Russkiy Kupol Volna 3M

History

The Volna 3M is a Russian electronic-warfare system designed to disrupt satellite-navigation receivers. It has been identified on a Mi-8AMTSh transport and assault helicopter.

The system is intended primarily to interfere with the satellite navigation used by long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. Its reported functions include conventional jamming and the transmission of false navigation data.

Public reporting identified Volna 3M equipment on a Russian Mi-8AMTSh in July 2026. Installation on a helicopter gives the system an elevated and mobile platform, but the available information does not establish its production quantity or formal service status.

Design

Volna 3M operates in two frequency ranges: 1,144–1,312 MHz and 1,557–1,607 MHz. These bands cover signals used by the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellite-navigation systems.

The equipment has three independent transmission channels. Each channel has a stated output of at least 180 W, while the stated combined output is at least 550 W. An active cooling system supports continuous operation at high output power.

Signal generation

The system reportedly generates BPSK, BOC, CBOC, and AltBOC modulations. These modulation formats allow it to imitate supported navigation signals as well as transmit interference. The spoofing function is intended to make a receiver accept false coordinates instead of merely losing its navigation fix.

Antennas

Each reported antenna contains one radiating element. The stated coverage pattern is 60 degrees vertically and 90 degrees horizontally. Publicly available information does not specify the complete antenna arrangement used on the Mi-8AMTSh installation.

Program status

Volna 3M has been photographed or reported aboard a Russian Mi-8AMTSh helicopter. This confirms the existence of an airborne installation, but the available evidence does not confirm how many systems have been produced or whether they have completed formal acceptance testing.

The manufacturer claims an effective range of up to 80 km against civilian GNSS receivers, up to 50 km against tactical receivers, and up to 20 km against receivers designed to resist interference. These figures are manufacturer claims and have not been independently demonstrated in the available material.

Specifications (Volna 3M)

General characteristics

• Type: Airborne electronic-warfare and satellite-navigation interference system
• Host platform identified: Mi-8AMTSh helicopter
• Navigation systems targeted: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou
• Operating bands: 1,144–1,312 MHz and 1,557–1,607 MHz
• Independent channels: Three
• Output per channel: At least 180 W
• Combined output: At least 550 W
• Signal modulations: BPSK, BOC, CBOC, and AltBOC
• Cooling: Active cooling

Claimed effective range

• Civilian GNSS receivers: Up to 80 km
• Tactical GNSS receivers: Up to 50 km
• Interference-resistant GNSS receivers: Up to 20 km

Antenna characteristics

• Radiating elements: One per antenna
• Vertical coverage: 60 degrees
• Horizontal coverage: 90 degrees