We should start with a rather unusual name for the complex, which almost does not reflect its purpose, and even more so its characteristics. For biologists, "infauna" means different animal organisms that live in the bottom sediments of lakes, rivers and ponds. One can only assume that choosing this name for their device, the creators saw a kind of analogy between a large number of tasks solved by a complex and a huge variety of living beings that make up the "infauna".
However, as they say in such cases, history is silent about this, there was no published data that could confirm this idea. But nevertheless, this name bears a very specific model of technology, which has certain characteristics, purpose and capabilities. This radio-electronic complex has been sufficiently lit up in open printed and electronic sources.
The first information about the start of work on the creation of an electronic intelligence (RER) and electronic suppression (RED) complex appeared in the media and the Internet in 2009. And already in January of the same year, the troops received the first four vehicles equipped with the Infauna complex.
In 2009, information appeared that four years had been spent on the development of a unique complex. Many specialists from a number of enterprises in Voronezh, Moscow and St. Petersburg worked on the project. Comparing the time of the messages and the declared duration of the work, we can say that the development of the complex began in 2005. Mikhail Artyomov was appointed to the place of the chief designer, who now holds the post of deputy general director of JSC Concern Sozvezdie, located in Voronezh.
At the same time it became known that upon completion of a series of necessary tests in 2010, the serial production of the complexes will be launched. In practice, the state tests of the complex ended in the fall of 2010. By the end of this year, they were supposed to start mass production, and in 2011 go to mass production. At the same time, the training of the required number of specialists was started at the interspecific training center of the Russian Armed Forces, from which two crews of the Infauna radio suppression and radio intelligence systems were subsequently formed.
According to the official website of the Ministry of Defense, published on January 16, 2012, the first four vehicles equipped with this complex were delivered to the electronic warfare units of the Svir airborne division, which is based in Ivanovo, and the airborne assault brigade of the Airborne Forces in Novorossiysk.
The sphere of application of the newest multifunctional complex of electronic suppression and radio intelligence is the protection of armored and automobile equipment and personnel from being hit by radio-controlled mine-explosive devices, and optical and radio communications.
The complex has the ability to form aerosol interference, which nominally makes it possible to use them to protect against high-precision weapons equipped with laser or video control systems. To solve problems of this type, the complex will be used in the subunits of the electronic warfare troops and the rapid reaction forces of the Russian army.
The multifunctionality of the complex is provided by the technical means that are part of it. The media reported that the solution of a wide range of tasks is carried out by both traditional and the latest modern developments of electronic suppression of control and communication facilities.
All this significantly expands the functionality of the complex and greatly simplifies electronic suppression and the setting of aerosol curtains. Among the distinctive features of the new development, one can note the latest solutions in the field of wide-range and high-speed radio reconnaissance and techniques that provide a high radius for protection against radio-controlled mine explosive devices.
The chief designer of the complex, Mikhail Artemov, notes that it includes special equipment that strengthens the covered objects using aerosol curtains. According to him, for the creation of "Infauna" were "the first in world practice" to solve the problem of integrating all the currently most effective methods of protection, using electronic warfare.
All the electronic stuffing of the complex is located on a modern wheeled chassis K1SH1, with the basis of the BTR-80, which has high technical and operational performance. The chassis can carry up to 1800 kg of various equipment with a total mass of the entire complex up to 12 tons. The experience of practical use has shown that this chassis will make it possible to effectively use the complex in combat conditions.
In addition to all that has been said, it can be added that in the current conditions of the ongoing struggle against international terrorists and illegal armed groups, the Infauna complex will be in demand in hot spots around the world. Having no analogues at the moment, it will significantly increase the effectiveness of military units.
