Russian Weapons & Military Technology

[Prithwiraj]

those girls are hot ! .... they are handpicked I guess... ... but pilots have their wives to check on....

[Cosmo_R]

Egyptian MiG-29M2 with Kh-38 mockup:

WTF-> they operate around 240 F16's, 32 Mirage -2000, getting 24 Rafale's and even Mig 29's? Wiki says 60 J-7 also, seems like a better zoo than the IAF

Yup and they haven't met a color they didn't like.

[Austin]

The End of Russian Military Operation in Syria

[Philip]

Some titbits, copyright issues prevents full posting.

Russian conv. sub exports.Absence of a current AIP system may affect future sales even though the versatile Kilo 636 subs are being discussed with a few nations.France in pole position for 3 extra Scorpenes as the MDL facility can only produce Scorpenes and the GOI would not like its infrastructure wasted.These 3 extras may if at affordable costs,May suffice until the P-75I tender is sorted out , likely to take a decade before the first of these arrive, thanks to our excruciating decision-making time taken.Russia offering the Amur 1650 variant with BMos.
The decision to go in only for a DRDO AIP system for the 75-I may actually benefit Rubin more than DCNS.Extra subs and Rafales may be linked in the package when Macron comes-a-calling early 2018.

Russia's new improved FFG design 22350M may replace plans for Lider DDGs.The design has a v.large number of VLS modules both forward and amidships for both SAM's and anti- ship/ land attack missiles.Forward in B and C positions, amidships forward of the twin hangar aft for multi-role helos.A new neat looking mainmast with flat panel radars as well as rotating antennas handles all sensors air and surface sensors.A
large bow mounted sonar and probably a TAS are part of the ASW package.Two new ASW rocket launchers appear to be just below the bridge on either beam, adjacent to the VLS modules.

These stealth frigates are large , probably displacing around 5000+t.They would be cheaper and faster to build than the much larger Liders, as well as carrying,all the latest Russian missileware, Kalibir, Oniks and poss. even Zircon. These FFGs plus the large number of multi-role missile corvettes armed with 2000+km Kalibir missiles, would give the RuN a good cost-effective surface fleet for the future.Upgraded Sov. era large capital ships ,DDGs (Sov./ Udaly and Sov.) and BCGs like the Kirov class armed with the latest missiles like hypersonic Zircon will still allow the RuN to maintain its full ocean blue water capability until new large capital ships start arriving around 2030.

[Austin]

955A Borei-II

[Philip]

Xcpt. from details about Russia's Yasen-M,improved variant of the class. It shows te complexities and kind of tech reqd. for mastering sub design and building.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.p ... ments.html

Xcpt:

The Malakhit Design Bureau in St. Petersburg does not conceal there are no equals in the world to the Russian project 885M by combat characteristics, seaworthiness and technical innovations. The 885M project surprisingly combines a rare speed for such displacement, low signature and an impressive set of armaments. The Malakhit said upgrades and new technical solutions were used in the element base of the radio-technical warfare, modernized equipment and new materials.

Besides, the submarine has new architectural hull specifics. In the floating dock a part of the submarine was covered by special arches to bar satellite reconnaissance. NATO intelligence is keen to obtain information about the Russian submarine. Foreign observers say it is the most dangerous in the world and make such conclusions only on the basis of open data.

TV Zvezda in depth video report on Kazan

The main question for NATO is how Russia succeeded to create a warship capable of efficiently fighting submarines, aircraft carriers and coastal targets. The US Seawolf, for example, the construction of which began practically at the same time as project 885, can engage only torpedoes as it has no universal vertical missile launchers. The Russian project is multirole not only because of a broad range of armaments. The project 885 submarine is distinguished by a hydro-acoustic complex which can monitor the underwater situation at major distances from the U-boat. A completely new hull scheme was designed - one and a half instead of double. Malakhit CEO Vladimir Dorofeyev said it makes the project unique and revolutionary for domestic shipbuilding.

The Prometei Research Institute of construction materials is the site of all research to determine the composition, structure and characteristics of construction, functional and welding materials and coatings. It is engaged in diagnostics and testing of materials for compliance with assigned requirements and forecasts the durability and operability of materials and constructions. Deputy CEO of the institute Alexey Ilyin confirmed the metal, which will operate in extreme underwater conditions, is subject to major loads during test trials. Project 885M submarine will operate at depths of several hundred meters and pressure will be considerable. The submarine protection has to be durable to sustain the pressure, on the one hand, and tenacious to resists potential damage, on the other.

