In a number of situations, a modern ground-based robotic complex (RTK) or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) needs radar equipment. Due to objective limitations, such radar stations (radars) should be lightweight and small in size. Currently, several similar products are being created in our country at once, and in the foreseeable future they can be brought to real operation.
New project
The existence of one of these projects became known the other day. On March 4, the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper published an interview with the head of the Era technopolis, Lieutenant General Vladimir Ivanovsky. The topic of the conversation was the current and future work of the technopolis.
General Ivanovsky said that now the "Era" is conducting research work on the topic of multifunctional software radar of small dimensions and weight. The initiator of this project was the High Command of the Aerospace Forces.
The characteristics and other features of the promising radar remained undisclosed. At the same time, it is specified that the station will be suitable for use on various models of military equipment. As a means of reconnaissance, it can be carried by small-sized UAVs. It also provides for the use of radar on ground-based RTK - in this case, it will perform the functions of the so-called. technical vision.
Information on the possibility of using the radar on small-sized UAVs allows us to determine its approximate dimensions and weight. Thus, the modern lightweight UAV "Orlan-10" is capable of carrying a payload of no more than a few liters and weighing up to 5 kg. Now this drone is one of the main samples of its class in the Russian army, and it is quite possible that the new equipment is being developed taking into account precisely its capabilities.
In addition to air platforms, the new radar will be able to carry ground-based, and in their case, it will not only be a means of reconnaissance. In this context, the dimensions and weight retain their importance, but new requirements appear related to the specifics of the operation of the radar on the ground. Thus, the project of a universal station for air and ground complexes, with all the expected advantages, turns out to be rather complicated.
In case of its successful implementation, the army will be able to obtain new opportunities. Thus, existing and future UAVs can be equipped not only with optical, but also with radar reconnaissance means - with an understandable increase in operational efficiency. The potential of ground-based RTKs will grow in a similar way.
Nevertheless, all these possibilities are still a matter of the future. The project of a small-sized radar station from "Era" is at the stage of research work, and the timing of its completion has not yet been announced. It can be assumed that after the recent announcement, the project will not be hidden, and its results will be announced in the near future. In particular, it cannot be ruled out that the radar or its elements will be shown at the future exhibition "Army-2020".
New from the past
The radar from "Era" is not the only domestic development of its kind. A few years ago, a similar project was presented by the Fazotron-NIIR corporation (part of the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern) and the Scientific Center for Special Radioelectronic Systems and Management of the MAI (NTs SRSiM MAI). Their small-sized station received the designation MBRLS-MF2.
Design work on the MBRLS-MF2 product was carried out at the beginning of the last decade. In 2012the station was first shown to the public at one of the specialized exhibitions. At the end of the year, the experimental radar was successfully tested at the stand. In early 2013, the developers announced the readiness of the transition to the stage of flight tests. A few months after that, a prototype was shown at the MAKS-2013 exhibition.
It was reported that some domestic manufacturers of aviation and unmanned vehicles became interested in the MBRLS-MF2 station. In early 2014, the developers claimed that this radar could soon become part of the onboard equipment of one of the promising UAVs. What kind of drone could become the carrier of MBRLS-MF2 is unknown. Since 2016, there have been no new reports on the progress of this project.
The MBRLS-MF2 product is a small-sized lightweight digital radar station operating in Ka- and X-band. When fully equipped, the station has a mass of no more than 55-60 kg. There is a possibility of delivery in a modified configuration - with one of two radio modules. The radar with the X-band unit weighs 35 kg, with the Ka-band module - approx. 23 kg. Such indicators make it possible to use the station on various aircraft, helicopters or UAVs of medium or heavy class.
Depending on the range used and other factors, the range of the MBRLS-MF2 reaches 160 km. Provides linear resolution up to 0.25 m and the ability to detect objects moving at low speed. It was argued that the radar computer complex has excess performance - the stock of its characteristics can be used for further modernization.
The promising small-sized radar MBRLS-MF2 from Fazotron-NIIR and NTs SRSiM MAI is of certain interest in the context of the development of manned and unmanned aircraft. It is several times smaller and lighter than other modern stations, but at the same time it is capable of showing the required characteristics. However, a mass of 23 to 60 kg, depending on the configuration, can limit the range of potential carriers.
At the time of the appearance of the MBRLS-MF2, our country did not have its own UAVs capable of carrying it. It was reported about the development of a project for integrating such a radar into the equipment complex of an unnamed drone, but no new data was received on this score. By now, the situation with carriers has changed. Several heavy UAVs have been developed, the carrying capacity of which allows the use of the MBRLS-MF2 product. However, the prospects for this radar are vague. Perhaps the project will no longer receive development.
Direction prospects
The development of small-sized light radars for various aviation and ground equipment is already underway in our country, but this direction cannot yet be called developed and active. Only a few projects of this kind are known that have not yet been brought to practical use. However, the situation may change in the very near future, as a result of which promising projects will have a noticeable impact on the development of the UAV and RTK spheres.
For obvious reasons, the most interesting from the point of view of practical application are radars of the type developed in the Era technopolis. However, larger products with different characteristics, such as MBRLS-MF2, can also find application: this is facilitated by the progress of recent years in the field of unmanned aircraft.
It can be assumed that in the foreseeable future, the promising direction of small-sized radars will be developed and will lead to the receipt of new results suitable for practical application. This is facilitated by the availability of the necessary element base and technologies, extensive industry experience in the field of radar and some interest from potential operators, expressed in the form of a real order.
