by John Keller

MOSCOW — Russian electronics researchers are seeking outside funding to help them develop a high-power microwave "cannon" that is able to knock out the electronics in radar and precision-munitions guidance systems.

Russian scientists presented two radio frequency (RF) weapons, the Ranets-E and the Rosa-E, at the recent Malaysia's Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition LIMA 2001 trade show, Rosoboronexport, the Russian state-run international military sales company, reported.

Ranets-E and Rosa-E represent non-flying weapon systems, which have been developed by Russian researchers since the late 1990s, Rosoboronexport officials say. The new RF arms "are based on new physics principles and research based on the assumption that it is possible to disable not only pointing systems of high-precision arms, but also their electric circuits by generating certain levels of electromagnetic radiation," Rosoboronexport officials say.

The cooperation between the state arms exporter and military researchers resulted in the preparation of two commercially oriented projects, Ranets-E and Rosa-E, which can be offered to potential clients.

The Ranets-E project involves the creation of a mobile radio frequency defense system against precision weapons. The system consists of an antenna system, a high-capacity power generator, control and measuring equipment, and an energy supply subsystem. Ranets-E can be installed on a stationary or mobile base, officials say.

Its output capacity exceeds 500 megawatts; Ranets-E works in the centimeter wave frequency-range and produces impulses of 10 to 20 nanoseconds, Rosoboronexport officials claim.

Officials claim further that the Ranets-E radio frequency cannon is capable of incapacitating an enemy's high-precision weapons in a radius of 10 kilometers and ensuring all-around defense in a 60-degree-angle sector. The system is expected to disable missiles' pointing and electric systems, they say.

The high capacity interference station Rosa-E is designed to bring down enemy's radar systems. It has a range of 500 kilometers. Rosa-E can be installed in an aircraft when produced in a modified casing weighing 1,320 to 3,300 pounds. Rosa-E's input capacity is 50 to 100 kilowatts; its output capacity is 5 to 10 kilowatts. Rosa-E also works in the centimeter wave frequency range.

Rosoboronexport leaders flatly admit that potential buyers of the system may not purchase a finished product or the technical documentation of either model. They also do not explain how they can generate sufficient power for such a mobile system or spread the high-power microwave beam over 60 degrees.

For more information, contact Rosoboronexport by phone at 011-7-095-964-61-40, by fax at 011-7-095-963-26-13, by post at 27/3, Stromynka Street, Moscow, 107076, Russian Federation, or on the World Wide Web at http://www.rusarm. ru/comp.htm.