At present, the domestic defense industry is developing several promising short-range anti-aircraft systems for certain types of troops. Systems are offered on different chassis, using different means of destruction, etc. At the very end of March, enterprises of the defense complex spoke about their latest successes in the development of promising anti-aircraft systems.
On March 30, the press service of the state corporation Rostec published data on the activities of the High-Precision Complexes holding, which is part of the latter. The message indicated the main results of the holding's activities in the past 2017. The main financial indicators, successes and achievements were indicated. Among other things, the press release touched upon the development, testing and adoption of completely new types of military equipment.
SAM "Sosna" with the module "Ledum" on the battlefield. Figure KB Precision Engineering / kbtochmash.ru
Reportedly, in 2017, state tests of the latest anti-aircraft missile system "Bagulnik" were completed. The tests were recognized as successful, which opens the way for the complex to the troops. The next event in the "biography" of a promising air defense system, as the press service of "Rostec" writes, is now being adopted.
Unfortunately, reports of the completion of state tests were not accompanied by any new technical details. However, the news about the passing of checks is interesting in itself. In addition, certain information about "Ledum" appeared earlier, and therefore new messages complement the emerging picture.
Also, on March 30, news appeared about the progress of another project being developed in order to increase the potential of the military air defense. We are talking about the anti-aircraft artillery complex ZAK-57 "Derivation-Air Defense", created in the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" (part of the scientific and production corporation "Uralvagonzavod"). Director General of the Institute Georgy Zakamennykh spoke about the progress of the work, the latest successes and the expectations of the project authors.
According to the general director of the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik", by now the first prototype of the newest anti-aircraft complex has been built. It is now at the preliminary testing stage. It is specified that the main weapon of the promising combat vehicle is the 57-mm automatic cannon. Such weapons will give it certain advantages and will allow it to solve a wide range of combat missions. First of all, ZAK-57 is intended for attacking air targets, but its effective use against ground targets is not excluded.
This time, the official representative of the developer organization also did not disclose the technical details of the promising project. However, certain information about domestic developments in the field of 57 mm artillery has been repeatedly announced in the recent past, and now we can make some assumptions or conclusions.
"Ledum" is ready for adoption
According to known data, as part of the holding "High-precision complexes", the development of the project "Bagulnik" is being carried out by the Design Bureau of Precision Engineering. A. E. Nudelman. This enterprise has extensive experience in the development of anti-aircraft missile systems, and therefore it was entrusted with the creation of a new system. The goal of the project is to create an air defense system, similar to some existing combat vehicles, but having noticeable advantages over them. First of all, it was necessary to get an increase in the range and reach in height.
"Ledum" at the landfill. Photo Rbase.new-factoria.ru
Various sources previously indicated that the Bagulnik air defense system is a deeply modernized version of the Strela-10M3 complex. The task of improving the basic characteristics will be solved with the help of a number of new devices and instruments. The complex must use a new firing module with the designation 9P337. It was to him that the name "Ledum" originally belonged. A new 9M340 guided missile was also developed. The new equipment was intended to increase the area of responsibility of the air defense system, as well as to improve the main technical characteristics.
It is known that the "Ledum" complex uses only optical-electronic systems to monitor the air situation, search and track targets; radar is not provided in the project. The firing module is completed with a "classic" set in the form of a video camera, thermal imager and laser rangefinder. With the help of such equipment, the air defense missile system will be able to find targets and prepare for the launch of missiles. The maximum target detection range depends on a number of factors and can reach 25-30 km - much more than the missile launch range.
9M340 guided missiles are based on some already proven ideas and solutions, but they have certain advantages over older types of weapons. The missile is guided using a laser beam received by devices in its tail section. According to various sources, the missiles of the new model will be able to hit air targets at ranges up to 10 km and altitudes up to 5 km. The maximum target speed is at the level of 900 km / h, which allows "Ledum" to fight aircraft of different classes.
The first information about the work with the code "Ledum" appeared in the second half of the last decade. Subsequently, a project with this name was mentioned several times in different contexts, and not so long ago it became known about the testing of a prototype. At the same time, from a certain time the name "Ledum" was attributed only to the firing module, while the whole complex as a whole was called "Pine".
The first experimental "Pine" with the "Ledum" module was built and presented to a narrow circle of specialists back in 2013. A year later, preliminary tests took place. Subsequent checks and fine-tuning took several more years. In the middle of last year, the complex was released for state tests. Then it was argued that the last stage of inspections will be completed in 2018. According to the latest official reports, state tests were carried out back in 2017. Thanks to this, now the industry and the Ministry of Defense can decide on the adoption of equipment for service, the deployment of mass production and the beginning of deliveries to the troops.
