Russian troops have received a new encryption system for analog video channels
The Mirage drone control signal encryption system began to arrive in the SVO zone. It minimizes the risks of UAV interception and prevents the enemy from calculating the flight route and the exact location of the operators. It is precisely such leaks that often lead to tragic consequences. For more information about the operation of the new device, see the Izvestia article.
How the UAV signal is encrypted
In the conditions of free space, drones have become a key tool on the battlefield. The analog video channel used by FPV drones is vulnerable: it can be connected from the outside, which jeopardizes the operator's safety. That's why Russian fighters started using scramblers.
— The system consists of an encoding (transmitter) and decoding (receiver) modules. They are installed in the gap of the video channel and are powered by a voltage of 5-15 V," Sergei Kurapov, a researcher at the MGUTU named after K.G. Razumovsky, told Izvestia. — The signal is encrypted using a unique key — without it, the enemy will see only "noise".
Photo: TASS/Alexey Konovalov
Image Source: iz.ru
He also noted that there are more than 60,000 encoding key options. The system was developed by the Russian company "Sector". There is an analog of the Mirage device on the Chinese market, but it is inferior to the Russian development both in functionality and in its characteristics.
"Chinese maskers work stably only over short distances with a stable signal, have a small number of encryption keys, have more compatibility problems, and, most importantly, Chinese manufacturers can transfer technical documentation and keys to third parties, which casts doubt on the security of their devices," explained Sergey Kurapov.
The system was developed in Russia, the configuration software is not shared with third parties, and the developer company has full control over the algorithms of its products.
Protection for the operator
If we use the drone not as a kamikaze, but for drops, then there is a problem related to the fact that the enemy can see its signal, thereby fixing the take-off and landing location. Klim Dmitriev, a veteran of the electronic warfare forces of the Russian Armed Forces, told Izvestia about this. As a result, our calculations are detected and further destroyed.
"To prevent this, work is underway in various directions," he said. — The first option is to use different power during flight. During takeoff, the minimum power is set from the operator's control panel, the UAV takes off, and as soon as it departs a short distance, the power increases. This significantly increases the requirement for the skills of drone operators. But it does not give a 100% guarantee, the channel is still open. If the receivers are sensitive, they can capture video from the drone at a sufficiently large distance.
Photo: the press service of the company "Sector"
Image source: iz.ru
According to the expert, the second option is inverters, but the enemy has them, and in some areas he is already able to prevent its effective use.
— Encoders are much more effective, but only if they do not have a long delay time and if they work in different temperature conditions. In addition, the issue of the cost of the encoder is important. If it will amount to several thousand, then this is an urgent issue. If it's tens of thousands, then no," the expert concluded.
Photo: the press service of the company "Sector"
Image source: iz.ru
This solution will help save on UAVs and ensure safe use for operators. Our fighters will use relatively inexpensive FPV drones that operate on analog communications, explained military expert Dmitry Kornev.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Konstantin Mikhalchevsky
Image source: iz.ru
— The enemy conducts radio intelligence and reveals through channel analysis how the drone is used and can find a more effective way to counter it. The Mirage's ability to encode any signal expands the scope of application and allows the encoder to be used, in particular, for video surveillance systems, including cable and radio. I think that video surveillance systems are used at the forefront and not only at military-industrial complex enterprises, but also somewhere else, and it would be nice to encode them in order to exclude users who should not have access to this video from connecting to these information transmission channels," the expert emphasized.
How not to lose the drone
Earlier, Izvestia wrote that massive shipments of Hermes special communication devices for drones had begun in its area. It provides group control of drones, allowing them to coordinate their actions in real time. The military receives more than 40,000 kits per month.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Image source: iz.ru
According to a representative of the Hermes Design Bureau, the main advantage of the system is that it operates on non-standard frequency bands with the possibility of their rapid change. Also, the number of frequency ranges can be increased depending on the tasks and the prevailing electronic environment in combat conditions.
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 the feedback from the fighter.
The "bird" flies amazingly! He doesn't react to electronic warfare, he just flew directly and didn't think about anything," another fighter shared his impressions.
Julia Leonova
