Domestically Produced Air Target Simulators Will Increase the Combat Training of Anti-Aircraft Gunners

At the end of April 2024, at the 174th Air Force and Air Defence training ground, specialists of the Belarusian arms industry conducted firing tests of experimental samples of the radar air target simulator IVC-122RL for air defence missile systems (ADMSs) with a radio command system for guiding surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).

IVC-122RL is designed for instruction and training the crews of the Osa-AKM, Tor, Pantsir, Buk ADMSs in conditions close to modern combat, for forming and maintaining stable detection skills for military personnel, tracking and destruction of high-speed ballistic air targets with low radar visibility in the range conditions. The product design provides for two versions, differing in altitude, speed and range.

IVC-122RL is launched from BM-21, BM-21A combat vehicles, as well as from other launchers designed to launch 122 mm missiles.

IVC-122RL is a fully domestic development with a high degree of localisation without the use of foreign-made components. The design particularities are simplicity of manufacture, manufacturability, reliability, low cost, high tactical and technical characteristics and high modernisation potential.

During testing at the range, all IVC-122RL samples confirmed the declared tactical and technical characteristics and reliability in the conditions of military operation in practical use. Their new capabilities for the organisation of training of various Air Defence units were revealed. Preliminary results of IVC-122RL tests are recognised as positive.

During launches at the range, the Osa-AKM ADMS crews were able to detect, capture, tracking and engage simulated air targets.

It is noteworthy that the cockpits of the Osa-AKM ADMS combat vehicles were occupied by cadets of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus. The future officers conducted launches of SAMs against such type of air targets for the first time in the history of the military educational institution. The results of the tests showed that the developers managed to create a fairly simple and reliable product, and the domestic military school is at its best, demonstrating a high level of training of future officers, reliability and effectiveness of Air Defence means used.

For the rest of this year it is planned to complete the research and development work and supply the IVC-122RL simulator to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.