Innovative developments that help the Armed Forces of Ukraine to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country are not only engaged in large design bureaus or private enterprises, but also in a number of higher educational institutions. The most vivid examples of cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and educational institutions are the development of new solutions by the National Technical University of Ukraine “Kiev Polytechnic Institute named after Igor Sikorsky” (NTUU KPI) and the National Aviation University (NAU).
NTUU KPI is one of the largest and most prestigious Ukrainian universities. It consists of 18 faculties, 7 academic institutes (including one military), a joint engineering faculty, a branch in Slavutych, 15 research institutes and research centers, a design bureau and other structures. It would not be superfluous to note that, to a large extent, such scope of works in the interests of defense at the university turned out to be feasible thanks to the positions of two key managers. Namely, the rector – Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, and more recently, the head of the Supervisory Board of SC “Ukroboronprom” Mikhail Zgurovsky, and Vice-Rector for Research – Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Mikhail Ilchenko.
Known results of the work of NTUU KPI scientists in the past were: the Kolchuga radio technical intelligence station, communications equipment and the DNEPR telecommunications system. Today, these products are used in troop control, as is the system that allows simultaneous reception of information from 18 geostationary satellites that carry important information for public administration. At the moment, NTUU KPI is actively developing in the following areas: space and aviation, special communication systems, cyber security and security technologies, the protection of equipment and personnel, the development of small arms and the modernization of equipment, and the provision of replacement replacement. There are also developments in the creation of a mini satellite. By the way, developments are conducted both within the framework of the state order, and under the orders of private companies.
NTUU KPI has a number of successful programs for cooperation with other enterprises. So, together with LLC “LIGHTHOUSE”, new models of small arms were created. Together with the Hydro Research Institute, hydroacoustic stations were developed to monitor underwater objects. As well as the means of special communication, which are actually ready for implementation, are created jointly with LLC ELVIS. The program of import substitution and the creation of a perimeter border protection system is carried out together with the Fund of Academician Mikhalevich. According to M.Ilchenko, in 2017 out of 36 programs of scientific cooperation Ukraine-NATO, four were performed by NTUU KPI. They, in particular, concerned the creation of a new type mine detector, the development of new ceramic materials, the use of microwave protection technology.
In NTUU KPI are engaged in the development of unmanned aerial systems (LHC). Created by the Institute of the BAK “Spectator” class “mini”. Tactical capabilities of the LHC allow starting from the hand in the absence of a special launch pad and additional take-off devices. The range of receiving and transmitting data from such a tank is up to 30 km. Transportation of the device can be carried out by fighters in backpacks or containers weighing not more than 9 kg. There is also a parachute landing system (landing on the fuselage is possible), as well as an autonomous emergency rescue system and a search system for the LHC. The development proved to be in demand, and the LHC can be used for search and rescue operations, and it is also possible to use it in agriculture. To date, the development has been launched in industrial production in cooperation with Meridian JSC. S.P. Queen. “Spectator” is already used in the divisions of the Armed Forces, the State Border Service of Ukraine, the agrarian sphere of Ukraine.
On the basis of NTUU KPI, a portable tropospheric radio relay station was also developed. It is designed to organize special communication in the interests of law enforcement agencies in the context of daily activities, during counter-terrorist operations and the like. It can also be used to organize operational communication during the liquidation of consequences of natural and man-made emergency situations. The robot can be made as part of corporate and departmental networks in sparsely populated and hard-to-reach areas. This radio station can be used to provide communication on the backbone and intrazonal lines in the interests of commercial communication operators or to organize basic and reserve directions in technological and special communication networks.
Among the advantages of the radio station, it should be noted that the project implemented a multi-level adaptation mode, combined with the use of packet data transmission, which in turn allows you to vary the data transfer rate in a wide range, depending on the operating conditions of the station. Another advantage of the radar is the use of technologies of software-defined radio systems and a system on a chip and built-in operating system based on Linux, which allowed not only to create modern equipment, but also to provide the possibility of upgrading stations due to the rapid software update. At the same time, a radically new transceiver device is realized in the radio station, made in a monoblock version using transistor power amplifiers. Development was extremely demanded in the market of communication systems.
Another interesting example, created at the NTUU KPI, is the digital modem equipment of the new generation of over-the-horizon communication stations. This equipment is intended for use in stations of tropospheric communication and microwave relay stations of a new generation with increased noise immunity. It provides high noise immunity and throughput of the communication system, which is achieved through the use of advanced data transmission technologies and multi-level adaptation to changing operating conditions. Among the available units of such equipment, the development of NTUU KPI is characterized by the use of spectrally effective types of modulation and noise-immune coding, multi-level adaptation to changing the operating conditions of the station using original solutions, support for various modes of operation (tropospheric propagation, diffraction spreading, direct visibility), packet data transmission, continuous non-destructive control of the status of the communication channel, as well as the use of software-controlled technologies (SDR) and a system on a crystal (SoC).
