alert about a possible attack and detection of aircraft, helicopters, missiles, including low-flying - one of the main tasks of air defense troops of Russia.Recently, they got another tool to accomplish it.
new radar "Sunflower" can detect targets, previously unavailable for radar stations.They "see" objects behind obstacles, and even those that are in all the laws of physics can not be visible due to their location on the side of the planet, a hidden horizon.The rays emitted by the antennas of modern radar, usually distributed in a straight line, they only work in line of sight, but the radar - is unique.
horizon alert
principle horizon vision is reflected in the design of several Russian radar stations of the latest generation.Among these systems, "container", "Taurus" and "Wave".They work on the principle of diffraction, which means they have the ability to emit signals bend around obstacles in both the forward and reverse direction.Russian specialists are world leaders in the field of high-frequency location, such developments are now considered the most revolutionary and unparalleled.Radar "Sunflower - E" - modification, intended for export to countries that are considered strategic allies of Russia.It has a target detection range of 300 km.The system has a pronounced defensive in nature and is not intended to wage aggressive wars.
What is diffraction?
Everyone knows the effect of the refraction of light.Even if the direct rays of the sun or other light source do not get into the room, it can be quite light.If waves can propagate only in a straight line, it is in many places would be complete darkness reigned.It is due to refraction and reflection items become visible.This phenomenon applies not only to the world: for example, the signals shortwave radios easily accepted on the opposite side of the planet.They encircle the Earth, bouncing off the ionosphere, and safely reach the receiver antenna.
So running radar and "Wave", the design of which takes into account the reflectivity of the surface and the ionosphere.Radar "Sunflower" is arranged, at first glance, it is easier: it does not use the physical properties of the upper atmosphere.But her-horizon capabilities of this is not getting smaller.Technical details of distant radio SRI experts do not disclose, but we know that the system creates an all-altitude radar field via shortwave signals, which, as we know from the course of wave physics, can penetrate any point of the three-dimensional space.
From "Arc" to "Sunflowers»
Experiments on the horizon locations were conducted in the USSR in the 60s.Systems developed by then and later, were conceived very brave, but is costly.Build huge radiating structure ("Arc" near the city of Nikolayev, Chernobyl and Komsomolsk-on-Amur), and their goal was overseas continent where expected launches of ICBMs.Theoretically, they could assess the situation within 10 thous. Km, but in practice the information obtained through them, one hundred percent trust was impossible.These stations Americans nicknamed the "Russian woodpeckers" for the specific nature of interference from them in the air.The unevenness of the ionosphere is bad for performance system, besides the likely opponents have learned to make additional distortion, which in Alaska, Japan and Norway built high power emitters.Nevertheless, work continued, there is experience, found application much later, with the creation of modern-horizon detection equipment, including radar and "Sunflower".
What is known of the public
system was first presented at the international exhibition IMDS-2007, held in St. Petersburg and dedicated to naval armaments.A year later, a demonstration of radar "Sunflower" in the salon "Euronaval 2008", where special emphasis was placed on the export version of the letter "E".Of great interest to the new system showed the Brazilian delegation, but its main purpose was still to ensure the safety of Russian coastal borders.April 2014 was the date when the first large-scale field trials were held radar "Sunflower" in conditions close to the fighting.They were held in the Caspian Sea, and the flotilla ships were learning objectives, as well as missiles launched by them.To complicate the task, in the maneuvers participated latest MRK "Uglich" and "Sviyazhsk", built on technology "Stealth".
What is the "Sunflower"?
This system is not mobile and compact.Antenna (emitting and receiving) field occupy a lot of space and can be spaced far enough apart.The station is in the decimeter range, it is able in any weather to detect, track, identify and issue targeting the country's air defense automatically hundred aircraft and three hundred ships (surface).Operating range - up to 450 kilometers with a field of view of 120 °.Power consumption is 200 kW.For the safety of all electronic equipment is mounted in a special secure containers.With it (in addition to the direct problems) can be analyzed simultaneously weather conditions, radio interference, and the physical conditions of the sea surface.
It is virtually all information about the export version of the system.Perhaps the teachings of the Russian radar "Sunflower", designed for "internal use", revealed the great possibilities of installation.
there are problems.Thus, the apparatus of recognition "friend or foe" that works only on the line of sight, it is difficult to agree with this short-wave radar.
From the Arctic to the Crimea
radar "Sunflower", according to S. Boev, Director General of JSC "RTI" in a state of permanent improvement.For special climatic conditions in the Arctic requires a special approach to some constructive solutions.Accuracy and quality characteristics of the station are also continuously enhanced.Safety Far East coast requires at least five of these systems.One must work at the direction of the Bosphorus (Crimea).In the North, they are also needed.And then - according to the considerations of the General Staff.