Kazan project 885M submarine ssn Yasen M class 2K561 Kazan is the first Project 885M / Yasen-M class SSGN of the Russian Navy

A special laboratory rolling test mill which operates with various materials is used to test characteristics of alloy technologies. Materials are studied with the use of electronic microscopes which zoom in several hundred times. The Prometei has accumulated a unique database of alloys, material compositions and various welding types. Explosive welding has been mastered which is necessary for titanium that demands obligatory protection from atmospheric air and thus all operations can be done either in vacuum or argon protective environment. Sevmash built a special welding chamber to create "deep vacuum." No gas enters the welding seam and the quality of bonding increases. Each seem is tested through Roentgen to promote zero percent of faults.

Kalibr cruise missiles of project 885M confirmed their efficiency during the counterterrorist operation in Syria. Salvo launches at militants were fired by submarines although of other projects. Project 885M U-boats are armed with supersonic antiship Onix P-800 missiles capable of hitting single and group targets and operating in conditions of major fire and radio-electronic warfare. Mashinostroenie amalgamation first deputy CEO Alexander Dergachev said the impressive speed of the missiles decreases the strike time as the adversary fails to escape the targeting point and cannot properly react by jamming or interception. Onix is a uniform missile which can be fired from submarines, surface warships and coastal weapons. Dorofeyev believes project 885M submarine incorporates the "warship-weapon" concept when armaments organically complement all carrier characteristics.

Kazan project 885M submarine ssn Yasen M class 3K561 Kazan is the first Project 885M / Yasen-M class SSGN of the Russian Navy

Torpedoes are to be also mentioned. They comprise three dozen of self-targeting torpedoes. Vladimir Antonov from Gidropribor Concern, which produces them, said the torpedo can operate at a distance of up to 100 km and at depths of up to one kilometer and can hit targets even under ice. "It is a modern torpedo at the level of best foreign analogues and surpassing them by some parameters," he said.

The design of torpedo launchers of project 885M submarines can also fire mines with warheads equipped with foe-or-friend identification. The submarine itself is reliably protected from adversary torpedoes by the hydro-acoustic counteraction system. It operates as a dummy target.

[Austin]

Who fires torpedo at 100 km any ways , Most modern submarine would detect and fire a torpedo against an equivalent peer at range not exceeding more than 15-20 km in very favorable sea condition and in unfavourable one detection and Fire Control will be in single digit km range.

[Philip]

RN boast that their SSN sonars are so good that they can detect from UK waters a merchant ship in New York harbour!

In order not to be detected at launch point, a sub may use a swim out torpedo of long range , moving at silent speed to remain undetected,which will make an attack from a different direction to the sub's position.These attacks could even be at 40km +
range , with enough extra loiter time/range to make repeated attacks ( wake homing) to defeat acoustic decoys.Which is why hard kill development is necessary.The new Swedish 125mm dia. super-cavitating
torpedo holds promise here with speeds of up to 200km .

[Philip]

Russia's 10 yr defenc emodernisation plan.

Russia to spend trillions to upgrade its army and navy before 2027
Russia » Economics
The Kremlin has received the final version of the state armament program for 2018-2027. The Russian authorities intend to spend about 19 trillion rubles to rearm the army and the navy, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, December 18, citing a source close to the presidential administration.

Russia to spend trillions to upgrade its army and navy before 2027. 61695.jpeg
However, representatives for the Kremlin administration refuted the information. "No, this is not true to fact," Putin's official spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The article said that Vladimir Putin may sign the document already this week. An official announcement on the subject, the article said, is to be made at the final meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry on December 22.

The state armament program before 2027 has been developed over the past three years. Originally, the program was supposed to be approved in 2016, but the president postponed its adoption for two years due to the unstable economic situation. Economic problems have remained, but the political situation dictates its own conditions, a source told the publication. It has become clear over the recent years that without upgrading weapons and equipment of airborne and ground forces it will be much more difficult to counter possible threats.

According to the program, the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation will receive about 19 trillion rubles for rearmament. The Interior Ministry, FSB, SVR and the Russian Guards will receive more than 3 trillion rubles. Earlier, Deputy Defense Minister for Finance Tatyana Shevtsova said that another one trillion rubles would be allocated for the construction of infrastructure for the deployment of weapons and equipment.

The rearmament program pays special attention to systems of nuclear deterrence, high-precision weapons, weapons based on "new physical principles" and the development of general-purpose forces. Ground troops are to be equipped with new air defense systems, T-90 and T-14 Armata tanks, Kurganets-25 infantry armored vehicles and Boomerang armored personnel carriers.

The arsenal of armaments for Arctic territories is to be expanded with S-300V4 anti-aircraft missile system and Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile systems.

The Ministry of Defense will continue purchasing air-based cruise missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and land-based intercontinental carriers. New strategic solid-fuel complexes RS-26 Rubezh and heavy liquid RS-28 Sarmat missiles will be adopted. Russian Air Force will receive new multi-functional Su-30SM and Su-35 fighters, as well as Su-34 front bombers, as well as a series of state-of-the-art Su-57 front-line aircraft, 24 MiG-35 fighters, and Tu-160M2 strategic missile aircraft.

