Russian experts have introduced a new method for detecting moving objects made using stealth technology. This was reported in the press service of JSC "Radio Engineering Institute named after Academician A. L. Mints." The method is based on the analysis of the radar shadow of the observed object.

"As part of the development of a new method, RTI JSC assessed the possibility of using radar shadow analysis by synthesizing the aperture of moving objects that arise at the stage of terrain mapping," the institute said.

It is noted that the engineers of the Mintz Institute, together with specialists from other institutions and enterprises, managed to create a new model for calculating the radar shadow, taking into account the speed and flight parameters of the aircraft.

“The developed method for observing“ invisible ”objects made using stealth technology is the result of the joint work of several educational institutions, enterprises of the military-industrial complex and small business. We have turned out a viable cooperation, ”said the Director General of the enterprise Kirill Makarov.

The fight against the "invisible"

As the experts explained, the method proposed by Russian experts increases the efficiency of detecting equipment, which are created by means of reducing radar visibility, which are commonly combined under the concept of "stealth" technology. We are talking about flat geometric shapes and a special radar absorbing coating, which reduce the visibility of the object in the radar and infrared ranges, experts say.

“Americans are considered to be pioneers in stealth technology. A classic example is the Northrop B-2 Spirit strategic bomber. Now the stealth technologies are embodied in fifth-generation aircraft F-22 and F-35, in Russia - in the Su-57 and the promising PAK DA. “Stealth” is also widely spread in the fleet of different countries of the world, ”Dmitry Kornev, founder of the MilitaryRussia portal, explained in an interview with RT.

  • Russian-made ground-based radar
  • © rostec.ru

A characteristic property of the use of stealth technology is a significant decrease in the effective scattering area. “Invisible” is usually called an aircraft in which this indicator is less than 0.4 square meters. m

As noted by Kornev, such an aircraft will not remain invisible to modern radar stations (radars), but its detection causes a number of difficulties that adversely affect the responsiveness of the air defense forces.

“Under certain conditions and at certain angles, the“ invisibility ”can not be noticed, especially at long distances, which hypothetically allows the enemy aircraft to perform a combat mission. As far as I understand, in order to prevent such a development of events, RTI, together with other enterprises, has developed a method that fixes the radar shadow, ”says Kornev.

As explained by the director of the Air Defense Museum in Balashikha, Yuri Knutov, under the radar shadow it is customary to consider a dark “spot” on the radar screen, which shows a map of the area. The radar operator understands that the station has fixed a target that scatters and absorbs radio waves. For air defense, this is an invisible plane.

“An ordinary airplane or metal object reflects waves, thus unmasking itself. A wave-reflecting device is visible on the radar screen as a bright dot. Here we are dealing with shadow, but it does not remain invisible to radar stations, ”the source said.

To fix the radar shadow, a synthetic aperture method is used, which was reported by the Mintz Institute. It allows you to obtain radar images of the surface, regardless of weather conditions and the level of natural light. The quality and detail of such terrain maps are comparable to aerial photographs.

The method of synthesized aperture is formed due to a certain set of equipment, the production of which has been mastered by domestic industry. For example, for the needs of aviation, Vega Radio Engineering Concern JSC developed a radar with a synthesized aperture RSA-23, consisting of a transmitter-receiver, antenna and signal processing complexes.

“Synthetic aperture equipment is installed in the side of the aircraft. The method is based on the fact that we, as it were, accumulate information about the environment and after digital processing we get an unusually clear image, ”Knutov explained.

Based on this method, a scheme of a multi-channel synthesized aperture radar (SAR) was proposed at the Mintz Institute. This device provides “one-time formation of a high-resolution radar image, selection of moving objects on board a small-sized aircraft and data reception and transmission to a control center in real time”.

“Apparently, the development of the RTI concern is related to aviation. For example, now in Russia new combat aircraft are equipped with synthesized aperture radars with an active phased antenna array. Although, most likely, the radar shadow analysis method can be used in other types of troops, including anti-aircraft units and the Navy, ”the expert argues.

Practical significance

The Mintz Institute emphasizes that the new method has high practical significance and can be used as an “additional feature in the selection of moving objects”.

In an interview with RT, an expert at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Sergey Denisentsev said that Russian scientists, in fact, found an opportunity to detect targets with very low radar visibility. In the future, the invention can simplify the fight against the latest devices implemented by the "stealth" technology. The analyst drew attention to the need to continue research and experimentation in this area.

  • Russian airborne electronic station "Zhuk-AE"
  • © rostec.ru

“Now it’s too early to talk about the imminent practical implementation of a new way of selecting moving objects. To date, it has been proven that it is theoretically possible. There is still a lot of work ahead. I think it will take about seven years. But if everything goes well, then this method will provide Russia with a noticeable advantage on the battlefield, ”Denisentsev said.

Yuri Knutov believes that scientists will certainly bring the invention to practical implementation, as the military is probably interested in this. According to the analyst, a new way of selecting moving objects almost 100% guarantees the fixation of devices built according to the "stealth" technology, over long distances.

“In my opinion, this is a colossal breakthrough that allows you to display the so-called invisibility on the screen. It is important that with the help of a synthesized aperture, scientists were able to reduce the level of direction finding errors. As a result, the principle of radar has been developed that will detect any shadow, and the computer will calculate its exact location, which will enable the air defense forces to make a timely decision on counteraction, ”Knutov summarized.