P-180U and MARS-L Purchase from and TuRAF PYAS Project by İbrahim SÜNNETÇİ According to Ukrainian based combined PSR/ the SSR channel, is given the P-18MA/P-180U radar press, Ukrspetsexport SSR (Primary and as 5,000 hours. system, which is also used (the only institution Secondary Surveillance by the Ukrainian Armed authorized by the Radar) system. The The ground-based VHF Forces, could detect the Ukrainian Government to combined use of primary (metric band) P-180U F-117A Nighthawk Stealth fulfill the export potential and secondary channels (P-18MA) is a long- Fighter from 61km. of Ukraine's military- considerably increases range surveillance radar industrial complex), a the detection range and which provides the radar There are different subsidiary of the Ukrainian accuracy of finding the information and flight speculations regarding state-owned defense coordinates of aerial routes of aerial objects. the procurement company UkroBoronProm objects. Additionally, the The solid-state P-180U of the MARS-L and (UOP), delivered two availability of additional is the modernized and P-180U , which P-180U and two MARS-L aircraft information improved version of are considered to be radars to SSTEK Defense such as current altitude, the VHF-Band 2D (two- capable of detecting Industry Technologies in remaining fuel, condition dimensional, provides only as they late December 2019, under of the onboard systems, azimuth and range data) operate on the L and VHF a contract worth US$11,144 etc., together with P-18 early warning radar bands, by SSTEK Defense million. According to the primary radar information, developed during the Industry Technologies, reports, the total cost of significantly increases . The system which was established in the L-Band MARS-L radar flight safety. It also has coverage of 360km km 2016 as a 100% subsidiary (on the Ural and KrAZ reduces the likelihood in range and up to 35km of the Presidency of chassis) produced by of accidental targeting in elevation, and thanks Defense Industries to NPE Aerotechnics-MLT of civilian aircraft by air to its long wavelength, operate in the fields of Company is US$ 7,544 defense systems. The the P-180U radar can defense, aviation, space, million, and the total value MBTF (mean time between detect RAM coated aerial and homeland security. of the VRF-Band P-180U failures) performance platforms with a very high Considering the number (P-18MA) radar (on the of the MARS-L, which percentage. The system of the systems supplied, KrAZ chassis) is US$3,6 is a mobile low altitude consists of a 360-degree the radars may have been Million. surveillance radar capable rotating radar procured for testing/ of providing coverage and a control center based evaluation purposes in The mobile L-Band up to 110km on the PSR on KrAz tactical vehicle indigenous aircraft and MARS-L is a ground- channel and 150km on chassis. It is claimed that projects or may

L-Band MARS-L Radar

98 have been purchased for reverse engineering or use in EHTES (P-18 radars of the Egyptian Armed Forces were upgraded to the P-180U level by the Ukrainian company).

Although the history of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Ukraine dates back 28 years, the military- technical cooperation agreement between Ukraine and Turkey, which is one of the first countries to recognize Ukraine's independence, was renewed in 2014. As P-180-U VHF Radar part of this process, joint Ukroboronprom, Ukraine's radar systems to increase Israel bought a new production decisions state defense industry the long-range detection generation Kolchuga-M were made in various enterprise, for the joint Passive Radar System areas such as armored capabilities of Turkey production of the Passive and Ukraine to a range from Ukraine in March vehicles, aircraft engines, Sensor System (PASİS). of 600 km. According to 2018 via the company missile systems, joint radar During the Arms and Interfax News Agency, the Airstom, and the system production, navigation Security 2016 Fair held in development of the new was delivered in the same systems, as well as communication and Kyiv on October 11, 2016, passive radar system will year. It is considered that space projects. Turkish a cooperation agreement be financed by Turkey, the Kolchuga-M Passive and Ukrainian defense was signed between and the emerging product Radar System can be used Havelsan and Ukrinmash, will be different from the in electronic warfare tests, industry representatives a state-owned company world-renowned Kolchuga training, and exercises gathered in Ankara in under Ukroboronprom, for passive radar (ESM System to be carried out by the 2015, and a strategic cooperation agreement the production of passive can detect up to 800km). Israeli Air Force. was signed between the two countries in the field of the defense industry in 2016. In July 2018, Turkey and Ukraine conducted the first-ever Turkey- Ukraine Defense Industry Cooperation meeting to accelerate their defense cooperation. The 7th Turkey-Ukraine Defense Industry Cooperation meeting was held at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in Kyiv on January 21-24, 2020.

