5N16E Neman-P (45 57 59N, 73 37 41E)
Created at the Sary-Shagan test range, the "Neman-P" radar on its technical and design and technological solutions is a unique radar means. The decision to build the Neman-P radar (P is for polygon, ie, "test range", in Russian) was taken in 1968 under Programma-2, designed by NIIRadiopriborostroeniya in the late 1960s by one of the three competing missile defense projects (the other two being the A-35 and a project that eventually became A-135). Construction was completed in 1977, and 2nd stage tests completed in May 1980.
The experimental radar "Neman-P", which participated in more than 300 ballistic missile tests in the Soviet time, will be modernized by 2016. About this on 15 September 2015, said a spokesman for the press service and information of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on Strategic Missile Forces, Colonel Igor Egorov. Experimental radar "Neman-P" is modernized by 2016. "At the Sary-Shagan training ground, the ERNS Neman-P is being modernized, which will be completed by 2016. From 1981 to 1991, the radar was involved in the measurement of more than 300 launches of ballistic missiles during tests of domestic warheads and missile defense systems, including missile systems "Pioneer" and "Topol".
In addition, the Neman-P radar monitored the phono-target situation and confirmed the flight performance of ballistic missiles during the tests of the ABM A-135 system. According to Egorov, the current modernization of Neman-P is aimed at expanding information opportunities and increasing the boundaries of the station, prolonging the service life and increasing its operational reliability.
The development of the "Neman" was started by the NIIDAR, later it was transferred to NIIRP. "Neman" is unique - the antenna system "Neman" is based on the Luneburg (not Luneberg) lens. The "Neman" was not adopted, the radar remained working as a measuring instrument.
The appearance in the world of ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads in the mid 1950s led to a new arms race. At that time there were means and systems capable of hitting martial ICBM trajectories on their flight. One of the most important conditions for building an effective missiel defense are accurate measurements at all stages of its creation. In the USSR the possibility of creating a missile defense was successfully demonstrated by a team of Radio Instruments Reasearch Institute (Vympel Design Bureau) with cooperation under the guidance of Chief Designer Grigory Vasilievich Kisunko at Sary-Shagan Kazakhstan, when for the first time in world practice March 4, 1961 an experimental missile defense system was intercepted ballistic missile warheads.
From this moment the possibility of effective PRO believed and we and our likely opponents. Naturally, the process of creating a means to overcome missile defense, which got the abbreviation SP PRO. JV PRO challenge is ensuring the effective defeat warheads defended object by their imitation, masking, and cover. For this outside of the atmosphere can be used light decoys and chaff, atmosphere-heavy decoys. Consisting of SP PRO can also be used active jamming stations within range of RADAR and combat units can carry out the maneuver.
Thus, to respond effectively to the challenges of defence objects, the missile defense system must implement the selection (discrimination) of warheads against the backdrop of decoys and jamming for their subsequent interception. With a view to conducting experimental work to assess the effectiveness of JV PRO installed on domestic BR, as well as refining methods of selection warheads consisting of complex ballistic targets Decree of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Minister in May 1974 was charged with the creation of Radio Instruments Research Institute at Sary-Shagan measuring radar complex "Neman-P".
Radar complex Neman-P was created under the direction of Yuri Grigorievich Burlakova. A team headed by him together with themes in 1969 he was transferred to the Scientific Research Institute of Radio Instruments. Until then, the radar reflected from the target signal "saw" the one mark as the amount of reflection from the individual elements. The Neman-P ultra-wide band [UWB] antenna allowed additional quality characteristics to meet the challenges of the monitored objects recognition.
The Luneburg lens is a well known device used for wide angle scanning. The Luneburg lens is a new generation of antennas that has been developed since first being proposed in 1944. [R. K. Luneburg, The Mathematical Theory of Optics, Brown University Providence, Rhode Island, 1944, 208-213.]. The Luneburg Lens can be used as a means for creating mechanically scanned beams, single or multiple, at microwave frequencies. However with the advent of phased arrays the lens nowadays tends to be used for radar applications as a wide angle passive reflector.
The Luneberg lens is composed of a dielectric material in which the dielectric constant varies continuously from a maximum of 2 at the center to unity at the surface. The Luneburg lens is an inhomogeneous sphere that brings a collimated beam to a perfect focus at the rear surface of the sphere. The Luneburg lens brings a parallel beam to a perfect focus at the rear surface of the sphere. The beam can fill the entire aperture of the Luneburg lens and still not suffer from the effects of spherical aberrations. The Luneburg's focussing properties are independent of frequency and polarization.
