Seeing the Ukrainian forces using a satellite link on the battlefield, the Russians thought of creating a similar system of their own. Russia wants to have its own Starlink system: a satellite called SR NET was presented during the exhibition “Aeronet-2035” by the company SR Space.
According to available information, a network of 96 such satellites is supposed to provide broadband network access throughout the Russian Federation. The first launch of the SR NET satellite is planned for 2024, with orbital tests lasting 3 to 6 months.
The final configuration of the satellite group will be determined by these tests. A single satellite carries a payload of six phase-planar antennas and one parabolic antenna.
The most interesting part of this project is that, as the CEO of SR Space stated, the company’s current goal is to make the satellite team work “for the goals and tasks inside Russia”, although the plans go further so that it works all over the world.
Basically, this means the creation of an analogue of the Starlink system by SpaceX, which is now actively used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for military communication in field conditions. Given the context, it seems that the Russian military has developed an interest in having such an option, having realized the serious blunder in its communications capabilities.
SR NET Satellite Specifications:
- Frequencies: Ka and Ku bands.
- launch into an orbit of about 600 km.
- Satellite mass: 460 kg
- Bandwidth: 40 Gbit/s
Ukrainian military communications blocked
Russian “Mosquito” drones began jamming the communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the front lines. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, for the first time published footage of the use of Moskit drones in the zone of the special operation, using them against the communication systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to information, these UAVs were created based on the Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone. They are equipped with additional modules containing electronic equipment, designed to suppress enemy control and data transmission channels.
“Mosquitoes” are used on the front lines to disrupt enemy troops. UAVs disrupt communications at a distance of up to 5 km, thus making it difficult for enemy units to interact “at ground level” (front line), with the headquarters deployed in the rear.
At the same time, the Mosquito is still equipped with surveillance systems, which allow the operator to switch between electronic devices and video equipment and perform electronic warfare and aerial reconnaissance tasks, revealing enemy positions, including radio emission sources.
Their official appearance shows that the Russian drones have started jamming the enemy’s communications. Previously, the work of only ground-based radio suppression equipment and aircraft of the Su family was shown.
Equipping small-sized drones with an electronic warfare system indicates some successes in the Russian defense industry in the miniaturization of equipment. This direction has long remained one of the bottlenecks of the domestic military-industrial complex. Apparently, Russian developers managed to make progress in this area.
