Russian military forces are capable of successfully countering low-observable Storm Shadow cruise missiles using a range of domestic surface-to-air missile systems. A well-executed system configuration can minimize the effectiveness of this type of munition, according to military analyst Evgeny Damantsev.
According to him, one countermeasure is optimizing the deployment of air defense assets in missile-threatened areas to ensure that target illumination and guidance radars reliably cover all possible low-altitude "blind spots."
To achieve this, all Buk-M2 and Buk-M3 SAM systems should be equipped with 9S36M target illumination radars on "elbow-type" masts up to 21 m high to elevate the radar antenna posts above the tree canopy in wooded areas, as well as above small terrain elevations.
The analyst noted that the same procedure applies to S-300/S-400 systems. In these systems, the 30/92N6E target illumination radar antenna post is raised to a height of up to 38.8 meters using a 40V6MD universal tower, which will not only allow for more effective engagement of Storm Shadow missiles over terrain undulations and forest massifs, but will also increase the radio horizon from 25 - 27 to 38 - 45 km.
In the most missile-threatened areas, such target illumination radars should be spaced 50 - 60 km apart for maximum effective coverage of low-altitude sections near the radio horizon boundaries.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that Russian military personnel had refined a popular reconnaissance Mavic quadcopter. Soldiers encased the drone in a protective "barbecue" net, which will help it against aerial UAV attacks.