Air Force electronic warfare equipment and their combat capabilities. Prospects for the development of aviation means of electronic warfare of the US Armed Forces
Strategic planning of military operations is carried out by army headquarters based on several fundamental premises. These include command awareness of the operational situation and uninterrupted exchange of information. If either of these two criteria is not met, even the most powerful army in the world, armed with a huge amount of modern equipment and manned by selected soldiers, turns into a helpless crowd, burdened with piles of scrap metal. The receipt and transmission of information is currently carried out by means of reconnaissance, detection and communication. Every strategist dreams of disabling the enemy's radar and destroying his communications. This can be accomplished by means and methods of electronic warfare (EW).
Early electronic countermeasures techniques
As soon as electronics appeared, they began to be used by defense departments. The advantages of wireless communications invented by Popov were instantly appreciated by the Imperial Russian Navy. During the First World War, broadcast reception and transmission of information became commonplace. At the same time, the first methods of electronic warfare appeared, still timid and not very effective. To create interference, airplanes and airships dropped cut aluminum foil from a height, which created obstacles to the passage of radio waves. Of course, this method had many disadvantages; it did not last long and did not completely cover. In 1914-1918, another important method of electronic warfare became widespread, and is still widespread in our time. The tasks of signalmen and intelligence officers included intercepting enemy broadcast communications. They learned to encrypt information very quickly, but even assessing the intensity of radio traffic allowed staff analysts to judge a lot.
The role of information in World War II
After the outbreak of World War II, electronic warfare entered a new phase of development. The power of submarines and aviation of Nazi Germany required effective confrontation. In Britain and the USA, countries faced with the problem of the security of Atlantic communications, serious work began on the creation of long-range detection of surface and air targets, in particular, bombers and FAA missiles. There was also an acute question about the possibility of deciphering messages from German submariners. Despite the impressive work of mathematical analysts and the presence of some advances, electronic warfare only became effective after the (accidental) capture of Engima's secret machine. The real value of research in the field of disinformation and interruption of the information structure of Germany during the Second World War was never found, but experience accumulated.
The army as a living organism
During the Cold War, electronic warfare systems began to take shape close to the modern concept of them. The armed forces, if we compare them to a living organism, have sense organs, a brain and power organs that directly carry out fire on the enemy. The “ears” and “eyes” of the army are means of observation, detection and recognition of objects that can pose a security threat at the tactical or strategic level. The function of the brain is performed by the headquarters. From it, through thin “nerves” of communication channels, military units receive orders that are mandatory for execution. Various measures are being taken to protect this entire complex system, but it remains vulnerable. Firstly, the enemy always seeks to disrupt control by destroying headquarters. Its second goal is to hit information support facilities (radar and early warning posts). Thirdly, if communication channels are disrupted, the control system loses functionality. A modern electronic warfare system goes beyond these three tasks and is often much more complex.
Asymmetry of defense
It is no secret that the military is many times greater than the Russian in monetary terms. To successfully counter a possible threat, our country has to take asymmetrical measures, ensuring the proper level of security using less costly means. The effectiveness of protective equipment is determined by high-tech solutions that create the technical conditions for causing the greatest damage to the aggressor by concentrating efforts on his vulnerable areas.
In the Russian Federation, one of the leading organizations involved in the development of electronic warfare equipment is KRET (Concern “Radio-Electronic Technologies”). The basis for creating means of suppressing the activity of a potential enemy is a certain philosophical concept. For successful operation, the system must determine priority areas of work at various stages of the development of a military conflict.
What is non-energy interference
At the present stage, creating a universal interference that completely excludes information exchange is practically impossible. A much more effective countermeasure could be to intercept the signal, decipher it, and transmit it to the enemy in a distorted form. Such a system creates an effect that experts call “non-energy interference.” Its action can lead to complete disorganization of the control of hostile armed forces, and, as a consequence, to their complete defeat. This method, according to some data, has already been used during Middle Eastern conflicts, but in the late sixties and early seventies, the elemental base of electronic warfare equipment did not allow achieving high efficiency. Intervention in the enemy’s control process was carried out “manually.” Today, Russian electronic warfare units have digital technologies at their disposal.
Tactical equipment
In addition to strategic issues, troops at the forefront are forced to solve tactical problems. Aircraft must fly over enemy positions protected by air defense systems. Is it possible to provide them with unhindered passage over the defensive lines? The episode that took place during naval exercises in the Black Sea (April 2014) practically proves that modern Russian electronic warfare systems provide a high probability of invulnerability of aircraft, even if their characteristics today are no longer among the most advanced.
The Ministry of Defense modestly refrains from commenting, but the reaction of the American side speaks volumes. A routine flyby of the Donald Cook ship by an unarmed Su-24 bomber during maneuvers led to the failure of all guidance equipment. This is how the Khibiny small-sized electronic warfare complex operates.
Complex "Khibiny"
This system, named after a mountain range, is a cylindrical container suspended from a standard military aircraft pylon. The idea of creating a means of information countermeasures arose in the second half of the seventies. The defense theme was given to KNIRTI (Kaluga Scientific Research Radio Engineering Institute). The electronic warfare complex conceptually consisted of two blocks, one of which (“Proran”) was responsible for reconnaissance functions, and the other (“Regatta”) exposed active jamming. The work was successfully completed in 1980.
The modules were intended for installation on the Su-27 front-line fighter. The Russian Khibiny electronic warfare complex was the result of combining the functions of both units and ensuring their coordinated operation together with the aircraft’s on-board equipment.
Purpose of the complex
The L-175V (“Khibiny”) device is designed to perform several functions, collectively defined as electronic suppression of enemy air defense systems.
