The Israeli company Rafael has developed two systems for determining the coordinates of the target, Pointer and Micro-Pointer, which have similar characteristics, but differ in weight. These devices are mounted on a tripod and have an adapter at the top for mounting various devices, such as day / night multifunctional binoculars. The systems include a digital magnetic compass, a GPS receiver and a functional computer. On both axes, the angular accuracy is 1 mil, the positioning accuracy is 3-5 meters, while the accuracy to the true pole is 1 ° when measured with a digital magnetic compass and 1 milliradian by the visual orientation to the true pole. The computer has a four-inch color touch screen, several push buttons, some of which are user-definable; two handles with push buttons are used to orient the entire system, as well as to control target designation and the installed device. To avoid enemy detection, the Pointer and Micro-Pointer systems use advanced proprietary digital targeting technology that does not require a laser rangefinder, although rangefinders can be used if necessary. After finding the true pole and determining the exact location using GPS, the system uses geographic infrastructures (digital terrain model and digital 3D models for the target area) in order to accurately calculate the range to the target, that is, it remains completely passive. The system uses digitally formatted maps for the georeferencing process. For integration with information management systems, RS232 and RS422 connectors are provided. Without batteries, the Pointer weighs 4.1 kg and the Micro-Pointer 0.85 kg. Both systems are in service with Israel and other countries, including one NATO country.
Elbit Systems of America's Enhanced Joint Terminal Attack Controller Laser Target Designator (E-JTAC LTD) is one of the lightest targeting systems on the market.
Rafael has developed a passive target ranging system based on geographic infrastructure and implemented in its Pointer and Micro-Pointer target positioning systems.
The Coris-Grande targeting device is offered by Stelop, a division of Singapore-based ST Electronics
Stelop, a part of Singapore-based ST Electronics, offers its Coris-Grande targeting device. The 2kg device (including batteries) includes a color daytime camera, an uncooled 640x480 pixel bolometric array, an eye-safe laser rangefinder (1.55μm Class 1M wavelength) with a range of 2km, a GPS receiver and a digital compass. Images are displayed on a color SVGA-display, on which a crosshair can also be displayed; the system allows you to capture a frame and upload an image to a computer via a USB 2.0 connector; there is a digital zoom x2. The Coris-Grande has an accuracy of 0.5 ° in azimuth and a circular probable deviation (CEP) of five meters; the system can operate in a military rectangular coordinate system or latitude-longitude coordinate grids. According to the Stelop company, for a thermal imaging channel, the 90% probability of detecting a person is more than 1 km and a light car is more than 2.3 km, and the corresponding recognition ranges are 380 and 860 meters. For a daytime camera, the detection ranges are 1, 2 km and 3 km, and the recognition ranges are 400 and 1000 meters. The Coris-Grande is ready for use in 10 seconds after switching on, it is powered by a lithium-ion battery that guarantees six hours of operation. The device has been tested in real conditions of operation, since it is in service with the Singapore army, it was also exported to South Korea and Indonesia. In order to increase the detection and recognition range, Stelop has developed an improved version of the Coris-Grande targeting device with a 5 km laser rangefinder and a lens with a focal length of 35 mm (instead of the original one with a focal length of 25 mm). The first systems of the new variant are already available for demonstration and Stelop is ready to deliver them in 6-8 months after the conclusion of the contract.
There are two systems in the Northrop Grumman catalog that are designed for advanced aircraft gunners or spotters. Both devices weigh less than 0.9 kg with rechargeable batteries and can be operated with one hand. The main difference between Coded Spot Tracker (CST) and Multi-Band Laser Spot Tracker (MBLST) is that the first thermal imager operates in the long-wave infrared region of the spectrum, while the second one operates in the short-wave infrared region of the spectrum. Equipped with an uncooled 640x480 sensor, the CST has a wide 25 ° x20 ° field of view and a narrow 12.5 ° x10 ° field of view with x2 electronic zoom. It can track up to three marker spots at the same time, the 800x600 SVGA display shows three colored diamond icons, red, green and blue icons correspond to the pulse repetition rate code shown at the bottom of the image. The CST is powered by three CR-123 lithium batteries.