The procurement of helicopters will be reduced. The commercial production of S-500 "Prometey" anti-aircraft missile systems and Buk-M3 complexes will be launched along with the production of unmanned aerial vehicles and the new system of space optical-electronic reconnaissance.

The program also provides for the creation of new ships. The program envisages the construction of Project 955B strategic nuclear missile carrier "Borei-B." The modernization of ships, supplies of state-of-the-art aircraft to the naval aviation of the Russian Navy and the creation of coastal missile systems will continue.

See more at http://www.pravdareport.com/russia/econ ... _forces-0/

[Vips]

Russia's 10 yr defenc emodernisation plan.

Russia to spend trillions to upgrade its army and navy before 2027

Show me the money. Unless price of Oil increases big time, Russia will not be able to support such spending.With shrinking population and decreasing GDP base, it will be extremely tough.

[Manish_P]

Is 19 trillion roubles around 320 Billion USD? If so then around 32 billion USD additional per year for 10 years. They budgeted around 70 billion USD in 2016, around 66 billion USD in 2015. So they will need definetly need the oil prices to go up to make it easier for them. And they need help from India China etc buying more of their arms and equipment. Interesting times ahead.

Incidentally the US defense budget just for 2018 is 800 billion USD plus.. mind boggling the gap

[Austin]

Is 19 trillion roubles around 320 Billion USD? If so then around 32 billion USD additional per year for 10 years. They budgeted around 70 billion USD in 2016, around 66 billion USD in 2015. So they will need definetly need the oil prices to go up to make it easier for them. And they need help from India China etc buying more of their arms and equipment. Interesting times ahead.

Incidentally the US defense budget just for 2018 is 800 billion USD plus.. mind boggling the gap

19 Trillion Rouble is 19 Trillion Rouble , They dont purchase any thing in USD from their local industry for their conversion. So a USD figure based on either stronger rouble or weaker rouble is of no value for them unless you want to go a generic comparision based on USD figure .......Central Bank of Russia targets inflation because of floating rate of rouble and capital account convertibility. Infact they are underspending on Defence just to keep very state debt due to conservative nature of economics they follow.

[Manish_P]

19 Trillion Rouble is 19 Trillion Rouble , They dont purchase any thing in USD from their local industry for their conversion. So a USD figure based on either stronger rouble or weaker rouble is of no value for them unless you want to go a generic comparision based on USD figure .......Central Bank of Russia targets inflation because of floating rate of rouble and capital account convertibility. Infact they are underspending on Defence just to keep very state debt due to conservative nature of economics they follow.

Very good point. They have spent to buy technology (including military) from the west, over the years, though it might be a very small percentage, thanks to their local production, doctrine and exports. Anyway for such a leap the money has to be generated and oil prices will be an important factor.

[Philip]

Russian Bear strat. bombers jus completed a southers Pacific patrol operating out of an Indonesian air base.They first flew 7000km nonstop from eastern Russia to Indonesia and then completed their mission.A pity we didn't keep our Bear's or exchange then for new ones.Unmatched range and endurance.

Indonesian mil relations with Russia have picked up in recent times.It plans to buy SU-35s and other Milware.
Paying for it with a variety of goods, a barter system. which was v.popular during the Cold War.

[Austin]

Very good point. They have spent to buy technology (including military) from the west, over the years, though it might be a very small percentage, thanks to their local production, doctrine and exports. Anyway for such a leap the money has to be generated and oil prices will be an important factor.

Oil price is not an important factor since they made Rouble full floating currency as a high oil price makes rouble stronger and weak oil price makes it weaker against USD/Euro its more or less self balancing plus minus 100-200 rouble , a higher oil price is bad for rouble because it makes import cheaper and export less competitive as their currency tends to get stronger versus USD , reason Russian Budget is based on $40 Oil price when today Bent is at 63-54 to USD. Russian central banks dont control exchange rate since 2014 when their made the rouble full floating but is inflation targeting.

Its only when Opec started Shitting in their pants due to low oil price that they all decided to cut the production artificially to increase the price of Oil

[Manish_P]

^ Interesting. Will research the economics further (and get more insights) in the appropriate thread

[shiv]

https://twitter.com/KesariDhwaj/status/ ... 1072495618
Sweep of the Russian long range early warning radar in the image
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCHSjMsXgAAA5nC.jpg

[Austin]

https://twitter.com/KesariDhwaj/status/ ... 1072495618
Sweep of the Russian long range early warning radar in the image
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCHSjMsXgAAA5nC.jpg

That is about 5000 km , The flying object must be civilian aircraft since these early warning radar tends to look up to track Ballistic missile and satellite trajectory and wont be useful to detect any thing other then high flying aircraft like civilian airliner

That link if Rohit blog says Voronezh-DM , DM stands for Deci Meter or L Band , There is Voronezh-M which is meter band and the newer Voronezh-SM which is centimenter Band i.e X band , They all have over lapping coverage of the funnel they cover so that you can track Ballistic Missile or Satellite simultanouly by L , Meter and X band or atleast that is the idea.