The first task that he had to solve in combat conditions was to find the direction of the sounding signal from the radiation source. The received signal is then distorted to make it difficult to detect the carrier aircraft. In addition, the device creates conditions for false targets to appear on the radar screen, complicates the determination of range and coordinates, and worsens other recognition indicators.
The problems encountered by enemy air defense systems are becoming so large-scale that there is no need to talk about the effectiveness of their work.
Modernization of the Khibiny complex
In the time since the L-175V product was put into service, the design of the device has undergone numerous changes, with the goal of increasing technical parameters and reducing weight and size. Improvement continues today, the subtleties are kept secret, but it is known that the latest electronic warfare system can provide group protection of aircraft from the effects of anti-aircraft missile systems of a potential enemy, both existing today and future ones. The modular design allows for the possibility of increasing power and information capabilities depending on the requirements of the tactical situation. When developing the device, not only the current state of the potential enemy’s air defense systems was taken into account, but also the anticipation of the possibilities of their development in the near future (for the period until 2025).
Mysterious "Krasukha"
The electronic warfare forces of the Russian Federation recently received four Krasukha-4 mobile electronic warfare systems. They are secret, despite the fact that ground-based stationary systems for a similar purpose, “Krasukha-2,” have already been in operation in military units since 2009.
It is known that they were created by the Rostov Research Institute "Gradient", produced by the Nizhny Novgorod NPO "Kvant" and mounted on the BAZ-6910-022 chassis (four-axle, all-terrain). According to its operating principle, the newest Russian electronic warfare complex “Krasukha” is an active-passive system that combines the capabilities of re-emission of electromagnetic fields created by early warning antennas (including AWACS) and the creation of active directional jamming. The lack of technical details did not prevent information from leaking to the media about the amazing capabilities of the electronic warfare system, the operation of which “drives crazy” the control systems and missile guidance units of a potential enemy.
What hides behind the veil of mystery
For obvious reasons, information about the technical characteristics of the latest Russian electronic countermeasures systems is kept secret. Other countries are also in no hurry to share secrets in the field of similar developments, which are certainly underway. However, it is still possible to judge the degree of combat readiness of a particular defense equipment based on indirect signs. Unlike nuclear strategic missiles, the effectiveness of which can only be guessed at and speculatively analyzed, electronic warfare equipment can be tested in conditions that are closest to combat conditions, and even against very real, albeit probable, opponents, as happened in April 2014. So far, there is reason to assume that Russian electronic warfare troops will not let you down if something happens.
Combat operations in modern conditions are not only about firing weapons, but also about influencing enemy military equipment with radio-electronic means. The first such attempt was successfully made on April 15, 1904 by acting. Commander of the Pacific Squadron, Vice Admiral P. P. Ukhtomsky. 112 years have passed since that moment, and during this time, of course, not only the tasks have changed, but also the means of electronic warfare. Industry experts told the website of the Zvezda TV channel about what equipment is already in service with the Russian army and what electronic warfare systems are being developed. During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Pacific Squadron managed to disorganize the fire control channels of the artillery of Japanese ships and successfully repel an enemy attack. In this case, the simplest radio stations were used. Since that moment, only the principle has not changed - interference in the radio channel, but the means of causing interference and the means of countering it have seriously developed. Today, the Russian army receives the most modern means of electronic reconnaissance, jamming and suppression of enemy weapons. Last year alone, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation received nine radio-electronic reconnaissance stations "Moscow-1", 10 jamming helicopters "Lychag-AV", eight electronic reconnaissance stations and suppression "Krasukha-2", 15 sets of the reconnaissance and suppression station "Krasukha-4" and 20 sets of the radio-electronic reconnaissance and defense station "Rtut-BM". The Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern, which is a developer and supplier of electronic warfare equipment, has already transferred this year The Russian Ministry of Defense has several expandable Khibiny complexes for the Su-34, which make it possible to turn this fighter-bomber into a full-fledged electronic warfare aircraft capable of protecting not only itself, but also the entire air group. “We proceed from the concept of universality - that is, if necessary, under airfield conditions, any tactical aircraft can be retrofitted with the necessary means for conducting electronic warfare. It’s cheaper, and it’s very effective,” said the KRET press service. The Khibiny suspended containers work together with the on-board radar and the Khibiny-10V airborne defense complex. The Su-34 can be used as a full-fledged jammer, unlike the American counterpart F-15E, which carries only personal protective equipment on board, capable of breaking through any air defense system. At the same time, Khibiny is superior to its American counterpart in key characteristics. "Blind" enemy It is worth noting that electronic warfare systems are also effective when installed on helicopters. In April 2016, the Western Military District received two Mi-8 MTPR-1 helicopters equipped with unique Rychag-AV jamming stations. (hyperlink) These complexes are capable of completely blinding the enemy within a radius of several hundred kilometers, thus providing group protection for aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground equipment and ships from air attacks and enemy air defense strikes. At the same time, the memory of the “Lever” system stores a database of various means of threat to covered objects, which allows it to determine the type of target and select the most effective interference for it. An important feature of the newest helicopter electronic warfare system is the storage of many characteristics of technical means in the on-board database, which allows you to quickly determine the source of signals by its signature and quickly carry out the optimal impact on it. It is worth noting that this year the KRET concern is completing the development of the Rychag-AVM helicopter advanced electronic warfare system, which will begin to enter service with the troops in 2017. “It is more powerful than the Rychag-AV, has a longer range of action, is more functional and tactically technical characteristics exceed all existing analogues in the world,” the press service told the Zvezda TV channel website. Promising electronic warfare systems To deprive the enemy of communications means to sow chaos in his ranks. And the fighters of the electronic warfare units know how to do this perfectly. They regularly practice missions to suppress enemy cellular and shortwave communications. In real combat conditions this can be of enormous importance. For example, enemy fire spotters will not be able to send coordinates to their aviation and artillery units via mobile phones. The day before, electronic warfare fighters in the Khabarovsk Territory covered an area of hundreds of kilometers with a dome of electromagnetic waves. This made not only aviation powerless, but also the space satellites of the imaginary enemy.