"Derivation-PVO" entered the training ground
It should be noted that information about the existence of a prototype of the Derivation-Air Defense anti-aircraft artillery complex is not new. Back in January, the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" first showed such a machine, which at that time was in one of the workshops of the enterprise. After that, it was worth waiting for the news about the start of the tests. As the head of the Institute pointed out a few days ago, now an experienced self-propelled gun is in preliminary tests.
General view of the self-propelled gun 2S38 "Derivation-Air Defense". Photo Russianarms.ru
The Derivation-Air Defense project is one of the representatives of a fairly large family of equipment currently being developed with the aim of significantly increasing the firepower of the ground forces. The essence of such a family lies in the use of a combat module equipped with a 57 mm automatic cannon. Surpassing the standard small-caliber guns for current combat vehicles in terms of basic parameters, such a gun is capable of giving its carrier unique combat capabilities. At the same time, a module with a 57-mm assault rifle can be used to solve various tasks: it has already been mounted on an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, etc.
Last summer, during the military-technical forum "Army-2017", the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate and the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" announced a new project called 2S38 "Derivation-Air Defense". A little later, another designation became known - ZAK-57. This project provides for the use of a 57-mm cannon as an air defense weapon. At the same time, from the point of view of the main features, the new combat vehicle differs slightly from other equipment of a similar appearance.
The 2S38 project provides for the use of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle chassis, on which the modified AU-220M "Baikal" combat module with an automatic 57 mm cannon is mounted. The module should receive optoelectronic means and a fire control system, optimized for solving air defense missions. It is proposed to detect and track targets using an optoelectronic system with a day and night channel, as well as a laser rangefinder.
Earlier it was argued that the applied optics would allow finding full-size aircraft and helicopters at ranges of at least 6-6.5 km and immediately opening fire on them. For small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles, the maximum detection range is limited to 500-700 m. The effective fire range against an air target was determined at 6 km, and the height - up to 4.5 km. The maximum target speed is 500 m / s. If necessary, "Derivation-Air Defense" will be able to fire not only at aircraft or helicopters, but also at ground vehicles or stationary objects. As has been repeatedly emphasized by the authors of the latest projects, the 57-mm cannon ensures the defeat of any modern samples of light and medium armored vehicles.
At the end of January, it became clear that the Burevestnik Central Research Institute, in cooperation with other organizations of the domestic defense industry, completed the construction of an experimental 2S38 Derivation-Air Defense combat vehicle and a 9T260 transport-loading vehicle intended for its maintenance. Thus, the beginning of the tests was only a matter of time. According to recent official statements, preliminary tests have already begun. At the same time, the timing of the completion of current inspections or the entire set of tests, including state ones, has not yet been specified.
The future of air defense
Both new models of anti-aircraft systems, which defense industry enterprises spoke about at the end of March, are being developed in the interests of military air defense. These units are currently armed with complexes of different classes and types, both quite old and modern. In the foreseeable future, the fleet of their equipment will be replenished with completely new samples.
Transport-loading vehicle 9T260 and combat 2S38 in the shop, January 2018. Photo by NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
As follows from the previously announced information, the Ledum / Sosna project is intended to replace obsolete SAM systems on self-propelled chassis. It uses already tested ideas and solutions, but they are implemented using a modern component base and up-to-date technologies. Ultimately, this makes it possible to improve the basic technical characteristics of missiles and the combat qualities of the complex as a whole. The gradual replacement of the relatively old systems of the Strela-10 family with new Ledniks will increase the combat potential of the military air defense in the fight against urgent threats.
Currently in service there are several anti-aircraft systems equipped with automatic cannons. In this case, we are talking about 30-mm anti-aircraft guns. The new project ZAK-57 / 2S38 / "Derivation-Air Defense" provides for the use of a more powerful 57-mm gun, due to which it is possible to increase both the range and height reach, and the effect on the target. Also, to a certain extent, the "accompanying" potential of self-propelled guns is growing in terms of combating ground equipment. The new vehicle "Derivation-Air Defense" has not yet passed all the necessary tests, and therefore its introduction into service - if the army makes such a decision - should be expected in the distant future. At the same time, a noticeable increase in the combat effectiveness of the military air defense should be expected.
In recent years, the Russian Ministry of Defense has been paying special attention to the creation of new air defense systems of all necessary classes. The newest projects "Bagulnik" and "Derivation-Air Defense" are created in full accordance with such plans and are designed to ensure the safety of troops on the march and in positions in the middle and long-range prospects. As it became known a few days ago, one of the new projects will have to give the desired results in the near future. The second is also approaching the expected finale. At the same time, it can already be argued that in the future the air defense of the ground forces will definitely not be left without new technology, which has significant advantages over existing models.
