Characteristics of the Alabuga rocket. Electromagnetic weapons: how the Russian army is ahead of its competitors. "Knapsack" short range
A few years ago, domestic media reported on the development of promising types of weapons designed to destroy enemy electronic systems with a powerful electromagnetic pulse. For obvious reasons, full official information about such projects was not announced at that time. Only now the defense industry has considered it necessary to lift the veil of secrecy over the old and new electromagnetic projects.
On September 28, RIA "" published some statements by Vladimir Mikheev, adviser to the first deputy general director of the Radioelectronic Technologies concern, related to the development of fundamentally new weapons systems. A representative of a leading organization in his industry commented on numerous reports about the alleged existence of the Alabuga missile, the warhead of which is an electromagnetic pulse generator.
According to V. Mikheev, KRET specialists really worked on a program with the Alabuga code, but this name did not hide a specific type of weapon. The Alabuga program was implemented in 2011-12, and a whole range of scientific research was carried out within its framework. The purpose of these works was to study the prospects for electronic warfare. First of all, it was planned to determine the ways for the further development of such complexes.
A representative of the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" said that in the past a serious theoretical assessment and practical testing were carried out, in which various laboratory models and specialized test sites were used. The main result of the Alabuga program was the definition of the range of electronic weapons and their impact on the equipment of a mock enemy.
Such an impact, as noted by V. Mikheev, can be different and differ in intensity. Depending on the principles of operation and systems used, a simple interference effect is possible with a temporary incapacitation of equipment, or its complete defeat. In the latter case, electronic damage should lead to energy and destructive damage to electronic components and circuits.
Having completed the research program with the Alabuga code, the industry classified all its results. At the same time, according to V. Mikheev, the topic of electromagnetic weapons fell into the category of critical technologies with the highest secrecy stamp. At the moment, one can speak openly only about the very fact of applying the existing theoretical developments in promising development work. In the future, the latter will be able to lead to the emergence of special bombs, missiles or projectiles equipped with so-called. explosive generators.
The latest statements by the official representative of the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" have brought some clarity to the existing picture. Previously, information about the development of weapons based on an electromagnetic pulse has already appeared in open sources, but the main details of such work, for obvious reasons, were absent. As the latest official reports show, previous news and publications on this topic did not fully correspond to the real state of affairs.
Recall that the first reports of a promising project with the Alabuga code appeared several years ago. For example, in early October 2014, domestic media, referring to unnamed representatives of the Rostec state corporation, spoke about the existence of an electronic warfare complex that has certain differences from existing systems.
According to those data, the Alabuga project provided for the construction of a rocket equipped with a special warhead. Instead of a high-explosive or other warhead that has a mechanical effect on the target, it was proposed to use a powerful generator of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Working at a given point in space, such a generator was supposed to have a negative impact on the enemy's electronic systems. The result of this could be a disruption in communication and control, damage to navigation and guidance, etc. Systems could get the most serious damage and fail.
According to data three years ago, the explosive magnetic generator of a new type of rocket was supposed to work at an altitude of about 200-300 m, which made it possible to “cover” ground objects within a radius of 3.5 km with an electromagnetic pulse. As a result of such an attack, the communication and control systems were the first to fail. Damage to radar detection equipment and other electronics was also not ruled out. Left without the ability to monitor the situation, use modern weapons and coordinate joint work, enemy units on the battlefield would not be able to continue the battle and carry out their tasks.
As reported in the past, the main problem in the development of such weapons is the creation of a missile capable of delivering an electromagnetic pulse generator to a given point. So far, such equipment is characterized by large dimensions and weight, which leads to corresponding consequences. A large missile can be detected by enemy air or missile defenses.
By the beginning of October 2014, as the press wrote, the Alabuga system had passed field tests, after which the finalization of the project started. The purpose of the new work was to improve the main characteristics of the explosive magnetic generator: the power of the pulse and the range of action.
Subsequently, the Alabuga project repeatedly became the subject of new publications, but all of them to some extent repeated the original messages. Any new details of a technical or other nature were not disclosed. The last time a new missile with an unusual warhead was mentioned was at the end of last summer, but this time all the new publications were actually a retelling of three-year-old materials.