The advantages of the MBLST thermal imager, operating in the mid-wave infrared region of the spectrum, are less atmospheric scattering and detection of the laser pulse at the pixel level. Its 11 ° x8.5 ° field of view can be reduced thanks to the x2 electronic zoom, an optional x2 external optical magnifier is available. To show the laser spot on a black and white image, a translucent overlay is used, while the spot itself is highlighted with a marker. The MBLST allows the spotter to see the spot from the laser pointer at ranges over 10 km. The device is powered by four CR-123 or AA cells with a continuous run time of two hours.
L-3 Warrior Systems has developed the LA-16u / PEQ Handheld Laser Marker. The pistol-shaped device is capable of emitting NATO-encoded laser beams and illuminating targets; its beam is easily detected by tracking platforms, which reduces target transfer time from a few minutes to a few seconds. For more accurate aiming at the target, a miniature collimator sight is installed on top of the pistol.
Laser designators
In 2009, the US military began searching for a system in order to reduce the burden on fire spotters and at the same time increase their ability to detect, localize, target designation and highlight targets for laser and GPS guided ammunition. The new system was designated Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS - fire guidance and synchronization system). It consists of two components: the Target Location Designation System (TLDS) and the Target Effects Coordination System (TECS). TLDS is a handheld reconnaissance and target designation device; the following design characteristics were set for it: round-the-clock target identification range of more than 8-4 km, location error of less than 10 meters per 10 km, range determination at a distance of more than 10 km, infrared illumination range at night more than 4 km, laser spot tracking device range more than 8 km, the range of the target designator for stationary and mobile targets is more than 8 km using standard NATO coding. The base system should weigh less than 3.2 kg, while the entire system, including the tripod, batteries and cables, should weigh no more than 7.7 kg. The TECS device is coordinated with TLDS and provides networking and automatic communication, allowing you to plan, coordinate and fire, as well as perform guidance on the final leg of the trajectory. The system will be supplied to advanced fire spotters of the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. At the end of 2013, two companies BAE Systems and DRS Technologies received one-year contracts for the development of an experimental system worth $ 15, 3 million and $ 15, 6, respectively. The two companies design and manufacture prototypes as part of the complete prototype rework phase. The first JETS systems are planned to be delivered at the end of 2016.
For the new JETS system, BAE Systems has developed a handheld instrument for measuring, reconnaissance and target designation Hammer (Handheld Azimuth Measuring, Marking, Electro-optic imaging and Ranging). Not much is known about this development, only that day and night channels, an astronomical compass, a gyrocompass, a digital magnetic compass, a GPS SAASM receiver (anti-jamming module with selective accessibility), an eye-safe laser rangefinder, a compact laser marker and open digital communication interface. The JETS Hammer variant passed the project examination in February 2014 and according to BAE Systems, it not only weighs half the current systems, but is also much cheaper. Each company must supply 20 test systems for evaluation.
Laser targeting device AN / PEQ-1C SOFLAM (Special Operations Forces Laser Acquisition Marker), created by Northrop Grumman, was used in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq by special units, forward observers, gunners and spotters. The device weighs 5.2 kg, it includes a laser designator (a diode-pumped neodymium yttrium-aluminum grenade laser) with passive cooling, capable of marking a target at a distance of over 10 km. The laser operates at a wavelength of 1.064 microns with a pulse energy of 80 millijoules and is used not only for target designation with user-programmable pulse repetition rate codes, but also for ranging, in this mode its range is 20 km. The device has an RS-422 connector for exchanging information with external devices, daytime optics with x10 magnification and a field of view of 5 ° x4.4 °; three Picatinny rails allow the installation of night vision systems. The SOFLAM device is powered by a single BA 5590 cell. It is better known in the market as the Ground Laser Target Designator III or GLTD III for short, a development of the previous GLTD II model. Improvements mainly affected the mass, it became 400 grams lighter, while the characteristics and power consumption remained the same.
