Ryezistor-K4 (“Cake Stand”) TACAN

(USSR)

Notes: This massive TACAN system was installed on the final Kiev class (Admiral Gorshkov) and Kuznetsov class aircraft carriers. It is apparently the successor to “Top Knot”. Most likely, the Soviets decided that while “Top Knot” was sufficient for small numbers of the short-ranged Yak-38 “Forger”, a more advanced system was needed to control larger numbers of high-performance Su-27 “Flanker”s operating at greater distances away from the carrier.

“Cake Stand” is essentially a guidance beacon, transmitting latitude, longitude, and a constant 0’ altitude signal for aircraft to navigate by. It is by no means secure, as ESM can detect not only the signal but the actual information. However unlike “Top Knot”, “Cake Stand” can be set to a prompt-only mode, so that the aircraft can request the signal rather than having it be active constantly. Also, the “Cake Stand” signal can only be intercepted inside it’s range, whereas ESM can intercept radars at up to 50% past their useful range.

The array is a huge dielectric cylinder. The inside has never been publicly shown, but based on Varyag (see information below) there is a central steel column supporting whatever is inside.

The effectiveness is unknown; during 1995 operations in the Mediterranean, “Flanker” pilots flying CAP appeared very hesitant to venture far beyond visual range of Kuznetzov. However this was certainly in part to the many well-known problems with the “Sky Watch” 3D radar, which is the ship’s primary air traffic control system, and may not reflect on the performance of “Cake Stand”.

Although the support column was in place, neither the actual array nor the associated electronics were aboard Kuznetzov’s incomplete sister Varyag when she was sold to China. Meanwhile a July 2009 photo of the ex-Gorshkov showed the array deleted as part of her rebuilding into India’s INS Vikramaditya. This would mean that Kuznetzov has the final operational “Cake Stand” array in existence.