Apparently, it was the latest wave of discussions about the Alabuga product that led to the long-awaited official comments. As it turned out, by the time the first reports about the rocket appeared, the research program had already been completed with the desired results in the form of a mass of necessary information. In addition, the research made it possible to begin the development of full-fledged models of advanced weapons, which in the future will be able to enter service and lead to an increase in the combat capability of the army.
It cannot be ruled out that the news of the fall of 2014 was nevertheless related to real events in the field of electromagnetic weapons, but was not fully accurate. Indeed, by that time KRET and other enterprises of the radio-electronic industry, having completed the research program, could begin the development of practically applicable samples. As for the name "Alabuga", originally used for research work, its use in the context of development work may be associated with some confusion.
Regardless of the exact course of events in the recent past, the veracity or fallacy of old press releases, and other factors, it is now known that the electromagnetic weapons program is moving forward. The official representative of the leading enterprise in the industry confirmed the fact that the design of such systems had begun. However, all work is carried out under the heading of secrecy, and therefore no details of interest to specialists and the public have yet been announced.
The latest reports from official sources allow us to look to the future with optimism. Our country is developing a fundamentally new weapon that can have a significant impact on the course of a hypothetical conflict. Reportedly, the new weapons will be created in the formats of rockets, bombs and artillery shells. Thus, ammunition with explosive magnetic generators as a warhead will be able to enter service with different branches of the armed forces, which will lead to a certain increase in their potential in combating the enemy.
It should be noted that officials have not yet specified the timing of the completion of ongoing projects. Apparently, development work based on the results of Alabuga started several years ago, and therefore can be completed in the very near future. Perhaps, in the near future, the military and designers, without violating the existing secrecy regime, will talk about new successes in the development of a promising direction.
According to the websites:
http://ria.ru/
http://rg.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://vz.ru/
Who will be the first to create electromagnetic weapons - the Russian Federation or the United States?
This weapon belongs to the category of electromagnetic, and for at least three decades has been developed in Russia and the United States, along with laser weapons, in an atmosphere of extreme secrecy. The Daily Star takes very limited information from open sources, retells it conscientiously, but at the same time adds information from itself, from which the reader's eyes should climb on his forehead. That's why he's a tabloid.
So, we are talking about the Alabuga electromagnetic rocket, which is being developed by the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern (KRET). Acting at a height of 200-300 meters above enemy positions, due to high-power radiation, it not only suppresses the operation of electronic devices - computers, radars, communication systems, homing heads of precision and guided weapons - but also renders them unusable. That is, it burns electronic components. This effect is achieved within a radius of 3.5 kilometers. The radiation creates a high-frequency high-power electromagnetic field generator. Neither power nor other characteristics were disclosed. The type of energy source that feeds the generator is also kept secret.
At the same time, "Alabuga" is a non-lethal weapon, since the microwave field does not cause real harm to enemy manpower.
However, the known facts were clearly not enough for the tabloid. And the authors "a little" fantasized. Allegedly, it is impossible for soldiers to hide from deadly radiation even under a 100-meter thickness of the earth. Which, of course, does not stand up to scrutiny. It is also reported that the radiation of "Alabuga" is capable of undermining the shells located in the gun turrets of tanks. This, of course, is a little closer to reality. Since in a seemingly completely sealed tank there are inputs for radio waves, for example, through antennas or optical channels. However, the power of the signal to undermine the shells must be prohibitive. Because you have to heat the shells to a critical temperature.
I must say that the authors of the article went too far, declaring that Alabuga is capable of incapacitating entire armies. But the comparison of an electromagnetic rocket with a nuclear bomb is quite appropriate. Since the explosion of a nuclear bomb also generates a powerful electromagnetic pulse (up to 100 gigawatts), which produces exactly the same effect on electronics as the radiation of Alabuga.
This was "brilliantly" proved by the Americans, who in 1958 detonated a thermonuclear charge with a capacity of 1.9 Mt in space. A powerful electromagnetic pulse disabled 9 satellites. In the Hawaiian Islands and even in a large part of Australia, radio communications and television broadcasts were lost for a long time, interruptions began with street lighting.
