In the domestic media, there was news about the development of a new combat railway missile system (BZHRK). As follows from the latest reports, the work is proceeding in full accordance with the schedule and in the foreseeable future will allow the construction of new systems to begin.
Last Thursday, the domestic media reported on the latest statements by the Defense Ministry leadership. As reported by Rossiyskaya Gazeta with reference to Interfax, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov spoke about the current work on the creation of a BZHRK project, code-named Barguzin. According to the Deputy Minister, the development of the project is going according to plan. The authors of the project do not face any difficulties. At the moment, the Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering, which is responsible for the creation of the new complex, has completed the development of the preliminary design.
Also, Yuri Borisov revealed some details of plans for the construction and deployment of new equipment. By the end of this decade, it is planned to begin a full-fledged construction of new BZHRK. So, by 2020, one of the divisions of the strategic missile forces should receive up to five regiments armed with Barguzin complexes. More precise figures have not yet been announced.
The Deputy Minister of Defense indirectly confirmed that the new Barguzin BZHRK will seriously differ from the previously operated Molodets complexes of a similar purpose. According to Yuri Borisov, the new BZHRK will be no different from conventional trains. It is expected that this will increase the secrecy of the transfer of "rocket trains" and significantly reduce the likelihood of their detection on the patrol route.
According to earlier press reports, the development of the new BZHRK project was started in 2012 and is being carried out by the Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering. As follows from the latest news, the creation of the draft design has been completed by now. Thus, in the course of the project, certain successes have been achieved and an important design stage has been completed. Over the next few years, a technical design is to be developed and pilot systems built and tested. As a result of all these works, by 2020 the Strategic Missile Forces should receive the first serial Barguzin complexes.
Until recently, the question of the planned use of the rocket was topical. Various assumptions have been made on this score. According to various versions, the Barguzin BZHRK was to be equipped with RS-24 Yars, RS-26 Rubezh missiles or products based on them. In addition, the use of the R-30 "Bulava" intercontinental ballistic missile for submarines was not ruled out. In December last year, it was announced that the main armament of the new BZHRK would be the Yars or Yars-M missile. Thanks to this, it is expected that it will be possible to ensure the maximum possible degree of unification with existing missile systems and, as a result, to simplify the development and construction of new systems.
Other features of the promising railway missile system are still the subject of controversy due to the lack of official information. Obviously, in terms of the general architecture of the Barguzin BZHRK, it will be reminiscent of the Molodets complex with the RT-23UTTKh missile, which was previously in service. This complex will include one or more locomotives (depending on the total weight of the train), wagons for combat crews, life support systems, as well as wagons with launchers.
The experience of the Molodets complex allows us to speak with confidence about the design of the launch car. Apparently, this element of the complex will be made in the form of a freight car or a refrigerator car, with minimal differences from similar civilian products. The inner volume of the car will house the rocket transport and launch container and the systems for its attachment to the lifting boom. Thus, before the launch, the roof of the car will open, and the task of the boom will be to raise the rocket container to a vertical position. A different structure of the launcher looks impractical or technically impossible.
Estimated composition of the Barguzin BZHRK. Infographics "Rossiyskaya Gazeta"
Of great interest are the words of Yuri Borisov about the disguise of the new BZHRK. According to him, the "rocket train" of the new model will have the minimum possible differences from conventional trains. It should be recalled that the Molodets complex had several noticeable differences from other trains. In particular, due to the large starting weight of the rocket and the launcher, the cars had to be equipped with a reinforced chassis, which distinguished them from other rolling stock. There were also other differences. All this to a certain extent unmasked the “Molodets” BZHRK, although in general the secrecy of the complex received good marks.
Apparently, the key to solving the problem of stealth was the use of new missiles. According to open data, the RS-24 Yars rocket is more than two times lighter than the RT-23RTTKh product. Among other things, this makes it possible to simplify the design of the launcher car and, as a result, not to use special equipment and various elements capable of unmasking it.
The Deputy Defense Minister claims that the first combat railroad missile systems of the new model will be transferred to the Strategic Missile Forces by the end of this decade. Such information can be cause for optimism. According to information from 2012-13, it was planned to complete development work and begin preparations for testing the complex by the end of the decade. The deliveries of serial equipment were attributed to the next decade. According to updated data, R&D will be completed much earlier, which will allow all the necessary work to be completed within the next five years. Thanks to this, the production of serial Barguzin complexes and the transfer of such equipment to the troops will begin in a few years.