[Austin]

Russian bombers to be armed with new Kh-50 theatre-level cruise missile
Piotr Butowski - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets

http://www.janes.com/article/76602/russ ... se-missile

According to Pyotr Butovsky in the article "Russian bombers to be armed with new Kh-50 theater-cruise missile" in the magazine "Jane's Missiles & Rockets", Russian sources in early December 2017 disclosed the designation X-50 for the new Russian operational- tactical (sub-strategic) cruise missile. Sources said that the deployment of X-50 missile production is planned within the framework of the new Russian State Arms Program for 2018-2027 (GPV-2027).

Developed by JSC "State Engineering Design Bureau" Rainbow "them. A. Ya. Bereznyak "in Dubna as part of the X-SD (" medium-range ") program, the X-50 missile is presumably a subsonic cruise missile using the X-101 strategic cruise missile guidance system, but with a smaller undetectable glider , similar to the American rocket AGM-158 JASSM. R & D for X-SD was started in the early 1990s, but was subsequently suspended for several years.

The X-50 missile, designed to accommodate Tu-22M3 bombers and Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers, is 6 m long in length - about 1.5 m less than the X-101 missile - and has a mass of about 1600 kg. It is expected that the rocket equipped with a turbofan engine developed by JSC Omsk Engine-Building Design Bureau (OMKB) "Product 37-04" (or TRDD-50B) reaches a range of more than 1500 km, having a cruising speed of 700 km / h and a maximum speed of 950 km / h.

The fuselage of the rocket has an oblate cross-section and faceted sides; these forms combine the requirements for a reduction in radar visibility and for the most effective use of the volume of the weapons compartment of a heavy bomber when deployed on a six-position revolving revolving launcher. The guidance system includes a combination of an inertial navigation system with correction for GPS / GLONASS in the march area and an electronic optical digital correlation system "Otblesk" (analogous to DSMAC) for the final section. In addition to the low visibility of the glider, to penetrate into areas covered by enemy air defense, the X-50 missile uses a low-altitude flight profile and is equipped with a self-defense system, including a small station of active electronic interference and towed traps.

The X-50 missile is planned as an armament for modernized Russian long-range bombers. The Tu-22M3M bomber will house six X-50 missiles on the internal turret launcher and two rockets on the external suspension, while the Tu-95MSM strategic bomber can carry up to 14 missiles, including six on the internal suspension. Tu-160M ​​/ M2 aircraft will be capable of carrying up to 12 missiles on two internal turret launchers.

Some characteristics of the X-50 missile can be estimated on the basis of the design of the export version of the tactical missile X-59MK2, presented at the MAKS-2015 air show in Moscow, which should have the same guidance system and the same engine, Article 37-04. The X-59MK2 type DSMAC missile, designated in the export version as the OE-M, provides a declared accuracy of 3-5 m guidance. The X-59MK2 is the developed analogue of the MBDA Storm Shadow missile and is designed to defeat small protected targets with known coordinates . The status of the X-59MK2 missile is unclear. It is possible that this preliminary proposal, advertised to search for a potential foreign investor, and the Russian version of this missile, may not exist. At a weight of 770 kg, the X-59MK2 tactical missile is smaller than the X-50,

Another Russian development designed to operate in conditions of strong enemy air defense is a new tactical operational hypersonic missile developed jointly by the head enterprise of the Corporation Tactical Missile Arms Corporation in Korolev and the State MRC "Raduga" in Dubna as part of the program "Hypersonic guided missile "(GZUR). The military designation of this missile remains unresolved to date.

According to reports, GZUR is a missile with a speed of M = 6 and with a range of 1500 km in flight by altitude profile. The length of the rocket is 6 m, and the weight is about 1500 kg. As you can understand, the missile has mainly anti-ship designation. The missile will be equipped with a ramjet engine Product 70 developed by PJSC TMKB Soyuz in Turaevo and equipped with a combined active-passive radar homing head known as Gran-75, which is being developed by JSC Ural Design Bureau "Detail" in Kamensk-Uralsky; broadband passive channel ("Gran-75PK") for this homing head is created by JSC "Central Design Bureau of Automation" (TsKBA) in Omsk. "Face-75" is understood as a modification of the "Gran-K" self-guidance head,

According to sources in the Russian industry, by 2020 it is assumed that the rocket of GZUR will be mass-produced at a rate of "up to 50 items per year", which suggests that it is currently being tested.