Due to the special secrecy of development, it is not known at what stage of readiness the Alabuga missile is. Three years ago, KRET General Director Vladimir Mikheev reported that "Alabuga" is not the name of a specific product, but the name of a research project, during which designers should receive answers to a number of difficult questions. And only after receiving them, you can proceed to R&D, that is, to the development of specific weapons.
However, Russia already has such weapons, fully operational. And for a long time already. True, it has not yet been adopted for service for reasons that we will discuss below. In 2001, at the Malaysian exhibition of military equipment, a working prototype of the Ranets-E electromagnetic installation was presented, based on the MAZ-543 wheeled chassis and weighing about 5 tons.
"Ranets-E" is, in fact, a short-range anti-aircraft complex, in which not a rocket is used as a damaging factor, but an electromagnetic pulse of the centimeter range with a duration of up to 20 nanoseconds and a power of 500 megawatts. It is capable of neutralizing all types of aircraft - from drones to fighters and bombers, cruise missiles and all types of ammunition that somehow use electronics. At a distance of 8-14 kilometers, the impulse burns out electronic components, up to 40 kilometers disrupts the normal operation of electronic circuits without destroying them. The advantages include a wide angle of propagation of electromagnetic radiation - 60 degrees.
The most important elements of this installation are a diesel-type electric generator, an electromagnetic pulse generator and a radar designed to detect targets that need to be suppressed. However, the installation has a connection with the radar equipment of air defense systems, receiving data on targets from it.
There are two main drawbacks of the Rantz-E. First, the target must be in line of sight. That is, it should not be hidden behind the folds of the terrain. And cruise missiles are capable of flying at extremely low altitudes. Because the electromagnetic microwave radiation is extinguished by the obstacles encountered.
Secondly, between two "shots" of the electromagnetic gun, 20 minutes pass, which are necessary in order to accumulate the necessary energy. This is a very serious drawback, because during a massive raid, when missiles or shells fly at intervals of 30–40 km, the Ranets-E becomes defenseless for 20 minutes after the first “shot”. During this time, the second echelon of enemy ammunition flies up. Of course, this disadvantage can be compensated by increasing the number of installations, and then the interval between “shots” will be reduced. For ten "Knapsacks" it will be equal to 2 minutes. However, this is an overly expensive solution to the problem. The military does not like it, in connection with which the "Knapsack-E" was not accepted into service.
However, it can be reasonably assumed that this topic was not abandoned, but continued to improve the installation. Because as an air defense system, "Ranets-E", firstly, is very effective - due to the wide angle of radiation, target tracking and accurate aiming at them before the "shot" is not required. Secondly, its operation is cheap, since it does not require "consumables", that is, rockets to be fired. But we know nothing about the course of modernization due to the highest form of secrecy.
But an extremely interesting topic, which was on the verge of transition from research to development work in order to build a prototype of military weapons based on new physical principles, was ruined in 1993. In the 80s, as a result of work on a joint project of the Research Institute of Radio Instrumentation and the Physico-Technical Institute. Ioffe, achieved the generation of local plasma formations in the atmosphere. They were obtained at the point of intersection of two or more streams of powerful electromagnetic radiation. Aircraft, as well as ammunition, when crossing plasma nodes, received an impact that destroyed them. Moreover, the energy of such a plasmoid installation should have been enough to combat ICBM warheads.
As a result of laboratory studies, such a high rate of reconfiguration of the focusing of electromagnetic beams was achieved that it is quite enough to track targets that have the highest aerodynamic and ballistic characteristics in the current development of technology.
However, in the early 90s, work was stopped due to the termination of funding. And in 1993, Boris Yeltsin decided to make a "cunning move" - to continue development with American money. But already together with them. Yeltsin made a corresponding proposal to Bill Clinton. American experts carefully studied all the materials handed over to them for review. And they refused to cooperate. It is likely that they develop the results obtained by Russian scientists.
In fairness, it should be said that the United States independently achieved certain results in the field of creating electromagnetic weapons. Two years ago, it was reported that the US Air Force Research Laboratory had created a missile similar to the Alabuga. It is quite clear that we are talking about a maximum not even a prototype, but a working layout. So it is still premature to talk about American electromagnetic weapons.