BAE Systems doesn't talk much about the Hammer except that it has an astronomical compass built in to improve accuracy.
AN / PEQ-1C Soflam has been widely used in Iraq and Afghanistan
The larger Northrop Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) has a total weight of 16 kg and consists of two main subsystems: the Target Locator Module (TLM) weighing 5.8 kg and the Laser Designator Module (LDM) weighing 4.85 kg. The TLM is equipped with a 640x480-pixel cooled thermal imager with a wide 8.2 ° x6.6 ° field of view and a 3.5 ° x2.8 ° narrow field of view, electronic magnification allows a 0.9 ° x0.7 ° field of view. The day channel is based on a high resolution CCD camera with a wide field of view of 4.5 ° x3.8 °, a narrow field of view of 1.2 ° x1 ° and electronic zoom of x2. The module also includes a GPS PLGR (lightweight high-precision GPS receiver) receiver, an electronic clinometer, and an eye-safe Class 1 laser rangefinder with a maximum range of 20 km. The laser of the LDM designator module can designate a target at a distance of up to 5 km using NATO codes Band I and II and A. The device has RS-485 / RS-232 connectors for data transmission and RS-170 for video transmission. Power is supplied from the BA-5699 element, the BA-5590 accumulator is used only for the operation of the TLM module.
A “revolutionary” improvement was implemented in the LLDR 2 target laser rangefinder, in which the TLM module was retained, but at the same time a new diode pumped laser module (DLDM) was added. This module is much lighter, with the same characteristics, its weight is 2, 7 kg. Further development led to the LLDR-2H high-precision target designation system, consisting of a new TLM-2H rangefinder module weighing 6.6 kg and a slightly modified DLDM module weighing 2.8 kg; the whole system with a tripod, battery and cables weighs 14.5 kg. The daylight channel TLM-2H is based on a high resolution CCD camera with a wide 4 ° x3 ° and narrow 1 ° x0.8 ° fields of view and x2 electronic zoom; its recognition range during the day is more than 7 km. The thermal imaging channel has a wide field of view of 8.5 ° x6.3 ° and a narrow field of view of 3.7 ° x2.8 °, as well as electronic magnification x2 and x4, which makes it possible to recognize vehicles at night at a distance of more than 3 km. The instrument also includes a 20 km laser rangefinder, a GPS / SAAMS receiver, a digital magnetic compass and a high-precision astronomical azimuth unit. When using the latter, the error in determining the location of the target is reduced to 10 meters by 2.5 km. The TLM-2H rangefinder is able to catch the target designator spot at a distance of 2 km, day and night. The DLDM laser pointer provides a target designation range of stationary targets 5 km during the day and 3 km at night, and 3 km for moving targets during the day and at night. The LLDR 2 system is powered by the same BA-5699 and BA-5590 rechargeable batteries, which provide 24 hours of continuous operation.
The LLDR laser designator-rangefinder consists of a rangefinder module and a designator module and can illuminate a target at a distance of 5 km
L-3 Warrior Systems Scarab Tild-A laser designator can illuminate targets at ranges up to 5 km
British soldier ready for target designation with Thales TYR; in the photo the device is installed on the digital observation station GonioLight
L-3 Warrior Systems-Advanced Laser Systems Technologies has developed the Scarab TILD-A laser designator with a diode pumped laser, which, with a beam energy of 80 to 120 millijoules, is capable of illuminating targets at a distance of 5 km. The device includes a target designator, tripod, batteries and a remote control. The daytime optics module is installed on the left, it has an x7 magnification and a 5 ° field of view, while the target data is superimposed on the image on the display. Compatible with NATO codes Band I and II, the Scarab designator guarantees 60 minutes of continuous target designation from one battery. A thermal imager with laser spot observation can be mounted on the Picatinny rail, adding less than one kg to the system. This device is based on a cooled 640x480 matrix operating in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum; detection ranges of 5 km and recognition of 3 km of any standard target with dimensions of 2, 3x2, 3 meters are 5 km and 3 km, respectively. At the end of 2013, Warrior Systems-ALST received an order from South Korea with an initial value of $ 30 million, these designators are intended for the local Air Force and the Marine Corps.
