Soviet over-the-horizon early-warning radar system
Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap
Download coordinates as:
KML
GPX (all coordinates)
GPX (primary coordinates)
GPX (secondary coordinates)
The array at Chernobyl, Ukraine, viewed from a distance in 2014Duga-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.
Duga (Russian: Дуга́, 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 defense. It operated from July 1976 to December 1989. Two operational duga radars were deployed, with one near Chernobyl and Chernihiv in the Ukrainian SSR (present-day Ukraine), and the other in eastern Siberia (present-day Russia).
The duga system was extremely powerful, reaching over 10MW, 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 10Hz.[1] The random frequency hops often disrupted legitimate broadcasts, amateur radio operations, oceanic, commercial, aviation communications, and utility transmissions, resulting in thousands of complaints by many countries worldwide. The signal became such a nuisance that some communications receivers began including "Woodpecker Blankers" in their circuit designs.[2]
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.[3] This massive structure formed a phased array and was necessary in order to provide high gain at HF as well as facilitating beam-steering, though it is unconfirmed whether the latter was actually used in normal operation. While the amateur radio community was well aware of the system, the OTH theory was not publicly confirmed until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
^David L. Wilson (Summer 1985). "The "Russian" (sic) Woodpecker... A Closer Look". Monitoring Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
^"americanradiohistory.com" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
^"cnn.com". CNN. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
Duga (Russian: Дуга́, 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...
Duga may refer to: Duga (moth), a synonym of a genus of moths Dugaradar, Soviet radar system deployed 1976-1989 Duga (magazine), Yugoslav and Serbian...
received signal has a sound similar to the Soviet early warning system Dugaradar operated from 1976–1989, nicknamed "the Russian woodpecker". The receiving...
Recognition Program. Cobra Mist Dugaradar, a similar Russian system Imaging radar "Fact Sheet: Jindalee Operational Radar Network" (PDF). Royal Australian...
murdered during the Holocaust. In 1972, the Duga-1 radio receiver, part of the larger Duga over-the-horizon radar array, began construction 11 km (6.8 mi)...
consisting of a gigantic transmitter and receiver belonging to the Duga-1 over-the-horizon radar system. Located 2 km (1.2 mi) from the surface area of Chernobyl-2...
over-the-horizon radarDugaradar grid reference TM450511 The ionized air of the mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion makes an excellent radar reflector....
greater than 0 MHz, the offset time can be linearly extrapolated to 0 MHz. Dugaradar Ionosonde Juliusruh Radio propagation beacon Total electron content Trevor...
The history of radar (where radar stands for radio detection and ranging) started with experiments by Heinrich Hertz in the late 19th century that showed...
Ground-based early warning radar systems: Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and PAVE PAWS (United States) Dugaradar, also known as the "Russian...
very large reflective arrays have been constructed, notably the Soviet Dugaradars which are hundreds of meters across and contain hundreds of elements...
– The Duga over-the-horizon radar Straight Flush – fire control radar of the SA-6 system Strut Curve – MR-302, a surface and air-search radar Strut Pair...
Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023. Dugas, Andrew O. (28 January 2016). "In Memoriam: The Paradise Lounge". Medium...
opened instead in the 2000s, but that club was later closed, too. Club "Duga" was located at 5 Sredačka Street. It was patterned after the wishes of the...
immigrated to Argentina from the village of Pećurkovo brdo not far from Duga Resa. His father, Roko Ćurilović, (he later changed his name to Roque Curilovic)...
concentrate transmission power in the vertical plane. The Russian Duga Over The Horizon Radar may have used an antenna of type HRS 32/16/0.75 (estimated –...
the test as a "peaceful nuclear explosion." The Soviet Duga early warning over-the-horizon radar system was made operational in 1976. The extremely powerful...
Global Information
