Modern military equipment is inconceivable without the widest use of electronic equipment. Radars, locators, means of guidance on the target ... All this in the conditions of modern war is extremely important. It is not surprising that domestic engineers have always tried to develop an effective tool to suppress the radio equipment of a potential enemy. That was the Khibiny electronic warfare.
Basic information
A multifunctional complex designed for installation on aircraft was developed at the Khibiny R&D Center in Kaluga. The talented engineer Alexander Semenovich Yampolsky was appointed the chief designer.
In the USSR, the first targeted research in the field of active jamming began back in 1977. Already in 1984, the work resulted in the creation of the first Khibiny electronic warfare systems, which were originally designed specifically for installation on Su-34 aircraft. In 1990, shortly before the collapse of the USSR, the first models had already passed acceptance tests as part of a specially created state commission. Despite the collapse of the state and all the attendant difficulties, the development of containers for the complex was completed by the mid-90s.
What is the Khibiny EW intended for? Its main role is to protect the aircraft from missile defense and air-to-air missiles, which can be used by enemy pilots. The essence of its action is the suppression of homing systems of these weapons by setting active interference.
Test
Their trials were scheduled for late 1995. Substantially modified samples were subjected to state verification, in which many of the shortcomings of previous models were corrected. Despite this, certain shortcomings were identified this time. Therefore, the final test round started only at the end of August 1997. In the spring of 2004, the Khibiny electronic warfare engine was finally adopted by the Russian Air Force, becoming part of the weapon system for the Su-34 aircraft.
In August 2013, an important contract was signed, under which domestic enterprises would have to equip almost all Su-34 aircraft and other models with this equipment that could technologically take such weapons on board. Estimated amount of work - more than one and a half billion rubles. It is assumed that in the future the Khibiny electronic warfare complex will be mounted on Su-30M fighters and similar vehicles.
Prototype History
The first prototypes included a unit responsible for the exact memorization of the frequencies used (TS model). Structurally, the modernized blocks of digital response delay signal circuits “Response” also belonged there. The latest components of the "hundredth" series were used in this unit. Since 1984, these Khibin components have been developed in a separate research institute, since the scope of work turned out to be too large for one enterprise. During the work, the signal delay line was upgraded to the “Answer-M” level.
Work with representatives of Sukhoi Design Bureau
It should be noted that the first official model, which fully corresponded to the technical specifications, simply did not fit in the compartments of the aircraft. In order to prevent such mistakes in the future, the designers began to work closely with Sukhoi Design Bureau at the highest level. From now on, all the work on the "Khibiny" began to be headed by V.V. Kryuchkov.
First flights
In 1990, the first “flying” model went through all stages of the State Acceptance, being officially recognized as suitable for installation on military aircraft operated by the USSR Air Force. The second set was designed specifically for installation in a hinged container L-175V and was designed exclusively for installation on many models of Su family fighters and attack aircraft. As already mentioned above, the first flight of an aircraft with this equipment on board occurred in 1995.
So began the first stage of the final part of acceptance tests. Already in 1997, in the Ramenskoye Su-34 with the installed L-175V container, it also successfully flew off and completed all the test tasks that were put before the designers of the complex.
It soon became clear that the difficult economic situation in the country did not allow to quickly deploy the production of new Su-34s in sufficient quantities, and it is not so simple with the L-175V containers to accommodate the electronic warfare system. At the same time, the development of a new version of the Khibin began to protect a whole group of aircraft. It was assumed that this modification of the complex will be used to ensure the safety of groups of bombers and fighters marching in the echelon of cover.
The design of many elements was extremely simplified, which allowed to significantly reduce the cost of the entire complex. This time, the EW containers included U1 and U2 containers. The peculiarity of this innovation was that their operating frequency completely coincided with that for Khibin. In fact, these were high power transmitters, which could be used not only to increase the power of the main complex, but even to issue target designations.
Other containers
In the second pair there were containers of models 1 and 0. So they had a radio frequency range that was very different from the Khibin main complex. They use a completely different control logic from the parent, and therefore can be used to pose active interference of a different, more efficient type. Probably, after combining all the developments in this area, the Khibiny electronic warfare complex ML-265 was created.
In this modification there is the possibility of using the complex without any containers at all. So, in the Su-35, this equipment is built directly into the design of the airframe. In the process of creating a new model, “Khibiny-60”, applied mathematical modeling was widely used, which made it possible to predict with high accuracy the behavior of the complex in a wide variety of combat conditions, even extreme ones. By the way, the same approach was used a little earlier, in the process of creating the KS418 complex.