The French company Thales offers a 5 kg Tyr laser designator, which can generate a laser pulse with an energy of more than 70 millijoules. The maximum range is 20 km, but there is no data on target designation ranges. The daylight channel has a field of view of 2.5 ° x1.9 °, the reticle overlaid on the display image. The Tyr designator is equipped with Picatinny rails and can easily interact with other Thales reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation systems. Another target designator of this company, LF28A, weighs a little more, up to 6.5 kg, it provides a target designation range of 10 km. The device has a day sight with a magnification of x10 and a field of view of 3 °; the target designator is powered by lithium or nickel-cadmium batteries, inserted with one click.
The French company CILAS has developed a light version of its DHY 307 ground-based laser designator. The new, more compact device is designated DHY 307 LW, it weighs half the previous model, only 4 kg. The target designator has a built-in camera for observing the laser spot; it can be connected to high-precision rangefinder-goniometric devices (goniometers), as well as to thermal imagers. Its characteristics are even higher than that of the original model, the target designation range has increased from 5 to 10 km while maintaining the laser beam pulse energy of 80 millijoules. The target designator can memorize not only NATO codes, but also Russian and Chinese ones.
Elbit's lightweight designator Rattler-G is known in the United States under the designation Director-M. Aiming is carried out using daytime optics, which has a magnification of x5.5, the OLED display shows the pulse repetition rate codes, battery charge and laser modes. The laser marker / designator has a pulse energy of 27 millijoules, a pulse duration of 15 nanoseconds, a beam divergence of less than 0.4 milliradians, a NATO standard target illumination range of 3 km, a building of 5 km. The coded beam illumination range is 6 km, while the pointing range is 20 km. The Rattler-G designator has an integrated optical sighting device with a power of 0.8 W at a wavelength of 0.83 microns and 3 milliwatts at a wavelength of 0.63 microns. The Picatinny rail at the top of the instrument allows other optical systems to be mounted that can be aligned with the reference direction using laser pointers. The Rattler-G target designator weighs 1.7 kg with CR123 batteries providing a runtime of 30 minutes at standard temperature. The Director-M for the US market retains most of the characteristics of the Rattler-G, but has a high power 1W laser pointer with a beam energy of 30 millijoules. Without an eyepiece, the instrument is 165 mm long, 178 mm wide and 76 mm high.
In order to further lighten the load on the soldier, Elbit Systems has developed a target designator in the form of a Rattler-H pistol with an impulse energy of 30 millijoules and the same ranges as that of the Rattler-G. The device does not have an optical channel, but a sighting device can be installed on the Picatinny rail, and in the case of long-range target designation, the interface connector allows the device to be mounted on a tripod. The key advantage of the Rattler-H designator is its weight - only 1.3 kg with a CR123 battery.
On a completely different level is the Portable Lightweight Designator / Rangefinder II or PLDRII laser target designator-rangefinder weighing 6, 7 kg. The target designation ranges for a tank-type target are 5 km and for a building 10 km, while the laser pulse energy is regulated from 50 to 70 millijoules. The complex includes a sighting device with an x8 magnification and a 5.6 ° field of view (laser spot observation camera with a 2.5 ° field of view), the image is displayed on a 3.5-inch display. The PLDR II device has a built-in GPS receiver, an electronic compass and a tactical computer for calculating the coordinates of targets, there are two Picatinny rails for installing additional devices, such as a thermal imager. The system is designed for long-range target designation, it includes a panoramic head and a light tripod. Several countries bought this designator, and in 2011 it was purchased by the US Marine Corps under the designation AN / PEQ-17.
