Showing posts with label ECM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ECM. Show all posts

Monday, February 17, 2025

Russo-Ukrainian War: Burned Out Russian "Loaf"

Source: Reddit

     No matter how many drone jammers a crew puts on their vehicle, it is no guarantee that any of them will succeed in stopping a drone attack. This is graphically illustrated here by this burned out Russian UAZ-452 series van. The crew had placed no less than four multi-channel drone jammers on each corner of the van's roof. That they were multi-channel can be told by each set having more than one antenna though the driver's side set has lost all of its antenna from the drone strike. We can see that the sets were at least 4-channel jammers, meaning, each antenna jammed a specific frequency (channel) that drones are known to operate on. The crew added a wire mesh cage which covered the front, a small portion of the sides of the van, and the portion of the roof over the front seats. Not that any of it prevented the Ukrainian drone (or drones) from successfully hitting the van.

     In part, this strike could be due to the Ukrainian FPV drone being capable of operating on multiple frequencies. If the drone detects its control signal is being degraded by an active jammer, it automatically switches to a different frequency. This is one reason both Russian and Ukrainian deployment of drone jammers on vehicles almost always incorporates more than one jammer in the hopes that a wider frequency range can be jammed. Another possibility is that the drone's video feed was jammed but the operator had already put the drone into its terminal flight path and simply kept the controls locked so that the drone still flew into the van.

     Speaking of the UAZ-452, it is a 4-wheel drive, off-road van which has been in production since 1965. Originally made for the Soviet military, the UAZ-452 can also be found in large numbers in civilian versions. The UAZ-452 is nicknamed the “Bukhanka” which means “Loaf” due to its shape that looks like a loaf of bread. Because the Russian logistical complex is unable to adequately provide units with military transport or even armored personnel carriers to replace losses, Russian troops have been using the UAZ-452 and its variants more and more as front-line transport and in some cases, as assault vehicles with disastrous consequences.

     It is probable the burned out remains is a UAZ-39625, one of the more recent versions of the original UAZ-452. It can seat 8 and the van is powered by a 2.7-liter petrol engine that develops 112 horsepower. This is paired to a manual transmission with a 5-speed gearbox and a 2-speed transfer case. On roads, the UAZ-39625 can reach a maximum of 79 miles per hour and 55 miles per hour, the van consumes 3.6 gallons of fuel every 62 miles. Total fuel capacity is 20 gallons.


Sunday, February 16, 2025

Russo-Ukrainian War: "Garpiya" 8-Channel Drone Jammer

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda

     With the inability of Russian logistics to adequately supply Russian Federation troops in the field with counter-drone equipment, it is not unusual that those troops who have the wherewithal purchase their own equipment off the civilian market or campaign via social media for donations either in funds for the unit to buy the gear or equipment is purchased by donors who then send it to the unit. Either way, the drone jammer seen here is one available on the Russian civilian market.

     Called the “Гарпия” ("Garpiya" meaning “Harpy”), the jammer can generate interference on eight drone channels via a 400 total watt output capacity. Each of the omidirectional antennas broadcasts the interference in a set band or the operator can elect to use a single directional panel antenna. The “Harpy” is offered in two versions, the difference being what frequencies the jammer operates against. The frequency in parenthesis is the primary frequency for that range. The first version targets drone control frequencies using 428 to 438MHz (433MHz), 860 to 930MHz (900MHz), 1,180 to 1,430MHz (1.2GHz), 1,380 to 1,430MHz (1.4GHz), 1,550 to 1,620MHz (1.5GHz), 2,400 to 2,500MHz (2.4GHz), 5,150 to 5,350MHz (5.2GHz), and 5,725 to 5,850MHz (5.8GHz). The second version targets frequencies between 300 to 400MHz (350MHz), 380 to 480MHz (459MHz), 500 to 650MHz (600MHz), 640 to 750MHz (700MHz), 750 to 920MHz (800MHz), 910 to 1,100MHz (1GHz), 2,390 to 2,500MHz (2.4GHz), and 5,720 to 5,860MHz (5.8MHz). The “Harpy” consumes 500 watts of power and it uses a 20 amp hour battery. This gives the “Harpy” approximately 8 hours of usage between battery changes or recharge.

     The pack weighs 35 pounds and the maximum range is 1.2 miles though this can be impacted by terrain and other conditions. If operating where mobile network signal is dense, the range of the “Harpy” is degraded. The “Harpy” does include anti-interference technology to combat electronic countermeasures (ECM). To keep the entire system cool, the pack incorporates heat sinks and cooling fans. Finally, the operator is provided with a remote control pad for the “Harpy”, tied into the unit via a cable. This permits the operator to use the “Harpy” without having to take it off his back.

     The weapon the soldier is using looks to be a TOZ-34 over-under shotgun. It does appear he is using 12-gauge shells, likely #00 buckshot.