Russia's
Naval Forces' Tu-142MR (NATO reporting name: Bear-J) VLF-band radio
communications relay aircraft derived from the Tu-142M long-range antisubmarine
warfare aircraft, will be upgraded as part of the development of a sophisticated
submarine communication system, according to the Izvestia daily. |
The
Russian Navy’s unique Tu-142MR radio relay planes designed for
communication with submarines on patrol hundreds of meters below the
surface will be equipped with advanced communications gear capable,
inter alia, of relaying flight missions to sophisticated sea-launched
cruise missiles (SLCM) of the Kalibr (SS-N-27 Sizzler) system and Bulava
(SS-N-32) intercontinental ballistic missiles. In addition to advanced
avionics, the Tu-142MRs also will get unique kilometers-long towed aerials
extended from the fuselage for communicating with submarines.
The working documents have been devised and approved. The upgrade will
begin on Beriev’s premises in the city of Taganrog soon. The aircraft
re-designated as Tu-142MRM will receive the latest electronic communications
systems and towed aerials. At the same time, no detail has been available
either on the characteristics and designations of the communications
systems to be fitted or on the upgrade’s schedule.
The Tu-142MR special communications aircraft derived from the Tu-142M
long-range ASW aircraft and adopted for use in the mid-1980s has the
official designation as the aircraft of the relay system of the backup
naval nuclear forces command and control system. In case of a global
nuclear confrontation, the Tu-142MR’s primary mission is to convey
the numbers of the flight missions pre-downloaded into the missiles
and the launch orders themselves to the patrolling nuclear-powered ballistic
missile submarines.
The central part of the cutting-edge communications and relay systems
equipping the Tu-142 is the VLF towed aerial that is almost 9 km long
and is reeled out of a special drum in the fuselage. During communication
sessions, the length of the aerial enables the aircraft and submarines
deep under water to communicate.
The communications gear fitting the Tu-142MR since as far back as the
mid-‘80s is ill-compatible with the similar equipment and automated
control systems of the Russian Navy’s latest Project 885 Yasen
(Severodvinsk-class), Project 885M Yasen-M, Project 995 Borei (Dolgorukiy-class)
and Project 955A Borei-A submarines.
The feasibility of a Tu-142MR upgrade was first mentioned in 2014, when
news came that the trials of the Tu-142MRM were slated for 2014-2016
at the Russian Aerospace Force’s State Flight Test Center in Akhtubinsk.
At present, Russia is developing an automated strategic forces command
and control system allowing both the real-time ordering of a strategic
missile launch and re-targeting of missiles in the ascent phase with
their engine still operating.
No doubt, the Tu-142MRM aircraft will become a key component of the
advanced automated strategic forces command and control system. Moreover,
the system will be fit for use in not only an all-out war but in locals
wars as well in order to transmit flight missions to and designate targets
for submarines carrying Kalibr SLCMs that have earned raving reports
in the Russian operation in Syria.
Currently, the Russian Navy’s air branch operates about 10 Tu-142MRs
out of Naval Air Station Mongokhto of the Pacific Fleet and NAS Kipelovo
of the Northern Fleet, according to the Izvestia daily. |
