TechRussia Mistakes Plywood Model for Advanced U.S. Radar in Ukrainian Decoy Tactic

Russia Mistakes Plywood Model for Advanced U.S. Radar in Ukrainian Decoy Tactic

Both sides of the conflict have utilized weapon models and other military device replicas as a common tactic in warfare. Not long ago, a Ukrainian military official highlighted the use of model Russian unmanned aerial vehicles, Lancet and Zala, at the frontline. This strategy deceives the enemy into disregarding the models as threats, potentially lowering their guard and leaving them vulnerable to surprise attacks from areas previously deemed safe.

Model AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel found by Russians in Ukraine

Images source: © X

NGA

3:09 PM EST, March 3, 2024

Moreover, these model vehicles serve as decoys, drawing enemy fire. Producing these "scarecrows" is relatively cheap, but they can lead the opposition to waste valuable missiles and rockets, causing significant financial and material losses.

Model of the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar

Ukrainian forces continue to deploy models of military vehicles and equipment, a tactic confirmed by the Russian discovery near Awdijiwka. The found AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar model might look authentic at first glance but is constructed from wooden boards, as evidenced by marks from shelling.

But why would a real AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar be considered valuable? Essentially, the AN/MPQ-64 is a short- to medium-range radar used in air defense to guide weapons to enemy targets.

The Sentinel radar operates automatically, detecting, tracking, and identifying airborne threats like missiles, drones, airplanes, and helicopters. It categorizes these based on the threat level, enabling quick decision-making for intercepting detected weapons.

The basic version of this radar, mounted on a small single-axle trailer, has a range of up to 25 miles. It can be operated remotely, allowing for quick relocation to avoid detection. The American army uses an enhanced version, the AN/MPQ-64/F1, with a detection range of up to 47 miles, further illustrating the technological advancements in military defense systems.