Russia leaves for the market for the sighting and navigation containers

Last combat operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan and finally in Iraq again clearly demonstrated cardinal changes in the tactics of the actions of combat aviation during conducting of air- ground operations detection, recognition and destruction of ground targets by high-precision weapon was produced from high altitudes (to 9 km), the impeding damage/defeat impact aircraft by artillery PVO º – AIR DEFENSE» and by mobile antiaircraft missile systems.

However, the minimization of the vulnerability of aviation to the ground environment PVO became possible not only due to the improvement of tactical methods, but also due to the development of onboard radar and optical-electronic systems, which ensure the application of air facilities of damage/defeat (ASP) in particular, in the connection/communication about the expansion of the functions, laid on onboard sights, the latter became to play the role of the vizirno- aiming systems, entering the elaborate onboard complex of aim designation, guidance and administration of the weapon of aircraft.

In the recent two decades on the market for onboard optical-electronic means the special position engaged container sighting and navigation systems.

The use of subfuselage or underwing container systems allows with the smallest expenditures and within comparatively compressed periods to modernize the large park of the aircraft consisting in arsenal, after giving to them the signs/criteria of generation 4+ or 4++, with the arrangement/position in the container of a large quantity of sensors, which correspond to the contemporary level of development of science and technology.

The chief/leading world firm- developers of container systems from THE USA, Western Europe and Israel created and develop/process a whole series of sighting and navigation optical-electronic containers for equipping the impact aircraft, which consist in arsenal of national VVS and aviation of the number of states at present the tactical-technical characteristics of suspension containers substantial they were improved which enlarges the possibilities of acting the impact aircraft along the ground and above-water targets.

In particular, from the end of the 80th of the years of USAF º – United States Air force» is used the low altitude sighting and navigation thermal-vision system “lantirn” (LANTIRN – low-.arotude navigation and targeting infrared system for night) in the container performance, which is established/installed on destroyers F -16 and F -15, and the aviation VMS of the USA system “nighthawk” for the carrier-based aircraft F/.a-18 in all were released about 700 sets of the systems *”lantirn”, which because of the limited possibilities of heat viewers “FLIR” and lasers of the first generation were effective only to the height 7.5 km. After introduction/input into the composition of the system *”lantirn” of the improved laser the height of its application grew to 12 km and aviation VMS began to equip with it carrier-based fighters F -14 of entire NAVY OF THE USA they acquired about 80 containers of the improved system “lantirn” in 1996-1997. At present the improved containers with the systems of the aim designation of the increased range, which ensure the recognition of targets/purposes entered into service of American combat aviation and it became overgrown bombs with the laser guidance systems or with the satellite navigation systems GPS from the heights to 15 km and more. Among the new container systems the improved thermal-vision system of aim designation ATFLIR (advanced targeting forward looking infrared) firm “Raytheon”, that replaced system *”naytkhouk” by aircraft F/A-18 FLIR), the system “Sniper-XR” of the increased distance of firm “Lockheed Martin” for for aircraft F -16, F -15 and A -10, the improved container of aim designation “litening” of firm “Northrop Grumman”, whose last version *”litening-2″ since 1999 is installed on the VTOL aircraft AV-8b “Harrier”, also, since 2000 on aircraft F -16 of the reserve VVS and the national guard.

In the new container sighting and navigation systems contemporary element base is adapted, are used the improved thermal-vision systems of the forward view “FLIR” with the focal matrices/dies of the receivers 640 X 512 pixels instead of 256 X 256 pixels. These containers have TV chambers/cameras of high resolution with the variable focal length on the PZS- matrices for the work under the day conditions, and also high-power laser devices with the diode pumping for the seizure and trackings of ground targets, illuminated by the laser target indicators of progressive-minded aviation gun layers or unmanned flying vehicles (UAV) of the type “Predator”.

Contemporary sighting and navigation container systems ensure the recognition of large objects at the distance to 70 km and pinpoint targets of the type tank at the distance to 25 km.

The improved suspension sighting and navigation containers ATFLIR, “litening” and “sniper” will gradually replace the containers “lantirn”, which due to the modernization thus far continue to remain in arsenal.

Market for the container sighting and navigation systems

According to the data of experts, the volume of the market for sighting and navigation onboard containers for the impact aircraft during the next decade will increase almost threefold. Its yearly revolution will reach 1 billion dollars. As will be enlarged the circle of the tasks, solved by multipurpose destroyers with the extended action functions on ground targets, will be improved very container sighting and navigation systems of forward view.

In particular, during December 2003. the command of sea aviation systems gave out to firm “Raytheon” contract in the amount of 298,2 mln. dol to the full-scale production of system ATFLIR, which is intended for the use on destroyers F/a-18 by “super- Hornet” VMS and the group of the marines OF THE USA contract provides for the production of first party of 88 containers, spare parts, special and verifying equipment, and also booster agents. Deliveries must be completed to November 2006.

