Infrared Radiation Simulator Successfully Passed Research Tests

In December 2022, at the 174th training ground (Domanovo), specialists from Air Force and Air Defence with the employees of Precise Electromechanics Factory Republican Production Unitary Enterprise (RPUE) carried out research tests of the IKI-1 air object infrared radiation simulator, the purpose of which was to assess the possibility of accepting the product for supply to the Armed Forces.

A design particularity of the product is the possibility of simulating an approaching (retreating) air object by changing the intensity of infrared radiation (burning).

The product imitates an air target for anti-aircraft guided missiles with a thermal homing head and is intended for instruction and training anti-aircraft snipers of the Igla, Igla-1 portable air defence missile systems (ADMSs), crews of the Strela-10 ADMSs. IKI-1 can also be used for highlighting (marking) targets for the Tunguska air defence antitank system, Osa-AKM ADMS, Tor ADMS, ZU-23 antiaircraft mount at the training ground.

The time of visibility of the simulator in the optical range is at least 60 seconds, the time of simulating the approach of an object is no more than 30 seconds. The product retains performance characteristics under various temperature and humidity conditions, which allows for the training of air defence specialists at any time of the day and year in various climatic conditions.

The range of infrared radiation corresponds to the performance characteristics of the homing heads of anti-aircraft guided missiles used by ADMS (MANPADS). Simulator length – 200 mm, weight – 0.8 kg.

During the tests at the training ground, all the IKI-1 samples fully confirmed the declared performance characteristics and reliability in difficult conditions of military operation. Their new possibilities for organising the training of various air defence units have been identified and analysed by specialists.

At the end of last year, IKI-1 was adopted into the supply to the Armed Forces of our country.