Airspace control radar field article. VII

This problem can be solved by affordable, cost-effective and sanitary-safe means. Such facilities are built on the principles of semi-active radar (SAL) using the accompanying illumination of transmitters communication and broadcasting networks. Today, almost all well-known developers of radar equipment are working on the problem.

The task of creating and maintaining a continuous round-the-clock duty airspace control field at extremely low altitudes (LMA) is complex and costly. The reasons for this lie in the need to compact the orders of radar stations (RLS), the creation of an extensive communication network, the saturation of the surface space with sources of radio emissions and passive reflections, the complexity of ornithological and meteorological conditions, dense population, high intensity of use and inconsistency of legal acts relating to this area.

In addition, the boundaries of responsibility of various ministries and departments in the control of surface space are divided. All this greatly complicates the possibility of organizing radar monitoring of airspace in WWI.

Why do we need a continuous surface airspace monitoring field

For what purposes is it necessary to create a continuous field for monitoring surface airspace in WWI in peacetime? Who will be the main consumer of the information received?

The experience of working in this direction with various departments indicates that no one is against the creation of such a field, but each interested department needs (for various reasons) its own functional unit limited in goals, tasks and spatial characteristics.

The Ministry of Defense needs to control the airspace in WWI around defended objects or in certain directions. Border service - above the state border, and not higher than 10 meters from the ground. A unified air traffic management system - over airfields. Ministry of Internal Affairs - only aircraft preparing for takeoff or landing outside the permitted flight areas. FSB - the space around sensitive facilities.

Ministry of Emergency Situations - areas of man-made or natural disasters. FSO - areas of stay of protected persons.

This situation indicates the absence of a unified approach to solving the problems and threats that await us in the low-altitude surface environment.

In 2010, the problem of controlling the use of airspace in WWI was transferred from the responsibility of the state to the responsibility of the aircraft operators themselves.

In accordance with the current Federal rules for the use of airspace, a notification procedure for the use of airspace was established for flights in class G (small aviation) airspace. From now on, flights in this airspace class can be carried out without obtaining an air traffic control clearance.

If we consider this problem through the prism of the appearance of unmanned aerial vehicles in the air, and in the near future, passenger "flying motorcycles", then a whole range of tasks arises related to ensuring the safety of using airspace at extremely low altitudes above settlements, industrially hazardous areas .


Who will control traffic in low-altitude airspace?

Companies in many countries around the world are developing such affordable low-altitude vehicles. For example, the Russian company Aviaton plans to create its own passenger quadrocopter by 2020 for flights (attention!) outside airfields. That is, where it is not prohibited.

The reaction to this problem has already manifested itself in the form of the adoption by the State Duma of the law "On Amendments to the Air Code of the Russian Federation regarding the use of unmanned aircraft." In accordance with this law, all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) weighing more than 250 g are subject to registration.

In order to register a UAV, it is necessary to submit an application to the Federal Air Transport Agency in any form, indicating the details of the drone and its owner. However, judging by how things are going with the registration of manned light and ultralight aircraft, it seems that the problems with unmanned aircraft will be the same. Now, two different organizations are responsible for registering light (ultra-light) manned and unmanned aircraft, and no one is able to organize control over the rules for their use in class G airspace over the entire territory of the country. This situation contributes to an uncontrolled increase in cases of violations of the rules for the use of low-altitude airspace and, as a result, an increase in the threat of man-made disasters and terrorist attacks.

On the other hand, the creation and maintenance of a wide field of monitoring in the WWI in peacetime by traditional means of low-altitude radar is hampered by the limitations of sanitary requirements for the electromagnetic load on the population and the compatibility of RES. Existing legislation strictly regulates the RES radiation regimes, especially in populated areas. This is strictly taken into account when designing new RES.

So, what's in the bottom line? The need for surface airspace monitoring in PMA objectively remains and will only increase.

However, the possibility of its implementation is limited by the high cost of creating and maintaining a field in WWI, the inconsistency of the legal framework, the lack of a single responsible body interested in a large-scale round-the-clock field, as well as restrictions imposed by supervisory organizations.

It is urgent to start developing preventive measures of an organizational, legal and technical nature aimed at creating a system for continuous monitoring of PMA airspace.

The maximum height of the class G airspace border varies up to 300 meters in the Rostov region and up to 4.5 thousand meters in the regions of Eastern Siberia. In recent years, Russian civil aviation has seen an intensive growth in the number of registered facilities and operators of general aviation (GA). As of 2015, over 7,000 aircraft were registered in the State Register of Civil Aircraft of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that, in general, no more than 20-30% of the total number of aircraft (AC) of legal entities, public associations and private owners of aircraft using aircraft are registered in Russia. The remaining 70-80% fly without an air operator's license or without aircraft registration at all.

According to NP GLONASS estimates, sales of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Russia annually increase by 5-10%, and by 2025 2.5 million of them will be purchased in the Russian Federation. It is expected that the Russian market in terms of consumer and commercial small Civilian UAS can make up about 3-5% of the global.

Monitoring: economical, affordable, environmentally friendly

If we take an unbiased approach to the means of creating a continuous monitoring of the WWI in peacetime, then this problem can be solved by affordable, cost-effective and sanitary-safe means. Such facilities are built on the principles of semi-active radar (SAL) using the accompanying illumination of transmitters of communication and broadcasting networks.