Jane's Commentary

The most complete information about the current Russian program of supersonic aviation weapons was presented by the former commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force Colonel-General Alexander Zelin in a lecture delivered at a conference of aviation industry representatives in Moscow in April 2013. According to General-Colonel Zelin, Russia is now implementing a two-stage program for the development of hypersonic missiles. The first stage envisages the development by 2020 of a "compact operational and tactical aviation missile with a range of 1,500 km and a speed of 6 Mach"; this is the aforementioned GZUR. It should be supplemented in the next decade with weapons at a speed of M = 12, assuming a global range.


https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3016213.html

[Prem]

For the VKS of the Russian Federation, two new missiles were created
https://topwar.ru/132569-dlya-vks-rf-so ... akety.html

Designed by the Dubna ICD "Rainbow" the product is supposedly a subsonic cruise missile using a strategic X-101 guidance system, but smaller in size and range. Designed for placement in the inner compartments of the Tu-22M3, Tu-95 and Tu-160 missiles, the projectile is six meters long, its curb weight is about 1600 kilograms. Equipped with a turbofan engine, the rocket develops a cruising speed of about 700 km / h, the military blog of BMPD reported referring to the magazine Jane's Missiles & Rockets.The fuselage X-50 has an oblate cross-section and side faces. This form reduces the radar visibility of the missile and is optimal for placement in revolving launchers Tu-95 and Tu-160. Strategic X-101 due to the long length does not fit into the Tu-95 weapon compartment and can only be used with pylons under the wings.The navigation system of the new missile is combined: inertial in the march area, when approaching the target, the digital electronic-optical correlating system "Otblesk" is switched on. In addition to being unobtrusive, in order to overcome air defense systems, the X-50 uses a low-altitude flight trajectory and an airborne defense complex consisting of an active jamming station and towed traps.
After the upgrade, the long-range Tu-22M3 missile carriers will be able to carry six X-50s in the inner compartment and two rockets on the external suspension. The Tu-160 is capable of taking on board 12 missiles, and the Tu-95 is capable of taking 14, including six under its wings.
The military name of another development, designed to work in conditions of strong air defense, has not yet been uncovered. It is created within the framework of the program "Hypersonic guided missile" (GZUR) by the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation and the Raduga ICD. The missile is similar to the X-50 weight and size characteristics and range. The speed of GZUR for a flight along the altitude profile is 6M.[ The missile has an active-passive head of homing and is designed primarily to destroy ships.

[Philip]

If the K-50 is compatible with the Bear,14 to be carried, the IN should take steps to bring back Bear's or Backfires for the LR strike role.P-8Is will not be able to carry them.The Bear's unmatched range- they've just been exercising from Indonesia into the S.Pacific,around 7000km++, plus armed with a 12 to 14 1500km ranged missiles would be a fearsome global capability, esp. for the IN.

[Austin]

Source: http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-891.html

[ks_sachin]

If the K-50 is compatible with the Bear,14 to be carried, the IN should take steps to bring back Bear's or Backfires for the LR strike role.P-8Is will not be able to carry them.The Bear's unmatched range- they've just been exercising from Indonesia into the S.Pacific,around 7000km++, plus armed with a 12 to 14 1500km ranged missiles would be a fearsome global capability, esp. for the IN.

I think the IN has other things to think about than buy more Russian gear!!

[Austin]

Janes on Kh-50

http://www.janes.com/article/76602/russ ... se-missile

The missile’s body has a flattened cross-section and faceted sides; this shape combines the requirements of radar cross-section reduction and the most efficient use of the heavy bomber’s weapon bay capacity when loaded on six-round rotating launcher. The guidance system includes strap-down inertial navigation corrected by GPS/GLONASS for the cruise phase, and an Otblesk electro-optical digital scene-matching area correlation (DSMAC) system for use close to the target. Apart from the low-observable airframe, to penetrate the enemy air defence the Kh-50 missile uses low-altitude flight profile and is equipped with self-protection devices, including a small active electronic jammer and towed decoys.

[Austin]

UEC has developed the first Russian marine gas turbine units GTA-8

The first Russian marine gas turbine units for use in oil and gas platforms GTA-8, a project that was developed by the United Engine Corporation (part of the State Corporation Rostec), can be effectively used for the development of the Russian Arctic. In its unique design incorporated local engine solutions, allowing the best use of the machine in difficult natural conditions of the Far North.

