Long-range counterbattery stations and their capabilities

Radar counterbattery stations are used to detect enemy firing positions. With their help, a snap is made and the coordinates of the enemy battery are identified, the locations of ammunition are dropped and the shots of their own artillery are corrected. The principle of work is to determine the artillery shells at the initial stage of the flight, the intersection of several positions of the rocket or mine to determine the trajectory of motion. The investigation of the arc and the processing of the obtained data allows us to calculate the location of the enemy's firing points and determine the target of the defeat in our own camp.

The intersection of enemy shooting points is made by scanning with a beam of space above the horizon, forming a kind of barrier. After the return of the signal, the counterbattery counter station survives the movement of the target for the time necessary to determine the exact trajectory of the ammunition. By comparing the obtained coordinates, the installation sites and the flight trajectory receive the point of incidence of the artillery shell. The type, caliber of the projectile and the name of the fire station are determined automatically, while the dimensions of the point of destruction, its power and the approximate classification of the batteries by the magnitude of the threat are specified.

In modern conditions, long-range counterbattery stations take in the ranges 2-4.5 and 10-121 Hz. This makes it possible not to ignore the mortar mortar points at a distance of up to 30 kilometers, artillery positions at ranges of up to 50 kilometers, and missile launchers can be traced for 80 kilometers.

What is included in the station?

The radar is equipped for operation in military conditions:

• Antenna system;
• Equipment for processing received information;
• Apparatus for receiving and transmitting signals;
• A device for transmitting information;
• Power supply network.

Radar stations of counterbattery fight have antennas, which are a flat antenna phased array (FAR) of rectangular shape. Scanning occurs by electron beams, its sector is expanded to 90º. The design of the phased array for easy viewing in various directions is installed on the turntable platform.

Connected devices for working with information and intelligence are placed in capacious containers, which are located on wheels or tracks of self-propelled vehicles. Its carrying capacity makes it possible to transport more than five tons. To improve the efficiency of stations in the field, they are constantly upgraded, which consists in the development and application of advanced support in on-board computers.

An important role is played by the introduction of innovative modular tools and the introduction of an accurate system of anchoring to the terrain. The newest systems of onboard navigation allow during the redeployment to determine their own position on the ground and to orient the antennas, to mark the enemy's firing points with the greatest accuracy.

Advantages of reconnaissance stations

Counterbattery stations are designed and operate to improve the effectiveness of combat in the field and have a number of positive points that allow developing this direction:

• Are mobile transport devices for radar reconnaissance;
• Stations are able to view large areas at long distances;
• They collect data on enemy fire points very accurately in real time;
• Works regardless of time and weather;
• Demonstrates high combat readiness in any part of the day.

Even if the enemy can detect counterbattery stations at a distance that exceeds the range of the reconnaissance devices themselves, the above advantages make it advisable to use them to determine enemy firing points, namely, rocket launchers, artillery batteries and mortars.

"Zoo-1" counter-battery fighting radar

Counterbattery stations of Russia are represented by radar complex GRAU 1L219M, called "Zoo-1". The station carries out reconnaissance of the location of launchers of tactical action missiles, anti-aircraft complexes, positions of rocket and artillery fire points, mortar positions, and the installation of an MLRS. In addition, the crew of the station performs the calculation of the trajectories of the enemy war missiles, missiles, helps to correct the direction and range of fire of their own artillery installations, to control airspace in a given zone, to monitor unmanned devices.

History

The design of radio relay stations for counterbattery combat "Zoo" began in the eighties of the last century to replace the existing ARK-1 radar complex, developed a decade earlier. There is a new installation on the basis of the tractor, which was previously used by the ARC, which gives them a look of appearance. Two research institutes "Iskra" and "Strela" created the newest installation. After the destruction of the Union, these organizations found themselves on different sides of the border.

Concern Iskra continued to work in Ukraine to modernize and create the Zoo-2 complex under the 1L 220 L index, which was delivered to another chassis and is able to detect the target on a longer trajectory with a lower throughput. The Tula Research Institute upgraded the Zoo-1 installation, improved communication and updated the program.

For the first time an improved station was published in 2002, single units were handed over for testing to the army in 2004. The tests ended four years later and in 2008 they were put into service by the Russian army. At present, the artillery battery of reconnaissance and control necessarily includes a radar system.

General information about the Zoo-1 station

Counterbattery tracking stations simultaneously control the shooting of up to 75 deployed artillery positions and give out information about their location during the first 15-20 seconds after the shot. The complex accompanies up to 12 rounds in flight, while exchanging information with the checkpoint in electronic form. The station traces enemy firing points:

• Mortars caliber up to 120 mm at a distance of up to 22 km;
• Artillery installations up to 155 mm - up to 20 km;
• MLRS caliber up to 240 mm - up to 35 km;
• The location of tactical missiles - up to 40 km.

The counterbattery counter station controls the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles and monitors the movement of other air vehicles in the viewing area. The complex is not detected soon, since it needs a short radiation interval for the target's intersection.

To do this, the battery design uses devices for short-term adjustment of the operating frequency and elimination of electronic interference, in contrast to the US counterbattery counter station, the interference of which is not removed carefully. The crew inside the station is protected by armor from bullets and fragments.

What is included in the complex "Zoo-1"?

