Tamara passive sensor
Encyclopedia
Tamara was the third generation Czechoslovak electronic support measures (ESM) system that used measurements of time difference of arrival (TDOA) of pulses at three or four sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters by multilateration
. Tamara's serial numbers were KRTP-86 and KRTP-91 and it carried the NATO reporting name
of Trash Can. The serial number was derived from the Czech phrase "Komplet Radiotechnického Průzkumu" meaning "Radiotechnical Reconnaissance Set".
in Pardubice
began in 1981 and continued until 1983. Tests of a mobile system began in September 1984 through to 1985. It was finally deployed in 1987 following acceptance tests in October of that year. In 1991 the baseline KRTP-86 Tamara was superseded in production by improved the KRTP-91 Tamara-M.
trucks and mounted upon a powerful 25 m
hydraulic mast. Setup was completely automated and claimed to be of the order of twenty minutes from the moment of arrival at a site.
receiver) and two or three side sites containing only an ESM receiver. The side sites relay the signals received to the central site over a point-to-point microwave link. The central site uses the known propagation delay
from the side sites to estimate the TDOA of the pulses at each site. The TDOA of a pulse between one side site and the central site locates the target on a hyperboloid. A second side site provides a second TDOA and hence a second hyperboloid. The intersection of these two hyperboloids places the target on a line, providing a 2D measurement of the target's location (no height). A third site provides a third hyperboloid and hence an a measurement of height.
Tamara could automatically track 23 radar
and 48 IFF
targets simultaneously. Its frequency band is 0.8-18 GHz
. The nominal range of the system is 450 km, and it is generally limited by the radio horizon. It provides surveillance over a sector of approximately 100 degrees, with the later KRTP-91 system offering a wider 120 degree sector of surveillance.
, as well as a single KRTP-86 Tamara unit to the German Democratic Republic. According to some recent publications, to the United States
via Oman
in 1991. Chinese YLC-20 is reportedly a development of KRTP-91 Tamara-M, though no complete unit has been exported to China.
and Ramona
. It has been succeeded by the VERA
family of sensors.
Multilateration
Multilateration is a navigation technique based on the measurement of the difference in distance to two or more stations at known locations that broadcast signals at known times. Unlike measurements of absolute distance or angle, measuring the difference in distance results in an infinite number of...
. Tamara's serial numbers were KRTP-86 and KRTP-91 and it carried the NATO reporting name
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...
of Trash Can. The serial number was derived from the Czech phrase "Komplet Radiotechnického Průzkumu" meaning "Radiotechnical Reconnaissance Set".
History
Development of Tamara by the state-run company TeslaTesla (company)
TESLA was a large, state-owned electrotechnical conglomerate in the former Czechoslovakia....
in Pardubice
Pardubice
Pardubice is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the river Elbe, 65 miles east of Prague. Pardubice has an antique centre square and old town, with many restaurants that stay open until late in the evening. There is an old Tower and a recently renovated Castle...
began in 1981 and continued until 1983. Tests of a mobile system began in September 1984 through to 1985. It was finally deployed in 1987 following acceptance tests in October of that year. In 1991 the baseline KRTP-86 Tamara was superseded in production by improved the KRTP-91 Tamara-M.
Appearance
Unlike its predecessors, Tamara was a mobile system deployed on eight large Tatra T815Tatra T815
Tatra T815 is a truck family, produced by Czech company Tatra. It uses the traditional tatra concept of rigid backbone tube and swinging half-axles giving independent suspension. The vehicles are available in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, 10x8, 10x10, 12x8 and 12x12 variants. There are both air-cooled and...
trucks and mounted upon a powerful 25 m
Metre
The metre , symbol m, is the base unit of length in the International System of Units . Originally intended to be one ten-millionth of the distance from the Earth's equator to the North Pole , its definition has been periodically refined to reflect growing knowledge of metrology...
hydraulic mast. Setup was completely automated and claimed to be of the order of twenty minutes from the moment of arrival at a site.
