By now, the radar stations of the Vostok family, developed and produced by the Belarusian defense industry, have managed to gain some popularity. Using the existing experience, ready-made units and new ideas, the enterprises of the neighboring state continue to develop technology. Not so long ago, work within the framework of the large Vostok program led to the emergence of new Vostok-3D stations, which differ from their predecessors in a number of important new opportunities.
Radars of the Vostok family are being developed by the Radar design bureau, which is the managing company of the Radar Systems holding. The result of long enough work has already become the emergence of several projects of radar stations for different purposes, differing from each other in one way or another. The last representatives of the family at the moment are the Vostok-3D and Vostok-3D VHF stations. They were created on the basis of older designs, but they have noticeable differences. In particular, thanks to the extended functionality, one such station can replace two pieces of equipment of the previous model at once.
Antenna hardware vehicle of the Vostok-3D radar
As the name implies, the goal of the Vostok-3D project was to create a three-coordinate radar station capable of determining all parameters of an air target, including the height and range to it. To solve such a problem, it was proposed to mount an updated set of equipment on one self-propelled antenna-hardware vehicle, which is a modified version of the equipment of the previous radars of the family. Thus, the new antenna device is built on the basis of the aggregates of two existing radar complexes, which allows solving the assigned tasks, but at the same time does not lead to a significant complication or increase in the cost of the station.
The Vostok-3D radar consists of three main components: an antenna-hardware vehicle, a remote automated workstation and an autonomous diesel power plant. All components of the station are based on an automobile chassis, which allows you to quickly transfer the entire complex to the desired position. As a base for the radar, Belarusian-made cargo chassis are used. The complex can be moved along motor roads, and also has the ability to move over rough terrain.
The aerial vehicle is equipped with remote-controlled drives, which simplifies and speeds up the deployment of the station in position. The widespread use of hydraulics allows a crew of three to prepare the radar for operation in a minimum of time. After that, the complex can work for a long time, searching for air targets, performing their tracking and providing information to consumers.
One of the remotes on board the self-propelled vehicle
The main element of the "Vostok-3D" complex is the so-called. Antenna hardware vehicle carrying the main elements of electronic equipment. The presented samples of such equipment were built on a Belarusian-made three-axle automobile chassis. The base machine is equipped with a new type of cargo platform, on which the necessary equipment is installed. So, in the front of the platform there is a large casing for part of the equipment, and in the rear there are mounts for a lifting mast with antennas. Hydraulic jacks are located around the perimeter of the platform to stabilize the machine during deployment and operation.
As follows from the available materials, in the development of the antenna device of the Vostok-3D radar, the developments on the two-coordinate Vostok-E / D station were used in the most active way. A lifting telescopic mast with mounts for antenna devices is placed directly on the platform of the carrier vehicle. It is proposed to determine the coordinates of the target in azimuth and range using a large antenna made in the form of a wide array with additional side elements. At the level of the mast there is an oblique altimeter antenna, which was probably also borrowed from an existing project.
The antennas of the advanced radar are foldable. When transferred to the stowed position, the overall dimensions of the antenna device are significantly reduced. The mast with folded antennas is laid on the platform by turning forward. All such actions are performed by commands from the remote control and without direct human participation.
The maximum detection range of air targets is declared at 360 km. At such distances, depending on various factors, the Vostok-3D radar can detect large or medium-sized aircraft. In addition, the meter range is said to be capable of detecting stealth aircraft. So, for an F-117A strike aircraft, the declared detection range reaches 350 km. When the enemy uses active interference, the maximum detection range of such targets is noticeably reduced. It is argued that by upgrading the transmitters, the maximum detection range can be increased.
Operator console
Depending on the customer's requirements, the station can use from 4 to 16 probing signals. An interesting feature of the Vostok-3D project is the use of unusual sounding signals. According to the manufacturer, the signals have a relatively low peak power, and in addition, they are similar in structure to noise. This makes it possible to make the work of the station covert and, as a consequence, reduce the likelihood of its detection by the enemy, followed by an attack. The station also uses signals from different bands. The rangefinder uses meter waves, while the height is determined using signals in the decimeter range.
Station automation is capable of determining the direction to the target, distance to it, height and radial speed. Range resolution is 200 m, azimuth - 5.5 °. The radial speed is determined with an accuracy of 1.2 m / s. The root mean square error in range is 25 m, in azimuth - 50 ', in elevation - no more than 0.1 °.
The equipment of the Vostok-3D radar station receives signals from the antenna and automatically processes them. The data on the air situation are displayed on the LCD screen of the operator's console. During a survey period of 10 seconds, the automation is capable of independently tracking at least 250 air targets. In addition, there is the possibility of automatic recognition of targets with the distribution of five classes. When the enemy uses interference, the station is capable of automatically tracking the bearing of their source.