Today, almost all well-known developers of radar equipment are working on the problem. The SNS Research group has published the report "Military & Civil Aviation Passive Radar Market: 20132023" (Military & Civil Aviation Passive Radar Market: 20132023) and expects that by 2023 the volume of investment in both sectors in the development of technologies for such radars will reach more than 10 billion US dollars, with annual growth in the period 2013-2023. will be almost 36%.

The simplest version of a semi-active multi-position radar is a two-position (bistatic) radar, in which the backlight transmitter and the radar receiver are separated by a distance exceeding the range measurement error. A bistatic radar consists of a satellite illumination transmitter and a radar receiver separated by a base distance.

As an accompanying illumination, radiation from transmitters of communication and broadcasting stations, both ground-based and space-based, can be used. The backlight transmitter generates an omnidirectional low-altitude electromagnetic field, being in which targets

With a certain effective scattering surface (ESR), they reflect electromagnetic energy, including in the direction of the radar receiver. The receiver's antenna system receives a direct signal from the illumination source and an echo signal from the target, delayed relative to it.

In the presence of a directional reception antenna, the angular coordinates of the target and the total range relative to the radar receiver are measured.

The basis for the existence of PAL are extensive areas of coverage by broadcasting and communication signals. Thus, the zones of various cellular operators almost completely overlap, mutually complementing each other. In addition to the cellular coverage areas, the country's territory is covered by overlapping radiation fields from TV broadcast transmitters, VHF FM and FM satellite TV broadcasting stations, and so on.

To create a multi-position network of radar monitoring in the WWI, an extensive communication network is required. Dedicated secure APNs have such capabilities - packet data transmission channels based on M2M "telematics" technology. The typical bandwidth characteristics of such channels at peak load are no worse than 20 Kb / s, but according to the experience of application, they are almost always much higher.

JSC "SPE "KANT" is working on the study of the possibility of detecting targets in the field of illumination of cellular networks. In the course of the research, it was found that the most extensive coverage of the territory of the Russian Federation is carried out by the GSM 900 communication signal. This communication standard provides not only sufficient energy for the illumination field, but also the technology of packet data transmission GPRS wireless communication at a speed of up to 170 Kb / s between elements of a multi-position radar spaced at regional distances.

The work carried out as part of R&D showed that a typical out-of-town territorial-frequency planning of a cellular communication network makes it possible to build a low-altitude multi-position active-passive system for detecting and tracking ground and air (up to 500 meters) targets with an effective reflective surface of less than 1 sq. m.

The high suspension height of base stations on antenna towers (from 70 to 100 meters) and the network configuration of cellular communication systems make it possible to solve the problem of detecting low-altitude targets made using low-observable STELS technology using spaced location methods.

As part of R & D for the detection of air, ground and surface targets in the field of cellular networks, a detector of a passive receiving module (PRM) of a semi-active radar station was developed and tested.

As a result of field tests of the PPM mock-up within the boundaries of the GSM 900 cellular communication network with a distance between base stations of 4-5 km and a radiation power of 30-40 W, the possibility of detecting a Yak-52 aircraft and a DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter at the estimated range of flights was achieved. , moving road and river transport, as well as people.

During the tests, the spatial and energy characteristics of detection and the capabilities of the GSM signal to resolve targets were evaluated. The possibility of transmitting packet detection information and remote mapping of information from the test area to a remote observation indicator has been demonstrated.

Thus, in order to create a continuous round-the-clock multi-frequency overlapping field of location in the surface space at the WMA, it is necessary and possible to build a multi-position active-passive location system with the combination of information flows obtained using illumination sources of various wavelengths: from meter (analog TV, VHF FM and FM broadcast) to short decimeter (LTE, Wi-Fi). This requires the efforts of all organizations working in this direction. The necessary infrastructure and encouraging experimental data are available for this. We can safely say that the accumulated information base, technologies and the very principle of covert PAL will find their rightful place in wartime.


In the figure: "Scheme of a bistatic radar". For example, the current coverage area of ​​​​the borders of the Southern Federal District is given by the signal of the cellular operator "Beeline"

To assess the scale of placement of backlight transmitters, let's take the average Tver region as an example. In it, on an area of ​​​​84 thousand square meters. km with a population of 1 million 471 thousand people, there are 43 broadcasting transmitters for broadcasting sound programs of VHF FM and FM stations with a radiation power of 0.1 to 4 kW; 92 analog transmitters of television stations with radiation power from 0.1 to 20 kW; 40 digital transmitters of television stations with power from 0.25 to 5 kW; 1,500 transmitting radio communication facilities of various affiliations (mainly cellular base stations) with a radiation power from a few mW in an urban area to several hundred W in a suburban area. The height of the illumination transmitters suspension varies from 50 to 270 meters.


Impossible without the creation of an effective system of reconnaissance and airspace control. An important place in it is occupied by a low-altitude location. The reduction of units and means of radar reconnaissance has led to the fact that over the territory of Russia today there are open sections of the state border and the country's interior.

JSC NPP Kant, which is part of the Russian Technologies State Corporation, is conducting research and development to create a prototype of a multi-position diversity radar system for semi-active location in the radiation field of cellular communication systems, broadcasting and television, ground-based and space-based ( complex "Rubezh").

Today, the greatly increased accuracy of targeting weapons systems no longer requires the massive use of air attack weapons (AOS), and the tightened requirements for electromagnetic compatibility, as well as sanitary norms and rules, do not allow in peacetime to “contaminate” the populated areas of the country with the use of microwave radiation (UHF radiation) high-potential radar stations (RLS).