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After "Alabuga" the enemy can only surrender or retreat, leaving the equipment / Photo: interpolit.ru
After field tests, Russian specialists began to eliminate errors and work to increase the power, accuracy and range of radiation from the Alabuga complex.
One of the so-called "jammers", bursting at an altitude of 200-300 meters, turns off electronic equipment within a radius of 3.5 kilometers - enemy units are left without communications, controls and guidance, and the equipment can only be abandoned.
According to a number of publications citing an unnamed specialist from the Rostec concern, the Alabuga's warhead is a high-frequency high-power electromagnetic field generator. The pulsed radiation that occurs when a rocket explodes is similar to a nuclear explosion, but without the radioactive component.
Complex "Alabuga" / Photo: military-industry.ru
The main problem of this type of pulsed electromagnetic weapon so far is the creation of an effective delivery vehicle. For a charge that has a large mass, a rocket is needed, which, due to its size, is vulnerable to air defense and missile defense systems.
Electromagnetic weapons cannot be called something "supernatural" for the Russian army. Back in the early 90s of the last century, specialists from the Research Institute of Radio Instrumentation (now a division of the Almaz-Antey concern) and the Physico-Technical Institute. Ioffe was presented with an air defense project based on the impact of microwave radiation from the ground on air targets. Getting into local plasma formations, objects were destroyed due to huge dynamic overloads. The impact of such radiation was effective even against intercontinental ballistic missiles.
A real-life prototype of electromagnetic weapons - the domestic Ranets-E complex - was presented at an exhibition in Malaysia in 2001. It provides a guaranteed defeat of ground target electronics, an aircraft or a guided projectile at a distance of up to 14 kilometers.
15% of the budget (more than three trillion rubles) of the state armaments program, calculated until 2020, is planned to be directed to attack and defense systems with sources of electromagnetic radiation. For comparison, the Pentagon intends to spend about 10% of its funds for the same purposes.
MOSCOW, Rossiyskaya GazetaElectromagnetic weapons: what the Russian army is ahead of competitors
Pulse electromagnetic weapons, or the so-called. "jammers", is a real, already being tested, type of weapons of the Russian army. The United States and Israel are also conducting successful developments in this area, but they have relied on the use of EMP systems to generate the kinetic energy of a warhead.
In our country, we took the path of a direct damaging factor and created prototypes of several combat complexes at once - for the ground forces, air force and navy. According to the specialists working on the project, the development of the technology has already passed the stage of field tests, but now there is work on the bugs and an attempt to increase the power, accuracy and range of radiation.
Today, our Alabuga, having exploded at an altitude of 200-300 meters, is able to turn off all electronic equipment within a radius of 3.5 km and leave a battalion / regiment-scale military unit without means of communication, control, fire guidance, while turning all available enemy equipment into pile of useless scrap metal. In fact, there are no options other than to surrender and give heavy weapons to the advancing units of the Russian army as trophies.
"Jammer" of electronics
For the first time, the world saw a real-life prototype of electromagnetic weapons at the LIMA-2001 arms exhibition in Malaysia. An export version of the domestic Ranets-E complex was presented there. It is made on the MAZ-543 chassis, has a mass of about 5 tons, provides a guaranteed defeat of ground target electronics, an aircraft or a guided munition at ranges of up to 14 kilometers and disruption of its operation at a distance of up to 40 km.
Despite the fact that the first-born made a splash in the world media, experts noted a number of its shortcomings. Firstly, the size of an effectively hit target does not exceed 30 meters in diameter, and, secondly, the weapon is disposable - reloading takes more than 20 minutes, during which the miracle cannon has already been shot 15 times from the air, and it can only work on targets on open area, without the slightest visual obstruction.
It is probably for these reasons that the Americans abandoned the creation of such directional EMP weapons, concentrating on laser technologies. Our gunsmiths decided to try their luck and try to "bring to mind" the technology of directed EMP radiation.
A specialist of the Rostec concern, who for obvious reasons did not want to reveal his name, in an interview with Expert Online expressed the opinion that electromagnetic pulsed weapons are already a reality, but the whole problem lies in the methods of delivering them to the target. “We are working on a project to develop an electronic warfare complex classified as “OV” called “Alabuga”. This is a rocket, the warhead of which is a high-frequency high-power electromagnetic field generator.
