The development of promising domestic means and protection systems continues. One of the main performers of such work and the main developer of various options for armor protection is the Moscow Research Institute of Steel, which is part of the Tractor Plants concern. Recently, the details of the latest work of this organization, as well as its new achievements in the creation of new means of protection and their components, have become known.
Not so long ago, steel armor of the 44S-Sv-Sh type, belonging to the ultra-high-strength class, was adopted. A new type of armor was introduced in mid-2014. It was reported that this version of protection was created by a research institute on its own initiative and at its own expense. After passing all the necessary tests, the new 44S-Sv-Sh armor was put into service and recommended for use in new projects. The new development of the Research Institute of Steel can be used to create various means and equipment that need protection from small arms bullets.
Back in 2014, the domestic media reported that the 44S-Sv-Sh type armor received the approval of the Uralvagonzavod corporation, which is engaged in the creation of promising armored vehicles. It was argued that the new material was accepted for trial operation, and in the future it could be used to create promising technology for various purposes.
Also, at present, the specialists of the Research Institute of Steel are actively involved in the creation of new non-metallic materials suitable for use in the composition of protective equipment. In addition to high-strength steels, ceramic and composite materials with the required characteristics can be used as part of the armor protection. In addition, polymers such as high molecular weight polyethylene are of particular interest. All these promising directions for the development of materials for protection are studied and developed by domestic specialists.
The development of non-metallic materials for booking and the subsequent deployment of their production are of high priority, since such technologies were not available until recently, which led to the need to purchase the necessary products abroad. According to available data, about 70% of the ceramics used in combined armor, as well as almost all 100% of high molecular weight polyethylene, were purchased from foreign manufacturers. In the construction of protected equipment and the production of other systems that need similar materials, Russian enterprises had to rely on supplies from Germany, Israel, India, China and other countries.
The risks associated with the supply of foreign materials and components lead to the need to deploy our own production in order to avoid possible problems with the construction and operation of armored vehicles, etc. As part of the current import substitution, various measures are being taken to create and deploy production of our own analogues of foreign products, the purchase of which may be impossible for one reason or another.
Research Institute of Steel has extensive experience in the development of ceramic armor elements. The first such products of domestic production were developed several decades ago and were used in personal protective equipment. Subsequently, the development of this direction continued, which led to the emergence of a number of new technologies, products, systems, etc. Work on the creation of armored ceramics and other non-metallic materials continues to this day.
In a recent press release from the Research Institute of Steel, it was noted that until a certain time the organization had to face some problems. Thus, the main potential customer of the Institute's products represented by the Ministry of Defense, in need of new developments in the field of armor protection, until a certain time did not show interest in domestic products. The military department preferred foreign products with the required characteristics, which were introduced into some new projects. Domestic developments in the field of protection, in turn, remained without state support.
Despite these difficulties, the main domestic developer of armor managed to develop new materials and technologies, as well as begin the deployment of their production. Several Russian enterprises are involved in the production of new security elements, primarily ceramic ones. The joint work of the Research Institute of Steel and industrial enterprises made it possible to create and produce samples of armored ceramics, which in their characteristics are not inferior to the leading foreign developments in this area.
By joint efforts, scientific and industrial enterprises were engaged in the formation of requirements for the physical and mechanical properties of new ceramic materials, developed technologies for the production of such products, developed methods for evaluating products, and also tested them. Also, the development of products with the use of ceramic elements was carried out, which were later planned to be used in the creation of promising means of protection or technology.
The result of such joint work of a number of organizations has been a significant improvement in the quantity and quality of products. Literally within two to three years, it is claimed, the production of armor ceramics has grown tenfold. The development of materials continues, which should lead to further improvements in product and technology parameters.
In 2014, the Research Institute of Steel was able to move from theoretical research in the field of ceramic materials used in booking to solving practical problems. In particular, by this time a section for the production of ceramic panels of various types for various purposes was deployed. To date, the release of new products has reached a fairly high rate, which allows the institute to supply the necessary materials in the interests of mass production of armored vehicles. For example, now it is possible to supply tanks of the Armata family with ceramics, Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles, Typhoon armored cars and other equipment of the latest types.