In accordance with the federal law "On the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population" dated March 30, 1999 No. 52-FZ, radiation standards have been established that are mandatory throughout Russia. The radiation power of any of the known air defense radars many times exceeds these standards. The problem is exacerbated by the high probability of using low-flying low-observable targets, which requires the compaction of the combat formations of the traditional radar fleet and the increase in the cost of maintaining a continuous low-altitude radar field (MSRLP).

To create a continuous duty round-the-clock MSRLP with a height of 25 meters (the flight altitude of a cruise missile or an ultralight aircraft) along a front of only 100 kilometers, at least two radars of the KASTA-2E2 (39N6) type are required, the power consumption of each of which is 23 kW. Taking into account the average cost of electricity in 2013 prices, only the cost of maintaining this section of the MSRLP will be at least 3 million rubles per year. Moreover, the length of the borders of the Russian Federation is 60,900,000 kilometers.

In addition, with the outbreak of hostilities in the conditions of the active use of electronic countermeasures (REW) by the enemy, the traditional means of location on duty can be largely suppressed, since the transmitting part of the radar completely unmasks its location.

It is possible to save the expensive radar resource, increase their capabilities in peacetime and wartime, and also increase the noise immunity of the MSRLP by using semi-active location systems with an external illumination source.

For detection of air and space targets

Abroad, extensive research is being carried out on the use of third-party radiation sources in semi-active location systems. Passive radar systems that analyze TV broadcast (terrestrial and satellite), FM radio and cellular telephony, and HF radio signals reflected from targets have become one of the most popular and promising areas of study over the past 20 years. It is believed that the American corporation Lockheed Martin has achieved the greatest success here with its Silent Sentry system (“Quiet sentry”).

Own versions of passive radars are being developed by Avtec Systems, Dynetics, Cassidian, Roke Manor Research, and the French space agency ONERA. Active work on this topic is underway in China, Australia, Italy, and the UK.

Similar work to detect targets in the field of illumination of television centers was carried out at the Military Radio Engineering Academy of Air Defense (VIRTA PVO) named after. Govorova. However, the weighty practical groundwork obtained more than a quarter of a century ago on the use of illumination of analog radiation sources for solving problems of semi-active location turned out to be unclaimed.

With the development of digital broadcasting and communication technologies, the possibility of using semi-active location systems with external illumination has also appeared in Russia.

Developed by OAO NPP Kant complex of multi-position spaced radar system of semi-active location "Rubezh" designed to detect air and space targets in the field of external illumination. Such a field of illumination is distinguished by the cost-effectiveness of airspace monitoring in peacetime and resistance to electronic countermeasures during war.

The presence of a large number of highly stable radiation sources (broadcasting, communications) both in space and on Earth, which form continuous electromagnetic illumination fields, makes it possible to use them as a signal source in a semi-active system for detecting various types of targets. In this case, it is not required to spend money on radiation of own radio signals. To receive signals reflected from targets, multi-channel receiving modules (PM) spaced apart on the ground are used, which, together with radiation sources, create a semi-active location complex.

The passive mode of operation of the Rubezh complex makes it possible to ensure the secrecy of these funds and use the structure of the complex in wartime. Calculations show that the secrecy of a semi-active location system in terms of masking coefficient is at least 1.5–2 times higher than a radar with a traditional combined construction principle.

The use of more cost-effective means of locating the standby mode will significantly save the resource of expensive combat systems by saving the established resource spending limit. In addition to the standby mode, the proposed complex can also perform tasks in wartime conditions, when all peacetime radiation sources are disabled or turned off.

In this regard, a far-sighted decision would be to create specialized omnidirectional covert noise transmitters (100-200 W), which could be thrown or installed in threatened directions (in sectors) in order to create a field of third-party illumination in a special period. This will allow, on the basis of the networks of receiving modules remaining from peacetime, to create a hidden multi-position active-passive wartime system.

There are no analogues of the Rubezh complex

The Rubezh complex is not an analogue of any of the known samples presented in the State Armaments Program. At the same time, the transmitting part of the complex already exists in the form of a dense network of base stations (BS) of cellular communications, terrestrial and satellite broadcasting and television transmitting centers. Therefore, the central task for "Kant" was the creation of receiving modules for signals reflected from targets of third-party illumination and a signal processing system (software and algorithmic support that implements systems for detecting, processing reflected signals and combating penetrating signals).

The current state of the electronic component base, data transmission and synchronization systems makes it possible to create compact receiving modules with small weight and size dimensions. Such modules can be located on cellular towers, using the power lines of this system and not having any effect on its operation due to their insignificant power consumption.

Sufficiently high probabilistic detection characteristics make it possible to use this tool as an unattended, automatic system for establishing the fact of crossing (flying) a certain boundary (for example, the state border) by a low-altitude target, followed by the issuance of preliminary target designation to specialized ground or space-based means about the direction and boundary of the intruder's appearance.

So, calculations show that the illumination field of base stations with a spacing between the BS of 35 kilometers and a radiation power of 100 W is capable of detecting low-altitude aerodynamic targets with an RCS of 1m 2 in the "clear zone" with a correct detection probability of 0.7 and a false alarm probability of 10 -4 . The number of tracked targets is determined by the performance of computing facilities.

The main characteristics of the system were tested by a series of practical experiments on the detection of low-altitude targets, conducted by OAO NPP Kant with the assistance of OAO RTI im. Academician A.L. Mints "and the participation of employees of the VA VKO them. G.K. Zhukov. The test results confirmed the prospects of using low-altitude semi-active target location systems in the field of illumination of the BS of GSM cellular communication systems.

