As stated by some media outlets (and some thoroughly discussed this news), "the promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA) will receive the most advanced defense complex that will protect the aircraft from all types of weapons."
Here, of course, there is something to talk about, if you do it carefully and deliberately. Speaking through the lips of the literary hero, the great Bulgakov, “you never know what you can tell! You don't have to believe everything. Moreover, such news appears in our press systematically and regularly.
Recently, we have a complete order, if we need to tell (or show a cartoon) that another deadly contraption has been invented in Russia. But with comprehension, problems are often observed. To say that "it has no analogues …" is simple. It's harder to explain why.
But no one especially tries to grasp the essence of the matter, because sometimes it turns out just funny incidents. However, first things first. Let's try to arrange everything in accordance with the plan according to which everything will need to be understood.
Paragraph 1. Russia has begun assembling a modernized version of the Tu-160 strategic bomber. Tu-160M2.
Yes, it is necessary to start from this point, and not from PAK YES. Each has its own time.
Point 2. In 2016, representatives of the Tupolev company in an interview with the media said that the bomber will be equipped with a new locator, an aerobatic complex with modern laser gyroscopes, communication systems, sensors, display systems, and a new weapon control system.
That is, in fact, it was also about the fact that the body of the aircraft will remain the same, and the filling will be very significantly reworked. Not an upgrade, but actually another car in an old building. That's okay, that's right.
Point 3. In 2009, Russia began work on the creation of a new strategic bomber "Product 80" or PAK DA. Work goes on, and goes on, if what we are told in the official statements is, however, not bad. In 2020, the assembly of the first sample began. Just 11 years after the start of work.
It is worth comparing with the PAK FA, work on which began in 2001, the first flight took place in 2017, and the logical completion of the project is still quite far away. But they promise that the bomber will fly by 2025-2026.
Not a bad deal, especially considering how much the fighter is smaller than the strategic bomber.
Clause 4. The media begin to report en masse that the PAK DA (when it is "in the metal") will receive the most advanced defense system, which will protect the bomber from all types of weapons.
These statements immediately gave rise to many questions from those who do not fully understand the essence of these complexes. It is not a fact that those who wrote also have a clear idea of everything. But some simply stated the fact that a new defensive complex would be created for PAK DA, others began to doubt and ask questions like "And what is the new complex for Tu-160M2?"
A very logical question, isn't it? In fact, what, in reality, is the development of TWO complexes for two different aircraft, or the PAK DA will receive the same complex that is being prepared for the Tu-160M2?
Agree, there is a certain trick in the question. The Tu-160M2 is being assembled today, the old aircraft are being brought up to this level, and the PAK DA will fly in ten years at best. And if we are talking about the same complex, it is unlikely to be relevant and competitive in ten years.
So what do we really have: two complexes for two bombers or one? What do the representatives of the military-industrial complex mean when they say that both the Tu-160M2 and the PAK DA will receive almost 100% protection against any attacks in the optical and radar ranges?
Of course, the figure "100%" should not be taken seriously. However, all such delusions are very often broken. For example, the F-117 stealth plane misconception was shattered in this way. Everyone is inclined to exaggerate, both we and the opponents.
Naturally, modern electronic countermeasures systems are able to significantly weaken the work of the enemy's air defense. Loosen but not nullify.
The best example of this is the testing of the Smalta system, the latest at that time, in the 70s of the last century during the next Syrian-Israeli conflict. "Smalta" on a Mi-8 helicopter was used against the "Hawk" air defense system. At first, the Smalta worked very effectively against the Hawk, but then the Israelis, realizing what was happening, changed the channels on the guidance and control system. And everything went the same way.
It's an endless race. Defense against weapons and weapons against protection. Therefore, both the first and the second will be modernized and replaced with more modern models.
This is quite normal for our bombers as well. By the way, besides PAK DA, which is only on paper and Tu-160, we have Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3M. And the modernization of means of radio-electronic influence, in theory, should affect these aircraft too.
Unification. A very useful thing. Design, manufacture, installation, repair and maintenance are all easier to do with one system on four types of aircraft than vice versa.
But the main thing is that it is not yet clear what it is all about. What our news media is talking about new systems is not at all a reason to start making a fuss. News is just news, and the news does not have to be specific. “There will be a new system that has no analogues in the world, with which we will defeat everyone. Point . That's enough for news.
