Viktor Tikhomirov - Post-War Defense Activities

Post-War Defense Activities

In 1946, the TsKB-17 and the NII-20 were combined to form the Moscow NII-17. Tikhomirov was appointed Deputy Director for Research and Chief Designer of airborne radars. In 1949, he was appointed Director and Research Supervisor. In addition to completing Argon, Tikhomirov led the design of Selen (Selenium) radar systems for attack aircraft detection. His most important development at that time was the Kadmiy (Cadmium), a radar gun-sight and high-precision aircraft range-finder; he received his third Stalin Award for this work (1953).

There emerged a Tikhomirov ‘school’ of design. In this, with a comprehensive approach to the development of an aircraft, WCS was regarded as being not a just mere part or component of the aircraft, but rather a system that was as important to the aircraft as its airframe, and made the aircraft an integrated combat unit.

As a large variety of jet aircraft were being designed and produced, the NII-17 provided the needed radars. These included the Toriy (Thorium), giving the MiG-15, an “all-weather” interceptor capability, and the Izumrud (Emerald) gun-sight series, the first of which was used on the MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters. Operating at microwave wavelengths, Izumrud used separate antennas for searching and tracking. This was the first time Tikhomirov applied automatic tracking modes, serving as a prototype for further WCS design.

An air-to-air missile, the K-5, began development in 1951. This was followed by the Topaz radar design for the Tu-16 bomber, and the Almaz (Diamond) radar for the Yak-25 and MiG-19. The Izumrud-2 was for MiG-17 PFU, carrying the RC-1U, the first Soviet guided air-to-air missile. Tikhomirov was also leading the research on an advanced, multi-functional, airborne radar system incorporating a digital computer. Ardalion Rastov served as Tikhomirov’s deputy in these efforts.

In 1953, Tikhomirov was elected as a Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences in the Department of Technical Sciences (Radio Engineering, Electronics, Automation, and Remote Control). Since Tikhomirov did not hold an academic degree at that time, this was a very unusual action by the Academy.

Because of the large scope of Tikomirov’s research, a branch of NII-17 was formed in Zhukovsky, an aviation research center 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Moscow. In February 1956, this branch was transformed into an independent enterprise, designated as Specialist Design Bureau-15 (OKB-15), and commonly called the Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (NIIP). Tikhomirov was initially the Research Supervisor, and then became Director. The first NIIP projects supervised by Tikhomirov included several models of Uragan (Hurricane) airborne radar systems for interceptor aircraft.

The title of Designer General of aviation equipment was established by the USSR Council of Ministers in 1956, and Tikhomirov was among 12 leading designers initially receiving this title. Tikhomirov was the only Designer General from the radar-WCS field; all of the others were aircraft designers.

In July 1958, the NIIP began the design of a new, highly advanced, mobile air-defense system. Eventually designated the 2k12 Kub (Cube), each battery consisted of a number of similar tracked vehicles, one of which carried a radar with a range of 75 km (47 mi), as well as an optical sighting unit. Several other design bureaus were involved in creating the Kub, all coordinated by Tikhomirov.

The Kub prototype was placed under test in August 1959. With the complex design and units from diverse sources, it was not unexpected that the initial tests were unsatisfactory. This led to changes in the design, followed by further testing, all greatly lengthening the development schedule. By the end of 1961, Tikhomirov and his team had solved the basic developmental problems, but the project was far behind schedule.

Although Tikhomirov justified two years of additional development, the Defense Ministry did not agree; consequently, Tikhomirov was relieved of his duties in 1962. Ardalion Rastov, whom he had mentored since 1953, took over as Chief Designer.

The first success came when the system downed a target aircraft in February 1964, within the two years that Tikhomirov had projected. The Kub air-defense missile system ultimately passed all testing and was commissioned into service in 1966. In NATO nations, it was called Gainful, as well as SA-6. Later it was sold internationally to 25 nations under the export name Kvadrat (Square).

The NIIP continued in developing air-defense and related systems. In 1995, it was renamed the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design (Tikhomirov NIIP). Other portions of the original NII-17 became the Scientific Research Institute of Radar (NIIR) and, later Phazotron-NIIR. Both of these firms, as well as the previously mentioned Vega Radio Engineering, credit Tikhomirov as the technical leader of their founding organization.

Anatoly Kanashchenkovа, Director and Designer General of Phazotron-NIIR, made the following comment: “Victor Tikhomirov left a most profound imprint on today's inimitable style of doing research at our enterprise. In fact, he created an entire school of designing radars and WCSs of fighters.”

Ardalion Rastov, the person who replaced Tikhomirov on the Kub program, has been quoted as saying: “Tikhomirov organized a wonderful team, where not administrative power, but the power of common sense and reason reigned.”