When the receiving module was removed at a distance of 1.3–2.6 kilometers from the BS with a radiation power of 40 W, a Yak-52 type target was confidently detected under various observation angles both in the front and rear hemispheres in the first resolution element.

The configuration of the existing cellular communication network makes it possible to build a flexible pre-field for monitoring low-altitude air and surface space in the field of illumination of the BS of the GSM communication network in the border zone.

The system is proposed to be built in several detection lines to a depth of 50-100 km, along the front in a band of 200-300 km and in height up to 1500 meters.

Each detection line represents a sequential chain of detection zones located between the BSs. The detection zone is formed by a single-base diversity (bistatic) Doppler radar. This fundamental solution is based on the fact that when a target is detected through the light, its effective reflective surface increases many times, which makes it possible to detect subtle targets made using the Stealth technology.

Increasing the capacity of aerospace defense

From line to line of detection, the number and direction of flying targets are clarified. In this case, the algorithmic (calculated) determination of the distance to the target and its height becomes possible. The number of simultaneously registered targets is determined by the bandwidth of information transmission channels over the lines of cellular communication networks.

Information from each detection zone is sent via GSM networks to the Information Collection and Processing Center (CSOI), which can be located many hundreds of kilometers from the detection system. Targets are identified by direction-finding, frequency and time features, as well as when installing video recorders - by target images.

Thus, complex "Rubezh" will allow:

1. create a continuous low-altitude radar field with multiple multi-frequency overlapping of radiation zones created by various illumination sources;

2. to provide the state border and other territories of the country, poorly equipped with traditional means of radar, with means of controlling the air and ground space (the lower boundary of the controlled radar field of less than 300 meters is created only around the control centers of large airports. Over the rest of the territory of the Russian Federation, the lower boundary is determined only by the needs of escorting civil aircraft along the main airlines that do not go below 5000 meters);

3. Significantly reduce deployment and commissioning costs compared to any similar systems;

4. solve problems in the interests of almost all law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation:

- MO (building up a low-altitude radar field on duty in threatened directions);

- FSO (in terms of ensuring the security of state protection facilities - the complex can be located in suburban and urban areas to monitor air terrorist threats or control the use of surface space);

- ATC (control over the flights of light aircraft and unmanned vehicles at low altitudes, including air taxis - according to the forecasts of the Ministry of Transport, the annual increase in general-purpose small aircraft is 20% annually);

- FSB (tasks of anti-terrorist protection of strategically important facilities and protection of the state border);

— Ministry of Emergency Situations (fire safety monitoring, search for crashed aircraft, etc.).

The proposed means and methods for solving the problems of low-altitude radar reconnaissance in no way cancel the means and complexes created and supplied to the Russian Armed Forces, but only increase their capabilities.

/Andrey Demidyuk, Doctor of Military Sciences, Associate Professor;
Evgeniy Demidyuk, candidate of technical sciences, vpk-news.ru
/

of these Federal Rules

144. Control over compliance with the requirements of these Federal Rules is carried out by the Federal Air Transport Agency, air traffic services (flight control) in the zones and areas established for them.

Control over the use of the airspace of the Russian Federation in terms of identifying aircraft violating the procedure for using the airspace (hereinafter referred to as violating aircraft) and aircraft violating the rules for crossing the state border of the Russian Federation is carried out by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

145. If the air traffic services (flight control) body detects a violation of the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation, information about this violation is immediately brought to the attention of the air defense body and the aircraft commander, if radio contact is established with him.

146. Air defense agencies provide radar control of the airspace and provide the relevant centers of the Unified System with data on the movement of aircraft and other material objects:

a) threatening illegal crossing or illegally crossing the state border of the Russian Federation;

b) being unidentified;

c) violating the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation (until the violation ceases);

d) transmitting a distress signal;

e) flying letters "A" and "K";

f) performing flights for search and rescue operations.

147. Violations of the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation include:

a) the use of airspace without the permission of the relevant center of the Unified System under the permit procedure for the use of airspace, except for the cases specified in clause 114 of these Federal Rules;

b) non-compliance with the conditions brought by the center of the Unified System in the permit for the use of airspace;

c) non-compliance with the commands of the air traffic services (flight control) and the commands of the duty aircraft of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation;

d) non-compliance with the procedure for using the airspace of the border strip;

e) non-compliance with the established temporary and local regimes, as well as short-term restrictions;

f) flight of a group of aircraft in excess of the number specified in the flight plan of the aircraft;

g) use of the airspace of a prohibited zone, a restricted flight zone without permission;

h) landing of an aircraft at an unscheduled (undeclared) aerodrome (site), except for cases of forced landing, as well as cases agreed with the air traffic services (flight control) authority;

i) non-compliance by the aircraft crew with the rules of vertical and horizontal separation (except in cases of an emergency on board the aircraft requiring an immediate change in the profile and flight mode);

(see text in previous edition)

j) unauthorized deviation of the air traffic service (flight control) body outside the boundaries of the air route, local air line and route, except in cases where such deviation is due to flight safety considerations (bypassing dangerous meteorological weather phenomena, etc.);

k) entry of an aircraft into controlled airspace without the permission of the air traffic services (flight control) authority;

M) flight of an aircraft in class G airspace without notifying the air traffic services unit.

148. When an intruder aircraft is detected, the air defense authorities give the “Mode” signal, which means the requirement to stop violating the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation.

