Thread by @ChrisO_wiki

1/ The Russian army has switched to indigenously-produced Spirit-030 terminals to replace its blocked Starlink terminals. However, a Russian soldier and warblogger says it is far inferior, with poor latency and significant vulnerability to jamming. ⬇️

https://x.com/GrandpaRoy2/status/2040924254863335617

2/ Spirit-030 is a compact, portable Russian military satellite communication terminal designed as a tactical alternative to systems like Starlink. It provides secure satellite-based voice, data, and internet connectivity for frontline Russian forces.

3/ It features a small 30 cm diameter antenna, significantly smaller and more portable than earlier Russian terminals that used 90 cm dishes. This reduces its visual and electronic signature, making it harder to detect and target.

4/ However, unlike low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations like Starlink or Russia's emerging Rassvet system, Spirit-030 relies on geostationary orbit satellites, which have considerably worse latency than LEO systems.

5/ 'Veterans' Notes' highlights the problems that this causes:

"In response to the shutdown, our army began switching to its own compact Spirit-030 satellite terminals, which have partially restored communications along the line of contact. However, this has its downside."

6/ "Despite the presence of Spirit-030, what experts have long warned about has happened. Our army has lost one of its key tactical advantages—the ability to control long-range attack drones at operational depths (up to 150-200 km).

7/ "The Spirit-030 geostationary satellites provide a delayed signal and are vulnerable to electronic warfare. Communications via them are no match for Starlink, which provided high-definition video in real time at any location.

8/ "Superiority in long-range drones has passed to the enemy. Now, we are forced to direct aircraft and long-range strikes using outdated technologies, sometimes operating blindly and suffering unnecessary losses.

9/ "To solve this problem, we must accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation satellites (laser communications, jamming resistance) and actively train troops to operate them.

This is a matter of time, which we practically have none of.

10/ "All we can do now quickly and with guaranteed results is to focus on destroying enemy drone crews and communication nodes.

11/ "Identifying and eliminating enemy UAV operators must be a priority, as the enemy is increasingly focusing on removing operators as far from the line of contact as possible.

12/ "The enemy has identified our weak point and is attempting to outmaneuver us in drone warfare. Losing our advantage in this area is critical for us now.

13/ "We need to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation Russian satellites and more actively jam enemy communications on the front lines. Only technological parity and even superiority will restore our lost initiative." /end

Source:
t.me/notes_veterans…