The first activity between Turkey and Ukraine in the field of radar systems was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 8, 2016, between Havelsan and

99 Turkish Air Force PYAS Project

Turkey is no stranger to passive radars; in fact, multiple projects were carried out in this field by domestic companies and institutions. Furthermore, an indigenous passive radar system was developed for the Turkish Air Force under the Passive Broadcast Detection System (PYAS) Project, which was accomplished in cooperation with TÜBİTAK BİLGEM Information Technologies Institute (BTE) Radar Systems Laboratory, Istanbul Medipol University, and Gebze University. the Turkish Air Force was and finds their position in AOA method. It is enough for In the TÜBİTAK 2019 Annual shared with the participants three-dimensional space. a single sensor to detect the Report published recently, (the first field trials were The signals in the Lower signal, but for 3D positioning, the following information completed in 2018 at the Frequency Band (960- the signal must be detected was shared regarding TÜBİTAK Gebze campus). 1.216MHz) are broadcast by with at least 2 sensors. the latest situation in the Also, it was stated that the Mode 1, 2, 3AC, Mod-S, TDL project: "Factory Acceptance project, which started on (Link 16), and TACAN, while The main disadvantage Tests (FAT) of the Passive December 15, 2015, was the Radar and RF Jammers of passive radar systems, Broadcast Detection planned to be completed emit signals in the upper- which are difficult to detect System (PYAS) developed on December 17, 2018. Frequency band (8,000- and deceive, is that they are for the Turkish Air Force, 12,000MHz). signal-dependent, so if the which performs long- The Passive Broadcast threat does not emit a signal, range target positioning Detection System (PYAS) Capable of Broadband the system cannot detect and tracking via signals was developed as part of the frequency scanning, the target. The higher the broadcast from air targets, Passive Broadcast Detection PYAS also has phase- bandwidth of the broadcast have been successfully System Development interferometry, signal, i.e., the stronger, the carried out." Considering this Project under the TÜBİTAK highly accurate time better/longer the system's information, we can say that Public Sector Research synchronization, signal resolution and detection the PYAS FAT process was and Development Projects detection, feature range. Since there are completed in 2019, and the Support Program (SAVTAG extraction, signal binding, numerous disturbing effects Site Acceptance Test (SAT) 1007) to meet the needs and SSR Mode-S decoding and signals (background process have started. Since of the Turkish Air Force capabilities. clutter) in the environment, no information regarding Command. The project target positioning and the delivery of PYAS to the proposal was published The PYAS system can screen display in passive Turkish Air Force was shared on March 13, 2015 and was detect the arrival time radars are not as clean as in the Annual Report, the closed on May 29, 2015. (Time Difference of Arrival/ in standard radars, so the system may be delivered PYAS is a passive broadcast TDOA) between the lower possibility of false alarms is within the first half of 2020 detection system that can or upper-band signals much higher. To prevent this, following the SAT process. detect and track signals emitted by air targets and an advanced tracking and broadcast from air targets. find the air targets' position merging algorithm was used However, at the Military The system captures in 3D space by measuring in PYAS. Radar and Border Security broadcasts/signals (both the relative delays with 4 Summit held in Ankara on lower and upper frequencies) passive receivers. Unlike Since passive systems October 2-3 2018, important of various electromagnetic other Passive Emitter are very dependent on information about the energy sources on the air Tracking (PET) systems in geography, the sensors must Passive Broadcast Detection targets through the receivers the market, PYAS can also be optimally positioned System (PYAS) developed located in different locations find target aircraft positions in the field and perfectly by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM for using the Angle of Arrival/ synchronized with each

