The products offered by the PIT-RADWAR company which is a part of PGZ (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa – Polish Armament Group) fit well within the concept of creating the Polish IADS. Not only do these systems provide a capability of detecting airborne and naval targets, as they may also be utilized for the purposes related to operation of the VSHORAD, SHORAD and medium range SAMs.

The three latest designs are especially interesting. Here we are referring to the Bystra, PCL-PET and P-18PL radars offered by PIT-RADWAR, all of which may soon be introduced into use within the Polish Armed Forces. ZDPSR Bystra radar is one of the designs which fall within the class of devices which may be used at short range (ZDPSR – Zdolna do Przerzutu Stacja Radiolokacyjna – Deployment-Capable Radar). It has been designed specifically with SHORAD/VSHORAD systems in mind. Such air defence solutions are often utilized for the purpose of protecting the tactical combat units from the airborne threats.

BYSTRA – Polish Short Range AESA Radar

BYSTRA is a multi-purpose radar, capable of detecting manned and unmanned aircraft and mortar rounds. The radar in question uses an active antenna with mechanical azimuth scanning and electronic elevation scanning (AESA). The antenna’s transmitting-receiving profile is software defined, which, as the manufacturer claims, makes it possible to tailor the radar profile for specific task and conditions.

Bystra radar uses an active antenna with semi-conducting transmitting modules, which are cooled with liquid. The radar provides the user with options to digitally define the reception beams and to digitally synthesize, encode and filter the signals. Moreover, the station also features a subsystem which may be used to detect hovering helicopters. The tracking system uses a multi-hypothesis algorithm. All of the solutions mentioned above are to make it possible to achieve the assumed technical specification, so that the radar may be used as a track and detection suite for the VSHORAD and SHORAD anti-aircraft systems. The radar is also capable of detecting the mortar rounds.

ZDSPR BYSTRA is a system which is completely mobile. The said radar features two operator stations, one of which is portable. Moreover, the package also includes communications suite (radio and wire-based), navigation system (GPS and INS), power supply subsystem with a generator and auxiliary elements, such as the cooling system, weather station and other components. All of the aforesaid elements are mounted on a light armoured ŻUBR/P vehicle. Additionally, the system also features a mobile radar imitator working as decoy for enemy SEAD. The imitator has its own power source at its disposal.

In case of the Early Warning systems, PIT-RADWAR offers two new, different radars: P-19PL early detection radar and PCL-PET passive detection system.

Active P-18 PL Long Range Radar

The former system (P18PL) is a multi-functional long range VHF radar. This radar may be used both as a source of radar data for the airspace monitoring systems, as well as an observation early warning radar for SAMs.

Whereas utilization of the VHF band expands the range, such design also makes it more difficult to counteract with the use of the anti-radiation missiles and makes it easier to detect stealth airborne objects. There is also an option to use the aforesaid radar to detect and track ballistic missiles.

Similarly as in case of the BYSTRA radar, the P-18PL system is to be fitted with an AESA antenna, with electronic scanning available in case of elevation and azimuth planes. Contrary to the P-18 radar, this system is a 3D solution, making it possible to simultaneously define distance, azimuth and altitude of the tracked object.

Passive PCL-PET Long Range “Radar”

PCL-PET system functions in a completely different manner. It is a multi-static passive radar. In order to deliver the radar data to the airspace monitoring systems and air-defence systems, the PCL-PET system utilizes two, separate passive subsystems, which means that this radar is stealthy – no emission of own signals is present, so that the position of that radar is impossible to be detected on the basis of the emitted radar waves.

The PCL-PET radar is capable of monitoring the airspace, should a need arise to switch off the active systems, or should the active systems be jammed or destroyed. For the purpose of detecting the airborne objects (including ones that have a “stealth” profile), PCL-PET system uses two following methods:

• Passive Coherent Location (PCL), with the use of electromagnetic radiation from the local emitters;

• Passive Emitter Tracking (PET), based on detection of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the onboard systems of the tracked objects (airborne, ground and maritime ones).

PCL system uses the signals emitted by so called occasional transmitters, not tied to the PCL-PET station in any way, which are operated for purposes that are entirely different, often not even related to the military applications. These include, above all, FM radio stations, DVB-T TV signals, and GSM signals.

In case of the PET system, signals emitted by onboard radars, navigational systems, IFF signals and signals from the communication suites are detected and analysed.

Moreover, the way in which the PET and PCL subsystems fuse the information is also an innovative solution. PCL-PET system, as a whole, may use both sources at the same time or operate separately. For example, the PCL system makes it possible to detect and track the detected airborne objects even in case when such objects maintain radio silence – when PET does not receive any signals.

All three devices are a proof that PGZ is capable of fully meeting the needs of the Polish Army, when it comes to the radar systems. The aforesaid radar solutions utilize modern AESA VHF or PCL-PET solutions and may be applied in a wide range of applications – from early warning, including detection of aircraft and stealth aircraft, to fire control for the air defence systems that directly protect own forces and structures.