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R-187 Azart

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R-187-P1 "Azart"
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Type Handheld tactical radio
Service History
In service since 2014
Used by Russian Armed Forces,

Russian public safety agencies

Wars Syrian Civil War, Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Manufacturer NPO Angstrem
Production years 2014 - ongoing
Specifications
Frequency range 27-520 MHz
Transmit power up to 4 watts
Modes analog voice, digital voice and data
Weight 466 g (w/o battery and antenna)

The R-187 "Azart" (Russian: Р-187 "Азарт", "Excitement") is a Russian tactical and public safety handheld radio developed and produced by NPO Angstrem[1] for the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is a component of the Ratnik infantry combat system.[2]

Service

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The Azart-P1 was first seen in use by Russian public safety agencies during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.[3] The Azart-P1 has seen service with the Russian Armed Forces during its involvement in the Syrian Civil War,[4] and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, during which many Azart radios have been captured by Ukrainian soldiers.[5]

The model in service with the Russian Armed Forces is the R-187-P1, the export model is the R-187-P1E.[1] The R-187V is a vehicle mounted version of the R-187-P1 with a higher transmit power and larger frequency range.[6]

Technical characteristics

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The Azart-P1 is capable of VHF/UHF Line of Sight (VULOS) communications in simplex modes, duplex, and repeater modes. It is also compatible with TETRA networks[7] in trunked and conventional modes, and GSM 900/1800 cellular networks.

The radio is supplied with a 27-520 MHz long antenna to cover the radios entire frequency range, a medium 100-520 MHz antenna, and a short 136-520 MHz antenna.[1] Ukrainian radio experts report these antennas typically achieve a standing wave ratio of 1.5 to 3.[5]

It has been revealed that some Azart-P1 radios were manufactured in China as a result of an embezzlement scheme that began in 2013 by General Khalil Arslanov, then head of Main Directorate of Communications of the Russian Armed Forces.[8] Some radios have also been found to use Taiwanese-made, American-designed microchips for encrypting radio traffic.[9]

Specifications

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  • Frequency range: 27 - 520 MHz[1]
  • Modes: analog (AM, FM, USB, LSB) and digital (GSM, TETRA)
  • Data speed: up to 256 kbit/s, typically 7.2 kbit/s
  • Frequency hoprate: >20,000 hops/second ("Azart" waveform), 100 hops/second ("Aqueduct" waveform)
  • Transmit power: up to 4 watts
  • Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
  • Storage capacity: 512 MB
  • Antenna connector: TNC female
  • Interfaces: USB, RS-485, Bluetooth
  • Battery life: up to 12 hours
  • Weight: 466 grams (w/o battery and antenna)

Comparable radios

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Azart-P1". www.cryptomuseum.com. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  2. ^ Ebbutt, Giles (19 April 2018). "DSA 2018: Azart showcases Ratnik combat radio | Jane's 360". Archived from the original on 21 April 2018.
  3. ^ ""Военные" радиостанции "Ангстрема" использовались для связи в Сочи". Время электроники (in Russian). 2014-03-23. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  4. ^ Thomas, Timothy (June 2020). Russian lessons learned in Syria - An assessment (PDF). MITRE Center for Technology and National Security. p. 18.
  5. ^ a b "Як користуватися трофейною радіостанцією Р-187-П1 "Азарт"". armyinform.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  6. ^ "Azart - Standardized Tactical Command and Control Radio-Communication System". Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  7. ^ Withington, Dr Thomas (2022-04-01). "TETRA Talk". Armada International. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  8. ^ "К военным поставкам подходят с гражданским азартом". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  9. ^ "Russian "native" military radio station uses microchip made in Taiwan to encrypt data - Technology Org". 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2024-02-01.