Today Krasnodar Instrument Plant (KPZ) "Cascade" turns 50 years old. For half a century of work, the company has made a worthy contribution to the development of the country, ensuring the strengthening of its defense capability. Currently, Cascade continues to solve important tasks on which technological sovereignty, security and well-being of the state depend. The activity of the enterprise is aimed at the development of the radio-electronic industry, at the fulfillment of the state defense order in due time. At the same time, special attention is paid to scientific and technological development, which is a springboard for the creation of new technologies and products in critical areas.
The history of the Kaskad bullpen began back in 1970, when it was decided to create a production facility in Krasnodar for the production of communication and control equipment. The work started rapidly, the contours of future buildings began to appear literally a year later, and construction did not stop day or night. In the shortest possible time – on August 1, 1973 – the plant was entered into the number of operating enterprises.
For several more years, work continued on the construction of buildings and equipping them with equipment. At the same time, technical services and production units were created, employees were trained for the production of equipment important for the country, and already in 1974 the plant began serial production of mobile telecommunication complexes.
The method of accelerated production preparation was combined with the motto "Work as much as you need", which was common at that time. The employees worked in two shifts because they understood that it was for the good of the Motherland! Not only the plant was being built, but also the infrastructure around it – residential buildings, a kindergarten, a dormitory, a boiler room, a pumping station and a boiler room.
In 1977, a separate design bureau "Selena" was organized to develop new generations of equipment. At the same time, the first train communication nodes "Desna" and "Composition" were created, the serial production of a diesel power plant for powering tropospheric radio stations P412 was launched.
In the 1980s, the company increased the volume of industrial production by 3.5 times, and by 1986 the design capacity was doubled. The nomenclature of the plant at that time was 12 names of products. Products 07, 08 developed by the Selena Design Bureau were popular.
The company mastered the production of special equipment, for which it was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor in 1982. In addition, for their fruitful work, many employees of the enterprise have been awarded orders and medals over the years, some have been awarded the titles of laureates of State Prizes.
In 1982-1990, inventive activity began. A creative team appeared in the design department. Experts have developed ten inventions, seven of them were put into operation.
In 1985, a stand – simulator of road irregularities was created. It should be noted that over the years it has been reconstructed more than once, and today the stand is used to conduct sea trials of products on a wheeled chassis in three categories of roads.
The period of the collapse of the Soviet Union, accompanied by an economic crisis, also left its mark on the fate of the plant. The company faced many difficulties – the lack of orders for mobile telecommunication complexes, a drop in production volumes, the loss of 65% of employees. A period of protracted restructuring of industry and production at the plant has come. It was a long way to search for products and the subject of activity.
A new milestone in the development of the enterprise begins in 2005 – the corporatization of the enterprise. In accordance with the decree of the President of Russia, FSUE Krasnodar Instrument Plant Cascade was transformed into OJSC Krasnodar Instrument Plant Cascade and became part of the Constellation Concern. During this period, the plant again received orders for the manufacture and production of mobile telecommunication complexes 08-01, B-08-01, R-149 MG1-01, Azimut. Experimental design developments were carried out on the topic "Foliage", "Zaryadye", "Span 5, 6". Already in 2012, Cascade became a serial supplier of R-4, 5, 6.
Every year the financial situation of the plant gradually improved. New government orders appeared, output increased, and the implementation of an industrial re-equipment program began.
In 2017, the Kaskad bullpen became part of the Rostec State Corporation's Roselectronics holding. Two years later, in order to optimize the scientific and technical potential and production capacities, the Cascade was reorganized in the form of joining the Selena Design Bureau to it.
The plant has mastered the production of special-purpose equipment, in particular, the Foliage machine, which has no analogues either in Russia or in the world. The machine performs additional reconnaissance of the area, as well as temporary blocking or disabling of radio-electronic elements of explosive devices. According to the same principle, a special engineering machine "Surdinka" was designed.
In 2021, Cascade became the developer and sole supplier of five products in the interests of law enforcement agencies, and since 2022 – already seven.
Over the half-century history of the plant, as well as the defense industry as a whole, has gone through different stages: there were both ups and downs. The company ensured the production of products in accordance with the tasks of the planned economy and fought for survival during crises.
To date, Cascade has not only retained its production, technological and human resources potential, but also multiplies what has been achieved. The company is one of the leading companies in the country in the development and manufacture of special-purpose telecommunications complexes, equipment for communication systems and information transmission.
"In the face of unprecedented sanctions pressure and the conduct of a special military operation, the fulfillment of the state defense order and ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country are key priorities for the Kaskad bullpen. We strive for the development of industrial, scientific, and social spheres. The company has a great potential for this. The plant has the necessary testing base – a stand of its own design for testing products on a wheeled chassis in three categories of roads. And the most important engine of progress is people – a team of professionals. Cascade specialists can not only produce equipment that has already earned recognition, but also develop new samples," said Ruslan Kulbayev, General Director of Cascade.