The physical and technical institute and the design bureau “Storm” developed a perimeter security system. The system is designed for stationary placement along a certain perimeter of objects and their protection. Depending on the equipment and software, the system can be used to protect closed and long perimeters, for example, the state border of Ukraine. The proposed system is built on the basis of vector seismic sensors with primary processing and analysis of signals at the point of setting in real time. The advantages of such a security system are: the ability to classify mobile objects, concealment, unlimited perimeter length, direction detection to a moving object, lack of maintenance, the ability to integrate other security systems or the ability to be integrated into a global security system.
Also, the specialists of the Institute of Physics and Technology and the Storm Design Bureau created a stationary monitoring system for the surface and underwater situation. The system is designed to solve tasks related to monitoring the marine environment and the behavior of underwater and above-water objects in it. Depending on the composition and software, the system can be used for protected marine areas, ports, offshore drilling platforms, maritime boundaries, and for the analysis and monitoring of marine fauna or seismic behavior of the seabed. The proposed system is constructed on the basis of combined vector receivers and electronic equipment with a large dynamic range, which makes it possible to process sonoacoustic signals with great speed and great ability. Algorithms and software that are used to process received signals are unique and do not have world analogues. These algorithms allow processing of signals even at the level of sea noise.
The chemistry and technology faculty of NTUU KPI has created a portable water treatment plant “Owl”. The plant is designed to produce purified, biologically and chemically safe drinking water in the field, in natural and man-made disasters or in places of military operations. The installation provides the quality of cleaning at the level of modern army models (USA, Israel). At the same time, it has a lower cost, a lower cost of water treatment and a much better autonomy. Compared with modern products for the civil market, Owl provides significantly better barrier efficiency (especially with regard to microbiological and viral pollution) and allows not only clean lakes and streams to be used as a source, but also contaminated water bodies such as bogs, drainage ditches, etc. . Thanks to the use of innovative water purification technology with the help of biocidal polymers, the plant effectively purifies water from organic (pesticides, biological residues, etc.) and inorganic (heavy metals) impurities, disinfects water from a wide range of dangerous microorganisms – bacteria (dysentery, cholera, typhus, tuberculosis, leptospirosis), viruses (HIV, hepatitis, coxsack), fungi (candida, aspergillus). It is noteworthy that the installation does not require external power sources, it has high autonomy (one set of consumables is enough for a month or more, optional sets for increasing autonomy are provided). One unit can provide a group of several dozen people with drinking water – small mobile units (reconnaissance, special purpose groups, block posts, landing). It can also provide drinking water to employees and civilians in an emergency situation – natural disasters, epidemics, man-made disasters, military operations. The technology can be scalable to provide drinking water to large units, hospitals, field camps, military units, military campuses.
Another development of researchers at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, designed primarily for power structures, is a glass-basalt-plastic container for the packaging, storage and transportation of ammunition. A container made of composite fiberglass fiberglass materials is an important element of the re-equipment of the existing arsenals of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, especially in the context of conducting operations in the zone of combat clashes with Russian military formations in the east of Ukraine. The use of a new ammunition container will increase the trouble-free storage of ammunition, fire safety and significantly reduce costs at the stage of their storage and operation. At the same time, it is practically impossible to use large amounts of scarce business wood, which is now traditionally used. The new container, unlike the traditional wooden packaging with increased tactical and technical characteristics, does not burn, does not rot, does not swell from moisture and has a long shelf life – up to 30 years. He, having a collapsible construction, makes it possible to assemble on arsenals and bases without the use of complex technological equipment.
In addition to technical equipment, there are developments related to the reform of the innovation control system. So M. Zgurovsky actually started to implement the creation in Ukraine of an analogue of the American DARPA on the basis of NTUU KPI. The organization will be called the Government Advant Research Development Agency (GARDA) or the State Agency of Advanced Research Projects. The platform will be designed to develop defense innovations. Its creation is carried out with the help of the ex-head of the American DARPA, Dr. Anthony Teter, who became an adviser to the DC “Ukroboronprom” in August 2016. According to the ideas, the platform should unite developers, start-ups, investment funds and military to develop defense innovations for the benefit of the country. The agency will also work on technologies that will prevent negative challenges, including those of a technogenic nature.
“I think that the financing of defense development should be carried out on a multi-channel principle. The first source is public funds. The state, through the relevant funds, must finance advanced projects that can enhance the country’s defense capability. And this is a model of the American DARPA. I hope that such a mechanism should be incorporated into the activities of the State Agency for Advanced Defense Projects GARDA, which should be established in Ukraine on the basis of the GIFKU or other similar government body. The second source of financing is private investment capital. The model of their attraction to support of promising start-ups is worked out in the innovative ecosystem of Sikorsky Challenge, created around the KPI them. Igor Sikorsky. Now it works already in nine regions of Ukraine. More than ten years of experience of this ecosystem has shown that in Ukraine there are more and more private companies, investment and venture funds, are interested in finding high-tech projects, with the purpose of investing in them and bringing them to the markets. In particular, only in the said innovative ecosystem over the past 10 years more than 100 new technologies with significant social and economic effects have been introduced to the markets. More than 20% of them are military and dual-purpose. According to a similar model, defense projects can be supported by many other innovative systems that have recently begun and are rapidly developing in Ukraine, “Zgurovsky is sure.
