The development of ballistic missiles launched from under water anywhere in the world ocean and equipped with on-board computers led to the creation of new radio telemetry systems (RTS) with a digital radio link. Their tests for the USSR Navy were planned for sea areas, therefore, at the insistence of the OKB V.P. Makeev, it was decided to develop a new generation of aircraft measuring points( aircraft tracking station).
In 1964, on the basis of production aircraft IL-18V (USSR-75840 and USSR-75528), the OKV S.V. Ilyushin equipped two aircraft measuring points, designated IL-18RT. Dozens of enterprises and military units took part in the creation and testing of machines under the leadership of a specially created state commission.
The planes were literally stuck with antennas of various types, among which the antennas of the Arfa special communications equipment at the tips of the stabilizer stood out.
The antenna-feeder system of the MA-9MKS station consisted of eight antennas: three (bow, side and tail) plus two (front and rear) for receiving signals of two different types, the transmitting repeater antenna, the simulator antenna and the indicator antenna. In turn, the nasal antenna was a system of four loop vibrators mounted on special supports around the circumference of the fuselage in front of it. The system of nasal antennas looked similar for reception in a different mode, and the vibrators were installed on the same stands.

When creating aircraft measuring points, the designers were limited both in terms of mass-dimensional and energy parameters. In this regard, "weak" antennas were installed at the aircraft measuring points, due to which the stations measuring rapidly changing parameters had insufficient sensitivity.

[Самолетные измерительные пункты]4