The air defense authorities bring the "Regime" signal to the appropriate centers of the Unified System and take action to stop the violation of the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation.

(see text in previous edition)

The centers of the Unified System warn the commander of the intruder aircraft (if there is radio communication with him) about the "Regime" signal given by the air defense authorities and assist him in stopping the violation of the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation.

(see text in previous edition)

149. The decision on the further use of the airspace of the Russian Federation, if the commander of the offending aircraft has stopped violating the procedure for its use, is taken by:

a) the head of the duty shift of the main center of the Unified System - when performing international flights along air traffic services routes;

b) chiefs of duty shifts of the regional and zonal centers of the Unified System - when performing domestic flights along air traffic service routes;

c) the operational duty officer of the air defense body - in other cases.

(see text in previous edition)

150. On the decision made in accordance with paragraph 149 of these Federal Rules, the centers of the Unified System and the air defense authorities notify each other, as well as the user of the airspace.

(see text in previous edition)

151. When illegally crossing the state border of the Russian Federation, using weapons and military equipment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against an intruder aircraft, as well as when unidentified aircraft and other material objects appear in the airspace, in exceptional cases, the air defense authorities give the signal "Carpet" , meaning the requirement for the immediate landing or withdrawal from the corresponding area of ​​​​all aircraft in the air, with the exception of aircraft involved in the fight against intruder aircraft and performing search and rescue tasks.

(see text in previous edition)

The air defense authorities bring the "Carpet" signal, as well as the boundaries of the area of ​​operation of the specified signal, to the corresponding centers of the Unified System.

(see text in previous edition)

The centers of the Unified System immediately take measures to withdraw aircraft (their landing) from the coverage area of ​​the "Carpet" signal.

(see text in previous edition)

152. If the crew of the offending aircraft does not comply with the command of the air traffic services (flight control) to stop violating the procedure for using the airspace, such information is immediately communicated to the air defense authorities. The air defense authorities apply measures to the intruder aircraft in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Aircraft crews are obliged to obey the commands of the aircraft on duty of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, used to stop violations of the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation.

If an intruder aircraft is forced to land, its landing is carried out at an airfield (heliport, landing site) suitable for landing this type of aircraft.

153. In the event of a threat to flight safety, including that associated with an act of unlawful interference on board an aircraft, the crew gives a distress signal. On aircraft equipped with a hazard signaling system, in the event of an attack on the crew, the "CCO" signal is additionally given. Upon receipt of the signal "Distress" and (or) "SSO" from the crew of the aircraft, the air traffic services (flight control) bodies are obliged to take the necessary measures to provide assistance to the crew in distress, and immediately transfer to the centers of the Unified System, aviation coordination centers of search and rescue, as well as to the air defense authorities, data on his whereabouts and other necessary information.

154. After clarification of the reasons for the violation of the procedure for using the airspace of the Russian Federation, permission for the further operation of an international flight or a flight associated with the crossing of more than 2 zones of the Unified System is accepted by the head of the shift on duty of the main center of the Unified System, and in other cases - the heads of shifts on duty of the zonal center of the Unified System systems.

A reliable aerospace defense of the country is impossible without the creation of an effective system of reconnaissance and airspace control. An important place in it is occupied by a low-altitude location. The reduction of units and means of radar reconnaissance has led to the fact that over the territory of the Russian Federation today there are open sections of the state border and the country's interior. JSC NPP Kant, which is part of the Russian Technologies State Corporation, is conducting research and development to create a prototype of a multi-position spaced radar system for semi-active location in the radiation field of cellular communication systems, broadcasting and television, ground-based and space-based (the Rubezh complex).

Today, the greatly increased accuracy of targeting weapons systems no longer requires the massive use of air attack weapons (AOS), and the tightened requirements for electromagnetic compatibility, as well as sanitary norms and rules, do not allow in peacetime to “contaminate” the populated areas of the country with the use of microwave radiation (UHF radiation) high-potential radar stations (RLS). In accordance with the federal law "On the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population" dated March 30, 1999 No. 52-FZ, radiation standards have been established that are mandatory throughout Russia. The radiation power of any of the known air defense radars many times exceeds these standards. The problem is exacerbated by the high probability of using low-flying low-observable targets, which requires the compaction of the combat formations of the traditional radar fleet and the increase in the cost of maintaining a continuous low-altitude radar field (MSRLP). To create a continuous duty round-the-clock MSRLP with a height of 25 meters (the flight altitude of a cruise missile or an ultralight aircraft) along a front of only 100 kilometers, at least two radars of the KASTA-2E2 (39N6) type are required, the power consumption of each of which is 23 kW. Taking into account the average cost of electricity in 2013 prices, only the cost of maintaining this section of the MSRLP will be at least three million rubles a year. Moreover, the length of the borders of the Russian Federation is 60,900,000 kilometers.

In addition, with the outbreak of hostilities in the conditions of the active use of electronic countermeasures (REW) by the enemy, the traditional means of location on duty can be largely suppressed, since the transmitting part of the radar completely unmasks its location.

It is possible to save the expensive radar resource, increase their capabilities in peacetime and wartime, and also increase the noise immunity of the MSRLP by using semi-active location systems with an external illumination source.

For detection of air and space targets

Abroad, extensive research is being carried out on the use of third-party radiation sources in semi-active location systems. Passive radar systems that analyze TV broadcast (terrestrial and satellite), FM radio and cellular telephony, and HF radio signals reflected from targets have become one of the most popular and promising areas of study over the past 20 years. It is believed that the American corporation Lockheed Martin has achieved the greatest success here with its Silent Sentry system (“Quiet sentry”).