100 other to maximize system different hills at different originating from TÜBİTAK mechanical modifications of performance. A special tool/ locations) were positioned SAVTAG and Havelsan 4 STKS vehicles scheduled to software was developed to 15-20 km away from the EHSİM won the tender. The be delivered to the Air Force ensure that PYAS sensors Command unit. Although contract signed between Command at the end of can be positioned optimally the PYAS sensor was not fully TÜBİTAK, the Ministry of April 2017 were completed. in the field. Thanks to this completed and did not reach National Defense (MSB/ One of the vehicles was software, which was stated its final performance, the MoND), and Havelsan built to operate on the FM to be delivered to the system managed to detect EHSİM came into force on band, and field tests were Turkish Air Force with the signals up to 90km in the August 15, 2013, and the conducted in 2016 with this PYAS system, the operators first field tests conducted studies on the project were vehicle. Following the tests, will be able to see the areas in a small location (distance then started. The project the user (Turkish Air Force) covered by the sensors between sensors was 5km). aimed to develop a Passive and the customer (Ministry and detect blind spots on Combined Detection System of National Defense) stated the 3D map. The special In the TDOA target detection (PBAS) that utilizes Analog that the STKS met the algorithm/software can method, as the distance FM Radio, Digital Radio requirements set by the calculate the most suitable between the receivers/ (terrestrial), and Digital TV authorities. To create a geographical positions for sensors increases, the broadcasts. Although a reliable test environment, the 3D placement of PYAS system performance 36-month calendar was an FM broadcast station was sensors and provides the increases as well, and the planned for the project, established and was put into optimum placement on the system provides the best unfortunately, this could operation for tests. map. results when the target not be achieved. In the aircraft passes through the 2016 Annual Report of the We believe that the Passive One of the 4 sensors exact center of the sensors. company, published on Radar Signal Acquisition developed for the Turkish Therefore, when the distance February 28, 2017, it was & Recording System/ Air Force under the PYAS between the receivers is stated that the work on the Passive Compound Project act as the command increased from 5km to 20km, PBAS Project was ongoing, Detection System (consists center, although the exterior it is considered that the and the project was aimed of 4 vehicles) produced by of each looks the same, the system can detect signals to be completed in 2017. Havelsan EHSİM will operate sensor contains additional from distances farther According to the 2016 Annual integrated or interactively equipment. The PYAS than 90 km. The power of Report, the system hardware with the PYAS system sensor is a 5m long shelter the onboard and software development developed by TÜBiTAK placed on a trailer with an the target aircraft is also studies continued in 2016 BİLGEM (consists of 4 8m collapsible mast and another major factor that in parallel with the data shelters). When the PBAS/ electronic cabinet. There is affects the target detection collection, recording, STKS and PYAS Systems a radome located on top of range. The detection testing, and algorithm are supported with the the mast, which contains range of the passive radar improvement activities Electro-Optical System the antennas and RF signal increases proportionally to in the field. As part of the (EOS, actually an Infrared conditioners operating in the broadcasting power of project, firstly, a Passive Search and Track [IRST] different bands (the term the target aircraft. Since the Radar Signal Collection and System) vehicle based on radome is a portmanteau of radars can determine their Recording System (STKS) the LandRover Defender the words radar and dome). output power, depending on were produced, and then developed for HİSAR-O PYAS sensors are operated the situation, they can emit the system algorithms were system, it will provide a by two personnel. The low-frequency signals to developed by processing significant capability gain systems communicate with lower their visibility or high- the data collected with this to detect stealth aircraft each other via a radio link or, frequency signals to reach system. In this framework, with a low Radar Cross- if available, with a network their maximum range. When STKS was integrated onto Section (RCS). This capability (there are radio link antennas a radar sends signals at the a commercial vehicle, FM will be further enhanced on the shelter). The first field highest power, its broadcast and DAB band antennas by the commissioning trials of PYAS were carried may be detected at a were produced, antenna of an indigenous Over- out in 2018 at the TÜBİTAK distance of 300 or 500km, units and the-Horizon (OTH) radar Gebze campus. The PYAS but if the power is low (for receivers were developed, system that will operate in sensor, which acted as the example, an LPI radar), it and field studies were the VHF/UHF band. In this command center during the may not be heard even from carried out with the SKTS respect, the Memorandum field trials, was deployed to a range of 50km. vehicle to collect signals of Understanding (MoU) the Gebze campus (next and data. Target analysis and signed between Havelsan To meet the needs of the to the MGR radar), while tracking algorithms were and Ukroboronprom for Turkish Air Force, the Passive the other three (one was developed by analyzing the joint production of the Combined Detection System deployed to the military the collected and recorded Passive Sensor System Development Project was airport in Yalova, the other signals in a laboratory (PASİS) is of utmost initiated as an R&D project two were deployed to two environment. Moreover, importance

101