The French company CILAS has developed a lightweight ground-based laser designator DHY 307 LW weighing only 4 kg
Elbit's pistol-type target designator Rattler-H weighing 1, 3 kg is capable of illuminating targets for air platforms
Elbit Systems has also developed a Serpent laser designator-rangefinder with even longer ranges, respectively 8 km for a tank-type target and 11 km for large targets, the range measurement is 20 km with an accuracy of 5 meters. Its aiming characteristics are the same as that of the PLDR II device, but a laser spot observation camera is optional. The target designator itself weighs 4, 63 kg, a panoramic head, a light tripod, a battery and a remote switch are included in the kit.
For guidance and target designation, the Russian company Rosoboronexport offers a portable complex of automated fire control "Malachite", which is divided into three separate subsystems: a laser target designator-rangefinder, a digital station, a commander's console with a computer and satellite navigation equipment. There is no data on the energy of the laser pulse, but the range of the complex is quite satisfactory, 7 km for a tank-type target during the day and 4 km at night, 15 km for large targets. The whole system is quite heavy, for daytime operation the total weight with a tripod is 28.9 kg, with the addition of a thermal imaging sight it increases to 37.6 kg. The Malachite complex is positioned using the GLONASS / GPS space navigation system.
Measurements
In order to reduce the total errors in preparation and firing, it is necessary to take into account three main factors: the location of the target and its dimensions, information about the weapon system and ammunition, and, finally, the error in determining the location of the firing unit. Measurement is one of the methods used primarily to improve accuracy in sizing and locating targets. According to the National Geographic Intelligence Agency, measuring target coordinates is “the process of measuring a topographic feature or location on the ground and determining absolute latitude, longitude, and altitude. In the process of target designation, errors that have arisen both in the source of measurements and in the process of measurements must be disassembled, understood and transferred to the appropriate control points. Measurement tools can use a variety of techniques to obtain coordinates. These may include (but are not limited to) direct reading of stereopairs from the Digital Precise Point Database (DPPDB) in stereo or mono, geo-positioning with multiple images, or indirect image correlation from this database.”
The US Special Forces use the so-called Precision Strike Suite as a measurement program at the unit level, but because it is classified, little is known about it. Lower echelon artillery units use such a kit under certain conditions, for example, when using a network with a secret Internet protocol. This reduced the measurement time from 15-45 minutes in Iraq and Afghanistan (when these capabilities were available at the corps level) to about 5 minutes; at present, the artillery battalion can conduct them independently. At higher echelons, similar capabilities are also available, they use systems such as CGS (Common Geopositioning Services) developed by BAE Systems (this modular suite of software services is able to calculate accurate, three-dimensional coordinates), as well as a geospatial intelligence software package SOCET GXP of the same company.
Radars
When looking for targets, you can do without eyes, especially in the context of artillery systems. Counter-battery warfare radars (artillery strongpoints) in this case are the main means. Their role is especially noticeable in the protection of their own forces, where they warn units and allow their means of influence to react in almost real time; in addition, they can provide correction data for their own and allied artillery.
The AN / TPQ-36 Firefinder radar has been in service with the American army for several years. Originally developed by Hughes (now part of Raytheon), this system is currently being manufactured by the Thales-Raytheon-Systems consortium. The radar is installed on a trailer towed by a Humvee armored car, which also carries an operational control point. The second Humvee armored car transports the generator and tows the spare generator, while the third vehicle in the unit carries the necessary cargo and performs reconnaissance functions. The Firefinder radar can track simultaneously up to 10 targets with ranges of 18 km for mortars, 14.5 km for artillery pieces and 24 km for rocket launchers. The most recent variant (V) 10 features a new processor that reduces the number of boards from nine to three and provides unlimited potential for further upgrades. The same processor is included in the AN / TPQ-37 radar. This longer range radar is mounted on a trailer towed by a 2.5 ton truck. Its latest version (V) 9 (also known as RMI) features a completely redesigned transmitter with 12 air-cooled power amplifiers, a high-power RF combiner and a fully automatic transmitter control unit. Together with the new version, a new control center based on the Humvee car with two workplaces entered service.