Based on active pulsed radiation, a similarity of a nuclear explosion is obtained, only without a radioactive component. Field tests have shown the high efficiency of the block - not only radio-electronic, but also conventional electronic equipment of wired architecture, fails within a radius of 3.5 km. Those. not only removes the main communication headsets from normal operation, blinding and stunning the enemy, but actually leaves the whole unit without any local electronic control systems, including weapons.
The advantages of such a "non-lethal" defeat are obvious - the enemy will only have to surrender, and the equipment can be obtained as a trophy. The problem is only in the effective means of delivering this charge - it has a relatively large mass and the missile must be large enough, and, as a result, very vulnerable to hitting air defense / missile defense systems, ”the expert explained.
Interesting are the developments of NIIRP (now a division of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern) and the Physico-Technical Institute. Ioffe. Investigating the impact of powerful microwave radiation from the earth on air objects (targets), the specialists of these institutions unexpectedly received local plasma formations, which were obtained at the intersection of radiation flows from several sources.
Upon contact with these formations, air targets underwent huge dynamic overloads and were destroyed. The coordinated work of microwave radiation sources made it possible to quickly change the focus point, that is, to retarget at great speed or to accompany objects of almost any aerodynamic characteristics. Experiments have shown that the impact is effective even on warheads of ICBMs. In fact, this is not even a microwave weapon, but combat plasmoids.
Unfortunately, when in 1993 a team of authors presented a draft air defense/missile defense system based on these principles for consideration by the state, Boris Yeltsin immediately proposed a joint development to the American president. And although cooperation on the project did not take place, perhaps this was what prompted the Americans to create the HAARP (High freguencu Active Auroral Research Program) complex in Alaska - a research project to study the ionosphere and auroras. Note that for some reason that peaceful project has funding from the Pentagon's DARPA agency.
Already entering service with the Russian army
To understand what place the topic of electronic warfare occupies in the military-technical strategy of the Russian military department, it is enough to look at the State Armaments Program until 2020. Of the 21 trillion. rubles of the general budget of the SAP, 3.2 trillion. (about 15%) is planned to be directed to the development and production of attack and defense systems using sources of electromagnetic radiation. For comparison, in the Pentagon's budget, according to experts, this share is much less - up to 10%.
Now let's look at what you can already "feel", i.e. those products that have reached the series and entered service over the past few years.
Krasukha-4 mobile electronic warfare systems suppress spy satellites, ground-based radars and AWACS aviation systems, completely block radar detection for 150-300 km, and can also inflict radar damage on enemy electronic warfare and communications equipment. The operation of the complex is based on the creation of powerful interference at the main frequencies of radars and other radio-emitting sources. Manufacturer: OJSC "Bryansk Electromechanical Plant" (BEMZ).
The TK-25E sea-based electronic warfare system provides effective protection for ships of various classes. The complex is designed to provide radio-electronic protection of an object from radio-controlled air and ship-based weapons by creating active interference. It is provided for the interface of the complex with various systems of the protected object, such as a navigation complex, a radar station, an automated combat control system.
The TK-25E equipment provides for the creation of various types of interference with a spectrum width from 64 to 2000 MHz, as well as impulse misinformation and imitation interference using signal copies. The complex is capable of simultaneously analyzing up to 256 targets. Equipping the protected object with the TK-25E complex reduces the probability of its destruction by three or more times.
The multifunctional complex "Mercury-BM" has been developed and produced at KRET enterprises since 2011 and is one of the most modern electronic warfare systems. The main purpose of the station is to protect manpower and equipment from single and salvo fire of artillery ammunition equipped with radio fuses. Enterprise-developer: OAO All-Russian Scientific Research Institute Gradient (VNII Gradient). Similar devices are produced by Minsk "KB RADAR".
It should be noted that radio fuses are now equipped with up to 80% of Western field artillery shells, mines and unguided rockets and almost all precision-guided munitions, these fairly simple means make it possible to protect troops from destruction, including directly in the zone of contact with the enemy.
Concern "Constellation" produces a series of small-sized (portable, transportable, autonomous) jamming transmitters of the RP-377 series. With their help, you can jam GPS signals, and in a standalone version, equipped with power sources, you can also place transmitters in a certain area, limited only by the number of transmitters.
