The AFU seized a noise jamming station, which should make the Su-30SM fighter invulnerable to air defense systems
The Ukrainian Armed Forces recently shot down a $40 million Su-30SM fighter jet. The Russians claim that its capabilities are comparable to those of the fifth-generation American F-35 Lightning II. One of the plane's features is the Khitina-U complex, part of which was captured.
Here's What We Know
The Armed Forces of Ukraine received the station of active noise jamming SAP-518 "Regata", which is considered an analogue of the American station AN/ALQ-165. According to the designers' idea, it was supposed to make the Su-30SM invisible for enemy air defense systems. As we can see, something went wrong. Though it is not excluded that the fighter was shot down by a portable antiaircraft missile system.
As the Russian Army couldn't be bothered to remove the wreckage of Su-30SM 'RF-81773' that came down in a formerly Russian-controlled part of Kharkiv Oblast, Western intelligence agencies are now the proud owner of a slightly dented SAP-518SM 'Regata' jamming pod. pic.twitter.com/9BN5dPNQvi
- Oryx (@oryxspioenkop) September 12, 2022
The SAP-518 'Regata' can warp the radar signal from the aircraft, creating jamming responses. Thus, it will be more difficult for the radar station to capture the aircraft. Due to the fact that the created target mark has more power than the aircraft, the antiaircraft missiles will be aimed exactly at it.
Despite the fact that the Khibina-U radio-electronic system proved ineffective in this contract case, there is a possibility that it could be of interest to the United States, being of value for industrial intelligence. Especially given that Ukraine was able to obtain other parts of the complex during the war.
Source: @oryxspioenkop