Originally known as EQ-36 (E for enhanced), Lockheed Martin's AN / TPQ-53 (short for Q-53) counter-battery radar was developed in 2007 in collaboration with SRC and then quickly deployed to the lower echelons to protect their units. The US Army has acquired 84 such radars to date, while Singapore has bought six such systems. Radar Q-53 can operate in 360 ° or 90 ° mode; the first mode allows detecting missiles, artillery shells and mortar mines at ranges of about 20 km. In 90 ° mode, it can determine the firing positions of rocket launchers at a range of up to 60 km, artillery guns at a range of 34 km, and mortars at a range of 20 km. Radar Q-53 is mounted on a 5-ton FMTV truck (which tows a trailer with a generator), a second truck carries a control point and a spare generator. This system requires only four people to maintain, compared to six for the Q-36 and 12 for the Q-37.
US Special Operations Forces also needed a counter-battery radar, preferably compatible with amphibious operations. Starting with the AN / TPQ-48 radar, SRCTec has developed a more reliable and rugged version of the AN / TPQ-49, based on a 1.25 meter non-rotating electronically controlled antenna that can be mounted on a tripod or tower. When an approaching projectile is detected, a warning is issued, and immediately after collecting a sufficient amount of data to establish a firing position, they are sent to the control center.
A heavier version of the AN / TPQ-50, also produced by SRCTec, is installed on a Humvee. It maintains the same ranges as the previous radar, but has increased accuracy, the shot point error is 50 meters by 10 km, compared to 75 meters by 5 km for the Q-49 radar. The Q-50 radar was deployed as part of the US Armed Forces' priority program as an interim solution before the arrival of larger radars.
The company currently offers its multifunctional AESA 50 radar with an active phased antenna array consisting of more than 100 transceiver modules. SRC has also partnered with Lockheed Martin to develop the Multi Mission Radar (MMR), which is currently under development. The radar scans in the ± 45 ° sector in azimuth and in the ± 30 ° sector in elevation, while its antenna rotates at a speed of 30 rpm. This radar can be used to monitor airspace and air traffic control, fire control, as well as target designation of enemy artillery assets. When performing the last of the listed tasks, the antenna is stationary, it covers the 90 ° sector and can track up to 100 projectiles at the same time, while ensuring the determination of the coordinates of the source of the shot with an accuracy of 30 meters or 0.3% of the range. The radar can be easily installed on Humvee class vehicles.
Radars Q-53 and Q-50 will be part of the army's programs planned for 2014-2018, the implementation of which will improve the protection of its own forces.
In late 2014, the US Marine Corps awarded Northrop Grumman a $ 207 million contract for the initial production of the AN / TPS-80 Ground / Air Task Oriented Radar (G / ATOR). The new radar has an electronically scanned antenna based on gallium nitride transceiver modules. This three-dimensional radar, operating in the S-band (frequencies from 1.55 to 5.20 MHz), will provide the Marine Corps with a multifunctional tool, since it will be able to conduct aerial surveillance, control air traffic and determine the coordinates of firing positions; at the scheduled time, it will replace three radars at once and the functionality of two outdated models, one of which is an AN / TPQ-36/37 artillery position detection radar, and the other is an air defense radar. The corps plans to use it in three missions: surveillance / air defense short-range radar, counter-battery radar and air traffic control radar at airports located in overseas contingents. The radar consists of three main subsystems: the radar itself on a trailer towed by an MTVR truck, the power supply system on the truck, and communication equipment on the M1151A1 Humvee armored car. The 2014 contract provides for the supply of 4 systems in 2016-2017. After several contracts for installation batches of radars, it is planned to begin full-scale production of the systems around 2020.