Now an export version of a more powerful GPS jamming system and weapon control channels is being prepared. It is already a system of object and area protection against high-precision weapons. It was built on a modular principle, which allows you to vary the areas and objects of protection.
From unclassified developments, MNIRTI products are also known - "Sniper-M", "I-140/64" and "Gigawatt", made on the basis of car trailers. They, in particular, are used to develop means of protecting radio engineering and digital systems for military, special and civilian purposes from EMP damage.
Likbez
The element base of the RES is very sensitive to energy overloads, and the flow of electromagnetic energy of a sufficiently high density can burn out semiconductor junctions, completely or partially disrupting their normal functioning.
Low-frequency EMO creates electromagnetic pulsed radiation at frequencies below 1 MHz, high-frequency EMO affects microwave radiation - both pulsed and continuous. Low-frequency EMO affects the object through pickups on wired infrastructure, including telephone lines, external power cables, data supply and retrieval. High-frequency EMO directly penetrates the object's electronic equipment through its antenna system.
In addition to affecting the enemy's RES, high-frequency EMO can also affect the skin and internal organs of a person. At the same time, as a result of their heating in the body, chromosomal and genetic changes, activation and deactivation of viruses, transformation of immunological and behavioral reactions are possible.
The main technical means of obtaining powerful electromagnetic pulses, which form the basis of low-frequency EMO, is a generator with explosive compression of the magnetic field. Another potential type of high level low frequency magnetic energy source could be a magnetodynamic generator driven by propellant or explosive.
When implementing high-frequency EMO, as a generator of high-power microwave radiation, such electronic devices as broadband magnetrons and klystrons, gyrotrons operating in the millimeter range, virtual cathode generators (vircators) using the centimeter range, free electron lasers and broadband plasma beam generators.
Electromagnetic weapons, EMI
Electromagnetic gun "Angara", test
Electronic bomb - a fantastic weapon of Russia
Actually, as reported in open sources, the Alabuga project is not a radio-electronic missile, but a whole range of research by scientists and designers of the domestic military-industrial complex to create a new type of weapon using an electromagnetic pulse. However, the name "rocket" has taken root and has been used recently as a symbol. The rocket itself is only a means of delivering equipment directly to the battlefield. It is likely that this could be a cruise missile of the Caliber family, both sea-based, ground-based and air-based.
As far as is known, a new winged platform is being actively developed specifically for the latest high-frequency complex. The whole point is in the “warhead”, which does not have traditional means of destruction in the form of fragments or a blast wave. At the same time, the effectiveness of the use of Alabuga, according to many military experts, can be comparable to a nuclear strike.
Donald Cook: Russians have a little "practice on cats"
What is known about the new type of weapon equipped with a microwave electromagnetic warhead? From the exact characteristics - nothing. All the performance characteristics of the new weapon are a big secret of the Motherland. Only the meaning of the potential combat capabilities of Alabuga is clear. The complex is designed to disable (in the full sense of the word “burn out”) all radio-electronic equipment of surface ships, enemy aircraft (airplanes, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles), communications and control of ground units. That is, enemy tanks freeze and become convenient targets, guns do not fire, planes fall.
Can you recall a recent story when the Russian Su-24, equipped with the Khibiny electronic warfare system, drove the USNAVY Donald Cook destroyer in the Black Sea? The American sailors observed our aircraft visually - through the windows, but neither the locators nor the air defense systems of the ship saw the Russian "Sushka" point-blank. The destroyer was blind and deaf, which led our "potential partners" into a state of stupor and forced us to quickly leave towards the NATO base in Romanian Constanta.
The combat potential of "Alabuga" in its capabilities promises to be many times stronger than any existing and promising means of electronic warfare. At the same time, the complex will not only “blind” the enemy for a while, but is guaranteed to destroy all its controls, and is guaranteed to disable equipment and weapons.