R.K.Luneberg developed the theory for this spherically symetric lens in 1944 as an academic exercise in classical optics. In its simplest and best known form, the lens focusses an incident plane wave upon reception to a diametrically opposite point on its surface. Workers in optics had no application for such a lens, nor could they construct one if they wished. Those working in the field of radar were quick to realize the potential usefualess of such a unique focussing device, but they, too, could not build one for lack of suitable materials and fabrication techniques. The history of the Luneberg lens since its conception was the history cf its fabrication. Several American laboratories tried to construt a lens, bit until theh late 1950s results were largely impractical.
Luneburg lens is a marvellous lens but is extremely difficult to be applied in any practical antenna system due to its large spherical shape. Often a 100% solution is not possible because of materials limitations, but perhaps a good approximation to the Luneburg lens can be achieved to provide improved performance for a specific application.
Various lens antenna assemblies had been proposed, such as Luneburg lens antennae which include a spherical lens formed of a dielectric material for converging radio wave to a focal point, and a feed movable to the focal point to collect radio waves. Such a lens antenna assembly can receive and transmit radio waves simply by moving the feed to the focal point without the need to move the entire device as with a parabolic antenna. Thus, such a lens antenna can be made relatively small and compact in size.
The Lüneburg lens is spherical in shape and focuses an incoming plane wave to a point on its surface diametrically opposite ;he direction from which the incoming plane wave is incident. A Lüneburg lens reflector consists of a Lüneburg lens with a conducting cap over a portion of its surface. An incoming plane wave focused by the lens is reflected by the conducting cap, recollimated by the lens, and transmitted directly back along the path of the incoming wave. Theoretically, if the reflector cap subtends a cone whose full angle is lese than or equal to 90 the Lüneburg reflector acts like a conducting circular flat plane whose radius a equals that of the lens, the plate being oriented normal to the incoming wave for all waves incident from directions diametrically opposite the cone of directions subtended by the cap; if the cap subtends a cone whose full angle is greater than 90 then for certain directions of the incoming wave the receiving and transmitting apertures will be partially blocked.
Experimentally, however, it has been found that although there will be aperture-blockage for some directions, a Lüneburg lens that has a cap subtending a cone of full angle 140 gives very efficient coverage over a cone of full angle of about 130°.
The basic comprehensive conceptual design of G.V. Kisunko for the Avrora ABM system was rejected, since it did not meet a number of effectiveness and reliability requirements. But the proposed Argun multichannel firing complex with a rotating phased-array antenna, which is still serving effectively to this day, was recommended for creation at the range as the main measuring device. Also rejected were designs by A.L. Mints for the Don-2N multifunctional radar and Yu.G. Burlakov for a fundamentally new Neman radar, although a reduced prototype of it was created at the range for solving problems of discrimination of complex ballistic targets.
Yuriy Grigoryevich Burlakov (born 1928) was a scientist and designer in the field of systems engineering and radar. In 1956 he was deputy director of a scientific research institute for scientific work and chief designer. In 1968 he was the chief designer of the Neman radar. In 1986 he was deputy chief designer of the Salyut Design Bureau. Candidate of technical sciences.
From 1981 to 1991, "Neman-R" participated in measurements at more than 300 launches of ballistic missiles in the framework of the test warheads and systems to overcome air defense, including missile systems, "Pioneer" and "Topol". In addition, the station was involved in the testing of the national missile defense system A-135. The Neman radar was used to monitor the air space situation and confirm flight parameters of target missiles in testing the missile defense system A-135.
Special attention should be to the RFCs "Neman-P" powerful transmitter active phased array. It provides a broad band of frequencies emitted signals that it is crucial for signal measurement and implementation of radio-wave mode. The switching time of the beam in any angular direction within a sector review is a few microseconds, which provides simultaneous servicing a large number of purposes.
There is one undeniable quality AESA radar complex "Neman-P" - a high degree of reliability which was confirmed during the period from 1993 to 2003. When in the complete absence of potential spares AFAR has dropped slightly, and she continued to perform testing tasks.
RFCs "Neman-P" is built on a multi-channel pattern forming and processing a wide range of probing signals of different duration and frequency spectrum that enables the detection and tracking of targets and measurements to obtain their reflective characteristics simultaneously on multiple operating frequencies.
