{"id":18775,"date":"2024-10-07T14:53:23","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T14:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/informnapalm.org\/en\/?p=18775"},"modified":"2024-10-07T16:25:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T16:25:01","slug":"planar-a-master-of-mimicry-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/informnapalm.org\/en\/planar-a-master-of-mimicry-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Planar: a master of mimicry. Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite tightening Western sanctions, Russian companies manage to dodge them and even supply their goods to the American market. In this investigation, we will remind you about the Russian company Planar LLC. This company has already been the subject of an investigation<\/a> by Ukrainian hacktivists from Cyber Resistance. However, in this investigation, we will not only revisit some known facts but also add our conclusions and evidence.<\/p>\n

Planar LLC (Planar Tech) is a Russian company specializing in the production of microwave electronics. Its development and production centers are located in the cities of Chelyabinsk (head office) and Tomsk. The company also has offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Most importantly, as we will discuss further, this company has a branch in the USA, namely Copper Mountain Technologies (CMT).<\/p>\n

First of all, it is worth noting that before 2022, Planar held 10 percent of the global microwave electronics market.<\/p>\n

In terms of Russia’s military-industrial complex, Planar offered its advanced technologies and electronics to the Center for Special Technologies (CST). The latter required Planar’s electronics for the production of the Inokhodets and Orlan-10 UAVs, the Svet-KU and Leer-3 electronic warfare systems<\/a>, as well as other types of military equipment.<\/p>\n

Another company served by Planar provided services is JSC Microsystem Plant. From the technical description, it is evident that the company was involved in setting up an automated workstation for testing the MPPU-50 module. This product is one of the key components of the Russian 5th generation fighter jet, the SU-57 (as claimed by the Russians themselves).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Technical specification of the automated workbench for testing the MPPU-50 module by Planar<\/i><\/p>\n

In the research<\/a> conducted by the Ukrainian Cyber Resistance’ group, it is evident that the Microsystem Plant faces issues with the production of the critical MPPU-50 module due to the difficulty in accessing Western components. The research indicates that most of the components required for this product are delivered from abroad through various Russian companies. In this context, Planar has a branch in the USA \u2014 Copper Mountain Technologies, through which it not only has the ability to sell its products on the American market but also to procure the necessary Western components for the Russian military-industrial complex.<\/p>\n

For its active work for the Russian military industry, the company has been sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany. However, no restrictions have been imposed on it by the European Union. Likewise, no sanctions have been imposed on its American branch \u2014 CMT.
\nAnd no sanctions were imposed on the head of Planar \u2013 Sergey Zaostrovnykh [Rus.: \u0417\u0430\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043d\u044b\u0445 \u0421\u0435\u0440\u0433\u0454\u0439 \u0410\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0441\u0430\u043d\u0434\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0438\u0447].<\/p>\n

Let’s move on to Planar\u2019s branch in the USA \u2014 Copper Mountain Technologies (CMT).<\/p>\n

In a company brochure for Radiocomp, its CEO Viktor Kochemasov<\/a> mentioned in an interview that Planar set an example for them as, together with its partners, it opened Copper Mountain Technologies in the USA.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nExcerpt from the brochure of Radiocomp LLC about Planar and CMT.<\/i><\/p>\n

After sanctions were imposed on Planar, its interactions with the American subsidiary CMT have been conducted privately and often through unofficial intermediaries.<\/p>\n

While comparing the products of both companies, it is plain to see their complete similarity. The only differences may be in the series, color, and design. However, the specifications and appearance are identical.<\/p>\n

As an example, the C1209 vector network analyzer. There is complete external similarity between them, down to the smallest detail. The only differences are the company logos, which is understandable, as each is intended for its respective consumer market. However, they are identical in both external features and technical specifications.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Comparison of C1209 vector network analyzers between Planar and CMT.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Comparison of the specifications of C1209 vector network analyzers between Planar and CMT.<\/i><\/p>\n

Another interesting point is that calibrations for CMT are conducted by Planar in Chelyabinsk.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nScreenshot from the CMT calibration certificate<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

The next piece of evidence is the identical patents for technological products of both companies. These patents are identical in both the USA and Russia. They pertain to a measuring module of a virtual vector network analyzer and a dust-proof dielectric washer.<\/p>\n

As shown in the screenshots below, all patents feature an individual named Sergey Zaostrovnykh. He appears among the authors of both the American and Russian patents. Moreover, the Russian patent belongs to the company NPK TAIR, which is a partner of Planar and Copper Mountain Technologies in the development and production of vector analyzers, microwave components, and measurement systems.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThe patent for the measuring module is registered to CMT<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Patent for a dust-proof dielectric washer, registered to LLC NPK TAIR (associated with LLC Planar)<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Russian patent for a dust-proof dielectric washer, registered to LLC NPK TAIR (associated with LLC Planar).<\/i><\/p>\n