The new ground-based station, which KRET is working on today, will be able to protect all types and branches of Russian troops from high-precision weapons, including aerospace-based attack weapons. The press service does not disclose data on the new serious project, stipulating that development work is underway on it, which will be completed next year. In general, much attention is paid to the development of new means of communication and electronic warfare in Russia. For these purposes, in the Tambov region, the United Instrument-Making Corporation is creating an entire production cluster. “For all scientific and production structures, a unified management is being formed, the task of which is to build on their basis an advanced defense cluster in the field of communications and electronic warfare, operating on the principle of a “single conveyor”,” – says the “OPK” message. Electronic warfare equipment and equipment were produced and continue to be produced by factories of the Tambov group: “October”, “Revtrud”, “Tambovapparat” and “Tambov Research Institute of Radio Engineering “Efir”. Each enterprise will take its place in the overall technological chain - from the development of prototypes of equipment to its testing and mass production. This will avoid internal competition and ensure full utilization of production capacity. In turn, the Radioelectronic Technologies (KRET) concern has begun preparations for serial production of a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) for aviation and ground equipment. “In 2017, we plan to complete this project, the cost of which is about 12–14 billion rubles,” the KRET press service told the website of the Zvezda TV channel. BINS allows for high-precision navigation even without communication with satellites. “First of all, they are needed for military equipment, but in Recently, these systems have become increasingly installed on board civil airliners and drones. The demand for these systems in the world today is very high,” commented KRET. In particular, the promising BINS-2015 platform, which was developed over the past two years, is planned to be installed on MS-21 aircraft and for promising unmanned aerial vehicles. Electronic warfare equipment for export Let us recall that, according to the instructions of the President of Russia, the renewal of the equipment of the Russian troops will be largely completed by 2020. This, of course, does not mean that after 2020 there will be no state defense orders, but its volumes will decrease significantly. In this regard, the Russian defense industry will have to neutralize the negative impacts of these changes. And this work is already underway. In particular, the vector of the main efforts of the KRET concern will shift towards exports and increasing the production of civilian products. “The share of exports today is about 18%. By 2017, we expect to increase this share to somewhere around 25%. To achieve this, we have to do a lot of work,” the concern’s press service said.
Not counting the avionics that are supplied abroad as part of Russian combat and civil aircraft and helicopters, KRET supplies export modifications of the Khibiny and President-S complexes to foreign partners. “Today, together with Rosoboronexport, contracts for ground-based electronic warfare equipment are being worked out. These are “Krasukha-2”, “Krasukha-4” and “Moscow-1”. They have export passports, and we can supply this equipment to the foreign market through the military-technical cooperation,” the press service commented. In this regard, more and more attention is being paid to the civilian product market. KRET has a huge amount of developments that can be transferred to the civilian sphere. In recent years, the Russian defense complex has been working to systematize these developments and transform them into finished products for the market.
Based on the results of the analysis of the use of military equipment in Syria, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin asked the military department in 2017 to continue the development of high-precision weapons, modern communications, reconnaissance, control and electronic warfare.
Electronic warfare (EW)
is a set of agreed measures and actions for:
Electronic damage to enemy radio-electronic objects (functional damage; electronic damage; damage by radiation homing weapons),
Information support (collection, analysis and synthesis of data on the radio-electronic situation; technical reconnaissance of enemy radio-electronic objects; comprehensive technical monitoring of the condition and protection of one’s own objects from technical means of reconnaissance),
Electronic defense (protection from electronic means of destruction; protection from unintentional interference (ensuring electromagnetic compatibility); protection of troops and objects from technical reconnaissance equipment).
The troop and weapons control system makes it possible to implement the principles of conducting network-centric wars, implying a transition from the territorial concentration of forces to their functional (information) integration. Naturally, this increases the role of electronic warfare and increases its capabilities (potentially reducing the enemy’s combat power by three times).
Taking into account the state of electronic warfare equipment produced for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, it is customary to talk about integrated electronic warfare systems, combining about 50 different complexes and means for various purposes (see table). At the same time, the main problem is the creation of a unified information space for electronic warfare equipment.
Until recently, the most classified one in the entire arsenal of Russian electronic warfare systems was the Krasukha-2 jamming station. It seems that at present the palm has passed to the Murmansk-BN communication line suppression station, capable of jamming more than two dozen frequencies at a range of up to 5 thousand kilometers. However, there is no reliable evidence that the newest complex has such characteristics. Judging by the photographs available in open sources (several four-axle off-road trucks with multi-meter towers), where, in addition to the main antennas, characteristic low-frequency guy antennas are visible, it can be assumed that this complex is capable of jamming signals in the range from 200 to 500 MHz. The coastal complex "Murmansk-BN" even outwardly bears little resemblance to what the Russian ground forces use to protect and counter the enemy. Some experts, commenting on the information about the combat duty of these complexes in the Russian army, note that in the case of Murmansk-BN we are talking about electronic countermeasures for strategic purposes. The thing is that the main task of the unique telescopic antennas and transmitters of the electronic warfare complex is to disrupt communication and control channels over vast distances.
