OREANDA-NEWS. The United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation has transferred to the Russian Air Force the elements of Open Skies aerial surveillance system. Ground-based system components were delivered to the Open Skies base in Kubinka: a data processing system, training facilities and equipment, a computerized training class and a set of testing objects.

Concern Vega, a UIMC subsidiary is a key developer of the system. The concern previously delivered to the Russian Air Force two Tupolev Tu-214ON surveillance aircraft[1], manufactured at the Kazan Aviation Plant named after S.P. Gorbunov, the UIMC reported in a press release[2].

The new surveillance system was created to implement the international Treaty on Open Skies which has been ratified by more than 30 countries, including Russia. The Treaty established an open skies regime for surveillance flights over the territory of treaty signatory nations to monitor military activity and weapons.

The airborne surveillance system is in full compliance with the Treaty on Open Skies requirements

Vartan Shakhgedanov, Deputy Senior Design Engineer, Vega

The new system and training equipment have been transferred to the Open Skies base in Kubinka. They will be used to train specialist operators of all surveillance equipment allowed under the Treaty on Open Skies: digital aerial photography cameras, TV and infrared cameras, and a synthetic aperture radar.

The ground-based data processing includes operator workstations to process surveillance data obtained by all types of surveillance equipment installed aboard the two Tu-214ON aircraft. Each workstation comes with installed original software developed by Vega engineers. The new system makes it possible to process, copy and ensure guaranteed destruction of surveillance data in line with the requirements of the international Treaty on Open Skies. All workstations are connected into a local-area network.

Dedicated training equipment and facilities were created and delivered to the Russian Air Force specifically for this project, including training workstations for airborne surveillance equipment operators, ground-based data collection and processing center operators, and an instructor workstation, all connected in a LAN. Software has been installed on the server to turn on automatic training lessons to teach the operation of surveillance equipment and surveillance data processing methods.

Training on this equipment will include both theoretical training and solving training assignments. In addition to setting the assignments, the system can be used for testing, evaluation of understanding of theory and command of practical skills of operators of airborne and ground-based systems. The training system includes simulators for all types of surveillance equipment installed aboard the Tupolev Tu-214ON surveillance aircraft.

In addition, a computer training class that includes the hardware for an instructor's workstation, and those for the navigator and five workstations for specialists operating the aircraft's systems. Training with this equipment will give the trainees the needed theoretical foundations, as well as practical skills of testing and servicing Tu-214ON systems.

“Not a single country in the world has such advanced equipment to date,” senior designer of the system, Deputy Senior Design Engineer at Concern Vega Vartan Shakhgedanov said. “The Open Skies airborne aerial surveillance system is in full compliance with the requirements and restrictions envisaged by the Treaty on Open Skies. I am positive that international certification process should not run into any technology-related complications.”

The complete Open Skies aerial surveillance system created by Vega in cooperation with UAC subsidiaries has been delivered to the Russian Air Force and is ready for operation, UIMC Deputy CEO Sergey Skokov explained.

“After completing international certification, Tupolev Tu-214ON will be able to start flying on surveillance missions to fill the Russian quota under the Treaty on Open Skies,” Sergey Skokov clarified.