To detect enemy firing positions, radar counter-battery stations are used. With their help, they make a notch and identify the coordinates of the enemy’s battery, places of ammunition and adjust their own artillery shots. The principle of work is to determine artillery shells at the initial stage of flight, notch several positions of a rocket or mine to determine the trajectory of movement. The study of the arc and the processing of the obtained data allows you to calculate the installation site of the enemy firing points and determine the target of destruction in your own camp.
The serif of the shooting points of the enemy is made by scanning with a ray of space above the horizon, forming a kind of barrier. After the signal returns, the counter-battery control station tracks the movement of the target for the time necessary to determine the exact trajectory of the ammunition. By comparing the obtained coordinates of the installation site and the flight path, the point of impact of the artillery shell is obtained. The type, caliber of the projectile and the name of the firing station is determined automatically, while the dimensions of the point of destruction are determined, its power, and an approximate classification of batteries by the magnitude of the threat is made.
In modern conditions, long-range counter-battery stations are received in the ranges of 2-4.5 and 10-121 Hz. This allows you to ignore firing 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 to 80 kilometers.
What is included in the station?
The radar is equipped for use in military conditions:
- antenna system;
- equipment for processing received information;
- apparatus for receiving and transmitting signals;
- a device for transmitting information;
- power supply network.
Counter-battery radar stations have antennas, which are a flat phased array antenna (PAR) of a rectangular shape. Scanning is carried out by electron beams, its sector is expanded to 90º. The design of the HEADLIGHTER for ease of viewing in various directions is mounted on a rotary platform.
Communication devices for working with information and intelligence are placed in capacious containers that are located on wheels or tracks of self-propelled vehicles. Its carrying capacity allows you to transport over five tons. To improve the efficiency of stations in the field, they are constantly being upgraded, which consists in the development and application of advanced software in on-board computers.
An important role is played by the introduction of innovative modular tools and the introduction of an accurate system of geolocation. The latest on-board navigation systems allow during relocation to determine your own position on the terrain and orient antennas, pinpoint enemy firing points with the greatest accuracy.
Advantages of intelligence stations
Counter-battery stations are designed and operate to increase the effectiveness of combat in the field and have a number of positive aspects that allow us to develop this area:
- are mobile transport devices for radar reconnaissance;
- stations are capable of viewing large areas at large distances in range;
- collect data on enemy firing points very accurately in real time;
- works regardless of time and weather;
- shows high combat readiness in any part of the day.
Even if the enemy can detect counter-battery stations at a distance exceeding the range of the reconnaissance devices themselves, the above advantages make it advisable to use them to determine enemy firing points, namely multiple launch rocket systems, artillery batteries and mortars.
Radar counter-battery combat "Zoo-1"
The counter-battery stations of Russia are represented by the GRAU 1L219M radar complex, called the “Zoo-1”. The station carries out reconnaissance of the location of tactical missile launchers, air defense systems, positions of missile and artillery firing points, mortar positions, and the installation of enemy MLRS. In addition, the station’s crew calculates the flight paths of enemy warheads, missiles, helps to adjust the direction and range of fire of their own artillery installations, control airspace in a given area, and monitor unmanned devices.
Story
The design of the Zoo counter-battery control radio relay stations began in the eighties of the last century to replace the existing ARK-1 radar system developed a decade earlier. A new installation based on the tractor is located, as well as the previously used ARC, which gives them a similar appearance. Two research institutes "Iskra" and "Arrow" created the latest installation. After the destruction of the Union, these organizations were on opposite sides of the border.
The Iskra concern continued to work in Ukraine on the modernization and creation of the Zoo-2 complex under the 1L 220 L index, placed on another chassis and capable of detecting a target on a longer trajectory with a lower throughput characteristic. The Tula Research Institute upgraded the Zoo-1 installation, improved communications and updated the program.
For the first time, an improved station was published in 2002, and individual complexes were transferred to the army for testing in 2004. The tests ended four years later and in 2008 were put into service with the Russian army. Currently, the artillery reconnaissance and command battery necessarily includes a radar system.
General information about the Zoo-1 station
Counter-battery tracking stations simultaneously control the firing of up to 75 deployed artillery positions and provide data on their location for the first 15-20 seconds after the shot. The complex accompanies up to 12 shells in flight, while exchanging information with a checkpoint in electronic form. The station tracks enemy firing points:
- mortars in caliber up to 120 mm at a distance of 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 is up to 40 km.
The counter-battery control station controls the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles and controls the movement of other aircraft in the field of view. The complex is not detected soon, since it needs a short radiation gap to detect the target.
To do this, the design of the battery uses devices for short-term tuning of the current frequency and elimination of electronic interference, in contrast to a counter-battery fighting station of American manufacture, the interference of which is not removed so carefully. The crew inside the station is protected by armor from bullets and fragments.
What is a part of the Zoo-1 complex?
The installation is carried by an armored MT-LBu crawler tractor with high traffic. At its base are located:
- radar device;
- maintenance node;
- kit for repair and conversion on a Ural vehicle;
- mobile trailed power station with power up to 30 kW;
- Autonomous orientation devices on the ground.