The main directions of development of electronic warfare in the Russian Federation are as follows:
Creation of highly mobile ground-based multifunctional electronic warfare systems for zone and site protection of weapons and military equipment from electronic reconnaissance systems and destruction by guided weapons;
Creation of wide-range electronic warfare systems and means for group and individual protection of air, sea and ground-based weapons and military equipment;
Development of means of radio-electronic suppression of radio-electronic equipment (RES) with complex broadband signals, including those with quickly tunable (from pulse to pulse) parameters;
Development of means of electronic suppression of multi-position systems for radar reconnaissance, target designation and weapon control;
Increasing the accuracy of executive electronic reconnaissance to determine the location of emitting objects.
Main domestic manufacturers of electronic warfare equipment (market share):
JSC "Concern "Radioelectronic Technologies"", KRET (60%),
JSC "Concern "Sozvezdie"" (20%),
JSC "Central Research Radio Engineering Institute named after Academician A.I. Berg", TsNIRI (10%),
JSC "Scientific and Technical Center for Electronic Warfare", Scientific and Technical Center for Electronic Warfare (5%),
LLC "Special Technology Center" (5%).
The leading enterprise is KRET JSC. In many sectors, the concern has a virtual monopoly position on the Russian market in the supply of electronic warfare equipment with electronic reconnaissance and weapons control systems. Electronic warfare equipment and systems developed by KRET are equipped on Su-25, Su-27SM, Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, Il-76, Il-78, Il-96, Tu-214 aircraft, and Mi helicopters -8, Mi-26, Mi-28, Mi-35 and Ka-52, as well as surface ships of projects 1144, 1164, 1155, 956, 11540, 22350, 20380, 21631. The most favorable situation for the concern is in the aircraft complex market and electronic warfare equipment. The reasons for this, in addition to the global increase in demand for electronic warfare equipment in the world, are: 1) the expected increase in the supply of Russian aircraft; 2) the projected increase in the share of aircraft supplied with electronic warfare equipment for individual and group protection; 3) purchase by foreign states of electronic warfare equipment as part of the program for modernizing their own fleet of Russian/Soviet-made aircraft.
The evolution of electronic warfare systems has accelerated sharply. At the end of the 20th century, the Ministry of Defense required a service life of 15-20 years. Today, the life cycle of electronic warfare devices has been reduced to four to five years. Electronics is developing too quickly. Therefore, leading manufacturers are moving to modular device designs. The basis of the system, the platform, can serve for 20 years, but there are standardized modules for mounting and interface that allow you to improve the equipment by changing not the entire complex, but individual blocks. In other words: he installed a new scientifically “advanced” unit and received new opportunities!
The re-equipment of electronic warfare troops with new types of equipment is based on the results of a military-scientific justification of the composition of electronic warfare troops and proposals for the draft state weapons program for the period 2018-2025. By 2020, electronic warfare troops must effectively ensure the implementation of the following tasks of the RF Armed Forces:
Disorganization of the enemy’s state and military administration (including its industrial infrastructure);
Disorganization of command and control of enemy troops (forces) and weapons in military operations of various scales and intensity;
Reducing the enemy's global space reconnaissance capabilities;
Countering missile defense systems;
Reflecting (disrupting) an enemy aerospace attack;
Protection of objects and military equipment from damage by high-precision weapons.
The main efforts to develop the weapons system of electronic warfare troops are planned to be focused on the implementation of one traditional and five innovative areas.
The innovative path of development involves, firstly, the creation of controlled radio interference fields on enemy territory using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and dropped jammers. Secondly, it is planned to create means of damaging electronic zones with electromagnetic radiation. Third; A special program intervention is being developed. Fourthly, great importance is attached to simulating the radio-electronic situation and introducing disinformation into the enemy’s system of command and control of troops and weapons. Finally, fifthly, it is planned to increase the level of information security of electronic warfare control bodies and control points.
Among specialists, the term “Intellectual suppression” has come into practice. It is based on known technologies for creating simulation (relay) interference. The peculiarity is that thanks to the placement of small-sized, low-power signal repeaters of suppressed radio-electronic equipment in the protected area and the control of these repeaters using special algorithms, it becomes possible to create a false virtual radio-electronic environment and ensure an impact on his troop and weapon control systems hidden from the enemy. The “intelligent” nature of suppression is ensured mainly due to the mathematical apparatus implemented in the system and modern communication technologies.
The practical implementation of the entire complex of planned measures to improve the electronic warfare system will predictably lead to a significant increase in the contribution of electronic warfare to gaining superiority in command and control of troops (forces) and the use of weapons. At the same time, the volume of tasks performed by electronic warfare troops in various strategic directions will increase by 2-2.5 times by 2020.
"We are proactive"
As Yuri Ivanovich Mayevsky, Deputy General Director of Concern Radioelectronic Technologies OJSC for R&D of electronic warfare equipment, general designer, explained to Nauka, “we work proactively. There are various forecasting methods, and when developing our promising systems, we model the capabilities of a conditional enemy of 2030. Of course, some uncertainty remains, and we are building into our systems an excess of capabilities capable of fending off this uncertainty.”
World electronic warfare market currently valued at approximately $14 billion per year. In the coming years, the average annual growth rate is expected to be 4%, the market size will reach $19 billion by 2025.
The main competitors of Russian enterprises on the world market: American (Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, Raytheon Company, ITT Corporation, BAE Systems), European (Thales Group, Elettronica, Indra) and Israeli manufacturers (Elta Systems, Rafael).
