"Burak-M" to protect submarines

Rubin Design Bureau

"Burak-M" to protect submarines: 

For the Russian submarine fleet developed various promising remedies. A few years ago it became known about the start of production of complex electronic warfare "Burak-M", designed to counter anti-submarine defence (ASW) of the enemy. Now new details have become known of this project is technical and operational.

Purchases of goods

For the First time the electronic warfare system submarine "Tayfun-M" the public learned in August 2018 from the reports of the national press, based on data from the public procurement portal. It was reported that the Ministry of defence in the coming years plans to purchase several new samples of machinery and equipment for submarines.

The defense Ministry planned to buy ten systems "Burak-M". In 2019 and 2020 was assumed to have five units of such equipment. The total cost of ordered products is 300 million rubles. In 2019 for the purchase of the first half of the products stood out 149,2 mln. Remaining had to do to 150,7 million. The choice of supplier was carried out in a closed format.

The Product "Burak-M" is designated as the electronic warfare system with reactive deep mines. The technical details were not published, they became known much later.

In the same message figured another purchase. The defense Ministry was going to buy ten of the devices of torpedo protection "Strike 1". Deliveries are also expected in 2019-2020 Total cost of production – 200 million rubles. Thus, in the next two years the war Department had intended to invest in the protection of submarines 500 million RUB.

New data

Recently we learned new information about the complex "Tayfun-M" obtained from unnamed sources in the defense Ministry. 12 March, they published the "news". Announced the architecture, operation principles, purpose and other features of the project.

Earlier it was reported that "Burak-M" is an electronic warfare system for submarines. These data are confirmed by new messages. The system is intended to counter surveillance systems, detection and communication of the enemy. The complex is to suppress radio signals of a potential enemy, hindering or eliminating the work of ASW.

A Key element of the complex is a buoy with a special electronic equipment. The submarine may carry several such items and discard them as needed. Coming to the surface of the water, the buoy includes equipment and suppresses radio in the immediate area.

One of the main tools of search submarines are currently discharged sonobuoys (lab) used anti-aircraft. After putting in the specified area, such equipment communicates with the media using the radio channel. The buoy system "Burak-M" have to "turn off" the connection, preventing communication. As a result, the opponent loses the ability to monitor a certain area.

Size and weight perspective the buoy has not yet been revealed. Operating ranges of the transmitter, the parameters of the station interference and range also remain unknown. Perhaps the data will reveal in the future.

Media test

It is Reported that a promising electronic warfare system will be used for domestic submarines of various types. Such equipment get the strategic missile submarines of project 955 "Borey" and 667BDRM "Dolphin". Also in a recent post mentions the use of "Burak-M" diesel submarines. Probably talking about modern ships, etc 636.3 "warszawianka".

According to "Izvestia", the complex EW is brought to test on regular media. What subs he installed and tested – not specified. Also no news on the timing of completion of ongoing activities and future plans of the Ministry of defense. Apparently, after the completion of the current tests we will decide on the adoption of new buoy on Board.

Prospects of the complex

According to 2018, the Navy was to receive two batches of five sets of "Burak-M" in each. Judging by the cost of all purchases and individual items, we are talking about complete kits for installation on submarines, carriers, and a certain stock of buoys consumed during operation.

Thus, the new protections in the near future will be possible to equip up to 10 submarines of all the major classes and types. From the latest news, such equipment will be used primarily to missile submarines of strategic purpose, including the old project 667BDRM. Also, "Burak-M" can be installed on multi-purpose nuclear and diesel boats.

The Benefits this modernisation of the submarines is obvious. "Burak-M" will be able to disrupt the PLO a potential enemy and thereby contribute to the successful work of submariners. Not being able to receive timely information from GAB, the enemy loses control over the waters. Accordingly, the submarine gets a chance to secretly pass through, or to disrupt self-observation.

It Should be noted that part of the Russian submarines staff has on Board its own means of electronic intelligence and electronic warfare. The emergence of a new electronic warfare system will enhance their capabilities. This will contribute to the possibility of relief buoywith the jammer.

However, the proposed way of dealing with the PLO enemy may have some problems. Thus, the appearance of the source of interference and lost communication with the sonar buoys can indicate to the enemy the presence of the submarine. Further the search can be performed by means independent of the radio. However, such a search will not be simple and fast, while the submarine remains sufficient time to leave the hazardous area.

In the future, the emergence of buoys EW can affect the development of lab, which will lead to high performance means of communication, or introducing new solutions to ensure stable data exchange even in terms of electronic warfare.

Threats and responses

Currently, the leading foreign countries upgrading their systems PLO. On the arms receives new patrol aircraft and various support equipment. Is developing a radically new anti-submarine boats and equipment. For example, the US and its allies to adopt new anti-submarine Boeing P-8A Poseidon, carrying a wide range of different equipment. Experiments conducted on the topic of unmanned boats of the PLO working in "the pack".

This development of foreign technologies and equipment is a serious threat to the Russian submarine forces – primarily for the marine component of the nuclear triad. Strategic submarines on patrol routes must be protected from detection and tracking of SQUARE is a potential enemy.

An Important part of the means of protection are the electronic warfare systems. Some of our submarines already has such equipment and is now testing a new system of this kind. The completion of testing complex "Tayfun-M" and its subsequent adoption is still unknown, but positive consequences of the emergence of such systems is obvious.

Project 667BDRM -  onalert.gr

Borei-class nuclear sub (Project 955/955A/955B): Details