The milestones in the history of the 29th Research Institute of the RF MOD.

In the mid-30s of the 20th century, the development of the topographical support for troop combat operations and the implementation, in combat conditions, of the activities of the Military Topographic Service (MTS) called for the augmenting of the corresponding research efforts and the designing of new equipment. This posed the task of setting up the specialized research institution.

By the Directive of the Chief of the General Staff dated 26 December 1935 No. 4/1/20440, the Military Topographic Service of the Workers and Peasants Red Army was authorized to set up the Scientific Research Institute of the Military Topographic Service. In pursuance of the Directive, the Research Institute had been created by 1 June 1936, and this date marks the day of the birth of our Institute and of the start of its glorious history, which can be divided conventionally into several stages.

First Stage (1936-1945)

The Research Institute was set up on the basis of the 1st Aerophototopographic Detachment of the Military Topographic Service of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. The first Terms of Reference of the Scientific Research Institute defined its main task as "the implementation of scientific research, experimental-and-production and test work in the domain of astronomy and geodesy, air-photography, photogrammetry and cartography with a view to further improve the existing work methods, and develop of new approaches both for production purposes, and for the tactical employment of the MTS, and of the technical equipment associated with it."

The Institute's development stage is characterized by the search for its optimal organization forms and for the definition of its research venues. Thus, on 22 June 1937, the MTS Scientific Research Institute was reorganized into the Photogrammetric Center of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, and later, on 5 March 1940--into the MTS Scientific Research and Testing Facility, to be later transformed again into the MTS Scientific Research Institute on 24 October 1943.

During the prewar period, the Scientific Research Institute was engaged in the implementation of contensive multifarious R & D work. Even though the scientific research work was mainly aimed at handling the problems arising from the MTS day-to-day activities, nevertheless, these activities were not merely decisive for the improvement of the practices of the MTS production units, but they also defined the venues for further evolvement of the means and techniques of military topographic support provision. The Institute plans featured research work concerning the designing and improvement of the Earth surface aerial photography methods, the analytically supported vast-scale topographical plotting, the methods of third- and fourth-order levelling and the elaboration of altitudinal theodolite traverses, the working out of guidelines and manuals for conducting various geodetic and topographical work. Special focus was made on the questions of the geodetic tie of the tube artillery positions, and also on the development of the special survey control networks for them.

The Great Patriotic War introduced corrective amendments in the work of our Scientific Research Institute, with the leading role occupied in its activity by the research and development of the means and techniques of the direct topographic support for combat operations on the battlefields. During this period, the scientists and specialists of the Institute updated the methods for the elaboration of special networks for the artillery and for the attainment of the tie of the elements of its lines of battle. The periscope and the theodolite stereoscopic attachment were invented for conducting concealed topographic plotting. For the intelligence branches, the album of the aerial photo interpretation of the German field defenses, and the book of graphic combat document samples were created. At the same time, the differential method for aerial photo topographical plotting at the scale of 1:100 000 was developed and phased in. In conjunction with the experimental opto-mechanical plant, the Military Topographic Service designed and sent to the troops the army cartographic reproduction kits, the front-line field cartographic set, the lithographic printing train and the improved hectograph. During the war, the mobile cartographic facilities printed various maps and documents totally running into 35 million copies. In September 1943, the Deputy of the People's Defense Commissar, Marshal of the Soviet Union A.M. Vasilevskiy entrusted the Institute with the new task--the compilation of the military geographic descriptions and reference books, which were designed for the General Staff, the Front and Army Headquarters.

Second Stage (1946-1960)

This period in the Institute history is, first of all, noteworthy for the task of consolidating the experience of topographic support provision for troop combat operations during the Great Patriotic War. The assiduous analytic work was crowned with the Draft Manual for Troop Combat Action Geodetic Support, which was approved in 1953, becoming the first officially authorized document in MTS history, which regulates the organization and contents of topographic support provision for troop combat operations for many years to come.

One of the critical tasks of the post-war period was the researching and the scientific methodological substantiation of the reconstruction and further development of state geodetic, leveling and gravimetric networks in the regions, which were subjected to enemy occupation. The personnel of the Scientific Research Institute was implementing the large scope of work concerning the introduction in the country, in conformity with the USSR Government Regulation, of the Uniform System of Coordinates (1942). Research was carried out to develop devices and methods for expansion of the state geodetic network and for verification of aerial photo topographical surveys. In the late 1940s-early 1950s, the country's leadership entrusted the military and civilian topographers with the challenging task of mapping out the regions of the country's Far East at the scale of 1:100 000. To solve these scientific tasks, research was conducted for improving methods and technical facilities for the processing of aerial photo surveys and of aerial photography. The scientists of the Institute made efforts to develop and to phase in, at the MTS production units, universal stereo photogrammetric devices, methods for photogrammetric control, improved field cartographic sets, and also the equipment designed for barometric leveling.

