On December 2, the Russian holding Ruselectronics, which is part of Rostec, officially announced the completion of state tests of a promising sound-thermal artillery reconnaissance complex 1B75 Penicillin. Now the road to the troops opens in front of the complex, and in 2020 the first production samples will go to the army. Just on the eve of news from the manufacturer, the American edition of The National Interest published a new article in which it assessed the Penicillin complex.
An article titled "Russia Might Have a New Way to Kill the Army's 'Big Guns'" was prepared by Mark Episkopos. It was published on December 1st under The Buzz and Security. Ironically, the American author was unable to find out the latest news about the Penicillin complex in time and mention them in his article.
The article begins by mentioning the events of the recent past. In August this year, at the Army-2018 international military-technical forum, the Russian state corporation Rostec showed the final version of its advanced development in the field of artillery reconnaissance. The corporation-developer believes that its new product "Penicillin" will be a breakthrough in the field of reconnaissance for artillery - just like the antibiotic of the same name in medicine.
To understand the main features of the Russian "Penicillin", the American author proposes to consider the "traditional" means of artillery reconnaissance used at present. Systems such as the American Hughes AN / TSQ-51 reconnaissance complex and the Swedish-Norwegian ARTHUR (Artillery Hunting Radar) use general operating principles. They are radars capable of determining the trajectory of a flying artillery shell. Based on the trajectory data, the flight speed of the ammunition is determined, and its launch point is also calculated.
M. Episkopos points out that artillery reconnaissance radar stations make it possible to detect targets at relatively large distances - first of all, this refers to large-caliber shells that reflect radio signals well. Modern radars are also capable of tracking unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, such systems detect smaller targets with some difficulty. For example, mortar mines are only effectively tracked at shorter distances.
Another problem of the reconnaissance locator is the possibility of detecting or suppressing it using electronic warfare equipment. This problem can be solved by choosing the correct position for the radar, which reduces its visibility to the enemy's electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems. Finally, the enemy can attempt to suppress the identified reconnaissance locator with artillery fire.
On this note, M. Episkopos proceeds to consider the Russian intelligence complex 1B75 Penicillin. This system includes a large stabilized platform, four sound-thermal "locators", as well as an optical-electronic equipment module. All of these tools provide the detection of sound vibrations and kinetic energy. Fast data processing and efficient search of objects are facilitated by the presence of six television and six thermal imaging cameras. When switching to the transport position, the mast with optical instruments is folded and rests on the base machine.
According to the Rostec state corporation, the new artillery reconnaissance complex, with the joint use of all its standard assets, is able to quickly and efficiently calculate data on threats. The enemy artillery firing position, located at a distance of up to 25 km from the complex, is detected within 5 seconds. In addition, the complex is capable of assessing the firing accuracy of friendly artillery and determining the point of impact of shells. It is curious that in this paragraph the author of The National Interests left a link to a recent article by Military Review, dedicated to the 1B75 complex.
The sound-thermal sensors of the complex are so sensitive that they can even detect the slam of a closing door. According to Rostec, the intelligence complex is automated as much as possible. This helps to reduce the possible negative impact of the "human factor".
Complex "Penicillin" does not use radar and electromagnetic waves, like other modern means of artillery reconnaissance. In this regard, the Russian military and analysts argue that such a complex cannot be detected by enemy intelligence and therefore is not susceptible to strikes. The author agrees that the sound-thermal complex really cannot be interfered with by means of electronic warfare. However, Rostec's statements about the impossibility of detecting it still need to be studied and confirmed in practice.
M. Episkopos recalls the aspiration of the Russian military to “modular innovations” in various fields. In accordance with such plans and wishes, the "Penicillin" complex should be compatible with any existing and future artillery systems. In support of this, the American author quotes the words of the Russian military expert Viktor Murakhovsky. Back in June last year, he said that the 1B75 complex "will be interfaced with automated artillery fire control complexes, which today almost all artillery systems have." Due to this, you can get a two- or three-fold reduction in the time of aiming at a designated target in comparison with manual controls.