Installation is armored crawler tractor MT-LBU with high traffic. On its base are:

• Radar equipment;
• The maintenance node;
• A set for repair and refitting on the Ural automobile;
• Mobile trailer power plant with a capacity of up to 30 kW;
• Autonomous orientation devices on the ground.

Technical parameters of the Russian radar station

Use counterbattery stations, photos of which are presented below, it is convenient, since the characteristics allow you to work effectively in the front-line territory:

• The crew, without leaving the car, deploys the station in five minutes;
• Movement is carried out with a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour;
• Encountered water obstacles, the complex overcomes swamping;
• Caterpillar tractor passes on any roads;
• A full refilled tank allows you to drive 500 km without adding fuel;
• The station operates in mountainous conditions up to 3 thousand meters above sea level;
• The full-scale work is not affected by precipitation, dust flows and gusts of strong wind;
• The outside temperature range is from -47 to +50 ° C;
• It is easily transported by all types of land, air and water transport;
• Automatic control and independent electrical power supply;
• The crew works in comfortable conditions;
• Automated monitoring of the operating status and the resulting damage allows you to quickly bring the complex into operation.

Complex AN / TPQ-36

The TPQ-36 counterbattery counter station is designed by US military defense companies to identify the location of mortar enemy positions, artillery pieces and missile launchers. The complex of vehicles is located on the basis of the Hummer car, which has increased cross-country capability on all types of roads. To service the station, a crew of four is assigned.

Complex of radar monitoring AN / TPQ-37

The battery in many respects resembles the counter-battery stations TPQ-36, but the devices are located on a five-ton tractors and requires 6 to 8 fighters to service the complex. The battery includes a fully automated operator workplace, which simultaneously tracks about 100 enemy targets on an electronic map. At stations in 2012, the last stage of improvement was completed, which allowed to extend the period of their use in the US Army until 2020. Modernization touched control systems, navigation, computer programs were updated, and the productivity of electronic computers on board the complex was increased.

AN / TPQ-53 counter-battery radar

This new station is gradually replacing the US counterbattery station of old samples. New complexes are more mobile in deployment, preparation for work, they detect enemy firing points at a range of up to 60 km, the coordinate system has undergone several improvements. The generator of diesel type, located on the trailer, provides the combat calculation of four people with the electricity necessary for work.

The operator works on two computers, one of which is located in the hardware room, the other is equipped with a cab of a car with an antenna farm. It is possible to control instruments from a distance of 1 km along the radio signal line. To move the station to a combat position, use an air transport type C-17. These counterbattery stations in the US, photos of which can be seen in the picture, will replace the existing ones after 2020.

Locating portable station AN / TPQ-48 / -49

The US Army received the battery in 2000, was designed jointly by two scientific and military companies. The purpose of the creation was to protect the location of expeditionary units moving outside the states from enemy mortar fire and jet flying munitions. Actively used in the fighting in the Middle East. Several copies in the form of military assistance were delivered to the Ukrainian army.

The complex includes:

• A receiving and transmitting device equipped with antennas;
• A device for digital processing of wave signals;
• A small computer;
• Mobile power supply.

For transportation the station is folded and placed in two special suitcases, transportation is easily carried out by a car.

COBRA radar

In the development of radar equipment took the consortium in 1998, the battery is in service with field teams of Germany, Turkey, Britain, France and the Emirates. Technical data of the station allows you to find more than a hundred scattered targets on the ground in one working hour. After 2020, the armies of NATO countries will receive new batteries with the possibility of more distant detection of enemy fire points and increased accuracy in coordinating their own firings.

All working equipment is collected in a standard box. The walls of the container are made of strong materials to protect from splinters, firing. Antenna on the platform rotates in any direction, when folded it folds compactly. An electronic map of the locality is reflected on two identical screens of the computer with varying data on the location of points. Two operators are sufficient to work at the station. Tactical and technical parameters of the COBRA radar:

• The range of effective artillery detection is 20 km;
• Reactive munitions are detected at a range of 50 km;
• The station operates in the operating range 4-8 GHz;
• The azimuth angle is 270 °;
• The accuracy of the calculation of coordinates is in the range from 0.35 to 0.5% of the range;
• The time for setting in the working position and clamping for dislocation is about 5 minutes;
• Enough to carry out activities of two military operators.

ARTHUR counterbattery station

The mobile version of the radar was developed by two leading military firms from Sweden and Norway. The obtained child has an expanded number of functions and provides detection speed in the surrounding space from 180 to 600 degrees per second. The equipment of the station is reliably protected from missiles of anti-locating action, since the diagram beam operates below the height of the lift of the catchers. To detect the target of the station, it is enough to turn on the radiation for a few minutes.

Sweden continues scientific developments in the creation of advanced means with improved gratings. The stations obtained as a result of the research, expand the number of functions, the control is fully automated. One of these radars is GIRAFFE, whose power is doubled, the station tracks an increased number of targets.

The operation of the X-band battery allows you to create a diagram using multiple beams and scan the space along the angle and azimuth in sectors up to 270 and 70º. Overview of the circle is the rotation of the platform. The station operates at a range of up to 50 km. The equipment of the army is recommended to be handed over until 2018, the countries of England, Germany and the United States are interested in samples.

In conclusion, it should be noted that in military operations the counterbattery fight stations show reliable work and fulfill all the functions assigned to them. After 2020, the introduction of upgraded complexes will allow more accurate and careful determination of the coordinates of enemy fire points, with the detection range becoming larger, which will increase the effectiveness of counterbattery combat.