The idea was vital like an impulse
The first developments of electromagnetic weapons appeared in Russia in the early 90s of the last century, and the technical ideas for its creation existed even earlier. Back in the 1950s, Academician Andrei Sakharov suggested creating such a thing. The plan was this: to develop a powerful non-nuclear munition, during the explosion of which EMP (electromagnetic pulses) were formed as a result of magnetic field compression. We can also recall the developments of NIIRP (now the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern), and the Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute. The essence of the research: with powerful microwave radiation from the ground to air targets, local plasma formations were obtained at the intersection of radiation flows from several sources. Upon contact with them, air targets were subjected to dynamic overloads and destroyed.
reference
The element base of any modern radar systems is sensitive to energy overloads. A high-density electromagnetic flux can burn out semiconductors and render equipment unusable. The impulse penetrates into the electronic equipment through the antenna system. And low-frequency weapons create electromagnetic pulse radiation at frequencies below 1 MHz and affect wired infrastructure, including telephone lines, external power cables, data supply and retrieval.
The main technical means of obtaining powerful electromagnetic pulses, which form the basis of irradiation, should be a generator with explosive compression of the magnetic field.
"Knapsack" short range
The domestic Ranets-E complex (export version), first presented in 2001 at an arms exhibition in Malaysia, became a real embodiment of a sample of electromagnetic weapons capable of hitting ground target electronics, aircraft and guided missiles. Because of the parabolic antenna on the roof of the kung, based on the massive four-axle MAZ-543, it outwardly resembled some kind of space communications station. But the purpose of the "Knapsack" was to direct "shooting" with an electromagnetic pulse of the microwave range at various air and ground targets to disable their electronics. It was openly announced that when using a 50-dB antenna unit, the complex is capable of destroying enemy electronics at a distance of up to 12-14 kilometers and causing its serious damage at a distance of up to 40 kilometers.
The possibilities of combat use of the "Knapsack" are limited precisely by the short range of "firing". Its use is probably intended, rather, to cover stationary objects or a military column on the march.
The armed forces needed more "long-range" electronic weapons, for the creation of which the development of a complex using an electromagnetic pulse began, which can deliver a high-frequency generator to a considerable distance and suppress all available enemy electronic systems, up to tank loading mechanisms.
Silence
So the secrecy of the domestic project is of no small importance, and the current Russian President Vladimir Putin will clearly “declassify” it only upon the fact of readiness for combat use, as he did recently with the latest “Daggers” and “Poseidons” ...
Today, work on the creation of electromagnetic weapons is being carried out in the United States and China, where they are supposed to radically change the strategy of future wars due to promising remote impact technologies.
The use of electromagnetic weapons is considered part of an element of the American "third offset strategy", which involves the use of the latest technologies and control methods to achieve an advantage over the enemy. In 2012, a missile with electromagnetic filling was tested in the United States as part of the CHAMP project, and a year later, a ground-based electronic suppression system for drones was tested. In addition, the development of laser weapons and railguns is underway.
In China, they recently announced the creation of a superconducting quantum interferometer that can detect submarines from a distance of about six kilometers.
However, there was no real demonstration of these types of equipment either in the USA or in China.
Not to kill, but to disarm
Vladimir Mikheev, adviser to the general director of KRET, who was "interrogated" by journalists, speaking about a new electromagnetic weapon, did not disclose its characteristics and features. He only confirmed that "Alabuga" is a complex of scientific research in the field of the use of microwave radiation. Back in 2011-2012, a serious theoretical assessment and practical work were carried out on laboratory models and specialized test sites. In the course of the work, the nomenclature of the latest electronic weapons and the degree of its impact on equipment were determined. According to Vladimir Mikheev, this can be either “ordinary interference with the temporary incapacitation of enemy weapons systems and military equipment, or a complete electronic defeat, leading to energetic, destructive damage to the main electronic elements, boards, blocks and systems.”
From the now known, it can be noted that the rocket (carrier) of the Alabuga complex can operate at an altitude of 200-300 meters, while disabling all types of enemy electronic equipment located within a radius of 3.5-4 kilometers. The range of the complex depends on the capabilities of the launch vehicle.
At the same time, "Alabuga" is a non-lethal weapon, since the microwave field does not cause real harm to the enemy's manpower, but only completely disarms him.
Field tests completed not so long ago at the training ground confirmed the effectiveness of the complex, whose pulsed electromagnetic radiation disabled communications and local control systems of the imaginary enemy.
In real combat conditions, the enemy in such a situation would be forced to surrender.