Air Defense Radars
Executive Overview
The provided dataset enumerates multiple Russian air-surveillance and early-warning radar types, spanning legacy Soviet-era systems and modernized designs. The mix includes meter-band VHF long-range radars (e.g., Nebo family, 5N84A, P-18), decimeter/centimeter-band 3D surveillance sets (e.g., ST-68UM/36D6, 48Ya6-K1 Podlet-K1), low-altitude gap-fillers (Kasta-2E2), airfield/route surveillance (Sopka-2), and a fixed long-range VHF phased-array installation (Rezonans-NE). In combination, such sensors provide layered coverage—long-range detection, low-altitude gap filling, and altitude determination—to support Russia’s integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) posture.
Radar Types Identified
Systems listed include 55Zh6U Nebo-U; 1L13-3 Nebo-SV; 1L119 Nebo-SVU; ST-68UM/36D6; Kasta-2E2; P-37; 5N84A Oborona-14; 48Ya6-K1 Podlet-K1; P-18; Sopka-2; and Rezonans-NE. These span multiple frequency bands and generations, indicating both enduring use of proven legacy assets and incremental fielding of newer sets.
55Zh6U Nebo-U (VHF Early Warning)
Nebo-U (55Zh6U) is a mobile, meter-band (VHF) three-dimensional early-warning radar used for long-range airspace surveillance and initial cueing. Open sources describe instrumented ranges on the order of several hundred kilometers (commonly cited up to approximately 600 km) with altitude coverage into the stratosphere, and digital processing intended to improve detection of low-RCS targets relative to higher-frequency radars. Nebo-U is typically deployed on multiple vehicles (antenna, power, and control) and integrates into automated command posts for track dissemination.
1L13-3 Nebo-SV (VHF Early Warning, 2D)
The 1L13-3 Nebo-SV is a meter-band (VHF) two-dimensional mobile early-warning radar used by ground forces. It provides range and azimuth but not intrinsic altitude, historically pairing with separate height-finders (e.g., PRV-series) for full 3D track data. Open sources commonly cite detection ranges of several hundred kilometers (roughly 300–400 km class for aircraft-sized targets), with modernization in the “-3” variant improving reliability and automation.
1L119 Nebo-SVU (VHF Early Warning, 3D)
The 1L119 Nebo-SVU is a digital upgrade of the Nebo-SV line that provides three-dimensional coordinates in the meter band (VHF). It offers improved accuracy and automation versus earlier 2D variants, with reported detection performance in the several-hundred-kilometer class for high-altitude targets. Nebo-SVU is mobile and designed to feed air-defense command systems with high-quality early-warning tracks.
ST-68UM / 36D6 (3D Surveillance, S-band)
The ST-68UM (also known as 36D6/36D6M; NATO reporting name Tin Shield) is a three-dimensional S-band surveillance radar widely associated with medium- to long-range air-defense systems such as S-300PS/PM. Open sources cite detection ranges out to roughly 300–360 km against conventional targets, with altitude determination and frequency agility for electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). It is a trailer/truck-mounted mobile system employed at both fixed sites and field deployments.
Kasta-2E2 (Low-Altitude Surveillance, Decimeter Band)
Kasta-2E2 is a mobile low-altitude surveillance radar operating in the decimeter band (commonly characterized as L-/UHF band in open sources). It is used to detect and track low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles in the near zone, mitigating terrain-masking effects. Publicly available references describe detection to roughly 150–180 km for small targets at low altitude, with greater ranges for larger or higher-flying objects. It is typically a two-dimensional set emphasizing range/azimuth with robust low-altitude coverage.
P-37 (2D Surveillance, E/F-band)
The P-37 (NATO: Bar Lock) is a legacy two-dimensional radar operating in the E/F-band (S-band by some classifications) used for area surveillance. It provides range and azimuth with stated detection ranges commonly up to about 350 km for aircraft-sized targets. Though older, it remains in service at some sites as a supplementary or backup surveillance asset.
P-18 (VHF Surveillance, 2D)
The P-18 (1RL131; NATO: Spoon Rest D) is a widely used meter-band (VHF) two-dimensional radar that provides long-range early warning with relatively simple and robust hardware. Open sources cite detection ranges in the 250–300 km class for aircraft-sized targets. VHF operation can offer useful initial detection of low-RCS targets; altitude data requires external height-finding.
5N84A Oborona-14 (VHF Long-Range, 2D)
The 5N84A Oborona-14 (NATO: Tall King C) is a large, meter-band (VHF) two-dimensional long-range radar, generally semi-mobile to fixed in deployment due to its size. Open literature cites ranges in the 350–400 km class for aircraft detection. It is often used as an early-warning layer, with separate systems providing altitude and refined track data.
48Ya6-K1 Podlet-K1 (Low-Altitude, 3D Decimeter Band)
The 48Ya6-K1 Podlet-K1 is a mobile three-dimensional low-altitude surveillance radar operating in the decimeter band (open sources commonly cite L-band). It is optimized for detecting low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles. Public reporting places its detection range out to approximately 300 km (with strongest performance in the low- and medium-altitude regimes) and altitude coverage to roughly 10 km, providing 3D track data to air-defense batteries and command posts.