In the USA under the ACT program Northrop Grumman is conducting research and development work to create solid-state broadband aircraft active phased antenna arrays (AFARs) capable of performing radar and electronic warfare tasks in the centimeter wave range. As part of the creation of a new generation jamming station (NGJ) for the EA-18G Grouler jammer aircraft, commissioned by the US Navy, Raytheon is developing solid-state broadband AFARs in the decimeter and centimeter wave ranges.
Main characteristics of the main domestic electronic warfare devices
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Note: only the names (column 1) are absolutely reliable.
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare (EW)- a set of activities and actions of troops (forces) coordinated by goals, objectives, place and time to identify radio-electronic equipment (RES) and control systems for enemy troops (forces) and weapons, their destruction by all types of weapons or capture (disablement) and radio-electronic suppression (REP), as well as electronic defense (RED) of their radio-electronic facilities and systems for command and control of troops and weapons, as well as radio-electronic information support and countering the enemy’s technical reconnaissance means; type of combat support.
The purpose of electronic warfare is to disrupt the control of forces (troops), reduce the effectiveness of reconnaissance, the use of weapons and military equipment by the enemy, as well as ensure the stability of the systems and means of controlling one’s own forces (troops) and weapons.
Electronic warfare is divided into actions to temporarily disrupt the operation of enemy electronic equipment (jamming) and actions associated with long-term (or permanent) disabling of this equipment (forceful destruction).
Electronic warfare components
Electronic jamming
Maintenance of aircraft radio jamming station AN/ALQ-184
Electronic suppression is a set of measures and actions to disrupt (disturb) the operation or reduce the effectiveness of the enemy’s combat use of electronic systems and means by influencing their receiving devices with electronic interference. Includes radio, electronic, optical-electronic and hydroacoustic suppression. Electronic suppression is ensured by the creation of active and passive jamming, the use of decoys, decoys, and other methods.
Electronic defense
Electronic defense is a set of measures and actions of troops (forces) for the electronic destruction of enemy radio-electronic objects, radio-electronic protection of their own radio-electronic objects, as well as radio-electronic information support.
Electronic intelligence
Electronic intelligence - collection of intelligence information based on the reception and analysis of electromagnetic radiation. Electronic intelligence uses both intercepted signals from communication channels between people and technical means, and signals from operating radars, communication stations, radio jamming stations and other radio-electronic means.
Comprehensive technical control
Electromagnetic damage
An electromagnetic effect (pulse) that disables enemy electronic, communications and power equipment. The damaging effect is achieved by inducing induction currents. First noted during nuclear explosions in the atmosphere.
Currently, magnetrons are used to create the damaging pulse. Electromagnetic destruction systems are in service in the United States and other NATO countries.
Story
Electronic warfare was first used by the Russian Navy during the Russo-Japanese War. On April 15, 1904, during the artillery shelling that the Japanese squadron conducted along the internal roadstead of Port Arthur, the radio station of the Russian battleship Pobeda and the Zolotaya Gora coastal post, by creating deliberate interference, seriously hampered the transmission of telegrams from enemy spotter ships.
Nevertheless, radio equipment at that time was mainly used to provide communications, identify enemy communication channels and intercept information transmitted through them. Preference was given to intercepting radio transmissions rather than jamming them. However, during the First World War, radio interference began to be used sporadically to disrupt radio communications between the headquarters of armies, corps and divisions and between warships. At the same time, special radio jamming stations already appeared in the German army.
During the period between the world wars, radio communications actively developed, and means of radio direction finding, radio control and radar appeared. As a result, the concept of command and control and interaction between the ground forces, air force and navy is radically changing. All this led to the further development of methods and techniques for countering enemy electronic weapons.
During World War II, participating countries actively used electronic and hydroacoustic suppression. Special units and radio jamming units were formed and widely used to support combat operations. Extensive experience has been accumulated in conducting reconnaissance and creating radio interference, as well as electronic defense.
In the post-war period, the development of electronic warfare equipment continued. New ship- and aircraft-based radio jamming devices are appearing.
In modern wars and military conflicts, the role of electronic warfare continues to increase. The development and adoption of high-precision and high-tech weapons by many states leads to the emergence of new objects of radio-electronic influence. The use of anti-radar missiles significantly reduces the survivability of modern radio-electronic systems (radars, air defense systems) built on the basis of active radar systems. The widespread use of satellite reconnaissance, communications and navigation systems necessitates their neutralization, including through electronic jamming. Portable electronic reconnaissance and jamming equipment is being developed to combat new means of communication and navigation, search for and neutralize radio land mines and other remote detonation devices. Electronic warfare equipment has gained the ability to have system-software influence on automated control systems and other computer systems.
XXI Century
Electronic warfare in Russia
Development of electronic warfare equipment
- Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
- Research Center for Operational and Strategic Justifications of the 24th Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
- Research Center for Radio-Electronic Weapons 14th Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
- Research Communications Center 34 Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
- Federal State Research Center for Electronic Warfare and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Reducing Significance of the Russian Defense Ministry
Training of electronic warfare specialists
- Voronezh Higher Military School of Radio Electronics
Military Space Academy named after. A.F. Mozhaisky
Training of Navy electronic warfare specialists
- Higher special officer classes
- Naval Institute of Radio Electronics named after. A.S. Popova
- Tambov Interspecific Training Center for Electronic Warfare Specialists
Training of civilian electronic warfare specialists
- Baltic State Technical University "Voenmekh"
- Ryazan State Radio Engineering University
- Voronezh State Technical University (until 2009)
- Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service
- St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications named after prof. M. A. Bonch-Bruevich
see also
Notes
Literature
- Dobykin V. D., Kupriyanov A. I., Ponomarev V. G., Shustov L. N. Electronic warfare. Forceful destruction of radio-electronic systems. - M.: University Book, 2007. - 468 p. - ISBN 978-5-9502-0244-5
- Paliy A.I. Essays on the history of electronic warfare. - M.: University Book, 2006. - 284 p. - ISBN 5-95020-108-6
- Modern electronic warfare. Methodological issues. - M.: Radio engineering, 2006. - 424 p. - 700 copies.