The next most important task for the Institute to solve was associated with the advent of the new type of weaponry--nuclear missiles. Drastically changed troop requirements concerning the content and the type of astronomic-and-geodetic and gravimetric data resulted in the emergence of the new types of surveying data, namely, the parameters of the Earth's ellipsoid and of the Earth's terrestrial field, values of gravitational acceleration and of the deflection of plumb line, specifications of geodetic connection between continents. The guaranteed fulfillment of these troop requirements was practicable only by way of substantial upgrading and improving the accuracy of geodetic networks, above all, of the state network as the basic geodetic network. In conjunction with scientific and industrial enterprises, the Institute carried out the wide range of theoretical and experimental research work, and later, the R & D activities that were conducive to the designing and introduction, in the troop practice, of the advanced geodetic and astronomic instruments and systems based on the current scientific and technological achievements.

Third Stage (1961-1976)

The development of the Institute during this phase of history was determined by the launching and putting to use of artificial earth satellites for solving geodetic support tasks. This stage is characterized by the development of new branches of science, mainly space geodesy and space phototopograpgy. They were invoked to study and to develop fundamentally new technical means and methods for obtaining, from space vehicles, information about the Earth and for processing it to the benefit of creating geodetic and photogrammetric networks, for refining the parameters of the Earth and of its gravitational field, for creating and renewing the medium-scale topographical and special maps of inaccessible territories. The first space-based geodetic and cartographical systems were designed and placed into circumterrestrial orbit, which provided high-accuracy data about the figure of the Earth and the highly detailed satellite still photographs of its surface. To process obtained terrain information, the personnel of the Institute and of manufacturing enterprises made efforts to design and to phase in, at the MTS production units, various high-accuracy measuring devices and effective data processing systems. Fundamentally new methods for geodetic measurements were researched, and some methods for space vehicle tracking were put forward for the first time. All that helped derive more precise Earth's parameters, and the values of the deflection of plumb lines to improve its gravitational field data. The Military Topographical Service was provided with high-precision radio distance finders, theodolites and other geodetic devices.

In the interim, the scientists of the Institute also conducted pioneer research in yet another branch of science--analytical photogrammetry. The developed methods and technologies of processing satellite photographs by using analytical methods permitted to create the first in the world topographical maps of the inaccessible territories at a scale of 1:100 000. The development of fundamentally new geodetic and phototopographical instruments was significantly promoted by the general development of electronics, radio electronics, computers and data processing. These branches of science gave an impulse to the start of research in automated surveying and cartographical reproduction processes. The USSR pioneered in the design of automated analytical photogrammetric complexes, which provided for almost full automation of the processes of obtaining information about terrain relief on the basis of automated measurement of the parallactic displacement of the conjugate points in still photographs. The analysis of approaches to automated troop and weapon control showed that the fundamentally new kind of terrain graphic display is needed, which would be perceived by the computer graphic devices, digital computing and controlling hardware installed in combat vehicles, aircraft, guided munitions and various weapon control systems.

Fourth Stage (1977-1996)

During the last quarter of the 20th century, the personnel of the Institute succeeded in making a breakthrough in the new scientific venues, which concerned digital cartography and geodetic information systems, and also the large-scale remote sensing of the Earth. Their research work permitted, in conjunction with industrial organizations, to develop the fundamentally new solutions based on digital and information technologies. The Institute provided scientific rationale for the technical and technological rearmament of the Military Topographical Service. The research work, which was carried out during that period, resulted in the creation of the specific devices and systems, which entered the inventory of MTS surveying units. The vast-scope of work was carried out for topogeodetic support of R & D programs in the domain of precision weapon design, thus enabling the setting of the digital cartographic database and the putting of cruise missiles on combat alert duty. For this research work, the Institute was awarded the Order of the Labor Red Banner by the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet dated 30 May 1984.

The scientists of the Institute participated most actively in the development of the new generation of geodetic, navigational and cartographic complexes. For instance, geodetic space-based Eridan complexes measured more exactly the parameters of the Earth's ellipsoid and the values of the Earth's gravitational field, which provided required precision for ballistic missile optical alignment by the new generation of strategic submarines in any water zone of the World ocean. Moreover, space-based, astronomic- and Doppler geodetic networks were created on the basis of the obtained data, which enabled to derive the terrestrial (geocentric) system of coordinates to the accuracy, which meets strategic deterrence forces. Later on, this geocentric system of coordinates was approved as the state system by the Regulation of the Government of the Russian Federation.

