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The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are using American-made GPS systems during their combat missions in Syria.
The revelation was made by Russian politician Soviet Air Force veteran Colonel Viktor Alksnis, on his Facebook page.
He drew attention to recently-released photographs of the cockpit of a Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber in Syria. This is also the case of the Su-25SM3 fighter jets.
Experts later confirmed that the photo shows a U.S.-manufactured GPS receiver developed by the Garmin company. Russian military pilots used the GPS receiver of Garmin’s popular entry-level eTrex Legend family.
It is more than likely that the Russians installed them in their planes in case their navigation systems did not work.
Garmin says that with its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, eTrex Legend locates position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons.
This etrex series of GPS handhelds should be familiar to the many tourists who usually buy one of these to use in their travels.
In the photographs, the left side of the HUD of Su-25SM3 is equipped with a Garmin GPSMAP 496 aviation GPS navigation terminal.
This navigation system is a civilian navigation machine familiar to aviation enthusiasts. In addition to positioning navigation, it also provides weather and terrain warning service, because there is a European database, it is very suitable for use in Europe and the nearby regions.
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The image was allegedly taken in 2016 over Raqqa at the time of the KAB-500Kr guided bombs being dropped over the Euphrates, in the cockpit of a Russian warplane recorded the use of the American GPS navigation system simultaneously with Russian equipment.
In this case, American pilots do the same. Where there is a likelihood of falling under the operation of the electronic warfare systems of the “probable partners”, they use the navigation systems of Russia and China as insurance.
Both the Su-34 and Su-25SM3 actually have their own satellite navigation system, especially the Su-25SM3 is a new model that has only been upgraded in recent years. One of the key points of its upgrade is to improve the satellite navigation capabilities.
The original Su-25SM was equipped with A-737-01 GPS and GLONASS dual-signal satellite navigation receiver when it was upgraded, while the new Su-25SM3 is to further improve the satellite navigation receiver to PPA-S /V-06, also compatible with GPS and GLONASS dual signals, and also adds the ability to edit waypoints.
It stands to reason that since the built-in navigation is compatible with GPS signals, even if the Russian GLONASS is not strong, there is no need to worry about the lack of navigation signals, because there can be GPS installed on the warplane, making it pointless to buy a civilian one. Still, it is plain to see that the GPS portable terminal is installed on the plane.
This situation can only mean that the navigation systems of these two fighters cannot satisfy the Russian pilots, or that they cannot meet the requirements of the Russian military. It may be that there is a problem with the reliability of the hardware, or it may be that the data information of the electronic map is not perfect.
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Ooops, here come more “sanctions” for being morons. The Americunts are so dumb that a new platinum award for stupidity is a must.
looks like as the autor of this has not that much background related to EW, and the specificallities of the GPS system. The conclusion drawn “This situation can only mean that the navigation systems of these two fighters cannot satisfy the Russian pilots, or that they cannot meet the requirements of the Russian military. It may be that there is a problem with the reliability of the hardware, or it may be that the data information of the electronic map is not perfect.” does not fit. it is more likely to have a dedicated US made GPS receiver on board to be prepared for GPS data alteration and data accuracy degrading, which can be done by simple commands through the US control interfaces.
Yes its a backup in case the USA manages to jam Russian navigation systems as the USA is unlikely to jam its own GPS used by its own forces.
It is for multi layer protection. nothing to do with what this article says.
Both GLONASS and GPS are dual use (civilian/military), on their currently 2 frequency bands (L1, L2) (3rd L5 one will follow, currently in testing). Military (encrypted) signals are higher precision. There are also higher precision L1/2 encrypted ones for civilian use (survey grade). New higher precision signals for civilian use will be introduced (newer sats already support them). Legacy civilian signals on L1 band, with lower precision are used by the Garmin receiver in photos, so at most it’s a backup receiver if the main equipment malfunctions. To make assumptions about the quality of on-board systems based on some old photos is pure speculation, and click-bait.
Accord Some Russian coments….Russia pilots use that GPS device in case of be shot down or accidents and use it after ejecting to know they GPS position.
the only reason why there are GPS in Russian planes and trucks is to spoof and triangulate to disrupt and even destroy the US positioning systems in their hardware only idiots would believe they use GPS for their purposes when they have a much better and efficient system of satellite navigation
They use it because their Russian made navigation is complete dog shit, so they use proven American equipment. Just like how Russian spetsnaz all use American camo, American helmets, American clothing, American optics on their weapons, American boots, and American plate carriers.