- - ISBN 5-88070-082-8
- Electronic warfare. Radio masking and interference protection. - M.: MAI, 1999. - T. 1. - 240 p. - 1000 copies.- ISBN 5-7035-2253-6
- Tsvetnov V.V., Demin V.P., Kupriyanov A.I. Electronic warfare. Radio reconnaissance and radio countermeasures. - M.: MAI, 1998. - T. 2. - 248 p. - 1000 copies.
- ISBN 5-7035-2186-6
Ch. ed. Chernavin V.N.
Naval Dictionary. - M.: Military Publishing House, 1990. - P. 357. - ISBN 5-203-00174-x
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
See what “Electronic warfare” is in other dictionaries:- (EW) type of operational (combat) support, a set of activities carried out for the purpose of reconnaissance and subsequent radio-electronic suppression of enemy radio-electronic means (RES) and systems, as well as electronic defense (RED) of their own RES and... ... Naval Dictionary Electronic warfare activities and actions in an operation (combat) for electronic suppression of the enemy and electronic protection of one’s troops (forces), weapons, military equipment and economic and infrastructure facilities. The action of forces and radio-electronic means... ...
Dictionary of emergency situations electronic warfare
- Electronic warfare Countermeasures the operation of communications and navigation equipment using special devices to analyze the radiation of operating stations and generate intentional interference. [L.M. Nevdyaev. Telecommunication technologies. English-Russian explanatory dictionary... ... Technical Translator's Guide A set of activities aimed at obtaining information about the operating mode parameters and location of enemy radio-electronic (RE) assets (RE reconnaissance), hindering or disrupting their operation (RE counteraction), as well as protecting one’s own…
- Electronic warfare Countermeasures the operation of communications and navigation equipment using special devices to analyze the radiation of operating stations and generate intentional interference. [L.M. Nevdyaev. Telecommunication technologies. English-Russian explanatory dictionary... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia Electronic warfare
- a set of interrelated measures and actions of troops (forces) to identify and subsequent electronic suppression or destruction of enemy electronic means and systems, as well as the corresponding protection of such electronic means and... ...- a type of strategic support organized and carried out to gain dominance on the airwaves, protect one’s strategic systems for command and control of troops and weapons, from deliberate interference by the enemy, as well as simultaneously disrupting its operation... ... War and peace in terms and definitions
Captain 2nd Rank V. Evgrafov,
Candidate of Technical Sciences
Air-based electronic warfare (EW) equipment is divided into systems and means of group and individual protection (IZ). All aircraft are equipped to one degree or another with IZ systems designed to protect against ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles, and specialized aircraft designed for to solve electronic warfare problems from a loitering zone or when traveling with a strike group.
In the process of forming a new structure of airborne electronic warfare systems and means, tasks are being implemented to ensure the interaction of electronic warfare systems not between individual platforms, but directly between the means themselves. This, with an appropriate level of organization tied to intranet computing facilities, should make it possible to increase the efficiency of solving electronic warfare problems through the most optimal use of available resources.
This approach is actively being implemented in the US Armed Forces, using the example of which it is possible to identify directions for the development of SSER for various purposes, as well as the main forms of their application. During the first decade of the 21st century, various options were considered for the formation of a new structure for air-based electronic warfare systems, including the creation of a new specialized electronic warfare aircraft and the use of electronic warfare unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based on the developed combat UAVs,
Scheme of a phased change in the organization of the use of airborne electronic electronics systems and equipment |
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Views of the US military leadership on the formation of the air structure of electronic warfare systems and means currently being implemented |
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Operating principle of the LAIRCM type optoelectronic missile countermeasures system |
US Air Force specialists put a lot of effort into creating a new specialized electronic warfare aircraft based on the B-52N strategic bomber, designed to solve electronic warfare missions from the loitering zone, which have been assigned to the EC-130 Compass Call system for quite a long time. Work began in 2002, and three years later, in 2005, the program was closed due to cost overruns - the cost of the aircraft increased from 1 to 7 billion dollars.
In 2007, another attempt was made to create an aircraft based on the B-52N strategic bomber that could conduct electronic warfare from the loitering zone. As part of this work, a CCJ jamming station with a range of about 400 km was created. At the same time, the B-52N aircraft was considered as a demonstration platform, but at the beginning of 2009 the program was closed again.
After this, the US Air Force placed an emphasis on the use of less expensive options that involve the use of electronic warfare systems and means directly in the area of combat missions.
The EC-130N "Compass Call" remains the only system in the US Armed Forces that operates from the loitering zone. To extend its service life, a phased modernization is being carried out. During the modernization of the system, its capabilities are expanded - from suppressing networks of military command and control systems to suppressing cellular communication systems that can be used by terrorist groups.
The following additional tasks are considered:
- radio-electronic suppression (RES) of short-wave, radio relay and satellite communications systems of military and government administration;
- REP radar for detecting meter and decimeter ranges from loitering zones;
- conducting radio and electronic reconnaissance for the purpose of generating real-time target designations for exposed enemy communication centers and radars for the use of systems and means of high-precision weapons of the air-to-ground and ground-to-ground classes.
In total, it is planned to have 12 modernized EC-130N Compass Call aircraft in service, which can be operated for at least another 10-15 years.
Solving similar tasks in the interests of the British Armed Forces is assigned to three Nimrod Mk 1 aircraft, which are being replaced by the Mk 4 modification.
