Russian multirole fighter-bombers Su-34NVO can be used as airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft thanks to the "Pika-M" radar system. This was stated by military expert Evgeny Damantsev.
The analyst noted that the X-band operation of the "Pika-M" containers in synthetic aperture mode provides not only surface reconnaissance, but also long-range radar detection of airspace. Including low-altitude sections where the flight paths of SCALP-EG, AGM-158A JASSM missiles, and so on, pass.
The "Pika-M" systems will allow detecting missiles with an RCS of 0.03 m² against the ground at a distance of up to 100 km and issuing target designation to 40N6, 9M96DM, and 9M317MA anti-aircraft missiles. Thus, the Su-34NVO will be able to be used as an operational high-speed AWACS platform.
"Pika-M" is part of the BKR-3 onboard complex, which provides radar reconnaissance around the clock and in any weather. The radar has a resolution in mapping mode of up to 1-1.5 m, and the detection range of objects is up to 300 km.
The radar is capable of detailed distinguishing the structural elements of the detected aircraft - engine, keel, armament, determining its type by characteristic features. For this, a telescopic observation mode with a resolution of up to 30 cm is provided.
Earlier www1.ru reported that in the USSR the An-71 project was developed as a response to the American AWACS aircraft Hawkeye. However, it was closed due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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