From 1981 to 1991, the radar participated in the measurement of more than 300 ballistic missiles in tests of Russian warheads and complex means to overcome missile defense, including missile systems RVSN "Pioneer", "Satan", maneuvering warheads, cruise missiles, Jammer, etc.
Measurements with RFCs "Neman-P" make it possible to determine information for different parts of the trajectory, probing signals and radar modes, and to create solution adaptive to the tasks of each start-up software.
In addition, RFCs "Neman-P" confirmed the characteristics of combat formations of complex targets specific launches ballistic missile target during tests landfill complex missile defense system A-135. During these years, the measurements allowed to work algorithms selection missile defense system A-135.
Successful 1980s radar tests confirmed compliance with the characteristics specified in the tactical-technical specifications. Created at Sary-Shagan radar "Neman-p" on its technical and design and technological solutions is still a unique m radar information tool capabilities that ensure getting the entire spectrum characteristics of observed objects that are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of promising means to overcome missile defense, and to refine the selection of methods and algorithms of ballistic missile warheads on the various sections of their flight trajectory. In addition, the Neman-P was an important step to creating measurement systems to assess the characteristics of modern radars for various purposes for measuring parameters of antennas and their acceptance testing.
Neman-P is built on the multi-channel scheme generating and processing a wide set of probing signals of different duration and frequency spectrum that provides detection and tracking of targets, as well as getting measurements of their reflective characteristics simultaneously on multiple operating frequencies. The multi-channel signal processing scheme provides active jamming station DF channels and channel measurements of spectral power jamming transmitter and the width of their spectrum.
Neman-P had to tackle another important practical task of evaluating the characteristics of the movement of warheads and the means to overcome missile defense in the dense layers of the atmosphere. Due to the high speed ballistic movement targets in dense layers of the atmosphere for the purpose of the formed plasma track. There were many theoretical models of development of these entities. To assess the effectiveness of overcoming PRO heavy false targets on atmospheric site it was necessary to obtain experimental data about the characteristics radiootraženij of these entities, including the length of the trace on the range and speed values reflecting surface traces, reflective surface directly combat unit with the obtect's plasma membrane. For studies of these characteristics by the end of 1980 as probing signals in radar were deployed several types of new signals (coherent sequences of pulse packs), as well as a sample layout of analog-to-digital processing devices. Signal processing device prototype was introduced in 1982.
Having reviewed the positive results of the tests of Neman-P, the Interdepartmental Commission for flight tests of military equipment of domestic missile complexes in 1981 made the decision to engage the radar to ensure flight tests with the main objective is to obtain the maximum amount of radar information about the elements of complex ballistic targets at all phases of its flight, different types of probing signals for the purpose of evaluating the characteristics of the situation and evaluation of trajectory and signal characteristics of each element of the complex ballistic targets.
From 1986 the research and experimental work on the Neman-P were conducted under the direction of Chief Designer Boris Mikhailovich Panteleeva. From 1981 to 1991 the radar participated in conducting measurements in more than 300 launches of ballistic missiles in tests of domestic martial blocks and complexes of means to overcome missile defense, including missile systems, strategic missiles "pioneer", "Satan", maneuverable warheads, cruise missiles, active jamming stations, etc. Measurement of "Neman-P" made it possible to identify the most informative for different portions of the flight path of sounding signals and radar modes, as well as create Adaptive tasks each start software.
In addition, "Neman-P" controlled the target environment and confirmed the specifications of battle formations of difficult targets launches of special target ballistic missile test range complex PRO A-135 systems. During these years, it conducted elaborate selection algorithms enabled measurement system A-135. Great contribution of these works were made by staff O.B.Lyutov, N.H. Mamay, S.Golynec, V.V. Kirillov and many others.
In the early 1990s there was a significant reduction in funding for research and development, providing flight tests of warheads and the means to overcome missile defense. The Neman-P became the sole universal measuring radar means at Sary Shagan. The 1990s were years of survival, with irregular financing or its complete absence, rolling blackouts, a catastrophic reduction in headcount, looting of equipment, loss of a significant part of cooperation. But "Neman-P" survived and provided in these difficult years flight testing equipment of missile complex Topol-m, which is now the basis of the missile shield in Russia. Work on the preparation of radar and carrying out measurements to perform during these years only enthusiasts and true patriots of their country. They include employees of NII radio instruments S.I.Temcenko, Y.T.From, O.B.Lyutov, A.I.Zharkov, N.H. Mamay, Kirillov, etc.