Currently, in the United States, specialized electronic warfare aircraft that solve group protection tasks when traveling with a strike group are the EA-6B Prowler aircraft, which is gradually being decommissioned, and the EA 18G Growler, which is replacing it.
To extend the service life of the EA-6B aircraft, the ICAP III program is being implemented, the purpose of which is to improve the systems and means of revealing the combat situation. It is noted that, in addition to suppressing the radar of enemy weapon control systems, increasing importance is attached to the list of tasks solved by the EA-6B aircraft suppression of communication radio-electronic systems (RES)) as well as issues of ensuring the security of coastal areas by suppressing ship navigation radars.
One of the main RES equipment within the framework of the ICAP III program is the digital receiver of radar signals AN/ALQ-218 with a frequency range of up to 20 GHz, which provides detection, identification and location of the radiation source.
AN/ALQ-218 is the first receiver that provides selective suppression of enemy radio electronics by a jamming station at specific frequencies and allows jamming of frequency hopping radars. It can be used to target anti-radar missiles of the AGM-88 HARM type.
The upgraded EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft may remain in service until 2018.
The electronic warfare aircraft EA-18G "Growler" of the US Navy is designed for fire destruction and electronic warfare of ground and ship-based radars, as well as electronic warfare networks of radio communications and radio control lines of enemy air defense systems when it is located primarily in combat formations. The aircraft has greater maneuverability compared to the EA-6B Prowler. It can successfully fly with a strike group consisting of F/A-18, F-16 and F-15E fighters.
The EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, like the EA-6B, will be equipped (after minor modifications) with equipment and software created under the ICAP III program. It is capable of carrying up to five containers with simultaneously operating AN/ALQ-99 jamming stations. However, in its normal configuration, the EA-18G will be equipped with two containers with jamming stations, an external fuel tank, an AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile and an AIM-120C AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile.
Instead of the AN/USQ-1I3 communications jamming station, which is used on the EA-6B aircraft, the AN/ALQ-227 station is installed on the EA-18G. It is a standalone receiver rather than a receiver with jammers like the AN/USQ-113.
The transmitters of the new container jamming station will use solid-state elements instead of traveling wave tubes. In addition, it will be connected to two antenna devices, which will make it possible to more effectively manage RES suppression modes.
The developers are deciding on the use of an on-board AN/ALQ-214 jamming signal generator to suppress enemy electronic zones while simultaneously using AN/APG-79(V) radar with AFAR.
The EA-18G, like the EA-6B, will have advanced communications systems installed. The MIDS terminal must provide retargeting for a coordinated attack by multiple combat platforms (manned and UAV). Integration of the Link-16 line-of-sight communications systems/multifunctional information distribution system MIDS with the advanced multi-purpose tactical satellite communications terminal MATT is designed to provide a high degree of situational awareness. The joint use of MIDS, MATT and AN/ALQ-218 systems will provide opportunities for situational awareness and exchange information that is not comparable with the capabilities of earlier specialized electronic warfare platforms.
One of the main improvements in the field of electronic warfare equipment of the EA-18G aircraft compared to the EA-6B will be the presence of the INCANS interference cancellation system. which will make it possible to interpret up to 85% of the on-board communications equipment when jamming enemy electronic zones (the use of communication systems in the suppression mode on the EA-6B was a difficult problem).
Between 2013 and 2015, the US Navy plans to purchase about 90 EA-18G Growler aircraft.
Current and future UAVs, fighters, bombers and transport aircraft can be equipped with electronic warfare systems in container design to solve IZ missions. The advantage of such systems will be the possibility of using them on aircraft to solve specific problems. The disadvantage of container systems remains the possible increase in the unmasking characteristics of an aircraft and a decrease in its maneuverability. The appearance of new containers is possible in 2012.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory is conducting research into creating a new generation of jamming stations that could operate with maximum efficiency in today's complex electronic environment. The efforts of the developers are aimed at implementing the capabilities of selective suppression of enemy electronic systems and means (“cognitive suppression”). In this case, special attention is paid to the development of appropriate software. New jamming stations must ensure the suppression of a wide range of enemy radio electronic systems (communications, navigation, radar, etc.) using modern means and methods of electronic defense" without simultaneously disrupting the functioning of electronic zones of friendly and allied forces, as well as civilian electronic zones.
In order to create new sensors, a contract worth $2.45 million was signed with the appropriate management of the US Air Force Research Laboratory for a period of up to six years. During this time, the hardware and software of new jamming stations should be created for further testing in conditions , as close as possible to combat ones.
Such jamming stations can be installed both on specialized electronic warfare aircraft and on conventional strategic and tactical aircraft to provide information security.
Almost all air platforms are currently equipped with personal protective equipment and systems. The most modern integrated information systems include the AN/ALR-94 system of the F/A-22 fighter and the electronic warfare system of the US F-35 fighter.
The AN/ALR-94 is equipped with a set of common antennas that perform functions determined by operational requirements, and also has the ability to be reprogrammed during flight. The use of common antennas is a promising technology. The resulting result can manifest itself in the use of the same antennas for different purposes (up to ten functions per antenna). Ultimately, to solve all the problems of communications, navigation, identification of friend or foe, radar detection and electronic warfare, about five antennas will be required instead of 20-25, as on a conventional combat aircraft.