Entire VMS and the group of the marines OF THE USA to 574 containers ATFLIR for equipping the aircraft F/a-18c/d “Hornet” and F/a-18e/f “Super Hornet”. Provision is made for, in particular, delivery to 10 containers ATFLIR into each air squadron F/A-18e, which counts 12 aircraft. Each squadron of destroyers F/.a-18F, that counts of 14 machines, will obtain for the armament 12 containers ATFLIR.

Since 2002 containers ATFLIR began to enter into service of the destroyers with “Super Hornet”, which were adapted in the Asian regions.

After the completion of the tests of the prototypes of the container “sniper” of USAF º – United States Air force» during August 2001 they signed contract by company “Lockheed Martin”, who provides for production on the whole to 522 containers. The sum of contract taking into account options is 843 million dollars. Is thus far financed production 200 containers “Sniper-XR”, which will be set 2009. Initially containers will be established/installed on aircraft F -15E, and also F -16cj “block 50”, F -16 “block 30” and F -16 “block 40”, that will ensure high-precision aim designation to contemporary class weapon “air surface”. The service life of container between repairs composes 600 hours. In the composition of the container *of 40 rapidly replaceable modular blocks. To the replacement of any out-of-order block are required 14 minutes for assembling and checking the container by one specialist it is abstracted/removed 40 minutes.

The deliveries of the first series containers began from December 2002. As of on April 2003 USAF º – United States Air force» acquired 45 containers “Sniper-XR”, including 21 containers, ordered during July 2002 on the contract with the cost/value 28,3 million dol.. The first destroyers with the installed containers “sniper -.XR” became part of USAF º – United States Air force» at the end 2003.

Together with the production of container “sniper” for USAF º – United States Air force» the company “Lockheed Martin” approached sales of his export version by the name “panther” (Pantera – Precision Attack Navigation and Targeting pod). In particular, at the end of 2003 VVS of Norway obtained the first 9 containers from 56 those ordered for destroyers F -16. “Lockheed Martin” expects to soon sign contracts for the delivery of containers “panther” for VVS of Poland and Oman. Poland plans/glides to acquire 22, and Oman 7 containers.

Buying containers “Sniper -XR”, USAF º – United States Air force» in the beginning of March of 2003 concluded with the firm “Northrop- Grumman” the contract with the cost/value 326 mln. dollars to the delivery of 24 containers “litening-2” for destroyers F -15 “Strike Eagle”. Furthermore, this firm obtained from USAF º – United States Air force» the contract with the cost/value of 19,7 million dol. for the modernization of the existing/available containers with the system “litening-2”, established/installed on destroyers F -16.

Active marketing on the market for container sighting and navigation systems carries out Israel. In particular Israeli firm “elop” yearly sells several hundred containers of type TADIR, LOTUS, etc.

Firm “TAMAM” lets out containers from improved the thermal-vision container systems 2- GO of generation, by the working in the range of wavelengths 8-12 µ, and also systems 3- GO of the generations (wavelength range 3-5 µ), which are integrated with the colored TV chambers/cameras and the laser target indicators, the devices of tracking laser spot. During the last 10- anniversary the firm TAMAM let out 450 such containers for different customers from the different regions.

Russia on the market for the container sighting and navigation systems

In Russia, in view of a number of reasons, to the development of the container systems of aiming it was not given proper attention. However, the expansion of the export of multipurpose destroyers of the type Su-zOMKI, Su-zOMKK, Su-30MK2 and the new modifications of destroyers MiG-29 with the extended action functions on the ground and above-water targets required the creation of the sighting and navigation container, which ensures the application of high-precision class ASP “air – surface”.

One of the first Russian enterprises, which approached the development of container aiming systems, became Ural optical-mechanical plant (UOMZ). On the basis of the existing/available scientific and technical reserve and experiment/experience of the development of aviation optical-electronic systems, and also taking into account the needs of market were developed suspension container systems for the destroyers of the type Su-30MK. Several samples of container systems in the middle 90- X of years were set *to inozakazchiku.

At present specialists UOMZ develop/process a whole series of contemporary container systems for the solution of the problems of high-precision guidance to the target of the controlled aviation weapon and, in particular, the corrected aircraft bombs with the laser guidance.

They enter into the composition of these systems:

– the high-precision stabilization system of the field of sight (accuracy of the stabilization 5-10 seconds of arc);
– television channel PZS- matrix;
– thermal-vision channel;
– the channel of range finding and illumination at the working wavelength;
– the direction finder of laser spot;
– the multichannel automaton of seizure and target tracking;
– computing system;
– temperature control system.

The development of container systems is conducted taking into account the unification of their application on the aircraft of different types (“MiG”, “yak” and “Sus”). This structural special feature is realized in the sighting and navigation containers of the leading western firms. For example, American container “sniper-XR” is built in such a way that after connection to onboard equipment for carrier aircraft and suspension to the pylon automatically is determined the aircraft type. Software of a “sniper” without the reprogramming ensures interface with onboard equipment of carrier aircraft.