Sergey Zaostrovnykh is the director of Planar and is believed to be the founder and technical director of CMT. He is also a co-founder of the company NPK TAIR, which is mentioned in the patent for the dust-proof dielectric washer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nThe website of Copper Mountain Technologies<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Interestingly, another co-founder of Planar is Andrey Konorev, who is also the founder of the company Sotis LLC, with a registered address at 32 Elkin Street, Chelyabinsk\u2014the same address where Planar is registered.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nLegal addresses of the companies Planar and Sotis<\/i><\/p>\n

Sotis assists Planar in exporting its technologies to various countries, most often through intermediary firms in China.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the invoices for the transportation of Planar\u2019s goods by Sotis through China.<\/i><\/p>\n

Another company\u2014SYNECTA\u2014which develops software for the technological products of Planar and CMT, is located in Tomsk (near Planar’s production facilities). An interesting point is that SYNECTA positions itself as part of Copper Mountain Technologies on job search websites, while on its own website, it indicates its affiliation with the Planar cluster, which also includes the aforementioned company NPK TAIR’.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n<\/i>Description of SYNECTA on the job search website SuperJob<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Furthermore, an important detail is that the former head of the company SYNECTA is Alexey Surkov. He is also listed as the general manager of CMT in Europe. This branch of CMT was opened in early 2023 in Paphos, Cyprus. It provides service and repair services for equipment to simplify delivery between Europe and the USA. It is a kind of logistics hub that allows for the unhindered flow of necessary components from Russia through Cyprus to the USA and vice versa.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n<\/i>Opening of the CMT office in Paphos, Cyprus<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

As we can see, Alexey Surkov was the head of the Russian company SYNECTA and is now the general director of the European branch of CMT. Thus, it is likely that this is one of the main methods of exchanging technological goods and equipment between Planar and CMT’.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nGeneral Manager of CMT Europe \u2013 Alexey Surkov<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nEmployment history of Alexey Surkov on LinkedIn<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

The listed facts make it clear that the products of Planar and CMT are identical, and CMT is a branch of the Russian company Planar. However, after February 24, 2022, the Russian company is trying to conceal its ties with its American firm to avoid losing access to the American market and, conversely, to be able to supply sanctioned Western electronic components to the Russian military-industrial complex.<\/p>\n

However, the main point is that the products of Copper Mountain Technologies are used by the U.S. defense and space industries.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n<\/i>Contracts of CMT with American companies<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

One of the companies to which CMT supplied its (Russian) products is Pacific Antenna Systems LLC (PAS). This American company manufactures satellite antennas using components from CMT (i.e., Russia’s Planar). In turn, the U.S. Department of Defense had contracts with PAS for the supply of these antennas to protect against interference and ensure the resilience of U.S. Navy maritime operations. The stability and reliability of these systems are, of course, in question, but we see that Russian components are entering the U.S. Army.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nScreenshot of the collaboration between CMT and PAS<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

Additionally, CMT had contracts with defense agencies such as the NASA Shared Services Center, AFLCMC Wright-Patterson, and the NSWC Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Centers (source<\/a>).<\/p>\n

For the United States Air Force, CMT supplied products through collaboration with Compass Technology Group. The latter integrates CMT’s network analyzers into their sensor systems. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) signed agreements with Compass Technology Group in the field of specialized material research methods. All of this has a direct impact on U.S. Air Force programs involving the application of advanced specialized materials.<\/p>\n

NASA is also a consumer of CMT’s products. For example, CMT’s antennas are used in testing a new space fuel gauge sensor on a lunar rover as part of the RFMG technology, which utilizes radio waves and antennas inside the tank to measure fuel levels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nParticipation of CMT in NASA projects<\/i><\/p>\n

For the research company Verus Research, the American (more precisely, Russian) company CMT provides services in supplying metrology-grade Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs). In turn, Verus Research has federal-level clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, and NASA.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nParticipation of CMT in U.S. Defense Contracts<\/i><\/p>\n

Thus, the Russian company Planar, based in Chelyabinsk, has its branch in the USA\u2014Copper Mountain Technologies. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Russian company decided to conceal its ties with its American subsidiary.<\/p>\n

The subsidiary, in turn, actively supplies its (Russian) products to the U.S. defense industry and has the ability to obtain Western electronic components and deliver them to the Russian military-industrial complex for the production of weapons used to destroy the peaceful population of Ukraine.<\/p>\n

We urge relevant American agencies to pay attention to Copper Mountain Technologies, the American branch of the Russian company Planar, and to conduct an inspection of all CMT products in American defense equipment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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