Against the background of the development of means of detection, communication, control, etc. systems of electronic warfare (EW) are acquiring special importance. Such means make it possible to identify communication and control channels or detect enemy radar stations, and then suppress them with interference, disrupting the correct operation of troops. Currently, the Russian armed forces are developing a new complex of this class. Several years ago the first serial electronic warfare systems RB-301B Borisoglebsk-2 were handed over to the troops. Currently, the production of such equipment and the supply of finished vehicles to the troops continue.
The history of the newest electronic warfare system dates back to the late nineties and early two thousand years. In 1999-2001, the Tambov Scientific Research Institute of Radio Engineering (TNIIR) "Efir" was engaged in experimental design work "Borisoglebsk", the purpose of which was to modernize the existing electronic warfare systems and jamming stations of the R-330B "Mandat" and R-378A types. The institute was soon tasked with upgrading several other electronic warfare systems operated by the Russian armed forces. Based on the results of the implementation of these R&D projects, TNIIR Efir received a new assignment to carry out a deep modernization of the existing equipment, which actually led to the emergence of completely new models.
In 2004, a new project was launched, which received the symbol "Borisoglebsk-2". TNIIR Efir became the main executor of these works, and the Sozvezdie concern was to be responsible for the development, manufacture and supply of some radio-electronic systems. In 2009, the composition of the project was changed. Due to the extensive experience in the development of electronic systems, including electronic warfare systems, the Sozvezdiya concern became the main developer of the new project. This organization brought the project to the stage of mass production and is now responsible for the release of finished equipment.
It should be noted that the Borisoglebsk-2 project achieved great success even before the change of the lead developer. Already in 2009, the last stages of preliminary tests of the new complex were carried out. At the same time, active work was carried out to interface the individual elements of the complex both with each other and with the control point. In 2010, state tests of the new complex were carried out, according to the results of which it was recommended for adoption.
As a development of the previous electronic warfare systems, the new Borisoglebsk-2 complex as a whole retains their architecture. It includes the R-300KMV control point and individual vehicles with various electronic equipment: R-378BMV, R-330BMV, R-934 BMW and R-325UMV. According to reports, the complete set of the complex includes nine different machines with a different set of equipment. All means of the complex are placed on the MT-LBu self-propelled chassis, modified in connection with the installation of new special equipment. Such a chassis provides high mobility and maneuverability, allowing the means of Borisoglebsk-2 to arrive in a given area in a timely manner and begin work there. In addition, there is a high degree of unification with other military equipment. After arriving at the place of work, the complex needs about 15 minutes to deploy all the means and prepare for combat work.
All facilities of the complex need an appropriate power supply, for which several diesel generators are included in the "Borisoglebsk-2". In addition, it is possible to supply power from existing civil or industrial infrastructure. In this case, the machines of the complex can be connected to a network with a voltage of 220 V or 380 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. Regardless of the type of food, the complex is able to fully solve all the tasks.
The EW complex "Borisoglebsk-2" includes various types of equipment designed to solve a wide range of tasks. There are electronic reconnaissance means designed to detect enemy radio signals and issue data about them to other elements of the complex. Also provided are machines with equipment for direct jamming. All stages of combat work are carried out under the control and at the command of the self-propelled control center, which processes the incoming data on the detected signals and issues instructions to the suppression systems.
According to available data, the overall coordination of the complex is carried out by the calculation of the R-300KMV control point, consisting of four people. Two of them have workstations to manage the operation of all systems. One control point can control up to four pairs of jamming stations. Up to 30 tasks can be solved in automatic mode.
Unfortunately, most of the information about the Borisoglebsk-2 complex is still a state secret, which is why, in particular, the main characteristics of the systems are not yet subject to disclosure. Nevertheless, the main features of the complex and the range of tasks to be solved have already been announced. The main task of the complex is to detect and suppress various communication channels and other systems using radio signals. First of all, these are tactical communication and control systems, including satellite ones. In addition, there is the possibility of jamming radio navigation systems.
Similar capabilities were available in the previous Russian-made electronic warfare systems, however, in the new project "Borisoglebsk-2", some innovations were applied aimed at a significant increase in the characteristics of equipment. So, one of the main ways to increase the efficiency of work was the expansion of the frequency range in which the enemy signals are detected. The frequency range of jamming stations was also expanded. This makes it possible to more effectively detect and suppress enemy radio channels.