In April 2002, in accordance with the decision of the Chief of the General staff of the Russian Armed Forces was restored together with the military part of the test range operation. The main task was to ensure the latest combat flight test equipment of Russia's strategic nuclear forces. By this time have changed the characteristics of the Fono-target environment and the characteristics of the elements of complex objectives. Have declined substantially reflective characteristics of goals (they're orders of magnitude less notable) has changed qualitatively and quantitatively trait means to overcome missile defense.
An urgent need arose to modernize radar complex. Modernization of the "Neman-P" began in 2003. Its main objectives were: expansion of information capabilities to service a new class of ballistic purposes; improving the reliability of work; reduction of operational costs; extending the life of the radar complex.
The special attention is deserved to the Neman-P powerful transmitting active phased array antenna (APAA). It provides a broad frequency band radiated signals that it is crucially important for signal measurement and realization of radiovideniâ mode. The switching time of the beam at any angular direction within the sector is units of microseconds that provides simultaneous servicing of a large number of purposes. There is another undeniable quality of Neman-P is high reliability, which was confirmed in the period from 1993 to 2003, when under conditions of full lack of spares capacity declined, the radar continued to perform testing tasks. Detracting from curiosities, the receiving antenna of the Neman-P radar does not require special maintenance and periodic settings and to this day maintains the unchanged settings for receiving charts.
Modernization of the "Neman-P" was successfully held in two phases. As a result, culminating in 2005, the first phase of the modernization in the composition of the radar to replace the outdated computing complex introduced specialized computer complex (JMC), consisting of several modern high-performance computers, providing calculations, registration, reservation, documenting, processing and display of measurement results. A new functional software that allow for receipt and processing of the necessary amount of information at high rate measurements for each of the targets. In addition, with the introduction of the JMC, operating costs for the consumption of electricity decreased significantly.
The objectives of the second phase of the modernization of the RADAR "Neman-p" (which was concluded at the end of 2008, 2002) were:
- control equipment replacement, antennas and signal processing detection and tracking of targets on the specvycisliteli on the basis of modern high-performance COMPUTING and embedded in these adapters based on modern technology of FPGA;
- expansion of information capabilities by introducing COMPLEX software-implemented high performance digital signal processing COMPUTER sharper and coherent pulse packs;
- installation of the receiving antenna input LDO amplifiers for radar detection lines increase when working on subtle goals.
It should be noted that in the process of upgrading, Neman-P did not stop functioning and was successful with a new quality of provided planned flight tests of the newest equipment of domestic strategic missiles. In the course of modernisation activities in a better way, it should be noted such staff NIIRP as N.Mamay, F.R.Moses, Y.M.Soloviev, V.S.Okonešnikov, Scientific-Research Institute of Radio Instruments Center, leading the development and maintenance of the radar "Neman-P" (A.M. Avdeev, D.N.Mazurin, G.D. Bahtiarov, L.V.Bolshakov, V.Kharitonov, etc.). Thanks to their efforts, universal treatment measuring radar complex Neman-LP got a second wind.
Despite all of this, it is necessary to directly say, this would not have happend without the fatherly concern for the fate of the radar of strategic rocket forces Commander Colonel General Nikolay Solovtsov and his generals and officers (Lieutenant-General V.Linnik, major-general I. Smolyk, major-general C.I.Seliverstov, test range supervisors - major-general C.C.Matlašov and Colonel p. n. Myrca, Chief of the 4 TSNII MO, Maj.-Gen. V.Vasilenko, officers of the command of the Strategic Rocket Forces Colonels S.V.Septalin, N.S.Shakhov, N.A.Klevcikov, A.N. Pasnev, A.G.Kenin, etc.). Thanks in large part to them the upgrading RADAR "Neman-p" was possible.
At present the need for the establishment of high-precision measuring instruments on the test sites in Russia increased greatly. One of the main elements of the aerospace defense of Russia are precision measuring tools, merged into the information management system on a wide range of air-space purposes. Appeared and continues to develop intensively patriotic new element base that allows taking into account technology and achievements create highly measuring equipment for all species and Genera of Russian troops.
