Russian experts have created an antenna system for receiving satellite radio navigation signals. It will be installed on aircraft, UAVs and missile weapons. This was stated by a representative of the Main Directorate of Scientific Research and Technological Support (GUNID) of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Colonel Sergei Stolyarov.

“Innovative projects are being actively implemented in modern weapons systems. In particular, an antenna system was created for the receivers of satellite radio navigation signals used on aircraft of the Sukhoi family, Orlan drones and cruise missiles, ”the press service of the Ministry of Defense quoted Stolyarov as saying.

As the representative of GUNID specified, the antenna system increases the noise immunity of the receivers of radio navigation signals, as well as the accuracy of determining the coordinates.

Orbit positioning

Experts interviewed by RT believe that domestic engineers have developed the latest small-sized universal antenna complex that can more effectively realize the potential of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), which is actively used by Russian aircraft.

The website of the GLONASS consumer application center says that the navigation message received by the receiving device from the satellites “contains different types of information necessary to determine the user's location and synchronize his timeline with the national standard.”

According to analysts, the new antenna can be equipped with all combat aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, including the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, promising drones, and airborne and sea-based cruise missiles.

In an interview with RT, the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev noted that at present almost all new and modernized tactical aviation aircraft of the Russian Federation have been equipped with antenna complexes for receiving satellite radio navigation signals. However, the development of the product, which Stolyarov spoke about, may indicate the emergence of a more advanced system, which noticeably surpasses the previous analogues in terms of characteristics.

“The information that the antenna system can be installed on non-strategic missiles and UAVs indicates its compact size, reliability and ease of use. Most likely, we are talking about a unified device that can be installed on a wide range of aircraft and weapons, ”says Kornev.

According to the expert, the appearance of such a product allows us to conclude that Russia has made serious progress in the development of miniature microelectronic components.

According to the Ministry of Defense, satellite navigation is widely used by the Russian military. Equipment that processes GLONASS information is installed on ships, various ground and air platforms.

The plans of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are to provide, by the end of 2020, all army units with modern positioning equipment. At the same time, in 2012, the level of equipment of Russian troops with navigational aids was only 50%.

  • Russian Air Force pilot
  • RIA News
  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

According to analysts, positioning using orbital means allows the military to more accurately determine their own location and coordinates of the enemy’s forces. In addition, modern navigation devices simplify equipment control, reconnaissance and target designation, and increase situational awareness among military equipment crews. They also increase the likelihood of hitting a target with guided and unguided weapons.

“In order for the plane to hit the target precisely, for a start it is necessary to correctly determine its location. This requires special equipment, including just the antenna. The exact location allows on-board automated systems to carry out the appropriate calculations and effectively use not only guided missiles, but also free-falling bombs, ”Kornev explained.

According to the expert, the requirements for accurate location of the aircraft and other types of military equipment are constantly increasing. Today, an error of several meters can be critical to the successful completion of a combat mission. According to Kornev, it is precisely this problem that the new domestic antenna system called for by the Ministry of Defense is called to solve.

The Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation Major General Vladimir Popov adheres to a similar point of view. In a commentary on RT, he emphasized that modern satellite equipment primarily significantly improves the accuracy characteristics of domestic equipment and weapons.

“The antenna system receives GLONASS signals, which are necessary for orientation in space and indicating the coordinates of the target. In particular, such a complex allows you to adjust the flight of a rocket and a drone depending on their location, ”Popov explained.

The expert noted that the efficiency of the antenna system is very important for the Russian troops. The quality of reception and processing of satellite signals, which are often quite weak, depends on this product.

“It is very important that the power of the received satellite signal is not lost. Therefore, special signal amplifiers are installed on aircraft, and feeder devices (responsible for transmitting electromagnetic waves from the antenna to the receiver. - RT ) are combined with antennas. All this reduces energy losses when receiving a signal, ”says Popov.

Combined approach

Experts emphasize that satellite navigation allows the Russian army to effectively solve problems in peacetime and in local conflicts, where fighting is conducted against a technically weak opponent, such as, for example, terrorist groups in Syria.

However, in a threatened period or during large-scale conflicts, the use of satellite data is limited, since navigation signals can be damped by electronic warfare (EW).

“Antennas receive all electromagnetic information: useful data, interference, and, as we (the pilots) say, white noise in radio communications. It’s unrealistic to carry out any adequate selection, although, of course, each antenna system is created to receive a certain frequency, a specific signal and wavelength, ”Popov argues.

  • Launch of the Caliber cruise missile of the Russian Navy
  • RIA News
  • © Andrey Stanavov

Nevertheless, Russian aviation is able to operate successfully without satellite navigation thanks to special noise-resistant systems, the expert notes. In particular, the Russian Su-57 fighter is equipped with an integrated communication, data exchange, navigation and identification system (OSNOD), created within the walls of the Scientific and Technical Center of NPP Polet (Nizhny Novgorod).

The product provides encoding and decoding of information, transfer of large amounts of data and positioning of the aircraft in the absence or suppression of GLONASS signals. Now the Nizhny Novgorod enterprise is developing a compact version of the OSNOD, which can be installed on various air platforms, including reconnaissance and strike UAVs.

As Dmitry Kornev emphasized, the Russian army is capable of performing the entire range of combat missions thanks to the combined guidance system of operational-tactical missiles.

To adjust their flight on the marching (initial) section, navigation equipment is often used, and homing means are included on the final one.

“Russian missiles, so to speak, are becoming more specialized, that is, the military is using the most suitable guidance method depending on the data on the target. This approach takes into account the probability of jamming and the imperfection of all existing guidance systems, ”concluded Kornev.