Jane's Defence Weekly
October 15, 1997
Czechs aim to extend reach of ELINT system
Scott Gourley
Czech-made systems are aiming for niche export markets. ScottGourley reports
The Czech Republic's Omnipol Foreign Trading Corp is seeking new export markets for its TAMARA MCS-93 electronic intelligence (ELINT) system. Along with the TAMARA ELINT system, Omnipol wants export markets for several other military C4I programmes and systems from the Czech Republic. These include the SOJKA-III unmanned aerial vehicle, the SNEZKA Battlefield Reconnaissance and Observation Complex, and T-72 tank modification upgrades. The TAMARA system, manufactured by HTT-Tesla Pardubice, provides passive detection, identification, direction, and tracking of ground-based, naval, and aerial electronic emitters. It can operate independently, be integrated into fire-control, reconnaissance or air defence systems or linked with command, control, communications and intelligence (C3I) command posts. TAMARA operates in the 0.82GHz- 18GHz (C- to J-band) frequency range. Evaluation targets include all radar types; selection identification feature (SIF) transponders; identification friend or foe interrogators; tactical air navigation systems; distance-measuring equipment; pulse and noise jammers; and data transmission networks such as the Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems. TAMARA system operations are based on the principles of pulse-emission time delay of arrival and analysis of parameters of pulses received. The system is available in three configurations: mobile, stationary and built-in. The mobile configuration is considered the basic version and would most likely be used for defence applications. The mobile system comprises three receiver vehicles plus vehicle-mounted evaluation and control shelters. Each TAMARA RS-AJ/M (mobile) receiving assembly subsystem consists of an antenna and mast structure integrated on the rear of a Tatra T 815 series 8 x 8 truck. Four outrigger supports are hydraulically deployed from the truck cab to stabilise the T815 during operation and a small dozer blade, or 'digging device', mounted on the front of the truck provides limited excavation and terrain adjustment. The rear of the truck carries a hydraulically driven and self- supported mast assembly that is erected and lowered semi -automatically. The mast height can be set at 8.5m or can be varied between 12.5m and 25m depending on the terrain. The antenna container subsystem is a cylindrical radome mounted to the top of the mast. A radio-transparent cover protects the antenna subsystems, radio receivers for reception of individual sub-bands, a microwave link for communication between receiving assemblies, and built-in diagnostics. In field operations, the three mobile receiving assemblies are designated left, centre, and right, with left and right stations positioned at up to 10km to 35km from the centre station. Emplacement and displacement times for the entire system reportedly takes under one hour. Once positioned, to a known location accuracy of about 3m, the receiving assembly stations can cover a detection area 'fan' with a 100 angle sector that is 50 either side of the centre postline up to a range of 450km. The maximum range is limited by radar horizon because accurate detection requires targets to be above the radar horizon of all three receiving stations. As well as the RS-AJ mobile receiving assemblies, the TAMARA system includes the RS-KB receiver control station and RS-KM processing station. The RS-KB shelter carries the operator's terminal, which allows monitoring of the receiver assemblies. The RS-KM processing station provides system control, data processing and interface with the user's communications or control network. Processing station components include the R15 main control computer, the MAK high-speed electronic measuring unit, a signal recorder, and the MCA special communications adapter, which provides the interface with the user's network. A ZZP-5 monitoring and plotting station can also provide local commanders with immediate display of all information obtained by the TAMARA system. The station has two 50cm colour monitor consoles along with a plotter, printer, link modem and radio. The ZZP-5 is also equipped with a standard RS232C interface, which offers an alternate means of feeding TAMARA information to the user's integrated C3I network. An Omnipol spokesperson said the TAMARA system "can automatically track more than 72 targets simultaneously". Target output information, which is periodically transferred to the user's system, includes target identification, time of data transmission, X and Y target co-ordinates, target type, modes of SIF target reply, TACAN interrogator channel, ground-based target monitoring results, and frequency surveillance results. Output also includes target parameters such as carrier frequency, pulse repetition interval character, pulse width, and antenna scan period.