And then you will have to deal with something completely different. But you need to figure it out, because the cries that everything is sad and there will be four different electronic protection systems for four aircraft is not serious.
It is clear that developing such a difficult thing as an airborne electronic warfare system is not a matter of one year. Unlike all other complexes, the air one is the most difficult to implement.
Ground systems do not care about their weight. The only question is the base, from the trailer (the same "Resident") to the "Krasukha", which is on the chassis from the BAZ.
Naval systems don't rely on energy as much as others. There is always order on ships with energy.
But air complexes should be lightweight and consume energy so that the aircraft systems are enough. Accordingly, it is not easy to design and assemble something that will satisfy everyone.
Since we are already talking about "Smalta", which will begin to change in the VKS complex "Lever", the complex "Smalta" went into series in 1974 and is still used on some models of equipment. The Khibiny, which is today spoken of as a miracle weapon, began to be developed in the same 1977, when the Kaluga Development Institute (KNIRTI) received the State Prize for Smalt.
So it's not a very quick thing to do - the creation of an airborne electronic warfare complex. Accordingly, if today we hypothetically say that a certain complex of protection "from everything" is ALREADY ready for the thoroughly modernized Tu-160M2, this does not mean at all that in 10 years the same complex will be installed on PAK YES, as some so lament.
In general, the development of modern electronic warfare systems is proceeding at a very high rate. What to say, in the nineties, the average jamming station consisted of at least two hefty trucks. And even out of three: antenna, hardware and power plant. Much easier today. On the basis of MT-LB, they make a station, which is a sheer nightmare for enemy aircraft.
Therefore, there is no doubt that in Kaluga (for example) they really worked on the topic of rearmament of the Tu-160M2. It is Tu-160M2, because this is a real plane, not a project on paper. And on the Tu-160M2 will indeed be installed new systems of electronic impact on the enemy's assets.
As for the PAK YES, it will not be left without a protection complex, this is understandable. Which one is another question. Most likely, what will be installed on the Tu-160M2 will be taken as a basis. As a basis - because in 10-15 years it will not make any sense to install the same on PAK YES, as already mentioned.
It is clear that a potential adversary will not sit idly by and will improve detection, guidance, suppression systems, and missile weapons in the same way. And this will have to watch and take appropriate action.
So we can safely say that yes, the complex that will be installed on the PAK DA is not the one that will be installed on the Tu-160M2. For one simple reason: in any case, this complex will have time to pass the tests and changes will probably be made to it based on the results.
But in any case, it will be a kind of unified system, whatever one may say. And this is quite logical, all long-range / strategic aircraft should have the same level of protection against all means of destruction.
Here we have just a comprehensive rearmament for one system of all aircraft, from the Tu-95 to the Tu-160M2 and further, what will come out of the PAK DA.
Speaking about the fact that this complex, about which we do not know anything yet, will be able to 100% protect aircraft from electronic and optical effects, it is probably somewhat premature. This requires some kind of proof, test results. Like a helicopter with a "Lever" they fired at "Needles" missiles and nothing happened. And all doubts about the "Lever" immediately disappeared.
Of course, we would very much like our planes to feel at home in the sky. Modern means of radio electronics can provide a fairly high degree of security, countering the technical means of the enemy.
This applies to everything: detection radars, seeker, lasers … And a huge bomber with powerful engines can safely lift into the air and use the same "Lever", even though it weighs one and a half tons.
By the way, such systems are a very significant prospect. "Lever" will certainly "lose weight" in the coming years and will receive a permanent residence permit on the sides. It would be very helpful.
I would like to make everything as safe as possible. But the enemy also has engineers and designers working to ensure that their radars can see our planes, and missiles find the target detected by the radars.
Therefore, it is quite expected that the new bomber is simply obliged to receive the most advanced protection complex. Just throwing loud statements that these funds will provide 100% protection of the aircraft is probably not worth it yet. Until the aircraft is created, until the protection complex is created.
It is clear that in 10 years no one will remember what was said today on this topic. It remains only to wait for the results of work on the PAK DA and its weapons. And there it is already to draw certain conclusions.