Rezonans-NE (Fixed Long-Range VHF Phased-Array)
Rezonans-NE is a fixed, meter-band (VHF) phased-array early-warning radar installation with multiple electronically scanned panels arranged to cover wide azimuth sectors without mechanical rotation. Open-source and manufacturer data describe long-range detection capabilities, including aerodynamic targets at several hundred kilometers (commonly cited up to ~600 km) and longer ranges for ballistic trajectories (often cited up to ~1,100 km), with claimed utility against low-RCS targets. Russia has publicly reported deploying Rezonans-series stations at strategic northern locations; exact site details beyond such public reporting are not provided here.
Sopka-2 (Airfield/Route Surveillance)
Sopka-2 is a modular airfield and route surveillance radar complex used for airspace monitoring around air bases and controlled air corridors. It integrates a primary surveillance radar and secondary surveillance/IFF interrogation to support both air-defense and air traffic control tasks. Russian official and media sources have cited detection performance extending to several hundred kilometers (often stated up to ~450 km at high altitude for cooperative targets via secondary surveillance). Based on the provided image labeled Sopka-2, the equipment appears consistent with containerized radar modules and support units typical of this system; precise site location and configuration details are not derivable from the image alone.
Mixed-Sensor Configurations Observed
The combinations listed—such as ST-68UM/36D6 with 55Zh6U Nebo-U and Kasta-2E2; 55Zh6U Nebo-U with 48Ya6-K1 Podlet-K1; P-37 with ST-68UM/36D6; P-18 with 36D6; and 5N84A with 55Zh6U—reflect a common Russian practice of co-locating complementary radars. VHF sets (Nebo-U, Nebo-SV/SVU, P-18, 5N84A) provide long-range initial detection and cueing, while L/S-band 3D sets (36D6, Podlet-K1) deliver refined tracks and altitude, and low-altitude radars (Kasta-2E2, Podlet-K1) close near-surface gaps. Such layering improves persistence, altitude coverage, and resilience to jamming or target low observability.
Network Integration and Command Systems
These radars are typically networked into automated command-and-control systems for air defense, enabling track correlation and distribution to surface-to-air missile units and regional air-defense centers. In Russian service, such sensors are commonly integrated via automated control systems (e.g., Baikal-1M, Polyana-D4M1, Fundament-series) to support S-300/S-400 batteries and fighter intercept control. The dataset does not specify command-post types at the listed sites; the noted integration practices are based on established Russian air-defense doctrine and widely documented system architectures.
Mobility, Basing, and Infrastructure
Except for fixed installations like Rezonans-NE, the cited systems are truck- or trailer-mounted and can be relocated. Field sites typically include prepared earthen or concrete pads, deployable masts, generator sets, and cable trenches linking sensor, power, and control shelters. Legacy 2D sets (P-37, 5N84A) tend to be heavier and slower to emplace than modern containerized systems. Mixed deployments at single locations are often arranged to minimize mutual interference while ensuring overlapping fields of view and access to line-of-sight communications with higher-echelon command posts.
Temporal Indicator: 2021 Imagery Showing Site Emptied
The note indicating “2021 imagery – site being emptied” is consistent with equipment rotation, redeployment, or site recapitalization. Without geolocation or follow-on imagery, the specific cause cannot be determined; however, the removal of radar assets from a pad or bermed position typically signifies either scheduled relocation, equipment overhaul, or replacement by a newer system. The observation confirms non-permanent basing consistent with mobile radar employment.
Coverage and Counter-Stealth Considerations
Combining meter-band VHF radars (which can provide early detection of low-RCS targets at longer ranges) with higher-frequency 3D sets (which yield better positional accuracy and altitude) is a documented Russian approach to countering low-observable and low-altitude threats. In this dataset, pairings such as Nebo-U with Podlet-K1 or Kasta-2E2 illustrate that approach: VHF radars cue on low-RCS or standoff targets, while decimeter/centimeter-band 3D radars tighten tracks for engagement-quality data, particularly against cruise missiles and terrain-masked threats.
Limitations and Mitigations
Two-dimensional radars (P-18, P-37, 5N84A, 1L13-3) cannot provide altitude without external height-finders, and older sets generally have lower track accuracy and are more susceptible to electronic attack than modern counterparts. These limitations are mitigated in mixed sites by co-deploying 3D radars (36D6, Nebo-SVU, Podlet-K1) and low-altitude specialists (Kasta-2E2), and by networking through automated C2 for track fusion and redundancy.
Data Constraints
The dataset lists radar types and one image labeled Sopka-2 but provides no coordinates, unit identifiers, or chronological series beyond a single 2021 note. Performance figures referenced above are based on widely available open-source reporting and manufacturer/public statements; exact performance depends on configuration, siting, maintenance state, and environmental conditions. No classified sources are used, and site-specific classified details are not provided.