The new system ensures stable interaction between the operator and the drone in the face of electronic warfare
Mass deliveries of Hermes special communication devices for drones have begun in the SVO zone. Every month, the military receives more than 40 thousand sets. They will help to provide group control of drones, coordinating their actions in real time. Experts note that the novelty allows you to maintain stable control of the UAV even in conditions of active counteraction of electronic warfare systems (EW) of the enemy.
How not to lose the drone
Special communication for drones provides group control of drones, allowing them to coordinate their actions in real time, the developer of the design bureau Hermes told Izvestia.
According to the engineers, the main advantage of the system is that it operates on non-standard frequency ranges with the possibility of their rapid change. Also, the number of frequency ranges can be increased depending on the tasks and the current electronic environment in combat conditions.
— Stable communication even in difficult conditions is provided by the ability to work in a wide range of frequencies and their change. So, if the drone is affected by electronic warfare in flight, then with the help of our development, the UAV can be switched to another frequency. In addition, the system allows you to start working on a variety of frequencies at the same time," explained the representative of KB Hermes.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Image source: iz.ru
The fighters in the SVO zone were satisfied with the novelty. "At a distance of about 8 km from the outflow, and with difficult terrain, the signal level did not drop below 60 dbm. We are satisfied, in general," a representative of the company shared with Izvestia a review from the fighter.
The "bird" flies amazingly! He doesn't react to EW, he just flew directly and didn't think about anything," another fighter shared his impressions.
According to him, the developers are always in touch with the fighters. Periodically, they travel to the SWO area to personally see how their device works.
The value of an interference-free line
The very possibility of using drones will depend on the interference-proof line in the future, military expert Dmitry Kornev told Izvestia.
— This is a very good technical groundwork that needs to be developed, because FPV drones are becoming the same weapon system as anti-tank missile systems or grenade launchers.
Sergey Kurapov, a researcher at the MGUTU Department for Research Activities, noted the high characteristics of Hermes's interference-proof communications in a conversation with Izvestia.
— The operators operating in the SVO zone told me that if the frequencies are correctly selected for the location, then you can work really well with this system, — said Kurapov. — Now the enemy is using such tactics: in addition to jammers, its REM tools monitor the airwaves, trying to catch the video signal from our drones and calculate the starting point and position of the UAV operator. Even if the operator disguised the position and launched the drone away from the shelter, the enemy finds on the map the places closest to the launch site in which the operator can theoretically accommodate, and puts mines there, sparing no ammunition at all. But if we use a video signal encoder, the enemy will intercept it, but will not be able to decrypt it, there will simply be interference on his screen.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Image source: iz.ru
According to the expert, the front line is now conditionally divided into sections in which certain communication frequencies are "working".
— This distribution depends on the parity of electronic warfare and REM on our side and on the part of the enemy. The APU is constantly trying to calculate our operating frequencies, jam them with jammers, or track the launch point of our drones using an intercepted video signal. We also jam the enemy's frequencies and try to adjust our operating frequencies if they are detected. However, in an unprotected version of the communication organization, the understanding that the enemy has spotted you may come after the loss of a certain number of drones, or, worse, our human losses," explained the researcher.
Initially, the company produced electronic warfare systems, so its developers were able to understand how to effectively integrate between suppression bands.
— We started doing all this after four employees were mobilized from the factory. At first, they made stove-stoves, sapper hooks. The development of Hermes began at the same time, the company said.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Image source: iz.ru
Hermes is fully manufactured in Russia, the company has its own installation lines. Production is localized in five cities, in particular in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Julia Leonova