GTA-8 can be used as part of gas turbine power plants and gas platforms for drilling, production, processing and storage of hydrocarbons, as well as coastal power stations consisting of industrial and municipal facilities to generate heat and electricity.



https://rostec.defence.ru/article/odk-r ... a-arktiki/

https://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/102261/

[Austin]

Deliveries of combat aircraft to the Armed Forces of Russia in 2017

[Vips]

From the data it is clear that the last 2 years of low oil prices have hit Russia big time as combat aircraft induction has fallen from a high of 89 to just 49 in 2017. It would be interesting to see the resources allocated to defence forces in Russia as a % of GDP. In the old days of Soviet Union it was an insanely high figure.

[Austin]

The last 2 years defence budget was infact the highest in the decade so far , The number varies depends on requirement of armed forces and agreed time like schedule , in 2009 they got 28 Mig-29SMT and then in 2016 they got 11 and in between almost nil , same of Su-34 Su-35 and Su-30SM

[Austin]

Recent buy Egyptian Mig-29SMT escorting Russian Presidential Aircraft IL-96PU

[Austin]

A-100 AWACS

[Karan M]

I wonder in what state the Russian fighter AESA program is. Fact we are seeking to supplant the SAP-518 with our own program shows how far the Russians still have to go in terms of fielding compact avionics. Hope the AESA program is on track at least.

[Philip]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 46296.html

Russia 'simulated full-scale war' against Nato, says military commander
'The scale and extent of the entire exercise was far greater than officially stated'

Samuel Osborne

The Zapad exercises showed Russia’s ability to amass large numbers of troops at extremely short notice AFP/Getty
Russian war games held last September “simulated a large-scale military attack against Nato“, the commander of the Estonian Defence Forces has claimed.

Riho Terras confirmed Nato’s fears that the Zapad (or “West”) exercises were used to simulate a conflict with the US-led alliance and show off Russia’s ability to amass large numbers of troops at extremely short notice in the event of a conflict.

The drills – which were held in Belarus, the Baltic Sea, western Russia and its Kaliningrad outpost between 14 and 20 September last year – depicted a fictional scenario concerned with attacks by militants, according to Russia’s defence ministry.
But in an interview with Germany’s top-selling newspaper, Bild, Mr Terras said: “Let me be clear: with the exercise Zapad 2017, Russia simulated a large-scale military attack against Nato.

“It was not targeted towards the Baltic states only, as it was a theatre-wide series of exercises spanning from high North to the Black Sea.”

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He added: “The scale and extent of the entire exercise was far greater than officially stated.”

Instead of being a “purely defensive” exercise, as Russia claimed, Zapad was used to simulate a “full-scale conventional war against Nato in Europe”, the newspaper previously reported, citing two analysts from a western intelligence service.

The report claimed the drills involved far more troops than the 12,700 that Russia’s defence ministry claimed took part.

Another 12,000 Russian soldiers took part in exercises in regions “near the Estonian borders”, and more than 10,000 in the area near the north of Finland and Norway, the sources said.

Under the Vienna document, a Cold War-era treaty that sets out rules for military exercises, war games numbering more than 13,000 troops should be open to observers who can fly over the drills and talk to soldiers. Nato sent one expert to a visitor day in Russia and two to a visitor day in Belarus.

The intelligence analysts also told the paper the drill rehearsed a “shock campaign” against Nato countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, but also Poland and the non-Nato states of Sweden and Finland.

It practised “neutralising or taking under control air fields and harbours” in the Baltic states, as well as simulating bombings of “critical infrastructure” such as “air fields, harbours, energy supplies” in western Europe.

“The number of troops participating in the exercises significantly exceeded the number announced before the exercise – the scenario was a different one and the geographical scope was larger than previously announced,” Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said at the time.

[Philip]

http://russia-insider.com/en/forget-nor ... ns/ri22095

Forget North Korea: Russia Is Now Building EMP Weapons
Bad news for the US. When Russia builds weapons they tend to work.

Michael Peck Jan 4, 2018 |

Amid all the recent fears about North Korea building an electromagnetic-pulse weapon that could disrupt America’s electronic backbone, another potential threat has been ignored: Russia’s new Alabuga EMP weapons program.

Russian media describes a program that appears to be aimed at developing tactical EMP weapons that would affect a small area, rather than strategic arms that would disable, say, a nation’s entire electrical grid.

“One component of the program involves the development of an EMP missile that emits an electromagnetic pulse 200-300 meters above an enemy position by means of a high-frequency high-power electromagnetic field generator,” according to an article in Rossiyskaya Gazeta and translated by the U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Studies Office. “This EMP would create an ultra high frequency (UHF) field of approximately 3.5 kilometers, not only disabling computers, radars, communications systems and precision weapons, but also making them unusable by damaging their electronic components. Although the system is nonlethal and causes no adverse effects to humans, the electromagnetic effects of the missile (up to 100 gigawatts) are reportedly comparable to a nuclear weapon.”