Composition "Khibin"
So, what does the Khibiny electronic warfare system include? Here is its basic equipment:
- The “heart” of the complex is the Proran RER, or its more modern counterparts, most of which are classified.
- The main system for setting active interference "Regatta". Most likely, more modern and advanced analogues are currently used. This equipment can be located both in the container and mounted directly in the airframe.
- As we said, the Khibiny electronic warfare equipment also includes equipment designed to set active interference in the protection of aircraft units. Mounted in a container. The exact characteristics are unknown.
- A block designed for precise frequency memorization. Model TSh.
- Finally, a high-power computerized computing system is used, and its exact characteristics also remain a mystery.
As for the cost of this type of weapon, as of 2014, the price of one set was at least 123 million rubles.
Technical characteristics of the complex
Consider the main technical characteristics of a typical complex located inside the container. As a rule, this role uses the old, but well-proven L-175V / L-265:
- length - 4.95 m;
- diameter - 35 cm;
- weight - 300 kg.
Active jamming areas
- In the front and rear hemispheres, the overlap sector is +/- 45 degrees.
- Radio intelligence equipment can operate effectively at a frequency of 1.2 ... 40 GHz.
- The active jamming system itself operates at frequencies of 4 ... 18 GHz.
- The operating frequency of the complex for covering flight connections is 1 ... 4 GHz.
- The total power consumption is 3600 watts.
The main stages of creating the complex
- The first prototype is Proran. At this stage, a radio intelligence complex was developed.
- "Regatta". In this case, the engineers were already working directly on the creation of equipment that could be used to set active interference.
- Finally, the Khibiny electronic warfare station itself was created, which was obtained by connecting Proran and Regatta.
- Development and production of the Khibiny-10V model. This is a special modification intended for installation on T-10V / Su-34 aircraft.
- KS-418E complex. It was developed to equip export aircraft Su-24MK / Su-24MK2. Apparently, the final refinement of this model is not completed as of today.
Modern modifications of the complex
- "Khibiny-M10 / M6."
- Modification of the "Khibiny-60."
- "Container" complex L-265 / L-265M10. An exclusive option that is currently only used on Su-35 aircraft.
- The most modified and perfect version, "Khibiny-U". It was first shown at the MAKS 2013 Aviation Salon. It is known that at the same time an agreement was signed on mounting the complex on all domestic front-line aircraft. Then it became known that this electronics will be placed on the Su-30SM.
- The most advanced model, the Tarantula. Almost nothing is known about its development and application.
Which aircraft are used as carriers?
As you can see from the article, the main carrier aircraft of this type of equipment are products of the Sukhoi Design Bureau. We have already talked about the reasons for this. So there is nothing surprising in the following list:
- A container L-175V / L-175VE can be installed on the Su-34, into which any suitable Khibiny electronic warfare station can be placed.
- Su-35 most often carries the model "M", placed in the L-265.
- It is planned to equip the Su-30SM exclusively with Khibiny-U.
Tests and application in conditions close to combat
We have already talked about the first stages of state trials. When was the Khibiny electronic warfare system used? It is reported that in 2000, some time after the Chechen militants attacked Afghanistan, the Air Force studied the possibility of using the Su-34 to cover the Su-24 bombers. Of course, installed on the Su-24 electronic warfare Khibiny could significantly increase the survival of these aircraft in combat conditions.
It is also known that in 2013 a contract was signed providing for the supply of at least 92 units to the troops. The amount of this agreement is about 12 billion rubles. Most likely, the aircraft (it is not known which ones) should be equipped with this equipment no later than 2020.
In April 2014, close to combat tests were carried out. At the same time, the Khibiny electronic warfare equipment was aimed at protecting the Su-34. It was assumed that they would be intercepted by the aircraft of the probable enemy, in the role of which were the MiG-31. The results of these tests have not yet been reported.
“Cook” and “Khibiny”: true or fiction?
In April of that year, a curious article appeared on many resources. Many sober-minded sources immediately placed it in the “Conjecture” section. What did it say about the Khibiny EW? The Donald Cook, which was held near Crimea on April 12, 2014, was allegedly “attacked” by the Su-24, and the equipment aboard it was “crushed” precisely with the help of this complex. However, soon articles with such content were quickly deleted, as it turned out the following:
- Yes, "Drying" really flew around the ship.
- The parties did not take any hostile actions.
- "Khibiny" is currently not put on the Su-24 (this is a moot point).
- Equipment of this class is simply not able to suppress the electronics of not the smallest warship.
So, we examined the Khibiny electronic warfare. What it is? In fact, this is an advanced
electronic warfare system
that allows combat aircraft to evade enemy missiles, knocking down their automatic guidance system.