The AN / TPQ-53 counter-battery radar was developed in the 2000s by Lockheed Martin and is in service with the US and Singaporean armies.
The AN / TPQ-48 (49) Mortar Site Surveillance Radar, based on a non-rotating antenna, was developed by SRC for the US Special Operations Forces
AN / TPQ-50 radar installed on a Humvee; this radar is mainly used as an intermediate solution before the arrival of larger radars
Multi Mission Radar, developed by SRC and Lockheed Martin, is in the prototype stage for air defense, counter-battery warfare and air traffic control
On the opposite side of the ocean, Saab's Arthur counter-battery radar is very popular. Orders have been received for it from no less than a dozen countries, including the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in which most of the systems are deployed. The radar can be installed on various vehicles. For example, Sweden and Norway are installing it on an articulated all-terrain vehicle BV-206, other countries have chosen a protected version based on a five-ton truck. It takes less than two minutes to get the radar up and running, and it has demonstrated good 99.9% availability. The antenna consists of 48 individual comb waveguides, which ensures redundancy in the event of a projectile or debris hit.
Another system from Europe in this category, albeit a larger one, is the Cobra Counter Battery Radar, developed in the late 90s by a consortium of Airbus Defense & Space, Lockheed Martin and Thales. The radar is installed on an 8x8 cargo platform and includes an active phased array antenna with 2,780 transceiver modules, electronics, a power unit and a control and monitoring station. The antenna can scan in a sector up to 270 °, in less than two minutes it captures up to 240 shots. Serviced by a crew of just two people, the system is deployed in less than 10 minutes; it can work autonomously or in the same network with other systems and control points.
Cobra counter-battery radar
The Saab Arthur counter-battery radar is in service with many countries, where it is installed on various platforms, for example, the articulated armored personnel carrier BV206 (pictured)
Arthur's radar screen while performing mortar firing. In defensive mode, the radar tracks incoming projectiles and accurately calculates the firing position
Multifunctional radar ELM-2084 of the IAI Elta company, operating in the S-band, can be used for air surveillance, air traffic control and determining the coordinates of firing positions
The Israeli company IAI Elta has developed a highly mobile Doppler radar ELM-2138M Green Rock. It can be used for air defense missions and for targeting artillery strongpoints. Its two phased array antennas, scanning in azimuth and 90 ° elevation, can be mounted on very small platforms such as ATVs. The declared range of the radar is 10 km.
IAI Elta has also developed the ELM-2084 multifunctional radar, which can be used to localize artillery and monitor the airspace. The radar is distinguished by a flat antenna with electronic scanning; in the target search mode, it operates in a fixed position, scanning 120 ° in azimuth and 50 ° in elevation for a distance of about 100 km. The accuracy of the radar is 0.25% of the range; every minute it can capture up to 200 targets.
Outside of the Western world, take the Chinese 704-1 radar as an example, which has a maximum range of 20 km for 155 mm artillery and an accuracy of 10 meters up to a range of 10 km and 0.35% of long range range. The electronically scanned antenna scans in a sector of ± 45 ° in azimuth and 6 ° in elevation, and the antenna can also rotate in a sector of ± 110 ° with elevation angles of –5 ° / + 12 °. One 4x4 truck is equipped with a receiver antenna weighing 1.8 tons and a power unit weighing 1.1 tons, the second truck of the same type carries a control station weighing 4.56 tons.
Recall the previous articles in this series:
Artillery overview. Part 1. Hell on tracks
Artillery overview. Part 2. Hell on wheels
Artillery overview. Part 3. Heavy mortars and ammunition for them
Artillery overview. Part 4. Missiles: from shooting in squares to precision strike
Artillery overview. Part 5. Towed systems
Artillery overview. Part 6. Ammunition
Artillery overview. Part 7. Systems of reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation
With this, let me finish the series of articles "Review of artillery".