Mode of operation
The deployed system typically comprises a central site (containing the signal processing equipment and an ESMElectronic warfare support measures
In military telecommunications, the terms Electronic Support or Electronic Support Measures describe the division of electronic warfare involving actions taken under direct control of an operational commander to detect, intercept, identify, locate, record, and/or analyze sources of radiated...
receiver) and two or three side sites containing only an ESM receiver. The side sites relay the signals received to the central site over a point-to-point microwave link. The central site uses the known propagation delay
Propagation delay
Propagation delay is a technical term that can have a different meaning depending on the context. It can relate to networking, electronics or physics...
from the side sites to estimate the TDOA of the pulses at each site. The TDOA of a pulse between one side site and the central site locates the target on a hyperboloid. A second side site provides a second TDOA and hence a second hyperboloid. The intersection of these two hyperboloids places the target on a line, providing a 2D measurement of the target's location (no height). A third site provides a third hyperboloid and hence an a measurement of height.
Tamara could automatically track 23 radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
and 48 IFF
Identification friend or foe
In telecommunications, identification, friend or foe is an identification system designed for command and control. It is a system that enables military and national interrogation systems to identify aircraft, vehicles, or forces as friendly and to determine their bearing and range from the...
targets simultaneously. Its frequency band is 0.8-18 GHz
GHZ
GHZ or GHz may refer to:# Gigahertz .# Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state — a quantum entanglement of three particles.# Galactic Habitable Zone — the region of a galaxy that is favorable to the formation of life....
. The nominal range of the system is 450 km, and it is generally limited by the radio horizon. It provides surveillance over a sector of approximately 100 degrees, with the later KRTP-91 system offering a wider 120 degree sector of surveillance.
Exports
Tesla built a total of 23 units, with 15 KRTP-86 Tamara and 4 KRTP-91 Tamara-M units exported to the former Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, as well as a single KRTP-86 Tamara unit to the German Democratic Republic. According to some recent publications, to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
via Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
in 1991. Chinese YLC-20 is reportedly a development of KRTP-91 Tamara-M, though no complete unit has been exported to China.
Related systems
Tamara was the successor of the KopáčKopác passive sensor
Kopáč was an early electronic warfare support measures system developed in Czechoslovakia in the early 1960s that used measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters...
and Ramona
Ramona passive sensor
Ramona was the second generation Czechoslovakian electronic support measures system that uses measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three or four sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters by multilateration.-History:...
. It has been succeeded by the VERA
VERA passive sensor
VERA -VERA passive radiolocator is an electronic support measures system that uses measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three or four sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters....
family of sensors.
See also
- ELINT\ESM
- KopáčKopác passive sensorKopáč was an early electronic warfare support measures system developed in Czechoslovakia in the early 1960s that used measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters...
- the first generation Czech ESM TDOA system - RamonaRamona passive sensorRamona was the second generation Czechoslovakian electronic support measures system that uses measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three or four sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters by multilateration.-History:...
- the second generation Czech ESM TDOA system - VERAVERA passive sensorVERA -VERA passive radiolocator is an electronic support measures system that uses measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three or four sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters....
- the current and fourth generation Czech ESM TDOA system
Literature
- Jiří Hofman, Jan Bauer: Tajemství radiotechnického pátrače Tamara
[ The Secret of Radiotechnical Sensor Tamara] , 2003, ISBN 80-86645-02-9, in Czech language. Describes three generations of the sensors: PRP 1Kopác passive sensorKopáč was an early electronic warfare support measures system developed in Czechoslovakia in the early 1960s that used measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters...
(1964), RamonaRamona passive sensorRamona was the second generation Czechoslovakian electronic support measures system that uses measurements of time difference of arrival of pulses at three or four sites to accurately detect and track airborne emitters by multilateration.-History:...
(1979) and Tamara (1989). Jiří Hofman worked in the development of the sensors.