PRIME MANUFACTURER OF CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR UNIQUE NAVAL WEAPONS COMPLEXES

Vadim Makashev, Director General, Ratep JSC
 

Ratep company has built up a powerful production and engineering potential covering virtually all kinds of manufacturing and adjustment facilities, metrological support, mature tool production, and a testing center. These facilities allow the company to carry out almost all types of mechanical and weather tests of various items ranging from miniature devices and instruments to the control systems of whole complexes.

Before and during WWII, as well in the first years after the war, the factory produced electromechanical control systems for large-caliber shipborne gun mounts (Soyuz, Soyuz-30 bis); surface target detection and torpedo firing data radars (Zarnitsa); coastal artillery control radars (Redan-3); coastal and ship-borne surveillance and target designation radars (Lin, Lot).

Antenna station of the Klinok SAM complex

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the factory focused on development of shipborne artillery control radar systems featuring improved automation, increased firing range and enhanced noise immunity. At that time, production of such fire control radars as the Fut-B and MR-105 was launched. These radars are still in service with the navies of some countries. In the late 1950s, one of the first cruise missile onboard control and homing systems (developed by the Almaz Design Bureu) rolled off the factory s production line. Concurrently, the factory launched production of a radar control system for the first shipborne close-in surface-to-air (SAM) complex; gyroscopic stabilization systems and the Musson radars designed to guide antisubmarine rocket-assisted torpedos.

These complexes and control systems, as well as the MR-105 radar undergo regular upgrades and have become the principal weapons of the Navy s combatant ships (Grozny and Admiral Zozulya class missile cruisers; Soobrazitelny and Provorny class large antisubmarine ships, etc.).

Production of shipborne passive jamming control systems (Tertsiya, 1960 - 1986; Smeta, 1984 - 1998), which entered service with many Russian and foreign warships at different times, is among the company s main lines of business.

In the 1980s and 1990s the company joined the Altair State Research and Production Association (the prime contractor) in the development and assimilation of series production of control systems for modern shipborne multichannel SAM complexes, such as the Rif, Klinok, and Shtil, capable of providing protection to both individual ships and formations of ships against aircraft and missiles under dense attacks. Generally, these SAMs are not inferior to their foreign counterparts while in terms of some basic parameters they outperform them. Assimilation of series production of control systems for these complexes encompassing the elements of radio location, microelectronics, precision instrument making, radio-frequency units and components, as well as large shipborne structures, such as antenna stations, called for the radical retooling of the enterprise and construction of new production capacities.

5P10 multipurpose multitarget electronic system

The company has built up a powerful production and engineering potential covering virtually all kinds of manufacturing and adjustment facilities, metrological support, mature tool production, and a testing center. These facilities allow the company to carry out almost all types of mechanical and weather tests of various items ranging from miniature devices and instruments to the control systems of whole complexes.

Until now, the optimized production models of the Rif, Klinok and Shtil SAM complexes continue to be the key defensive weapons of Russian naval ships.

In acknowledgment of the company s contribution to the development of sophisticated electronic systems for the Russian Navy, the company was awarded the highest state orders: the Order of the Red Banner (1963) and the Order of Lenin (1984).

Before and after the disintegration of the Soviet Union the company has been giving much consideration to the establishment of economic ties with foreign partners.

The ships exported to Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia, Libya, Ethiopia were equipped with the Soyuz, Soyuz-30 bis, Zarnitsa, and Fut-B systems manufactured by our company. The MR-105 fire control systems used with the Volna SAM complexes are operational on board the Project 61ME warships now in service with the Indian Navy. The system operates trouble-free under various climatic conditions.

Considering that the present portfolio of orders for the manufacture of new armament systems for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has dramatically dried up, the only way of maintaining the military hardware currently in service with the Navy up-to-date is its modernization. To this end, the company preserves and further develops its fleet-based production capacities, overhauls and services the control systems of missile and gun/missile complexes, including those manufactured by the shipbuilding industry of the former USSR. Ratep has been actively participating in the development of the Klinok complex fire control system upgraded by Altair and will soon complete construction of the first unit in this series and the Moskit system for export.

The expanded production capacities have allowed Ratep to launch production of the Podacha multipurpose fire control system (developed by the Ametist Design Bureau) designed to equip the Bereg self-propelled artillery complex (developed by the Titan Central Design Bureau) and other artillery systems currently in service with the armed forces.

On the basis of advanced technologies the company has launched production of fundamentally new fire control systems built around multilayer microstrip antenna modules with a digital beam formation mechanism.

Recently, a first of the class 5P10 Ametist-designed multipurpose multitarget system intended to control fire of shipborne guns of various calibers at surface, shore-based and air (including low-flying) targets has come out of the production line.

In partnership with the Altair State R&P Association, Ametist Design Bureau and Tula Instrument-Making Design Bureau, the company is preparing fire control systems of the Shtil-1 and 5P10 SAM complexes and of the Kashtan gun/missile complex for the Project 11356 frigates in service with the Indian Navy.

Assembly of radio projectors for the Shtil SAM complex

For greater confidence and stability under the present conditions and with a view to converting the production to civilian output, the company s engineers have developed design and technological documentation to manufacture consumer goods, along with the main production items.

As part of the Russian Federation s city transport development program, the company has been producing ecologically friendly, energy saving equipment for control of the electric drives of subway carriages in Moscow. The company is prepared to launch production of satellite communications equipment (antenna devices, radio conversation and channel communication devices) designed by the Radio Research Institute.

In addition to sophisticated defense-oriented equipment, the company produces kitchen tools (food processors, electric meat mincers) under license of Italy s Rachetto S.P.A. The design of these items was developed by the Italian firm Gjuigiaro Design. The EMSh35/130 electric meat mincer has been issued an international certificate (CB).

The high-quality household appliances manufactured by Ratep were awarded the gold medal at the exhibition, The World of Household Appliances  98 (Yekaterinburg, November 1998). To broaden the capabilities and be able to produce designs of various kinds of high-quality domestic appliances and other civilian products quickly, the company has purchased the CAD/CAM equipment to develop end-to-end designs of products. The company has also acquired the Codick electroerosion machines and signed contracts with the Dutch firm NMA for the delivery of modern technological equipment for the production of printed circuit boards of high accuracy class and density.

Ratep is continually building up its production potential and is ready to export armament, military equipment and commercial products.