitters series RP-377 (wearable, portable and autonomous). Using these interference transmitters, you can successfully jam GPS signals, and in the standalone version, which is equipped with power sources, you can do this by placing interference transmitters in a certain area, which will be limited only by the number of transmitters themselves. Currently, Russia is also working to create a more powerful system for the suppression of weapon and GPS control channels. This system of object and area protection against high-precision weapons will be built on the basis of a modular principle, which will make it possible to vary both the objects of protection and the covered areas. Among unclassified developments, it is also possible to distinguish the products of MNIRTI - "Sniper-M" and "Gigawatt", which are made on the basis of trailers. They can be used to test the protection of digital and radio systems for military, civilian and special purposes from damage by their electromagnetic pulses.
Information sources:
http://expert.ru/2014/09/28/elektromagnitnoe-oruzhie-uzhe-postupaet-na-vooruzhenie-rossijskoj-armii
http://www.rg.ru/2014/10/02/alabuga-site.html
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/201412022007-x73r.htm
http://kret.com (КРЭТ)
http://rostec.ru (Ростех)
The fact that an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is able to literally burn out electronics and prevent the passage of radio waves has been known for quite some time. This is clearly demonstrated by testing nuclear weapons. When the bomb exploded, a powerful electromagnetic pulse was generated, which disrupted electrical and electronic equipment, as well as disrupted radio communications. In 1961, when testing the Tsar Bomba (also known as Kuz'kina Mother) in the New Earth, the ionization of the atmosphere caused serious radio interference even hundreds of kilometers from the explosion site. Interference persisted for at least 40 minutes. Naturally, this phenomenon could not go unnoticed by the military.
The element base of radio-electronic means (RES) is very sensitive to energy overloads, so the flow of electromagnetic energy of sufficient density is able to burn semiconductor transitions, partially or completely disrupting their normal operation. So low-frequency electromagnetic weapons (EMO) can create electromagnetic pulsed radiation at frequencies below 1 MHz, and high-frequency electromagnetic radiation is affected by microwave radiation, both continuous and pulsed. Low-frequency electromagnetic interference has an impact on the affected objects by targeting wired infrastructure, including external power supply cables, information feed and retrieval, telephone lines. A high-frequency electromagnetic radiation directly penetrates into the electronic equipment of the target object through its antenna systems.
Knowing all this, the military wanted to possess such weapons. This weapon can not be called something supernatural for the Russian army. Back at the beginning of 1990, specialists from the Radiopribor Scientific Research Institute (now this division, part of the Almaz-Antey Concern) and the Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute, worked on a new design of the air defense system, which would be based on the effect of microwave radiation from the ground on air objects. It was assumed that the use of such weapons would be effective even against combat units of ICBMs, but the project was not implemented at that time.
However, there is already a real-life prototype of an electromagnetic weapon - the Russian “Knapsack” complex, which was first shown back in 2001 at an exhibition in Malaysia. According to information from open sources, this complex is able to provide guaranteed destruction of aircraft electronics, ground equipment or guided munitions at a distance of up to 14 km. "Satchel" is not without flaws, but then he and the prototype.
For the first time, the complex was shown at the Lima-2001 exhibition in Malaysia, where the export version of this installation was presented under the designation Ranets-E. The prototype of the electromagnetic weapon was built on the chassis of the MAZ-543 and had a mass of about 5 tons. The use of the “Knapsack” ensured the defeat of electronics of ground and air targets, as well as a variety of guided munitions at a distance of 14 kilometers, while the disruption of the electronics occurred at a distance of up to 40 kilometers. This development made then a real sensation in the world media. But even then, experts noted a number of shortcomings of the “Backpack”. First, the size of an effectively hit target does not exceed 30 meters in diameter. Secondly, the weapon, in fact, is disposable - the complex is of the order of 20 minutes. During this time, the miracle weapon will be able to destroy 15 from the air, and it can only work on targets in open areas where there are no significant visual obstacles. Most likely, this is why the United States abandoned these types of electromagnetic weapons of directional action, focusing more on lasers. However, in Russia, such developments and their "refinement to the mind" continue. An example of the continuation of work in this direction is the Alabuga project.
According to the specialists who are working on the project, the development of the technology has already passed the field test stage, work is underway on errors, the specialists are trying to increase the power, accuracy and range of the radiation. Currently, Alabuga, having exploded at an altitude of 200-300 meters, is able to turn off all electronic equipment within a 3,5 radius of a kilometer and leave the enemy's military unit (battalion / regiment) without controls, communications, fire guidance. With such a development of events, all the equipment can turn into a pile of unnecessary scrap metal. In this situation, the best solution for the enemy will be the surrender and transfer of heavy weapons as trophies. They have no other options for action.
An unnamed expert in an interview with Expert Online reported that an electromagnetic pulsed weapon had become a reality. The main problems now with the development of means of delivering it to the goal. All work on the project "Alabuga" is classified. It is only known that this is a rocket with a combat unit in the form of a high-frequency electromagnetic field generator of high power. The effect of active pulsed radiation produces the same effect as in a nuclear explosion, but without the radioactive component. Field tests show that "Alabuga" strikes not only electronic, but also ordinary electronic equipment of wire architecture. The main problem is related only to the creation of means of delivering such a charge - it has a sufficiently large mass, therefore the rocket must be massive, which increases its vulnerability to enemy air defense / missile defense, the expert noted.
