Review of Soviet ionospheric modification research

A technical assessment of Soviet research of the past five to tens years in ionospheric modification by high-power radio waves was reviewed and provided. This review includes a comprehensive survey of Soviet published literature, conference proceedings, and direct discussions with the involved Soviet researchers. The current state of the art for Soviet research in this field is evaluated, identifying areas of potential breakthrough discoveries, and discussing implications of this work for emerging technologies and future applications. This assessment is divided into the categories of basic research, advanced research, and applications. Basic research is further subdivided into studies of the modified natural geophysical environment, nonlinear plasma physics, and polar geophysical studies. Advanced research topics include the generation of artificial ionization mirrors and high-power oblique propagation effects. A separate comparative assessment of Soviet theoretical work is also included. The evaluation of practical and potential applications of this research discusses the utility of ionospheric modification in creating disturbed radio wave propagation environments, and its role in current and future remote-sensing and telecommunication systems. The Soviet effort in ionospheric modification sustains theoretical and experimental research at activity levels considerably greater than that found in comparable programs in the West. Notable strengths of the Soviet programs are its breadth of coverage, large numbers of scientific participation, theoretical creativity and insight, and its powerful radio wave transmitting facilities. Weakness in the Soviet effort include ccomputational limits in numerical analysis of nonlinear processes, inferior experimental diagnostic capabilities, and an apparent tendency of experimental program to validate theoretical predictions as opposed to exploring new phenomena. A recent review of Soviet ionospheric modification research is given by Migulin and Gurevich.