Own versions of passive radars are being developed by Avtec Systems, Dynetics, Cassidian, Roke Manor Research, and the French space agency ONERA. Active work on this topic is underway in China, Australia, Italy, and the UK.

Similar work to detect targets in the field of illumination of television centers was carried out at the Military Engineering Radio Engineering Academy of Air Defense (VIRTA PVO) named after Govorov. However, the weighty practical groundwork obtained more than a quarter of a century ago on the use of illumination of analog radiation sources for solving problems of semi-active location turned out to be unclaimed.

With the development of digital broadcasting and communication technologies, the possibility of using semi-active location systems with external illumination has also appeared in Russia.

The complex of multi-position spaced radar system of semi-active location "Rubezh", being developed by JSC NPP Kant, is designed to detect air and space targets in the field of external illumination. Such a field of illumination is distinguished by the cost-effectiveness of airspace monitoring in peacetime and resistance to electronic countermeasures during war.

The presence of a large number of highly stable radiation sources (broadcasting, communications) both in space and on Earth, which form continuous electromagnetic illumination fields, makes it possible to use them as a signal source in a semi-active system for detecting various types of targets. In this case, it is not required to spend money on radiation of own radio signals. To receive signals reflected from targets, multi-channel receiving modules (PM) spaced apart on the ground are used, which, together with radiation sources, create a semi-active location complex. The passive mode of operation of the Rubezh complex makes it possible to ensure the secrecy of these funds and use the structure of the complex in wartime. Calculations show that the secrecy of a semi-active location system in terms of masking coefficient is at least 1.5–2 times higher than a radar with a traditional combined construction principle.

The use of more cost-effective means of locating the standby mode will significantly save the resource of expensive combat systems by saving the established resource spending limit. In addition to the standby mode, the proposed complex can also perform tasks in wartime conditions, when all peacetime radiation sources are disabled or turned off.

In this regard, a far-sighted decision would be to create specialized omnidirectional covert noise transmitters (100-200 W), which could be thrown or installed in threatened directions (in sectors) in order to create a field of third-party illumination in a special period. This will allow, on the basis of the networks of receiving modules remaining from peacetime, to create a hidden multi-position active-passive wartime system.

There are no analogues

The Rubezh complex is not an analogue of any of the known samples presented in the State Armaments Program. At the same time, the transmitting part of the complex already exists in the form of a dense network of base stations (BS) of cellular communications, terrestrial and satellite broadcasting and television transmitting centers. Therefore, the central task for "Kant" was the creation of receiving modules for signals reflected from targets of third-party illumination and a signal processing system (software and algorithmic support that implements systems for detecting, processing reflected signals and combating penetrating signals).

The current state of the electronic component base, data transmission and synchronization systems makes it possible to create compact receiving modules with small weight and size dimensions. Such modules can be located on cellular towers, using the power lines of this system and not having any effect on its operation due to their insignificant power consumption.

Sufficiently high probabilistic detection characteristics make it possible to use this tool as an unattended, automatic system for establishing the fact of crossing (flying) a certain boundary (for example, the state border) by a low-altitude target, followed by the issuance of preliminary target designation to specialized ground or space-based means about the direction and boundary of the intruder's appearance.

So, calculations show that the illumination field of base stations with a spacing between the BS of 35 kilometers and a radiation power of 100 W is capable of detecting low-altitude aerodynamic targets with an RCS of 1m2 in the "clear zone" with a correct detection probability of 0.7 and a false alarm probability of 10-4 . The number of tracked targets is determined by the performance of computing facilities. The main characteristics of the system were tested by a series of practical experiments on the detection of low-altitude targets, conducted by OAO NPP Kant with the assistance of OAO RTI im. Academician A. L. Mints ”and the participation of employees of the VA VKO them. G. K. Zhukova. The test results confirmed the prospects of using low-altitude semi-active target location systems in the field of illumination of the BS of GSM cellular communication systems. When the receiving module was removed at a distance of 1.3–2.6 kilometers from the BS with a radiation power of 40 W, a Yak-52 type target was confidently detected under various observation angles both in the front and rear hemispheres in the first resolution element.

The configuration of the existing cellular communication network makes it possible to build a flexible pre-field for monitoring low-altitude air and surface space in the field of illumination of the BS of the GSM communication network in the border zone.

The system is proposed to be built in several detection lines to a depth of 50-100 kilometers, along the front in a band of 200-300 kilometers and in height up to 1500 meters. Each detection line represents a sequential chain of detection zones located between the BSs. The detection zone is formed by a single-base diversity (bistatic) Doppler radar. This fundamental solution is based on the fact that when a target is detected through the light, its effective reflective surface increases many times, which makes it possible to detect subtle targets made using the Stealth technology.

Increasing the capacity of aerospace defense

From line to line of detection, the number and direction of flying targets are clarified. In this case, the algorithmic (calculated) determination of the distance to the target and its height becomes possible. The number of simultaneously registered targets is determined by the bandwidth of information transmission channels over the lines of cellular communication networks.

Information from each detection zone is sent via GSM networks to the Information Collection and Processing Center (CSOI), which can be located many hundreds of kilometers from the detection system. Targets are identified by direction-finding, frequency and time features, as well as when installing video recorders - by target images.