The solution to the electronic warfare problem using UAVs is aimed against the enemy's radar and its control and communication systems. For this, it was initially planned to use two types of means: decoys (DTs) of the ADM-160 MALD type and specially equipped UAVs. The latter meant the use of combat UAVs developed by the US Air Force and Navy, equipped with appropriate electronic warfare equipment. But later, to set up radio-electronic jamming in the immediate vicinity of enemy electronic zones, it was decided to use LC, in particular MALD-J, equipped with a jammer
It is intended to use the ADM-I60 MALD LC from aircraft such as B-1B, B-2A, B-52N, F-15, F-16, F-35 and F/A-22. as well as from combat UAVs. The B-52N strategic bomber on external slings will be able to carry up to 16 LCs, the F-16 fighter - four.
An analogue of the LC ADM-160 MALD is ITALD (ADM-14/C), developed jointly by the American company Northrop-Grumman and the Israeli IMI for the US Navy. It is designed to generate signals identical to the signatures of the protected platform.
The ITALD LC is a modernized version of the TALD LC (ADM-141) used in Iraq. The flight path is included in the program, and navigation support is provided through the GPST global positioning system, inertial system and radar altimeter. The principle of use is “fire and forget”. The composition of the electronic equipment may vary depending on the tasks being performed. It is possible to use an optical-electronic suppression system.
The issue of installing the ITALD LC in the British Air Force on GR-7/9 Harrier attack aircraft and in the Australian Air Force on F-18 Hornet fighters is being considered.
The main directions for further modernization of the ITALD LC are: increasing maneuverability, flight range and efficiency of electronic control measures. The possibility of using a reduced model of a decoy on a UAV is being explored.
Towed LC complexes will continue to be actively developed in countries such as the USA, Germany, Great Britain, and Sweden in the next 10-15 years. The power of the signals emitted by these targets can exceed 4 kW. One of the factors limiting the rate of proliferation of towed LC systems on the global arms market is the lack of a uniform standard. For example, the Ariel (Great Britain) and AN/ALE-55 (USA) LCs have different sizes, which does not allow them to be placed on the same launcher.
Radar LCs towed using a fiber-optic cable are the main means of protecting the European EF2000 fighter from monopulse tracking radars. The Ariel LCs used do more than just ensure the repetition of received signals. With the help of electronic support systems and means, a threat is detected, located, identified, and a jamming signal is generated on board the aircraft. Next, it is converted into a modulated laser pulse and transmitted via a 100-m cable to the LC equipped with a transmitter.
The power of the emitted LC signal is adjusted depending on the power of the radar signal and the effective scattering area of the aircraft, which vary depending on the angle. Those radars that use the tracking method during the scanning process are not able to distinguish a false target from a real one.
Further development of active LCs towed using a fiber-optic cable is associated with the implementation in them of the possibility of switching the radiation pattern, correlated jamming from the aircraft and the LC towed by it.
In addition to integrated electronic warfare systems, which are being developed in parallel with the carrier aircraft, complexes are currently being created for aircraft that have been in operation for a long time. An example of such work is the IDECM radio frequency complex, originally developed for the US Navy F/A-18E/F carrier-based attack aircraft, as well as the AN/ALQ-211 SIRFC for US Army helicopters.
The results of the analysis of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have made significant changes in the views of military leadership on the use of electronic warfare systems and means. To a large extent, this affected the issue of increasing the level of security of helicopters.
On combat helicopters and support helicopters, the use of an integrated information system is becoming standard, including warning systems for radar and laser irradiation, missile launches, ejection systems for consumable LCs in the radar and infrared ranges, and an infrared jamming station.
To counter threats in the IR range, US and UK companies, such as Easterline and Chemring, have expanded the production of basic magnesium-teflon-viton (MTV) IR LCs, in particular M206 and 118MTV, and promising ones, such as pyrophoric M21L kinematic M2I2 and dual-band M118. In the next few years, the indicated types of LC will form the basis of helicopter IZs from portable anti-aircraft weapons systems in the infrared range.
One of the wishes of helicopter crews is to reduce the number of types of IR LCs by increasing their degree of versatility. At the moment, warning systems do not provide proper identification of threats, which entails the simultaneous use of various LCs.
The air forces of countries such as the USA, Great Britain, Israel and a number of others install IR laser countermeasures on helicopters. Over the past 20 years, production technologies for such systems have made great strides - from the use of flash lamps to more efficient and reliable multi-band laser radiation sources. Although it was previously believed that laser systems would replace IR LCs with ejection devices, at present the latter continue to be actively used.
The main factor stimulating the development of aviation systems and countermeasures in the infrared range is the presence in the world of a large number of weapons with thermal homing systems.
The current generation of infrared countermeasures systems for the US Armed Forces include the following: AN/ALQ-212(V) ATIRCM, the TADIRCM optical-electronic countermeasures system for tactical aircraft and the AN/AAR-57(V) unified missile attack warning system ) CMWS. The AN/AAQ-24 Nemesis and LA1RCM OEP systems for large aircraft have become widespread.
Improving OEP systems involves the use of a multi-band laser system, as well as miniaturization of the hardware.
Thus, work continues aimed at creating a unified structure of air-based electronic warfare systems and means. The lead in this matter remains with the United States. In other leading foreign countries, the same focus of the main efforts is observed. A feature of the created structure will be to ensure the possibility of integrated use of electronic warfare equipment located on various platforms, both manned and unmanned. This requires integration into a single information and communication space, as well as improvement of computing systems, in particular through the use of new software.
One of the key directions in the development of equipment designed for jamming is to ensure the possibility of selective suppression of radio electronic devices.
In addition, the possibilities of using RES equipment with other operating RES on board the carrier are being explored. All new models of SSREB and methods of their use are tested in real combat conditions in zones of armed conflict, which stimulates work on their further development.
Foreign military review. - 2011. - No. 2. - P. 60-65