Nepolisy Provisional - Czech Radar Station

From ACIG.org

Europe & Cold War Database
Nepolisy Provisional - Czech Radar Station
By Martin Smisek
Nov 26, 2004, 06:28

On 1 January 2004 the Czech military established a new unit, the 26th Command and Control Reconnaissance Brigade, at Stara Boleslav, under command of Col. Jiri Benda. The 26th Brigade operates a total of six radar sites, all of which are integrated in the NATINEADS (NATO Integrated Enhanced Air Defense System). One of these sites, at Nepolisy, is currently being completely rebuilt, and older radars are to be replaced by a new 3D system. Consequently, in autumn 2003 a provisional placement was established some two kilometres from the original site - and this made it possible for one of the ACIG.org correspondents in the area to take this exclusive series of photographs, showing most of the deployed equipment.

The first photo is showing two p-37 GCI radars, with a PRV-17 altimeter (with limited 3D capability) behind them.

This photograph is showing one of P-37 and - clearly visible to the right, but not deployed - the Nikel Krom IFF equipment. On the left side also the antenna of an PRV-17 is visible.

Another shot of the P-37 radar, as seen from behind.

PRV-17 system as seen from closer distance.

Nikel Krom IFF system, together with vehicles carrying its energy generators.

Vehicles with air conditioning and receiver devices.

Above and bellow: Another photograph of the PRV-17, and the receiver cabin.

On the upper side of the front two vans also the ABC filters can be seen. The third vehicle in the row is containing a power generator of type AD100.

A somewhat unusual P-37, apparently placed as a "bait". namely, it is missing specific parts of the antenna - which is easy to be concluded through comparission with the two photographs bellow.

Above and bellow: "operational" P-37 unit.

In conclusion, one of the ACIG.org experts who saw these photographs offered the following observations:

- Only one of the two P-37s and the PRV-17 are operational; working in conjunction with each other they give a real 3D capability.

- The Nikel Krom IFF-system is probably not deployed because the site is integrated into NATINEADS, which is most likely working with some other IFF-system.

- The lack of a very important part of antenna that emits the secondary beam on the second P-37; this is a local modification the purpose of which is not entirely clear, then this secondary element is important for radar's electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities.

- It is also quite surprising to see the energy-supply vehicles being positioned so close to the receiver cabin: this is a rather unusual practice in most of the other air forces that use similar systems.