The U.S. Army also translated a Svobodnaya Pressa article on a Russian ground-based EMP weapon designed to bring down aircraft. “The Ranets-Ye is based on a MAZ-543 wheeled chassis, weighing around 5 tons. The Ranets-Ye is essentially a short-range surface-to-air system in which the kill element utilized is not a missile, but a 60 degree cone of 500 megawatt SFH radiation that lasts 20 nanoseconds. This EMP is capable of neutralizing all aircraft, cruise missiles, and any munition with electronics. At a range of 8-14 kilometers [4 to 8 miles], the EMP destroys electronic components, and disrupts electronics at a range of up to 40 kilometers [24 miles]. The Ranets-Ye consists of a diesel generator, electromagnetic pulse generator, and targeting radar. The system is also reportedly capable of integrating into air defense networks, in order to obtain targeting data.”

Russian media suggested that Ranets-Ye would be very effective as an air-defense weapon against stealth aircraft and UAVs. Yet significantly, Russian media also noted that the Russian military had not adopted Ranats-Ye because it needs a direct line of sight to the target, and because it needs twenty minutes to recharge its capacitors between pulses.

Meanwhile, the United States is working on its own EMP weapons. The Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project, or CHAMP, aims to mount a microwave emitter on a cruise missile. Such a weapon has been touted as a less violent means of disabling the electronics on a North Korean ICBM before it could be launched at the United States. Critics reply that if America were to attack North Korean WMDs, it might just as well use conventional munitions from the start.

[Philip]

The dimensions of the Bulava will give us an idea of what we may expect later on in years when the second series of SSBNs arrive,which will be larger boats with much more powerful ICBMs.

The might of the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile
Military & Defense January 09, 18:44 UTC+3
The Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile went into service in Russia on January 10, 2013
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© Press service of Western military district of Northern fleet
MOSCOW, January 9. /TASS/. The Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) went into service in Russia on January 10, 2013.

The R-30 Bulava (NATO reporting name: SS-NX-30) is a Russian sea-based intercontinental ballistic missile making part of the D-30 launch system. It is designed as armament for Project 09550, 09551 and 09552 Borei and Borei-M strategic missile-carrying underwater cruisers. The Bulava ICBM was developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology Corporation). The project’s chief designers were Yuri Solomonov (until September 2010) and Alexander Sukhodolsky.

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Project’s history
Soviet and Russian researchers had been carrying out R&D work to create a ballistic missile for 4th-generation (Borei-class) submarines since the late 1980s. Initial plans envisaged upgrading the D-19 missile system mounted on previous-generation (Project 941 Akula-class) ballistic missile submarines. The work on this project was carried out by the Machine-Building Design Bureau (based in the city of Miass in the Chelyabinsk Region; currently, the Makeyev State Rocket Center), the traditional developer of submarine ballistic missiles. However, the first three launches of the new R-39UTTKh Bark missile failed. As a result, the Bark project was closed in 1998 and the design of the new submarine ballistic missile was assigned to the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, which previously specialized in land-based solid-propellant missiles (in particular, the Topol-M ICBM).

Some experts asserted that the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology would be able to develop a submarine ballistic missile standardized with the Topol-M ICBM to save defense budget funds and simplify technological chains. However, it eventually proved impossible to develop identical missiles for the Strategic Missile Force and the Navy.

The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology had carried out work on the conceptual design of the sea-launched missile code-named Bulava since the early 1990s. The Institute decided to abandon test launches from a special submerged stand to accelerate the work and save funds. After three successful pop-up tests of Bulava mock-ups, a decision was made to start test launches from the modernized Project 941UM (Akula-class) TK-208 Dmitry Donskoi submarine.

The missile’s first test launch from the surface position was conducted on September 27, 2005 and was recognized as ‘partially successful.’ The next test (the first launch from the submerged position) took place on December 21, 2005 and was a success. After that, then-Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov promised to accept the missile for service by late 2007. However, the next six launches in 2006-2008 were accompanied by various technical problems and the missile’s entry into service was postponed. The media started to speak critically about the Bulava.

From 2011, the test launches were conducted from the Project 09550 lead nuclear-powered submarine Yuri Dolgoruky.

The R-30 Bulava was accepted for service on January 10, 2013 simultaneously with the ceremony of raising the naval flag aboard the Yuri Dolgoruky submarine.

However, the missile’s flight development tests lasted several more years (an additional cycle of test launches was ordered after a faulty launch on September 6, 2013).

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Overall, 26 Bulava missile launches were carried out from September 27, 2005 to June 26, 2017, of which 14 were recognized as successful. The remaining launches were considered as partially successful or faulty due to failures in warhead control and dispensing systems, second- and third-stage engines.