Russia again upgraded the experimental radar Neman-P, located in Kazakhstan at the Sary-Shagan test site, which is part of the Kapustin Yar proving ground. The work was to be completed by 2016, Defense Ministry’s strategic missile force spokesman, Major Dmitry Andreyev, told ITAR-TASS in August 2014. The officer noted that modernization will allow not only to prolong terms of operation and to increase reliability of RS, but also will expand its information opportunities and work boundaries.
The upgrade of the "Neman-P" test radar at the Sary-Shagan in Kazakhstan would be completed in 2016, the spokesman of the Defense Ministry of the Strategic Missile Forces, Major Dmitry Andreev said 02 January 2016. According to him, the landfill have put all the necessary equipment are ongoing installation and commissioning work. "In 2016, completed the modernization of the experimental test radar" Neman-P ", aimed at increasing information capabilities and increased lines of work stations, life extension and improvement of its operational reliability," - said Andreev. Earlier, the Strategic Missile Forces announced plans to complete the modernization of the radar station in 2016.
The technical design and technological solutions of the "Neman-PM" Radar provide a unique tool with radar information capabilities that will ensure the entire spectrum of observed objects can be evaluated for the effectiveness of promising decoys, and to develop methods and algorithms for the selection of combat ballistic missile units in different parts of their trajectories. For the first time in the radar in RFCs "Neman-P" mode has been implemented "radiovision", that is, an imaging radar.
Prior to this, the radar signal reflected from the target "saw" another notch as the sum of reflections from individual structural elements of the target (the so-called "shiny spots"), however, the configuration (image) of the irradiated object, ie, its "portrait" get was not possible. The RFCs "Neman-P" ultra-wide band [UWB] antenna allowed the implementation of radar providing additional quality characteristics for solving the problems of recognition of the observed objects. RFCs "Neman-P" powerful transmitting active phased array antenna provides wide bandwidth signals emitted, which is essential for signal measurement and implementation mode "radio vision." The time to switch beam in any direction within the angular sector review is a few microseconds, which provides simultaneous operation of a large number of targets.
RFCs "Neman-P" is built on a multi-channel pattern formation and processing of a wide range of signals of different duration and frequency spectrum to provide target detection and tracking, as well as getting their measurement of reflection characteristics simultaneously on multiple operating frequencies. As part of a multi-channel signal processing, channels are provided DF Jammer and measurement channel spectral power jamming and width of their spectrum. Thanks to a multi-channel scheme for constructing given the opportunity to modernize RFCs "Neman-P" without interrupting its operation in 2003-2008.
Nomenclature
The Soviets named their strategic radars after rivers. The Neman River was known as the Memel River in the former eastern Prussia. Rising in Belarus, south of Minsk, the Neman River flows west into Lithuania and between Lithuania and Kaliningrad province, Russia, to empty into the Baltic Sea. It is 582 mi (937 km) long and navigable for most of its length. Kaliningrad is the western-most region of Russia and in 1990 became a territorial enclave on the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. A large section of the region's border is of natural origin, with the Baltic Sea, the Curonian Lagoon and the wetlands of the Neman River's lower reaches forming its western boundary, the Šešupe and Širvinta rivers in the east.
In the southeastern corner of the Baltic Sea lies a skinny stretch of land. Known as the Curonian (or Courland) Spit, it separates the Curonian Lagoon (also known as the Courland Lagoon) from the Baltic Sea. Just 3,800 meters (about 12,460 feet) at its widest point, the spit encloses a lagoon of some 1,620 square kilometers (625 square miles). Both the spit and the lagoon fall within the borders of Lithuania in the north and Kaliningrad Oblast (a possession of the Russian Federation) in the south. The lagoon is fed primarily by the Nemunas (or Neman) River, and between its sandy beaches, pine forests, and attractive views, the area is a popular tourist destination.
Arriving at the banks of the Neman River in mid-June, Napoleon’s army commenced the Russian campaign of 1812 by crossing the river on 24 and 25 June 1812. It was the scene of many battles between Russian and German forces in the Great War. The Belorussian Operation of June-August 1944 was a collection of some seven front operations aimed at the Soviet liberation of Belorussia. On 13 July 1944 two detached separate tank brigades of Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army were launched due westward towards the Neman River. They, in fact, reached the east bank of the Neman south of Kaunas. On the remainder of the front Soviet forces inexorably ground on westward. By 16 July Soviet rifle forces had reached the Neman River southwest of Vilnius. At this point, the Soviets pulled most of their armor units out of line and relied upon their rifle units supported by infantry support tanks to continue the slow advance.
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