Technical parameters of the Russian radar station
Using counter-battery stations, the photo of which is presented below, is convenient, since the characteristics allow you to work effectively in the frontline area:
- the crew, without leaving the car, deploys the station in five minutes;
- movement is carried out at a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour;
- the complex overcomes water obstacles by swimming;
- caterpillar tractor passes on any road;
- a full refueling tank allows you to drive 500 km without adding fuel;
- the station operates in mountainous conditions up to 3 thousand meters above sea level;
- full operation is not affected by precipitation, dust flows and gusts of strong winds;
- outdoor temperature range is from - 47 to + 50º;
- It is easily transported by all types of land, air and water transport;
- provides automated control and independent electrical power;
- the crew works in comfortable conditions;
- Automated control of the working condition and the resulting damage allows you to quickly bring the complex into working condition.
Complex AN / TPQ-36
The TPQ-36 counter-battery station was designed by US military defense companies to locate mortar enemy positions, artillery pieces, and rocket launchers. The complex of devices is located on the basis of the Hammer car, which has increased cross-country ability on all types of roads. A crew of four is assigned to serve the station.
Radar monitoring system AN / TPQ-37
The battery in many ways resembles the TPQ-36 counter-battery stations, but the devices are located on a five-ton tractor and from 6 to 8 fighters are required to service the complex. The battery includes a fully automated place for the operator to work, which simultaneously tracks about 100 enemy targets on an electronic map. At the stations in 2012, the last stage of improvement was completed, which allowed to extend the period of their use in the American army until 2020. The modernization touched control systems, navigation, computer programs were updated, the performance of electronic computers on board the complex was increased.
Anti-battery radar AN / TPQ-53
This new station is gradually replacing US counter-old stations with old designs. New systems are more mobile in deployment, preparation for work, they detect enemy firing points at ranges up to 60 km, the coordinate determination system has undergone a number of improvements. A diesel-type generator located on a trailer provides a combat crew of four people with the electricity needed to operate.
The operator’s work takes place on two computers, one of which is located in the hardware room, the other is equipped with a car cabin with antenna facilities. It is possible to control devices from a distance of 1 km via a radio signal line. To move the station to a combat position, an air transport type S-17 is used. These US counter-battery stations, photos of which can be seen in the picture, will replace the existing ones after 2020.
Locating portable station AN / TPQ-48 / -49
The U.S. Army entered the battery in 2000, and was jointly designed by two military research companies. The purpose of the creation was to protect the location of expeditionary forces moving abroad overseas from mortar fire of the enemy and jet flying ammunition. Actively used in hostilities in the Middle East. Several copies in the form of military aid were delivered to the Ukrainian army.
The complex includes:
- a device for receiving and transmitting, equipped with antennas;
- device for digital processing of wave signals;
- small computer;
- mobile power source.
For carrying, the station collapses and fits in two special suitcases, transportation is easily carried out by car.
Radar COBRA
The consortium accepted the development of radar equipment in 1998, the battery is in service with the field detachments of Germany, Turkey, England, France and the Emirates. The technical data of the station make it possible to detect more than a hundred targets scattered on the ground in one working minute. After 2020, the armies of NATO countries will receive new batteries with the ability to further determine enemy firing points and increased accuracy in coordinating their own shelling.
All working equipment is assembled in a standard box. The walls of the container are made of durable materials to protect against fragments, shooting. The antenna on the platform rotates in any direction, folds compactly when carried. An electronic map of the area is reflected on two identical computer screens with changing data on the location of the points. Two operators are enough to work at the station. The performance characteristics of the radar COBRA:
- effective artillery detection range is 20 km;
- ammunition is detected at a distance of 50 km;
- the station operates in the working range of 4-8 GHz;
- azimuth angle is 270º;
- the accuracy of the calculation of coordinates is in the range from 0.35 to 0.5% of the range;
- installation and coagulation time for dislocation is about 5 minutes;
- two military operators are enough to carry out activities.
Counter Battery Station ARTHUR
The development of a mobile version of the radar was carried out by two leading military firms from Sweden and Norway. The resulting offspring has an expanded number of functions and provides a detection speed in the environment from 180 to 600 degrees per second. Station equipment is reliably protected from anti-radar missiles, since the beam of the beam operates below the height of the catchers. To detect the purpose of the station, just turn on the radiation for a few minutes.
Sweden continues scientific research to create high-location tools with improved lattices. The stations obtained as a result of surveys expand the number of functions, the control is fully automated. One of these radars includes GIRAFFE, whose power is doubled, the station tracks an increased number of targets.
Battery operation in the X-band allows you to create a chart using multiple beams and scan the space by angle and azimuth in sectors up to 270 and 70º. Survey in a circle occurs by rotating the platform. The station operates at a range of up to 50 km. It is recommended to transfer the equipment to the army 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, counter-battery control stations show reliable operation and perform all the functions assigned to them. After 2020, the adoption of modernized systems will make it possible to more accurately and thoroughly determine the coordinates of enemy firing points, while the detection range will become greater, which will increase the effectiveness of counter-battery combat.