Due to the use of new equipment and the corresponding software, the scanning speed of the frequency range has been increased when signals at unknown frequencies are detected. Also, the response time was reduced when the complex was operating at unknown frequencies. Measures have been taken to improve the accuracy of calculating the location of the radio signal source and to increase the throughput of the jammers.
An important feature of the Borisoglebsk-2 complex is an increase in characteristics during reconnaissance and suppression of radio channels with a pseudo-random frequency tuning (PFC). According to available data, the new EW complex is capable of finding a VHF signal and suppressing it at a frequency tuning rate of up to 300 hops per second. Thus, effective counteraction to modern and promising radio-electronic systems with the frequency hopping function is provided.
The control center and other means of the new electronic warfare complex are equipped with digital controls using the MSVS operating system. For greater convenience of the calculation, including in the event of a change of workplace, the interfaces of all computer systems are made according to the same requirements, which allows the operator to use someone else's console without any special difficulties. An interesting feature of the complex software, which has not yet become widespread in domestic systems, Borisoglebsk-2, is the use of an open architecture. An open kernel is used as the basis for the operating system of the complex, to which the necessary modules are connected. This, in particular, simplifies and speeds up the development of updated software.
The complexity of modern electronic systems makes high demands on the level of personnel training. To train future operators of the Borisoglebsk-2 complex, a unified Magnesium simulator was developed, with the help of which it is proposed to carry out the initial training of personnel.
State tests of the RB-301B Borisoglebsk-2 electronic warfare complex passed and were successfully completed in 2010. Soon, the Sozvezdie concern received an order for the deployment of serial production of such equipment with its subsequent delivery to the troops. It took some time to deploy production, after which the first serial control points and other machines of the promising complex rolled off the assembly line. Later they were transferred to the armed forces.
In 2013, units of the Southern Military District received the first eight Borisoglebsk-2 complexes. The following year, several systems from this batch were used during the competition for the electronic warfare operators of the Southern Military District. More than 30 servicemen arrived at the Kalinovsky training ground (Chechen Republic) to participate in competitions, during which they demonstrated their skills in jamming and suppressing enemy radio channels.
In 2014, the formations of the Eastern Military District received new equipment. Already in September of the same year, the crews of the Borisoglebsk-2 systems were involved in tactical exercises with live fire. In these exercises, the task of the complexes was to counteract the conditional enemy who was trying to use various electronic means.
The production of serial electronic warfare systems of a new type continues to this day in the interests of various formations of the armed forces. So, last year, similar systems were delivered to the VVO motorized rifle formation stationed in Buryatia. It was reported that at first the manufacturer's specialists sent new equipment, and then helped the military with its development. In addition, at the end of the training course, field exercises were conducted to test and reinforce the acquired skills.
Last year, the Sozvezdie concern and the Rostec state corporation, of which it is a member, reported on the successes in the production of new electronic warfare systems. So, in 2014-15, the troops were supplied with 14 Borisoglebsk-2 complexes, which were mastered by the operators and put into full operation. Deliveries of new systems were carried out to units of all military districts: it was noted that the geography of deliveries is very wide - from Kaliningrad to Blagoveshchensk.
In December last year, the media got information about the planned continuation of the production and supply of new complexes. So, in January 2016, it was planned to transfer the new Borisoglebsk-2 systems and other modern electronic warfare systems to the formations of the Eastern Military District. As of the end of December 2015, the means of the RB-301B complex were loaded onto railway platforms and awaited dispatch to the duty station. It was reported that in addition to Borisoglebsk-2, the Air Defense Forces should receive the Infauna complex, also designed to counter enemy electronic systems.
By using the existing experience and the latest developments of the Russian defense industry, it was possible to develop a new electronic warfare complex for the ground forces, suitable for suppressing enemy communications, control, detection, etc. Several years ago the Borisoglebsk-2 system went into series production and is currently being supplied to army units. The bill for the new complexes handed over to the customer has already gone to dozens. Thus, the assigned tasks have been fully resolved and the new technology already ensures the country's security, and thanks to the supply of new machines, the potential of the electronic warfare units is constantly growing.