The new space-based cartographic complex and the ground-based technological complexes, which process still photographs from space, permitted to implement the important state task of generating topographical maps at a scale of 1:50 000 of almost any inaccessible territories.

The research work of the Institute, during this period, was largely taken up with the solution of the problem for processing the navigational-and-geodetic information, which was obtained from the space-based GLONASS system. It is the personnel of the Scientific Research Institute, who formulated requirements for this complex and who, in conjunction with industrial sectors, designed the Glonass technical characteristics, which at that time surpassed reputed foreign prototypes. The further deployment of the above space-based system sparked off the development of the new branch of science concerning navigational support provision for ground-based troops. Note that the geodetic basis of the Glonass system is founded on the state geocentric system of coordinates, which is maintained with high precision by the Institute itself.

The heightened magnitude of surveying support provision in the interests of ensuring the country's defenses has also altered the role of the Institute. It stands out as the leading scientific and research establishment of the Ministry of Defense for solving the problems of surveying support provision for the Armed Forces, by heading and coordinating the entire research work in this domain. The same period witnessed the creation of the robust scientific schools, which provided not only the high scientific and methodological level of research work, but also the training of scientific personnel in the Institute that was contributed to by the specialized academic council set up for awarding Candidate of Technical Science Degrees, and later, Doctor of Technical Science Degrees.

Fifth Stage (1997-to now)

The contemporary stage of the Institute history is characterized by the broad utilization, in the troops, of the three-dimensional geodetic information, which includes various types of products: ranging from analog (paper-based) topographical maps to electronic topographical maps and special digital terrain information. The three-dimensional geodetic information provides the automatic control of troops, the planning and deployment of both strategic deterrence forces, and high-precision weapon systems and guided munitions. The requirements for the operational efficiency and relevancy of the three-dimensional geodetic information have radically changed. Today, the troops do not need ordinary topographical maps, but the geographical and three-dimensional geodetic information systems, which are integrated in the troop control process and which are capable, under tight schedule, of conducting the analysis of terrain nature and peculiarities and offering, on the basis of its results, optimal recommendations to commanders and staffs for reckoning with tactical terrain features in the decision-making process concerning troops and weapons deployment in the preparation and conduct of combat operations. Our scientists' research output in this domain was successfully tested in the combat actions carried out by the staff of the Combined Body of Troops (Forces) in the course of the counter-terrorist operation in the Northern Caucasus.

The problem of navigation support provision for ground troops and their deployment has become the new venue in the Institute research activities. Theoretical and experimental research work is carried out for developing methodology and strategies in solving the navigation tasks, which involved space-based navigation complexes and various land-based navigation facilities. One of the most critical venues in the Institute's scientific research work is the development of the fundamentally new system of troop surveying support provision aimed at providing users with three-dimensional geodetic information. With this end in view, a number of technical and technological means for obtaining and transmitting survey information to the troops has been designed. The technical re-armament of the MTS production units with new digital information technologies is almost finalized, likewise the development of the navigation-and-geodetic support system and the mobile digital topographical system, which are designed for topogeodetic and geodetic information support by Territorial and Army Surveying Units. With the direct participation of our scientists, the system for providing the Armed Forces with digital terrain information has been designed and is introduced in the troops, likewise the new manual for troop surveying support.

The achievements of the scientists and specialists of the Institute were highly appreciated by the leadership of the country and of the Armed Forces: at various times, many officers and employees were awarded the USSR Lenin and State Prizes, the State and Government Prizes of the Russian Federation, other Prizes in Science and Technology, with Orders and Medals also being conferred on them.

The 29th Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation marks its 70th anniversary being resolved to address the new tasks associated with the updating of the surveying and geodetic information support of the troops. At the present time, 11 Doctors of Science and 44 Candidates of Science are working in the Institute. It is gratifying to note that about a quarter of the scientists and experts of the Institute are young people below the age of thirty.

Maj. Gen. N.I. KONON

Chief, 29 Research Institute, RF MOD, Doctor of Technical Sciences

Nikolai Ivanovich KONON was born 8 May 1958. Graduated from Suvorov Military School in Minsk (1975), Higher School of Electronic Engineering in Pushkin (1979), the Moscow Institute of Electronic Mechanical Engineering (1986), the Military Engineering Academy (1999). During military service, he consecutively worked in the positions of junior research assistant, senior engineer, section head, research laboratory chief, research section deputy head and research section head, 29th Research Institute of RF MOD. From 1998, he is Deputy Chief for Scientific Work, RF MOD--the Chief of the 29th Research Institute, and from 2003--the Head of the 29th Research Institute of the RF MOD. He is two-times Laureate of the RF Government Prize in Science and Engineering (1997, 2004).