Source: Ukraine_Defence (Instagram)
On October 23, 2024, a joint mission between the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine and Special Operations Forces located and targeted a Russian 48Ya6-K1 Podlet K1 long-range, high-altitude surveillance radar situated near Cape Tarkhankut, Crimea. The photograph shows the result of the drone strike. Meaning “Approach”, the Podlet system entered Russian service in 2018 (at a cost of $5.5 million U.S. dollars per unit) and it is designed to detect fast moving targets flying at low altitude. As such, the Podlet plays a key role in providing advance warning to Ukrainian cruise missile attacks (which usually fly at low altitudes) and the system is able to support air defense missile systems such as the S-300 (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) and S-400 (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler). Alas, as shown, Podlet is not infallible and so far, the Ukrainians have destroyed three Podlet radar vehicles and damaged two others (which includes this one).
The actual extent of the capabilities of the Podlet's radar suites are not completely known though with the capture of a complete Podlet system in Syria in late 2024, the Podlet's performance may soon be revealed. What is known is that the main detection radar of the Podlet K1 is a 3-coordinate, S-band, phased-array radar which utilizes a circular scan search pattern. It is believed that the maximum detection range is 186 miles (in optimal conditions) and can reach an altitude of 6 miles. The Podlet also has two IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) arrays below the main radar array. One operates in the international standard SIF Mark XII (Selective Identification Feature) (utilized by NATO military aircraft and civilian aircraft) while the other operates in the Russian IFF national standard. Finally, there is a antenna which functions as a counter to electronic jamming, allowing the main detection radar to maintain operability in EW (Electronic Warfare) environments.
The Podlet is usually supported by a generator truck to provide power and a C2 (Command and Control) vehicle to deliver target data to subordinate air defense units and command. Podlet is a primary component of Russian air defense in the Russo-Ukrainian War, being capable of tracking Ukrainian cruise missiles such as the R-360 Neptune and Western supplied cruise missiles such as the British Storm Shadow.
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