Thus, the Rubezh complex will allow:

  • create a continuous low-altitude radar field with multiple multi-frequency overlapping of radiation zones created by various illumination sources;
  • to provide air and ground space control with the state border poorly equipped with traditional radar equipment and other territories of the country (the lower border of the controlled radar field of less than 300 meters is created only around the control centers of large airports. Over the rest of the territory of the Russian Federation, the lower border is determined only by the needs of escorting civil aircraft along the main airlines , which do not fall below 5000 meters);
  • significantly reduce the cost of placement and commissioning compared to any similar systems;
  • solve problems in the interests of almost all law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation: MO (building up a low-altitude radar field on duty in threatened directions), FSO (in terms of ensuring the security of state protection facilities - the complex can be located in suburban and urban areas to monitor air terrorist threats or control the use of surface space ), ATC (control over the flights of light aircraft and unmanned vehicles at low altitudes, including air taxis - according to the forecasts of the Ministry of Transport, the annual growth of small general aviation aircraft is 20 percent annually), FSB (tasks of anti-terrorist protection of strategically important objects and protection of state borders), Ministry of Emergency Situations (fire safety monitoring, search for crashed aircraft, etc.).

Reliable Aerospace Defense (VKO) of the country is impossible without the creation of an effective system of reconnaissance and airspace control. An important place in it is occupied by a low-altitude location. The reduction of units and means of radar reconnaissance has led to the fact that over the territory of the Russian Federation today there are open sections of the state border and the country's interior. JSC NPP Kant, which is part of the Russian Technologies State Corporation, is conducting research and development to create a prototype of a multi-position spaced radar system for semi-active location in the radiation field of cellular communication systems, broadcasting and television, ground-based and space-based (the Rubezh complex).

Today, the greatly increased accuracy of targeting weapons systems no longer requires the massive use of air attack weapons (AOS), and the tightened requirements for electromagnetic compatibility, as well as sanitary norms and rules, do not allow in peacetime to “contaminate” the populated areas of the country with the use of microwave radiation (UHF radiation) high-potential radar stations (RLS). In accordance with the federal law "On the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population" dated March 30, 1999 No. 52-FZ, radiation standards have been established that are mandatory throughout Russia. The radiation power of any of the known air defense radars many times exceeds these standards. The problem is exacerbated by the high probability of using low-flying low-observable targets, which requires the compaction of the combat formations of the traditional radar fleet and the increase in the cost of maintaining a continuous low-altitude radar field (MSRLP). To create a continuous duty round-the-clock MSRLP with a height of 25 meters (the flight altitude of a cruise missile or an ultralight aircraft) along a front of only 100 kilometers, at least two radars of the KASTA-2E2 (39N6) type are required, the power consumption of each of which is 23 kW. Taking into account the average cost of electricity in 2013 prices, only the cost of maintaining this section of the MSRLP will be at least three million rubles a year. Moreover, the length of the borders of the Russian Federation is 60,900,000 kilometers.

In addition, with the outbreak of hostilities in the conditions of the active use of electronic countermeasures (REW) by the enemy, the traditional means of location on duty can be largely suppressed, since the transmitting part of the radar completely unmasks its location.

It is possible to save the expensive radar resource, increase their capabilities in peacetime and wartime, and also increase the noise immunity of the MSRLP by using semi-active location systems with an external illumination source.

For detection of air and space targets

Abroad, extensive research is being carried out on the use of third-party radiation sources in semi-active location systems. Passive radar systems that analyze TV broadcast (terrestrial and satellite), FM radio and cellular telephony, and HF radio signals reflected from targets have become one of the most popular and promising areas of study over the past 20 years. It is believed that the American corporation Lockheed Martin has achieved the greatest success here with its Silent Sentry system (“Quiet sentry”).

Own versions of passive radars are being developed by Avtec Systems, Dynetics, Cassidian, Roke Manor Research, and the French space agency ONERA. Active work on this topic is underway in China, Australia, Italy, and the UK.

The Hidden "Frontier" of Air Control

Similar work to detect targets in the field of illumination of television centers was carried out at the Military Engineering Radio Engineering Academy of Air Defense (VIRTA PVO) named after Govorov. However, the weighty practical groundwork obtained more than a quarter of a century ago on the use of illumination of analog radiation sources for solving problems of semi-active location turned out to be unclaimed.

With the development of digital broadcasting and communication technologies, the possibility of using semi-active location systems with external illumination has also appeared in Russia.

The complex of multi-position spaced radar system of semi-active location "Rubezh", being developed by JSC NPP Kant, is designed to detect air and space targets in the field of external illumination. Such a field of illumination is distinguished by the cost-effectiveness of airspace monitoring in peacetime and resistance to electronic countermeasures during war.

The presence of a large number of highly stable radiation sources (broadcasting, communications) both in space and on Earth, which form continuous electromagnetic illumination fields, makes it possible to use them as a signal source in a semi-active system for detecting various types of targets. In this case, it is not required to spend money on radiation of own radio signals. To receive signals reflected from targets, multi-channel receiving modules (PM) spaced apart on the ground are used, which, together with radiation sources, create a semi-active location complex. The passive mode of operation of the Rubezh complex makes it possible to ensure the secrecy of these funds and use the structure of the complex in wartime. Calculations show that the secrecy of a semi-active location system in terms of masking coefficient is at least 1.5–2 times higher than a radar with a traditional combined construction principle.

The use of more cost-effective means of locating the standby mode will significantly save the resource of expensive combat systems by saving the established resource spending limit. In addition to the standby mode, the proposed complex can also perform tasks in wartime conditions, when all peacetime radiation sources are disabled or turned off.