The author recalls that the Penicillin complex was first presented in a Rostec press release in 2017. Then the development organization argued that the new intelligence system is undergoing state tests and is approaching their completion. Serial production of such equipment was planned to begin in January 2019. The development of the project was carried out by the Research Institute "Vector" (St. Petersburg), which is part of the state corporation "Rostec". At the time of this writing for The National Interest, there was no information about the cost of the new technology or the possibility of supplying it to foreign customers.
M. Episkopos sums up the results, comparing the new sound-thermal reconnaissance complex with "traditional" radar systems. He points out that the detection range of any Penicillin projectiles is the same - 25 km. In contrast, radar stations show different detection distances for a flying target. The detection range depends on the size of the target and the strength of the reflected signal. The reconnaissance system, which does not unmask itself by radiation, has obvious advantages over other means of a similar purpose. In particular, sound-thermal reconnaissance technique should be more effective when tracking small-sized artillery shells such as mortar mines.
However, the author of The National Interest still doubts whether the real possibilities of the complex correspond to the advertising statements. It is not yet entirely clear how the limited detection range of "Penicillin" will affect the peculiarities of its use in the army. The question remains: can this complex become something more than an addition to existing intelligence systems. Accordingly, doubts remain that 1B75 "Penicillin" can really become a revolution in its field, as its creators claim.
The very next day after the publication of the article "Russia Might Have a New Way to Kill the Army's 'Big Guns'" a new message appeared about the progress of the 1B75 "Penicillin" project. The Ruselectronics holding from Rostec, which includes the Vector Research Institute, announced the completion of state tests of a new reconnaissance system. In the near future, the production of serial equipment should begin. The delivery of the first two samples to the customer is planned for 2020.
To date, Rostec and the Ministry of Defense have published quite a lot of data on the Penicillin complex, its components, functions and characteristics. In particular, the process of the complex operation was demonstrated in one of the TV programs. The sound-thermal artillery reconnaissance complex of a new type is designed to detect the firing positions of enemy guns, as well as to adjust the firing of friendly batteries. The complex uses fundamentally new components and operating principles that distinguish it from existing systems.
Prototypes of the 1B75 system were built on the KamAZ-63501 four-wheel drive chassis, which provides high mobility and speed of reaching the working position. All equipment is located in the back of the van and additional compartments outside it. In particular, the machine has a lifting mast with an optoelectronic module. The main elements of "Penicillin" are sound receivers installed on the ground, an optoelectronic module on a lifting mast, as well as devices for processing incoming data.
Four sound receivers are installed on the ground at a distance from the vehicle and are designed to detect sound vibrations from an enemy gun shot or a projectile burst. The difference in the travel time of the sound wave to different receivers is used to fix the sources of vibrations and determine the direction to them. Optoelectronic module "Penicillin-OEM", which includes six television and thermal imaging cameras, detects muzzle flash or ammunition burst. Based on data from sound and optical systems, the electronics calculates the direction and range to the target, and then determines its coordinates.
According to Ruselectronics, the new reconnaissance complex is capable of finding firing positions with enemy artillery and missile systems at distances of up to 25 km. Further, target designation of its artillery is carried out. In parallel, the latter can be corrected for fire. The available radio communications allow the 1B75 complex to be located 40 km from the artillery battery. One battery is serviced at the same time; it is possible to work in turn with several batteries of the battalion.
The existence of the Penicillin complex was announced in March 2017. Subsequently, the prototype and models were demonstrated at Russian military-technical exhibitions. By the time the first open messages appeared, the 1B75 complex had time to go into testing. It was later clarified that the tests should be completed in the near future, and in 2019 the complex will go into series. According to the latest reports, the first samples of new equipment will enter the troops in 2020.
According to various estimates and official statements of development organizations, the 1B75 "Penicillin" sound-thermal artillery reconnaissance complex, which uses unusual methods of operation, has serious advantages over traditional radar stations of a similar purpose. The complex is capable of solving the assigned tasks and identifying the enemy's firing positions, but at the same time it does not have any specific signs by which it can be detected by RTR and EW.
Mark Episkopos in his article asks important questions about the real prospects of the "Penicillin" complex and its ability to press the existing radars in its area. Apparently, answers to such questions have already been obtained during testing of finished samples, but so far they cannot be disclosed. How long this secret will be kept is unknown. However, even without such information, it is clear that a unique artillery reconnaissance complex has been created in our country, and the "big guns" of a potential enemy are under threat.
