The development of new radio-electronic means for air defense does not stop. A few days ago it became known about the recent completion of state tests of a new model of the Podlet-M-TM radar station. In the foreseeable future, this system will go into service and will strengthen the grouping of means of detecting aerospace forces. The result of this will be an increase in the potential of domestic air and missile defense.
On June 12, the press service of the Tyazhmash enterprise (Syzran) announced the completion of state tests of a prototype of the new radar. The plant took an active part in the development of a promising model of equipment, and also built a prototype for testing. For active participation in the project, the Tyazhmash plant was highly appreciated by the customer. It was also noted that cooperation between defense enterprises will continue and will contribute to further strengthening the country's defense capability.
According to official reports, the Tyazhmash plant was involved in work on the Podlet-M-TM project at the initiative of the Moscow All-Russian Research Institute of Radio Engineering (VNIIRT), which acted as a customer for the construction of experimental vehicles. For many decades, the Institute has been developing radio engineering complexes for various purposes. One of his newest developments was the Podlet-M-TM complex, to the creation of which the Syzran plant was involved as a subcontractor.
The main task of the Tyazhmash enterprise was to assist in the design and subsequent construction of the first prototype of a promising radar station, designated K1V. It is noted that the development and construction of the prototype took the minimum time - only one year. To solve such problems, the enterprises participating in the project had to attract the most qualified personnel to work. After the completion of the assembly, the K1V product went for testing. It should be noted that the state tests of the first prototype machine of the Podlet-M-TM type were completed back in the spring. The corresponding act was signed on May 5.
According to the press service of Tyazhmash, the unique complex is currently preparing to take up combat duty. As part of one of the divisions of the aerospace forces, he will have to supplement the existing equipment and increase the potential of the armed forces in terms of detecting air targets.
Development organizations note that the new Podlet-M-TM complex has a number of important advantages that increase its tactical, technical and operational characteristics. Due to the use of a serial automobile chassis, high mobility is achieved; the assembled complex is distinguished by a relatively low weight. The onboard equipment ensures high positioning accuracy on all landscapes and different terrain reliefs, and the mechanical devices used ensure the prompt transfer of the antenna post to the operating position.
Unfortunately, to date, the bulk of the information about the Podlet-M-TM project has not been made public. The defense companies involved in its development disclosed some information of a very general nature, but did not specify the main characteristics. However, a photograph of one of the radar prototype vehicles, designated the K1V, was published. In addition, the new station is another representative of a whole family, and information about its predecessors has already been published in open sources.
The press service of the Tyazhmash enterprise has published a photo of one of the prototypes of the Podlet-M-TM complex, which makes it possible to draw up an approximate picture. The published photograph shows a wheeled vehicle with special equipment, built on the basis of a serial four-axle all-wheel drive chassis of the KamAZ brand. Perhaps a KamAZ-6350 vehicle or a newer vehicle with similar characteristics is used. The use of such a chassis provides the radar station with high mobility on roads and rough terrain, and also greatly simplifies operation and maintenance.
In front of the used chassis, the standard cab of a cabover layout is retained. Directly behind it is a large enclosure that houses all the necessary systems and carries the pull-out devices. The hull is equipped with a relatively simple box-shaped metal hull with vertical sides and a horizontal roof. To stabilize the vehicle during deployment into position, the hull with special equipment is equipped with two pairs of hydraulic jacks. One is located behind the second pair of wheels, the other at the rear of the body. The hull walls are provided with fasteners for installing a spare wheel, ladders, tools, etc.
At the rear of the machine, apparently, there is a swinging installation, which serves as the base of the antenna device mast. In the stowed position, the mast, together with the electronic equipment, is placed on the roof of the hull by turning forward and downward. The process is reversed during deployment. It can be assumed that for a more stable position during operation, the mast rests on the ground. Raising the mast and bringing the antenna to the working position is probably carried out using hydraulic drives. According to available data, the Podlet-M-TM project provides for the fastest possible deployment of the antenna post at a given position.
There is no information about the antenna used or the electronic devices inside the case. The official reports mentioned the high positioning accuracy in any terrain, which may indicate the use of modern navigation systems of one type or another.
The characteristics of the new type of radar were not reported. Nevertheless, there is information about the purpose and capabilities of other stations of the Podlet family. There is reason to believe that the new Podlet-M-TM complex retains the basic functions of its predecessors, although it differs from them in one way or another.
Details of the Podlet radar were released by the Ministry of Defense last December. In the middle of the month in the radio-technical regiment of the aerospace forces, which is responsible for the air defense of Moscow and the central industrial region, the newest mobile radar station of the "Podlet" combat mode was put on alert.
The Department of Information and Mass Communications of the military department reported that the Podlet station is intended to track the air situation and detect targets at low and extremely low altitudes. At the same time, the complex is capable of finding targets over a wooded medium-rugged terrain, as well as in conditions of the use of passive, active or combined interference by the enemy. Also, the station is capable of continuing to work when attempting to suppress fire.
The complex of the mobile version is a three-coordinate station of a circular view, belonging to the class of systems of the so-called. combat mode. "Approach" is capable of automatically monitoring the surrounding airspace, detecting various objects, taking them for tracking and determining coordinates, issuing them to other air defense systems. The station is said to be capable of locating and tracking aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles, including those built using stealth technology.
Arriving at the indicated position, the Podlet radar, which has three self-propelled vehicles on a car chassis, performs deployment in just 10 minutes and then can monitor the air situation. It provides tracking of aircraft flights at distances up to 200 km and at altitudes up to 10 km. The electronics of the complex can simultaneously track up to 200 targets. Along with the detection of the target, the determination of its nationality is carried out. Information about the targets found, calculated with high accuracy, is issued to various consumers.
The available characteristics allow the Podlet radar stations to solve the assigned tasks, working as part of an echeloned air defense detection system. The use of such stations provides enhanced control over the airspace at low altitudes - a zone of increased danger. In this role, they can be used to protect cities or other important objects. Apparently, this applies both to the Podlet radar station already put on alert, and to the newer Podlet-M-TM, which recently completed state tests.
A prototype of a promising radar complex in early spring coped with state tests. The development of VNIIRT and the Tyazhmash plant was highly appreciated, and in addition, the project participants were praised by the customer. Based on the results of the tests carried out, the military department will probably have to decide the issue of adopting the Podlet-M-TM radar for service, and then initiate the serial production of such products.
Mass serial production of low-altitude radar stations of the promising Podlet family, including the newest Podlet-M-TM complexes, will strengthen the existing grouping of air defense detection equipment and accordingly increase the country's defense capability. Not so long ago, another step was taken in this direction: a new model of equipment coped with the necessary tests and could soon take over duty.