In the Russian containers the base technical and structural solutions are used, are adapted standard contemporary sensors, blocks and knots (IR and TV systems, calculators, electronic components and so forth, etc.).

Are considered operating conditions of container on the Russian aircraft, possibility of the adaptation of container to the concrete/specific aircraft types due to the presence of flexible interface connections/communications.

According to the representatives UOMZ, in the course of developing the aviation container sighting and navigation systems was formed the close cooperation of the leading developer enterprises. Development is carried out with the advantageous use of a contemporary element base at the level of world samples, produced in Russia, by conducting all forms of certification testing, the use of foremost of the technology of production.

Thus, for instance, application of the finished stabilization system of the fields of the sight of container on the spherical bearing echo with coordinate torque motor makes it possible to provide the work of the systems of container under the rigorous conditions for overloads and vibrations of carrier aircraft without substantial limitations of the places of suspension under the aircraft. In this case necessary accuracy of guidance of the sighting axes of channels on the target in all assigned flight conditions and the evolutions/maneuvers of carrier aircraft with the fulfillment of combat mission is ensured.

The application of a high-power laser system of range finding and illumination of targets/purposes makes it possible to ensure the necessary distances of the guidance of the controlled weapon. Presence in composition of the container of the multichannel automaton of seizure and target tracking – accuracy of guidance under the conditions of the action of natural and man-made interferences.

As assume/set specialists UOMZ, application on the Russian aircraft of the container systems of foreign firms requires the in-depth analysis of their technical characteristics, careful application in the required range of flying regimes/conditions, conducting of additional tests and the imposition of possible limitations on the conditions for their operation.

At present on UOMZ are passed tests or a whole series of container systems is located on different stages of development. One of them – “sapsan-E” is intended for the export deliveries. This container repeatedly was demonstrated on the international exhibitions in 2001-2003.

System “sapsan” is placed in the suspension cylindrical container, which is hung up on the wingtip or subfuselage pylons of destroyers of the type Su-30 and MiG-29. The tests of container it is planned/glided to complete toward the end 2004. At present are conducted its flight tests on multipurpose destroyers of the type “Su” and “MiG”.

In the opinion of experts, the creation of container “sapsan” and the equipment with it of Russian combat aircraft of the type Su-3O and MiG-29 will increase their export potential, beginning with 2005-2006.

Container “sapsan-E”, developed by specialists UOMZ, contains in its composition the complete set of channels, provides twenty-four hour high-precision guidance to the target of the controlled weapon in all flight conditions of carrier aircraft and at distances of the application of the controlled weapon.

Technical characteristics of container “sapsan-E”

Field of view, deg:

on the angle of elevation
+ 10-150

along the azimuth
180

along the bank
180

Range of operating temperatures, s
-60 50

Overall dimensions, mm
360×3000

Mass of container, kg
250

The design features of container and the technical solutions placed in it make it possible to flexibly change the composition *of ka¬nalov for guaranteeing the characteristics used, assigned by technical task.

After the completion of testing and certification the container *”sapsan-E” can be exported, first of all, to those countries, which are already armed with the parks of multipurpose Russian destroyers of the type Su-30MK, capable of acting on the earth/ground. This, first of all China, which already acquired 76 destroyers Su-30MKK and will obtain 24 additional destroyers Su-30MK2, and also India, where set 22 destroyers Su-30MKI and prior to the end of the present year will be exported 10 additional aircraft of this type. Furthermore, in India up to 2014 it will be produced on the license 140 destroyers Su-30MKI and for the next two years are finished in the version Su-30MKI 18 previously destroyers presented Su-zOK. Thus, during the next 10 years in China it can be claimed- to 80 Sapsan-E containers, and in India – to 160 containers of this type.

It is necessary to also consider that the carriers of container *”sapsan-E” can be the aircraft MiG-23K with the extended action functions on the earth/ground, and also other modernized versions MiG-29. This circumstance contributes to the formation of initial demand in Asia for the Russian sighting and navigation containers, whose output/yield for the world market occurred with the considerable delay.

http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=3563&cid=66

yeah, its the colour that is misleading, but the actual array is the same I think. Supposedly Skat is much lighter in design than the Bars antenna, and I believe the new Irbis radar will use the Skat technology, scaled up.

Skat is supposed to be a small phased array antenna used on the “Osa” radar. However, the picture doesn’t look much like the “Osa” radars we’ve seen so far.

I haven’t tried hassling him- I was hoping someone here would speak Russian and be able to read the article!

No Harry these are totally different radars from the basic Kopyo and Arbalet. They are operating in decimetric (above 10cm) wavebands, and are primarily optimised for missile detection tasks.