History

      UPKB "Detal" JSC originally named “OKB-379” was founded on September 10, 1949 in the system of the Ministry of Aircraft Industry as a parent enterprise manufacturing radar altimeters for all types of aircraft.
     In 1956 Vladimir S. Fomin was appointed head of the bureau – chief designer who was a permanent head of the enterprise for 32 years. In 1957 development of the first low altitude radar altimeter, called the Uralets was completed and its serial production was set up. In 1959 after successful tests the enterprise supplied the first domestic high altitude radar altimeters  under the name of RV-25 to the Armed Forces.
     Continuing  the fulfillment of the program on aircraft equipment development, in 1960s the specialists of the design bureau perfected and expanded performance capabilities of radar altimeters. In 1969 a lot of specialists of the enterprise were decorated with government awards for development and introduction of new equipment. V. A. Zhukov was conferred a title of the Laureate of the State Prize.
     At the same time "Detal" took part in Soviet space program. Designers of the enterprise started developing radar altimeters for space modules. And on September 20, 1970 for the first time in the world a spacecraft made a soft landing on the Moon with the help of   the Vega and the Planeta altimeters manufactured by the enterprise. As a result, 10 specialists of the design bureau were conferred the titles of  the Laureates of Lenin Komsomol Prize.
      In the 1970s the experience gained in the development of aircraft and space equipment made it possible to expand the sphere of bureau’s activity. By the end of the decade the enterprise had developed the Aquamarinesea ice-thickness measurer and it was applied for the first time during vessels’ pilotage along the North seaway in the Arctic. At the same time the design bureau completed designing and testing the third generation radar altimeters: A-031, A-035, A-036, A-037. Their performance characteristics made them competitive on the world market. The altimeters, ensuring landing under II and III ICAO category, are installed on both civil- and warplanes and helicopters.
    Between 1980 and 1990 computers, programmable machines and sets were quickly introduced in every industrial field. "Detal" applied new technological achievements as well. In 1988 the development of the first aircraft low altitude radar altimeter with the use of microprocessors and digital signal processing under the name of  RV-85 was completed. The latter was certified to be installed on the Tu-204, Il-96, Il-114 planes. It ensures landing under III Ø ICAO category.
     The space program was under way within the framework of which specialists of the design bureau developed the Vertikal and  the Kometa radar altimeters that were installed on the Phobos spacecraft. The latter was capable of efficient manoeuvring above the surface of Phobos, natural satellite of Mars. Besides, by 1988  the "Detal" designers  had completed work on development of radar altimeters, which had ensured automated soft landing of  the Buran spaceship. They were the A-067 high altitude radar altimeter and  the A-039 low altitude one.
     Economic and political changes  that were taking place in Russia in 1990s were detrimental for the whole industry including the defense one. "Detal" managed not only to preserve scientific and design potential but also master new kinds of activity. In this context, within the framework of the Conversion program the enterprise developed and set up production of various radio-electronic equipment for fuel and energy industry, mechanical engineering, railway  transport and medicine. In 1991 "Detal" conducted research in the field of development of radar altimeters for the Hermes European spacecraft.
     In 1988 the enterprise developed the A-052 and A-053 compact radar altimeters for advanced aircraft. Leonid I. Ponomarev was appointed director of the design bureau – chief designer.
     In 1999 the specialists of the enterprise developed  the A-078 radar altimeter system that has no world matches. It simultaneously measures altitude, ground speed and drift angle of the aircraft. By the beginning of the XXI century the enterprise had completed testing of control equipment for railway transport. The Level-1 radar system and ABB-1 ultrasonic level gauge  designed to measure liquid and other products in reservoirs had been put into experimental operation. The design bureau was decorated with Medals of the All-Russia Exhibition Center for development of radio electronic equipment in the interest of the national economy.
     In 2001 "Detal" received correspondence certificate to the SRPP VT quality system and GOST R ISO 9001-96 concerning development, manufacturing, service and maintenance of the products.
     "Detal" has been decorated with rewards for development of advanced radar altimeters and the other equipment, which often have no matches in the world, and for achievements in high-tech field and contribution to the Russian Aircraft Industry.  It has got medals and  a Diploma of Avia-2000 international arms exhibition, UralExpoArms-2000 defense technology exhibition, Hydroaviasalon 2000 international hydroaviation exhibition. Besides the design bureau has a diploma of the winner of All-Russia competition “100 best Russian engineering enterprises and organizations of  the XXI century”.
     Under the RF President’s decree of January 2002 on the foundation of Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC, UPKB "Detal" was reorganized into a joint-stock company and became part of the Corporation at the beginning of 2003.