In general, from the state program on rearmament of the army, which is designed for up to 2020 of the year, 15% (more than 3's trillion rubles) are embedded in the attack and defense systems with sources of electromagnetic radiation. For comparison: The Pentagon spends about 10% of all its funds for these purposes. Here, however, we should not forget about the financial capabilities of the Russian and American defense departments. Already, we can consider those systems that can really be “felt”, that is, those that have reached mass production and have begun to enter into service with the Russian army in the last few years.
Beauty-4
Such weapons include a mobile electronic warfare complex called "Kraukha-4." Information about this means of electronic warfare is extremely scarce. And on the site of KRET concern contains only a brief description of the complex's capabilities. In particular, it is reported that Krasukha-4 is able to suppress even spy satellites of a potential enemy, as well as its ground-based radars and aviation AWACS systems (early warning and control radar systems). The complex is able to completely hide military installations from 150-300 kilometers of radar detection; in addition, it can inflict radar damage to enemy electronic warfare systems and communications. The operation of the complex consists in staging powerful interference at the main frequencies of the radar and other radio-emitting sources.
The manufacturer of Krasukha-4 is JSC Bryansk Electromechanical Plant (BEMZ), which is part of the KRET concern. Each Krasukha-4 complex consists of two heavy vehicles on the KamAZ-6350 8x8 chassis. For two years 2012-2013 in Bryansk, 10 similar wide-range stations of powerful noise interference or, as they are also called, ground-based multifunctional jamming modules, were assembled. The main purpose of these complexes is to protect stationary objects from radar reconnaissance radars and radars of strike aircraft and reconnaissance / reconnaissance-strike aircraft drones.
In addition, the Russian army receives a sea-based EW complex under the designation TK-25E, which is able to provide effective protection for ships of various classes. TK-25E is designed for electronic protection of offshore facilities from ship-based and air-based radio-controlled weapons by active jamming. It is planned to interface this complex with various systems of the protected object, such as radar, navigation complex, automated combat control system. The equipment used in the TK-25E complex is able to provide various types of interference with a spectrum width from 64 to 2000 MHz, as well as pulsed imitation and misleading interference using signal copies. KRET reports that the complex is able to analyze simultaneously up to 256 targets. It is reported that the installation of such a complex on the protected object in a state of 3 and more likely to reduce the likelihood of his defeat by the enemy.
Technical characteristics of TK-25E:
The detection zone in azimuth is 360 °, in elevation - 0 ... 40 °.
The detection range of radio electronic devices is within the radio horizon for surface targets and anti-ship missiles, aircraft at distances exceeding the vehicle detection range by 10-20%.
The number of simultaneously suppressed directions is from 2 to 4.
Radar detection range - PL, SC, X-Ku, K-Ka, Ka.
The root mean square error of direction finding is no more than 1,5 ... 5 °.
The number of simultaneously analyzed targets is no more than 256.
Types of active interference - pulsed, continuous.
The number of controlled passive jamming tools is up to 16.
The RES catalog is 1000.
Another in service is the multifunctional EW complex “Mercury-BM”. It was created and produced at KRET concern enterprises since 2011, being at the moment one of the most modern EW systems. The main purpose of the Mercury-BM complex is to protect equipment and manpower from single and volley fire with artillery ammunition and missiles equipped with radio fuses. The complex is able to provide protection for equipment and personnel in the territory of 50 ha. The complex is mounted on the basis of a light armored tracked chassis MT-LB, thanks to which it has good mobility and terrain characteristics. The combat crew of the complex consists of two people, the deployment time of the complex is no more than 10 minutes. This EW complex can counteract not only radio fuses, if necessary it can be used to silence the frequencies at which the enemy performs radio communications. Enterprise-developer of the complex - JSC Research Institute "Gradient".
Technical characteristics of "Mercury-BM":
The operating frequency range is 95-420 MHz.
The area covered by interference is at least 20 ha.
Equivalent sensitivity - 95-110 dB / W.
Electronic countermeasure potential - 250 watts.
The probability of suppression is at least 0,8.
The number of VHF radio suppressed lines is 3-6.
The angle of rotation of the antenna device is not less than ± 150 degrees.
Crew - 2 person.
In addition, the concern "Constellation" is engaged in the release of small-sized interference transmitters series RP-377 (wearable, portable and autonomous). Using these interference transmitters, you can successfully jam GPS signals, and in the standalone version, which is equipped with power sources, you can do this by placing interference transmitters in a certain area, which will be limited only by the number of transmitters themselves. Currently, Russia is also working to create a more powerful system for the suppression of weapon and GPS control channels. This system of object and area protection against high-precision weapons will be built on the basis of a modular principle, which will make it possible to vary both the objects of protection and the covered areas. Among unclassified developments, it is also possible to distinguish the products of MNIRTI - "Sniper-M" and "Gigawatt", which are made on the basis of trailers. They can be used to test the protection of digital and radio systems for military, civilian and special purposes from damage by their electromagnetic pulses.
Information sources:
http://expert.ru/2014/09/28/elektromagnitnoe-oruzhie-uzhe-postupaet-na-vooruzhenie-rossijskoj-armii
http://www.rg.ru/2014/10/02/alabuga-site.html
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/201412022007-x73r.htm
http://kret.com (КРЭТ)
http://rostec.ru (Ростех)
Information