Kraków 2023-09-12
ZDPSR "SOŁA" radar.
The name ZDPSR "SOŁA" means Transferable Radiolocation Station, i.e. a mobile radar developed in Poland by PIT-Radwar S.A. The radar was developed by Polish engineers in 2013 and was introduced into service in the Polish Army in 2014. Production lasted in the period 2013-2015 and is still in production, as confirmed by representatives of PIT-Radwar S.A. at the MSPO fair in Kielce. In 2023, the Polish Army was armed with 10 ZDPSR "SOŁA" radars.
The radar is of the PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) type and was mounted on the armored chassis of the Żubr-P vehicle. The radar is three-coordinate and can track up to 99 targets simultaneously. The detection range is 60 km. The radar is intended for short-range (SHORAD) and very short-range (VSHORAD) air defense systems. The radar uses S-band (main channel), C-band (helicopter channel). The radar station searches space in the vertical plane (elevation) with an electronically controlled beam of electromagnetic radiation, and in azimuth by mechanically rotating the antenna.
ZDPSR "SOŁA" is equipped with numerous measures against passive and active interference. Radar is characterized by a very short information recovery time. The radar operation is controlled from the operator’s terminal. It is also possible to use a portable terminal at a distance of up to 400 m. The radar can operate for 5 minutes. The radar can also be installed on any platform with a load capacity of 3,500 kg
The ZDPSR "SOŁA" radar (radiation station) is designed to control the air area, detect and track the routes of objects detected in a given area. The output data from the radar contains full information about the detected object, including three position coordinates, speed, course and the classification of helicopters as a separate target category. The radar also detects unmanned aerial vehicles and mortar shells. The main task of the ZDPSR "SOŁA" system is anti-aircraft defense of own land forces, industrial facilities, communication hubs and communication centers. The ZDPSR "SOŁA" system also indicates targets for anti-aircraft batteries and individual SPZR Poprad sets.
In 2013, the Ministry of National Defense signed a contract worth PLN 150.7 million for the supply of 8 ZDPSR "SOŁA" radars for the Polish Army. The contract was performed in the period 2014 – 2015. In 2022, further radars were purchased for the batteries of the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile system as part of the "Narew" program.
The progenitor of the ZDPSR "SOŁA" radar was a radar station for detecting and indicating flying objects, developed as part of the implementation of the strategic government program for the PZA "LOARA" anti-aircraft artillery system. The radar was developed in 2004 by the then CNPEP RADWAR S.A. company. The radar had a range of up to 25 km. Radar had the advantage of being able to work while moving. The refresh rate was 1 second because the antenna rotated at 60 revolutions per minute. In the following years, the radar was modernized. In 2008, the radar was offered to the Polish Army, under the designation MMSR-175. As a result of adapting the radar to anti-aircraft systems, the MMSR-196 radar was created and, as a result, ZDPSR "SOŁA".
Written by Karol Placha Hetman