Special equipment of the Vietnamese fighter jet air force.

The A40 factory of the Air Defense and Air Force Command has just handed over upgraded RSBN-4N special equipment systems to serve the training and combat readiness of Su-series fighter aircraft.

Special equipment has been upgraded.

According to the Air Force and Air Defense Newspaper, the RSBN-4N is a special and extremely important piece of equipment, ensuring direct support for flight command and navigation in the ground-based air traffic control and management area.

Over the years of use, most of the RSBN-4N automatic flight guidance radio stations have deteriorated, with many spare parts worn out, making it difficult to maintain their technical performance.

Faced with this situation, and tasked with major repairs to communication equipment, radar, and flight lighting; minor repairs to the Air Force's command and control communication equipment; and the production of specialized communication equipment and spare parts for Air Defense and Air Force communications and target aircraft, Factory A40 under the Air Defense and Air Force Command Headquarters upgraded the RSBN-4N stations.

The improved product not only extends the service life but also enhances accuracy, providing comprehensive information to command centers at all levels (divisions, branches of service, etc.) beyond the traditional scope of the station, which was to directly serve the flight regiment.

The primary mission of the RSBN-4N automated flight guidance radio is to assist pilots on board as well as commanders and related ground personnel in ensuring flight safety during training and combat readiness.

According to the catalog of the OPK Machine-Building Corporation (Russia), the manufacturer of this special equipment, the original Russian RSBN-4N radars can ensure accurate navigation for hundreds of aircraft simultaneously at a maximum range of 500 km.

The RSBN-4N automatic flight guidance radio, a product improved by Factory A40. Photo: Air Force Newspaper.

Receiving additional next-generation equipment.

Reportedly, alongside the upgrading of the RSBN-4N navigation stations by Vietnam itself, in late 2014, Russian news agencies RIA Novosti, TASS, and Sputnik all simultaneously reported that the United Equipment Manufacturing Company (OPK) of Russia would supply Vietnam with new generation RSBN-4NM automatic flight guidance radio stations along with PRMG-76UM landing radio marker stations.

Evgeniy Nikitin, Director of the Polyot Radio Plant (a subsidiary of OPK), stated: "OPK will supply Vietnam with new generation airport navigation systems, namely the RSBN-4NM automatic flight guidance radio and the PRMG-76UM landing marker system. These devices have no equivalents in Russia."

This is our factory's second contract with our valued Vietnamese partner in the past three years. As requested by the customer, the RSBN-4NM and PRMG-76UM systems have been tropicalized to ensure reliable operation in all climates, especially the hot and humid climate of Vietnam.

"In the future, we will continue to sign contracts and supply other navigation and landing systems to Vietnam."

It is highly likely that the new generation RSBN-4NM radars will be prioritized for equipping units currently operating and managing the modern Su-30MK2 multirole fighter jets, ensuring equipment synchronization and improving flight guidance for greater safety.

According to Thoidai