In this regard, a far-sighted decision would be to create specialized omnidirectional covert noise transmitters (100-200 W), which could be thrown or installed in threatened directions (in sectors) in order to create a field of third-party illumination in a special period. This will allow, on the basis of the networks of receiving modules remaining from peacetime, to create a hidden multi-position active-passive wartime system.

There are no analogues

The Rubezh complex is not an analogue of any of the known samples presented in the State Armaments Program. At the same time, the transmitting part of the complex already exists in the form of a dense network of base stations (BS) of cellular communications, terrestrial and satellite broadcasting and television transmitting centers. Therefore, the central task for "Kant" was the creation of receiving modules for signals reflected from targets of third-party illumination and a signal processing system (software and algorithmic support that implements systems for detecting, processing reflected signals and combating penetrating signals).

The current state of the electronic component base, data transmission and synchronization systems makes it possible to create compact receiving modules with small weight and size dimensions. Such modules can be located on cellular towers, using the power lines of this system and not having any effect on its operation due to their insignificant power consumption.

Sufficiently high probabilistic detection characteristics make it possible to use this tool as an unattended, automatic system for establishing the fact of crossing (flying) a certain boundary (for example, the state border) by a low-altitude target, followed by the issuance of preliminary target designation to specialized ground or space-based means about the direction and boundary of the intruder's appearance.

Thus, calculations show that the illumination field of base stations with a spacing between the BS of 35 kilometers and a radiation power of 100 W is capable of detecting low-altitude aerodynamic targets with an RCS of 1m2 in the “clear zone” with a correct detection probability of 0.7 and a false alarm probability of 10–4 . The number of tracked targets is determined by the performance of computing facilities. The main characteristics of the system were tested by a series of practical experiments on the detection of low-altitude targets, conducted by OAO NPP Kant with the assistance of OAO RTI im. Academician A. L. Mints ”and the participation of employees of the VA VKO them. G. K. Zhukov. The test results confirmed the prospects of using low-altitude semi-active target location systems in the field of illumination of the BS of GSM cellular communication systems. When the receiving module was removed at a distance of 1.3–2.6 kilometers from the BS with a radiation power of 40 W, a Yak-52 type target was confidently detected under various observation angles both in the front and rear hemispheres in the first resolution element.

The configuration of the existing cellular communication network makes it possible to build a flexible pre-field for monitoring low-altitude air and surface space in the field of illumination of the BS of the GSM communication network in the border zone.

The system is proposed to be built in several detection lines to a depth of 50-100 kilometers, along the front in a band of 200-300 kilometers and in height up to 1500 meters. Each detection line represents a sequential chain of detection zones located between the BSs. The detection zone is formed by a single-base diversity (bistatic) Doppler radar. This fundamental solution is based on the fact that when a target is detected through the light, its effective reflective surface increases many times, which makes it possible to detect subtle targets made using the Stealth technology.

Increasing the capacity of aerospace defense

From line to line of detection, the number and direction of flying targets are clarified. In this case, the algorithmic (calculated) determination of the distance to the target and its height becomes possible. The number of simultaneously registered targets is determined by the bandwidth of information transmission channels over the lines of cellular communication networks.

Information from each detection zone is sent via GSM networks to the Information Collection and Processing Center (CSOI), which can be located many hundreds of kilometers from the detection system. Targets are identified by direction-finding, frequency and time features, as well as when installing video recorders - by target images.

Thus, the Rubezh complex will allow:

  • create a continuous low-altitude radar field with multiple multi-frequency overlapping of radiation zones created by various illumination sources;
  • to provide air and ground space control with the state border poorly equipped with traditional radar equipment and other territories of the country (the lower border of the controlled radar field of less than 300 meters is created only around the control centers of large airports. Over the rest of the territory of the Russian Federation, the lower border is determined only by the needs of escorting civil aircraft along the main airlines , which do not fall below 5000 meters);
  • significantly reduce the cost of placement and commissioning compared to any similar systems;
  • solve problems in the interests of almost all law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation: MO (building up a low-altitude radar field on duty in threatened directions), FSO (in terms of ensuring the security of state protection facilities - the complex can be located in suburban and urban areas to monitor air terrorist threats or control the use of surface space ), ATC (control over the flights of light aircraft and unmanned vehicles at low altitudes, including air taxis - according to the forecasts of the Ministry of Transport, the annual growth of small general aviation aircraft is 20 percent annually), FSB (tasks of anti-terrorist protection of strategically important objects and protection of state borders), Ministry of Emergency Situations (fire safety monitoring, search for crashed aircraft, etc.).

The proposed means and methods for solving the tasks of low-altitude radar reconnaissance in no way cancel the means and complexes created and supplied to the RF Armed Forces, but only increase their capabilities.

Reference Information:

Research and Production Enterprise "Kant" for more than 28 years has been developing, manufacturing and maintaining modern means of special communications and data transmission, radio monitoring and electronic warfare, information security systems and information channels. The products of the enterprise are used in the supply of almost all power structures of the Russian Federation and are used in solving defense and special tasks.

JSC NPP Kant has a modern laboratory and production base, a highly professional team of scientists and engineering specialists, which allows it to perform a full range of scientific and production tasks: from R&D, serial production to repair and maintenance of equipment in operation.

The authors: Andrey Demidyuk, Executive Director of OAO NPP Kant, Doctor of Military Sciences, Associate Professor Evgeny Demidyuk, Head of the Department of Innovative Development of JSC NPP Kant, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor