Voronezh High Depot Readiness (HDR) - Background
The Voronezh radar consists of a transceiver with active phased array antenna (AFAR), a prefabricated building for personnel and several containers with radio electronic equipment. The progress of microwave electronics and digital computing has radically changed approaches to designing and building a new generation of super-radars. Along with the increase in information characteristics of such radars, fundamentally new directions in their creation were the implementation of energy-saving technical solutions and the container-modular construction of high factory readiness, which allowed to abandon multi-storey structures and erect radar within 12-18 months (the previous generation radar entered service in 5-9 years).
Efficiency of energy saving is achieved only with an integrated approach to solving a number of problems associated with the creation of radar. A significant contribution to this indicator was made by new technologies of high-power microwave electronics using a nanotechnology base that allows to significantly increase the efficiency and thermal stability of the transmitting modules, significantly reduce their energy consumption, simplify heat removal and maintenance.
Previously, only for the cooling of radio electronic equipment, the unique "Darial" radar required three types of water, and its supply was provided by more than three hundred electric motors with a power from 5 to 10 kW. In addition, it was required to build also cooling means for the water itself - cooling towers of various types. Voronezh equipment in container version is delivered from manufacturing enterprises for assembly to pre-concreted areas. Modern computer systems do not occupy the whole floor, but approximately two cabinets. The power consumption of Voronezh is only 0.7 MW. This is 50 times less than the Daryal type radar.
The maximum digitalization and intellectualization of equipment at all levels, including components of active phased arrays, made it possible to realize a high degree of adaptation of the radar to unfavorable external conditions and interference conditions, and to avoid unjustified energy losses.
New energy-saving solutions and efficient use of promising microwave microelectronics in combination with the new radio-digital and digital-computing base have made it possible to successfully create domestic super-radars of a new generation. Container execution and high plant readiness of the complexes ensured their rapid deployment at the site without large construction works. Absence of complex liquid cooling systems and a high level of control automation allowed to significantly reduce operating costs and reduce the number of maintenance personnel.
The radar antenna of the early warning "Voronezh" uses the method of creation of the sublattices at the reception, which reduces the volume of equipment without dropping features. The method is implemented on a mutual overlap of the sublattices and use in their particular amplitude. Cascades of the transmission amplifiers in the cable and antenna lead interaction like "a hot collector." This allows cooling the transmission equipment "outboard" air coming through the ventilation equipment, which is part of the apparatus. This "live" ventilation is allowed to turn away from the overall thermal stabilization and cooling systems.
"Hot" air circuit cooling is distributed over the antenna boxes with integrated duct system. Temperature characteristics for limit switch modules installed in the ductwork average of less than 45 degrees. At low temperatures in winter, close the loop, and the warm air goes to heating the antenna boxes. Warm air is diluted with an outer contour cool air to maintain a particular temperature.
The high depot readiness concept was upgraded for more flexibility, with A.L. Mintz Radio Institute announcing its MARS project (Multifunctional Adaptive Radar System) also known as FDR RS (full depot readiness). This radar was designed as a mobile and universal affair. As is cautiously specified, it is a “redeployable” model, which meant that it is not a fully mobile vehicle-based radar, like those used by the air defense forces. Moreover, it should easily integrate with both the BMEWS and other related information systems involved in monitoring outer space, securing missile defense, and supporting non-strategic antimissile defenses, including ship-based components.
By 2015 the Mints Radio Engineering Institute (which developed most Soviet and Russian early warning radar) promised to roll out a fully prefabricated radar unit called the Mars. It was a mobile version of the Voronezh radar system now being adopted in Russia's missile attack early warning system. It was reasonable to assume that the two systems (the S-500 and the Mars) are being developed in tandem as a weapon and information means of anti-missile defense.
In the future, on separate radars will be created the so-called outbound receiving positions (VPP) with reduced antennas "tied" to the main radar, which will significantly increase the possibility of a stable operation of the SAWS in conditions of intense opposition from the probable enemy. With the deployment of newer and newer missile defense units, it is possible to simultaneously support one ballistic target with several "Voronezhs". This will make it possible to track the flight trajectory of the ballistic target much more accurately.
The Voronezh name follows the standard practice of Soviet radars, which were named after a rivers. Previous generations of radars were known as the Daryal, Volga and Daugava and the generation before the Dnepr, and Dnestr. Voronezh, a city of Russia, situated on the Voronezh River, near its confluence with the Don, 130 miles east of Kursk. In the time of the Czars it was an important railway center and has manufactures of woolen and linen goods, soap, vitriol and leather. Its trade was also large.
The city is of interest historically because it was here that Peter the Great began the construction of his fleet for the Black Sea. Founded in 1932, "Voronezh Shareholder Aircraft-Building Society" or "Voronezh Aircraft JSC" is one of the biggest factories of Russia in producing passenger and cargo aircraft. Voronezh aircraft factory is the biggest factory in Europe whose main Field of activity during the whole period of its history has been a manufacture of heavy and long-range bombers. The plant and the Ilyushin Design Bureau have formed the Ilyushin Association.
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