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Duga radar IN UKRAINE

Duga (Russian: Дуга, lit.'arc' or 'curve') was an over-the-horizon radar (OTH) system used in the Soviet Union as part of its early-warning radar network for missile defence. It operated from July 1976 to December 1989.[1] Two operational Duga radars were deployed, with one near Chernobyl and Liubech in the Ukrainian SSR, and the other in eastern Siberia.

The Duga system was extremely powerful, reaching over 10 MW, and emitted in the shortwave radio bands. It was given the nickname Russian Woodpecker by shortwave listeners for its emissions randomly appearing and sounding like sharp, repetitive tapping noises at a frequency of 10 Hz.[2] The random frequency hops often disrupted legitimate broadcasts, amateur radio operations, oceanic, commercial, aviation communications, and utility transmissions, resulting in thousands of complaints from many countries worldwide. The signal became such a nuisance that some communications receivers began including "Woodpecker Blankers" in their circuit designs.[3]

The unclaimed signal was a source of speculation, giving rise to theories such as Soviet brainwashing and weather modification experiments. However, because of its distinctive transmission pattern, many experts and amateur radio hobbyists realized it was an over-the-horizon radar system. NATO military intelligence had already given it the reporting name STEEL WORK or STEEL YARD, based on the massive size of the antenna, which spanned 700 metres (2,300 ft) in length and 150 metres (490 ft) in height.[4]

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The array at Chernobyl, Ukraine, viewed from a distance in 2014

Duga-1 array within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The array of pairs of cylindrical/conical cages on the right are the active elements, fed at the facing points with a form of ladder line suspended from stand-off platforms at top right. A backplane axial reflector of small wires is visible left of center, most clearly at the bottom of the image. The elements appear to be a modified type of cage or bi-conical dipole providing wide operating bandwidth.

Locations of Duga and Duga-1 systems in Ukraine

NATO reporting name

The NATO reporting name for the Duga-1 is often quoted as STEEL YARD. Many online and several print references use this name. However some sources also use the term STEEL WORK (or STEEL WORKS). As any "official" sources using NATO reporting names are likely to be classified, establishing the true name will be difficult. The earliest found open source mention of a NATO reporting name for this system, a reference publication in print while the system was still active, unambiguously uses the term STEEL WORK.[10][page ^needed] Jane's Information Group is an often quoted open source reference for information across several military fields and subjects. Their "Jane's Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems", several editions over a number of years, uses the term "Steel Works".[11][12][13]

Steel structure of Duga-1 from below

Location of Duga-2 in Khabarovsk Krai

Panoramic view of the landscape surrounding Duga-1. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is visible in the far left, close to the horizon.

(view as a 360° interactive panorama)

See also

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