"Vostok-3D" station console interface
As a result of processing the primary data, a station of a new type forms the traces of detected targets, and also determines rectangular coordinates and their derivatives. Such goal data can be transmitted to various consumers through the available communication channels. In this context, the main task of the Vostok-3D radar is to monitor the situation and send data to the control points of air defense systems of a particular link.
The radar is highly reliable. MTBF is 900 hours. It takes no more than half an hour to restore readiness. Service life before overhaul exceeds 10 years or 14 thousand hours. The total service life is more than 25 years or 32 thousand hours.
The development organization notes a number of advantages of its new radar station. As indicated in the official advertising materials, the Vostok-3D complex is distinguished by a high range and accuracy of target detection, high mobility and increased noise immunity. In addition, the ability to detect stealth targets built using stealth technologies is indicated. Work efficiency is enhanced by fully digital data processing using state-of-the-art algorithms. The solution of the main and auxiliary tasks is carried out in an automatic mode: the station independently monitors both the situation in the air and the state of its units.
From the point of view of the range of tasks being solved, the complex of a new type can be considered a replacement for existing radars of a number of types. In particular, the developer indicates superiority over products P-18, "Defense-14", "Sky-SV", 19Ж6, etc. Thus, operators of existing systems of this class in the near future may become potential customers for new Belarusian technology.
Antenna hardware vehicle of the Vostok-3D VHF radar
To date, the Vostok-3D radar has already been implemented in metal. There are, at a minimum, prototypes suitable for use in testing and capable of confirming the design characteristics. Nevertheless, to demonstrate its achievements, KB "Radar" also uses simple large-scale models. So, during the May exhibition MILEX 2017, held in Minsk, the development organization demonstrated a promising station in the form of a layout and advertising materials.
The Vostok-3D VHF product is a functional analogue of the Vostok-3D station, using other units and operating principles. As its name implies, the main differences lie in the operating range: instead of meter and decimeter waves, such a station uses the VHF band. Such a change in operating frequencies, first of all, led to the need to develop a different design of the antenna device and the corresponding modifications to the antenna hardware machine.
In the case of the Vostok-3D VHF machine, an antenna consisting of two large rectangular grid frames is placed on a telescopic lifting mast. Several additional small emitters are installed directly on the mast. Obviously, when transferred to the transport position, the antenna of this design is folded in half, after which its side elements are turned forward to reduce the overall dimensions of the product.
Station in position
Despite operating in a different range, the Vostok-3D VHF station is close to the Vostok-3D base station in terms of its characteristics. The maximum detection range of air targets also reaches 360 km, and stealth aircraft can be detected at distances of up to 350 km. When the enemy uses active interference, the target detection range of the two types of stations is reduced in a similar way. The accuracy of the two stations is also the same. The unification of signal processing systems has led to the fact that Vostok-3D VHF is also capable of tracking up to 250 targets, dividing them into five classes and providing data on them to various consumers.
The stations do not differ in their operational characteristics either. They are proposed to be built on the basis of identical heavy-duty automobile chassis. The processes of deployment to a position and preparation for leaving it are almost identical and take the same time. The resource parameters are also the same. Like Vostok-3D, the Vostok-3D VHF station is capable of serving more than 10 years before the first major overhaul and remaining in service for at least 25 years.
Photos of the Vostok-3D VHF antenna-hardware vehicle have already been published, which indicates that the promising project has been brought to the stage of construction and testing of a prototype. In addition, KB "Radar" has already published quite detailed information about the new station.
Within the framework of the projects of the Vostok family, the Belarusian defense industry has already created several interesting models of radar equipment. Potential customers are offered systems for various purposes with different characteristics. At the same time, all stations of the line have a certain similarity of technical and operational nature. In addition, the customer has the opportunity to choose the most suitable samples that meet the existing requirements. So, depending on the plans for the development of its air defense, a potential operator can purchase two-coordinate radars and separate altimeters, or immediately purchase stations that determine the coordinates of targets in three planes and built on the basis of the same components.
Image from the monitor on the operator's console
An important feature of the projects "Vostok-3D", "Vostok-3D VHF" and other developments of KB "Radar" is the ability to change some characteristics in accordance with the wishes of the customer. For example, the customer can determine the required number of probing signals. The power of the transmitters and, as a consequence, the detection range can also change at the request of the buyer. Thus, in addition to sufficiently high characteristics, customers are offered the opportunity to adapt the radar to a certain extent to their needs. In some circumstances, this can be an important competitive advantage.
Radar stations of the Vostok family, both well-known types and the latest models, first presented a few weeks ago, are not only an interesting development of the Belarusian defense industry, but a demonstration of the intentions of a neighboring state. With the help of such projects, the Republic of Belarus clearly shows that it is willing and able to create new types of weapons or military equipment that meet modern requirements. Nevertheless, there is a fairly tough competition on the international market for military products, which is why Belarusian developments may have limited chances of winning their place and obtaining contracts.