As for NAU (its rector is Doctor of Biological Sciences, professor, candidate of technical sciences Vladimir Isayenko), the university is actively engaged in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles of various types from micro to operational and tactical, capable of lifting cargo up to 100 kg and capable of being used both in civil, and military fields. One of such samples is the unmanned complex M-6-3 “Skylark”. It can be used to solve tasks related to aerial photography, real-time video surveillance from the air, patrolling of linear and area objects, urgent transportation of small loads. The main advantages of this device are perfect aerodynamics, which leads to considerable fuel economy, increased service life of the propeller-motor installation, excellent retention of the line of the given path, increased wind resistance, which extends the limits of “all-weather”. Samples M-6-3 “Skylark” were delivered to the power structures of Ukraine in the zone of military operations in 2015. World analogues of this LHC are unmanned aerial vehicles Pointer (USA), LUNA (Germany), Rafael Sky Lite B (Israel).
The mobile tank M-10 “Eye 2” is also the brainchild of NAU designers. It is designed for remote surveillance from the air behind objects (individual structures, roads, bridges, vehicles, oil and gas pipelines, power lines and others), air monitoring of ground conditions in emergency situations (fires, earthquakes, floods, man-made accidents); carrying out search and rescue operations, data transmission of telemetry and video in the “online” mode. Among the positive qualities that the M-10 “Eye 2” possesses, it should be noted that the ability to baseless basing allows it to operate in almost any terrain conditions. Due to the design features and small size of the M-10 “Eye 2” has a small optical, acoustic and radar visibility. Samples of this BPS passed all the tests and were delivered to the power structures of Ukraine in the zone of military clashes with the Russian factions in 2015-2016.
Another project of NAU specialists is the NAU-KM 3 “Cup” converter. This is a twin-engine aircraft of 3,500 kg class with swivel screws on wing tips. This type of aircraft carries out vertical take-off and landing, which allows it to perform flights to hard-to-reach geographical and climatic zones, incl. in areas with complex terrain, mountainous terrain, islands, polar zones, tropics and the like. The convertoplane can be used in geological exploration, patrolling of oil and gas pipelines, as well as other linear objects; carrying out various types of aerial photography, delivering humanitarian aid, protecting state borders, transporting patients between hospitals and specialized medical centers, combating piracy, preventing smuggling operations, and the like. Due to their multitasking, potential customers of the convertoplan can be not only the Ministry of Defense, but also the State Service of Ukraine for Emergencies, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Ministry of Infrastructure, etc.
In NAU, an aircraft was also developed, which has a predominantly defensive purpose. M-56 “Module” refers to unmanned aerial vehicles with electric motors and starting mass of up to 20 kg, which are used for barrage and patrolling the territory in order to prevent enemy objects by identifying and destroying them. Potential users of the M-56 “Module” are power and special structures. M-56 “Module” performs the functions of blocking the territory from an enemy attack. The intelligent board itself determines the type of the target and independently decides to strike, or sends a signal to the operator requesting subsequent commands. In addition, the M-56 “Module” is a high-precision device that can be used as a weapon, scout or spotter. On board the M-56 “Module” contains ammunition. On-board computer installed software for solving “intelligent” tasks, such as: recognition and identification of goals; the choice of optimal heights of the barrage; bypassing obstacles and the like. After completing the M-56 task, the “Module” returns “home” and lands with a parachute.
The technology of creation of vortices on wings and controls was developed in NAU. An unmanned aerial vehicle with this technology is capable of flying at large, supercritical angles of attack without stalling, which makes it suitable for use in difficult weather conditions (high turbulence, wind gusts). The scope of this LHC is similar to that of traditional unmanned aerial vehicles: surveillance, reconnaissance, control of ground assets, combat use. With the help of technology of creating vortices of special volumetric form, the predicted place of the generated vortex is provided, due to this, the aerodynamic characteristics at large angles of attack significantly improve. The critical angle of attack of the model of the L-39 aircraft was increased from 19 ° to 35 °, which protects the model from stalling during wind gusts, eliminates the appearance of static hysteresis and self-rotation at supercritical angles of attack, improves the steerability of the model by elevator controls and ailerons, . This technology helps to prevent early flow separation on the aerodynamic controllable nasal surface in the “duck” type arrangement, which increases the aerodynamic quality of the “flying wing” and “duck” layout.
It is extremely important to emphasize that most of the developments of NTUU KPI and NAU have a double application, which in practice emphasizes the growing trend – the flow of defense technologies into the civilian sector. This can fundamentally affect the development of the entire economy of the state.
Ivan Mironenko,
IA “OPK”
The article is placed with the kind consent of the information resource IA «OPK»
