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(Source:
http://www.overscan.co.uk/Avionics.html) |
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| The N007 Zaslon was the first phased-array radar to enter service on a
fighter aircraft. In 1968, Phazotron had been tasked with developing the radar for the future
MiG-31. Engineers prepared two prototype units, dubbed Groza and Vikhr, both based on
Sapfir-series technology. The final version was called Smerch-100, but the radar failed to
meet requirements. As a result, in 1971 Phazotron was ordered to pass all the documentation
to its consortium partner NIIP. The result was the Zaslon radar. The task was very difficult,
since one of the main requirements was engaging cruise missiles, and the experienced Phazotron
had failed to solve the problem of detecting small objects against ground clutter and tracking
multiple targets simultaneously. Finally all the problems were solved, with lots of assistance
from NPO Istok, who helped design the phased array, and Leninetz who were to build it, and the
system finally reached service in December 1981. Zaslon is double the weight of the AWG-9, the
largest US fighter radar. |
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| Zaslon Radar antena |
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| The NIIP team believed that the advantages a phased-array radar gave
in terms of near-instantaneous scanning and multitarget engagement capability (a typical
mechanically-scanned antenna can take 12-14 seconds to complete a scan) were worth
the weight and cost penalties. First tests of the radar were conducted in 1973, and it was
first flown on a test aircraft in 1976. On February 15, 1978, a mission in which ten targets
were detected and tracked was performed for the first time. In 1981, MiG-31 aircraft carrying
the Zaslon radar entered service with the Air Defense aviation, and became fully operational
in 1983.
The 1.1m diameter phased array antenna weighs 300kg, the whole radar weighing in at 1000kg.
Zaslon uses an Argon-15A computer (first airborne digital computer designed in USSR). Zaslon
operates in 9-9.5 GHz band. It detects and engages targets down to 25m, including cruise
missiles. Maximum possible search range is 300km for a large airborne target. |
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| MiG-31 radar display |
MiG-31E radar display |
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Range, headon, versus bomber: 180-200km search, 120-150km track
Range, tailchase, versus bomber: 90km search, 70km track
Range, headon, versus fighter : 120km search, 90km track
Zaslon can detect targets as small as 0.3 sq. m radar cross-section (RCS) to a maximum range of 65 km
Radar scan limits are +-70 azimuth, +70/-60 elevation.
Target track TWS mode, track 10 and engage 4.
Average power transmitted is 2.5kW.
MTBF is just 55 hours. |
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| RP-31 Zaslon radar |
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Zaslon-A security of the Zaslon system was compromised by the US spy A Tolkachov.
This lead to development of an updated version, fitted to MiG-31B from 1990, retrofitted to some
earlier models during rebuilding to MiG-31BS standard. It had a new data processor, giving
extended capabilities, longer range and better ECM resistance.
Zaslon-M 1.4m diameter antenna, 50% to 100% better performance than Zaslon.
In April 1994 used with an R-37 to hit a target at 300km distance. Search range 400km versus a 20 sq m RCS
target. Tracks 24 targets at once, engages 6. Supposedly able to engage launched Pershing-2
missiles in flight with long-range R-37 active radar-guided missiles. Project ended as no new
MiG-31s will be built.
Zaslon-AM all MiG-31s remaining in service are supposed to have their radars
upgraded to Zaslon-AM status by Leninets, according to a design put forward by NIIP that keeps the existing
antenna while replacing the old Argon-15A processors with Baget series processors.
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