The missile’s production was launched at the Votkinsk Factory (part of the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology Corporation) in Udmurtia. As of January 2018, the Russian Navy has received three Borei-class submarines armed with R-30 missiles: the K-535 Yuri Dolgoruky, the K-550 Alexander Nevsky and the K-551 Vladimir Monomakh. Five more missile-carrying underwater cruisers are being built under the modernized Borei-A Project.

Performance characteristics
The Bulava’s exact characteristics have not been officially disclosed. According to various media data, the Bulava ICBM is a three-stage solid-propellant missile carrying six independently targetable warheads.

The missile has a launch mass of about 36.8 tonnes and a throw weight of 1,150 kg. It measures 12.1 meters in length in a launch container and 2 meters in its diameter. According to media reports, the missile has a maximum range of 10,000 km.

The missile’s circular error probability (a measure of the weapon’s precision defined as the radius of a circle drawn around the target, which 50% of warheads must hit) may vary from 120 m to 350 m, according to specialists’ various estimates.

http://tass.com/defense/984308

[Austin]

Russia set to finalise PBK-500U glide bomb evaluation
Piotr Butowski - IHS Jane's Missiles & Rockets

http://www.janes.com/article/76897/russ ... evaluation

Vladimir Lepin, head of Russia’s Techmash Corporation, disclosed on 8 January that NPO Bazalt company, a subsidiary of Techmash, is close to accomplishing state evaluations of a new aerial bomb, designated ‘Drel’. “After successful completion of the state tests in 2018, this product is planned to be introduced into the [Russian] inventory,” said Lepin.



Russia's̛ NPO Bazalt company is set to finalise state evaluations of the new Drel PBK-500U gliding cluster bomb. (Piotr Butowski)

Drel (drill) is a codename for research and development (R&D) programme for the PBK-500U gliding cluster bomb (Planiruyushchaya Bombovaya Kasseta, 500 kg/1,102 lb, unified), a Russian counterpart to the US Joint Standoff Munition (JSOW). The bomb has a large wing and control surfaces enabling it to glide a distance of over 30 km (16 n miles) when dropped from high altitude. It is controlled by inertial navigation with correction by a satellite positioning receiver. NPO Bazalt has considered equipping the bomb with a pulsejet engine to further increase the range, particularly when dropped from low altitude.

The PBK-500U cluster bomb can be filled with various charges. The initial production version is filled with small-size guided anti-tank munitions, said Lepin. The bomb contains 15 SPBE-K charges (Samopritselivayushchiysia Protivotankovyi Boevoi Element, self-guided anti-tank combat element, K is for Kombinirovannyi, combined), each weighing 15 kg (33 lb). The charge has a combined guidance with twin-band (3-5 µm and 8-14 µm) infrared seeker and a millimetre-wavelength radar seeker; the radar channel has an identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system. After detecting a tank, the 1 kg (2.2 lb) warhead is launched from an altitude of around 150 m (492 ft) with a speed of 3,000 m/s (9,842 ft per second) enabling penetration of 100 mm (3.9 in) of armour.

[Austin]

The Gamma-S1 radar is designed to control the airspace within a surveillance area of 10 to 300 km

Digital radar goes on combat duty in central Russia

[Austin]

The L-410NG aircraft received European and American certificates

https://topwar.ru/133657-samolet-l-410n ... ikaty.html

Director of Aircraft Industries for sales in Russia and CIS, Sergei Martynov said that in 2018 the company plans to manufacture the first serial L-410NG.

We are negotiating with potential customers. Probably, the first L-410NG will be delivered to one of them in late 2018 - early 2019, and it is possible that to Russia,said the resource Martynov.

It is reported that "in 2017, the Czech aircraft manufacturer built and delivered 12 aircraft to the customers, but it is obvious that gradually with the production of L-410UVP-E20 at the Ural Civil Aviation Plant, the output of these cars in the Czech Republic will decrease."

The project of deep modernization of the 19-turboprop L-410UVP-E20 aircraft was launched in 2010. The first flight of the L-410NG was made in Kunovice in July 2015.

According to the resource, the main differences of the L-410NG from the L-410UVP-E20 are: "The use of H85-200 engines with a power of 850 hp. (instead of H80-200, 800 hp), a modernized wing with additional fuel tanks, double luggage space, etc. "

[Austin]

That must have been a very interesting exhibition in Zarechnyy - NPO Start is a key weapon assembly plant. The big green RV below is said to be the 20 MT ICBM warhead.





https://twitter.com/russianforces/statu ... 2708762624

[Philip]

A US report says that Russia has developed a nuclear UW drone 57kts speed range of sev thousand kms, which can be carries by Oscar class subs and others.
6000+ km range,1000m depth,100 MT warhead , called "Status-6" nicknamed "Kanyon".

[Thakur_B]

Why do Russian bombs always look like they came out of realms of dieselpunk ? Is it because of necessity to fit into bomber weapons bay ?