The year is coming to an end, and therefore there are reports on the results of the activities of certain organizations. Thus, the Concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" (KRET) reported on the fulfillment of the state defense order for the supply of electronic warfare systems "Rtut-BM". In accordance with the current contract, in 2013 the concern built and handed over to the customer more than ten vehicles with special electronic equipment. Thus, KRET fulfilled all its obligations under the current contract by the end of the year.
It is reported that for a batch of more than 10 cars, the concern-manufacturer of equipment received more than 700 million rubles. It should be noted that this is not the first order of the Ministry of Defense for the supply of Rtut-BM electronic warfare machines. The construction of this equipment has been underway since 2011, and to date, the troops have several dozen of these machines. According to the Deputy General Director of KRET for Strategic Planning. A. Tyulina, in the near future, the implementation of a new order of the military will begin. This time, a long-term contract will be signed, implying the supply of 20 electronic warfare vehicles.
The exact number of Rtut-BM vehicles built to date is unknown, but there is information about the needs of the Russian armed forces. In total, it is necessary to build at least a hundred such self-propelled electronic warfare systems. In addition, high characteristics allow us to speak of a good export potential of the complex. Possible contracts for the supply of Rtut-BM vehicles to third countries may imply the construction and transfer of at least several dozen units of such equipment.
The Rtut-BM electronic warfare complex is designed to suppress communication and radar systems. In addition, the tasks of the complex include protecting personnel, equipment and structures from enemy ammunition using radio fuses. The Rtut-BM complex is a further development of the Rtut-B electronic warfare machine, developed several decades ago. From its predecessor, the new machine has retained some functions, including the ability to influence the radio fuses of enemy ammunition.
Rtut-BM vehicles are assembled on the basis of the MT-LBu multifunctional tracked chassis, due to which they have sufficiently high mobility characteristics. With such a chassis, the electronic warfare complex can move together with tank or motorized rifle units, protecting them from enemy fire. Inside the armored body of the base vehicle, the main part of the body's radio-electronic equipment is installed. On the roof, in turn, there is a lifting mast with an antenna unit and several containers with additional equipment. The deployment of the complex, which includes raising the antennas and turning on all the necessary electronics, takes no more than 10 minutes.
The crew of the vehicle consists of two people, a driver and an operator of electronic systems. After a little preparation, the Rtut-BM complex is capable of tracking enemy radio signals for a long time and suppressing them with interference. In addition, the equipment of the new complex, as in the case of the Rtut-B system, can detect the radio frequencies at which the fuses of various ammunition operate, and give a signal that provokes the detonation of a warhead or disrupts the operation of a radio fuse. It takes several milliseconds to find the required frequency and apply the jamming signal.
As follows from the published data, the "Rtut-BM" complex is capable of counteracting not only radio fuses. If necessary, it can be used to jam the frequencies at which the enemy conducts radio communications. The power of the transmitters makes it possible to disrupt the operation of enemy radio-electronic systems on an area of up to 50 hectares around an electronic warfare vehicle.
According to some reports, a number of Rtut-BM electronic warfare machines are already in operation in the troops. Thus, after the fulfillment of two orders (for 2013 and planned for signing), the number of operated equipment of this type will approximately double. Nevertheless, even in this case, the fleet of Rtut-BM vehicles will be significantly less than required. In the future, new contracts may be signed, the purpose of which will be to bring the total number of new electronic warfare systems to the required one hundred units or more.
For obvious reasons, specific plans for the planned purchase of the number of electronic warfare vehicles have not yet been announced. Probably, the next contracts will become known only after the signing of the currently expected, implying the delivery of 20 machines. The timing of the completion of the next batch also remains unknown. Most likely, a year or two will be allocated for the construction of 20 Rtut-BM complexes, as a result of which all ordered equipment will go to the troops no later than 2015.
In the meantime, the enterprises belonging to the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" have shown their capabilities and fulfilled their obligations under the next contract on time, having handed over the ordered equipment by the end of the year.
