The development and modernization of the armed forces implies the creation of new types of weapons and equipment of different classes. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the development of air defense, thanks to which several new models have been developed and adopted. One of the recent novelties is the Bagulnik anti-aircraft missile system. Its acceptance into service was announced in early October.
On October 7, Deputy Defense Minister General of the Army Dmitry Bulgakov told the press about the latest achievements in the field of rearmament of the army. According to him, over the past five years, 137 new types of weapons and equipment have been adopted. Among the latest developments there are also air defense systems. Anti-aircraft missile systems Strela-10MN and Bagulnik became one of the main innovations in this area. At the same time, the representative of the military department did not specify the number of ordered and delivered equipment of these types.
SAM "Sosna" - the main result of the ROC "Ledum"
For obvious reasons, the army and industry do not always publish complete information about new developments, but some of the curious information still becomes public. A typical exception to this unspoken rule was the Bagulnik anti-aircraft missile system project. The first information about the existence of this project was published many years ago, but detailed data of a technical and other nature were hardly published in the future. However, by now it has been possible to draw up a fairly detailed picture.
Due to the scarcity of information, specialists and technology enthusiasts had to rely on various fragmentary information and estimates. As a result, the previously existing picture was far from complete, and also had a lot of white spots. Moreover, at the moment the official information about the Ledumnik project is limited by only a few facts: it is known about its existence, about the continuity with existing models, about some characteristics, as well as about the recent adoption of ready-made equipment into service. Nevertheless, let's try to consider the available information and try to draw some conclusions.
The first mentions of development work under the code "Ledum" date back to the second half of the last decade. Back in 2007, the press indicated the presence of a new project called "Ledum", with the help of which it was supposed to ensure the rearmament of the military air defense. According to the data of that time, this air defense system was considered as a replacement for the existing Strela-10 systems. Assumptions were made about the technical and combat characteristics of the complex.
It was also stated that "Ledum" would be put into service in 2008. The Verba portable missile system was supposed to supplement this system in the regimental echelon. As it became clear later, these predictions did not come true. Both "Verba" and "Ledum" were adopted only in recent years - with a noticeable delay in relation to the date announced ten years ago.
Optoelectronic devices "Sosny"
In 2007, the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper published important information about the new project. According to her, within the framework of the Ledumnik project, a new firing module with the GRAU 9P337 index was developed. This product was intended for use as part of an anti-aircraft missile system with the code "Sosna". At the same time, as follows from the published article, by this time a prototype of the module was built at the Tulamashzavod enterprise.
Later, some details of an organizational and technical nature appeared, which pretty much supplemented the existing picture. In 2008, within the framework of one of the military-scientific conferences of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel-General Nikolai Frolov, at that time the commander of the military air defense, announced the prospects for the development of anti-aircraft systems. According to him, in the foreseeable future, a two-stage modernization of the existing Strela-10M3 air defense system should have been carried out.
The end result of the new project was to be an anti-aircraft complex called "Bagulnik", equipped with a laser guided missile guidance system. Having a new control system, such an air defense system was supposed to intercept various air targets, including aircraft weapons. To search for targets, it was necessary to use a passive infrared station of a circular view, for destruction - a small-sized guided missile. The desired parameters of the affected area were also determined: 14 km in radius and 9 km in height.
Over the next several years, the promising anti-aircraft complex "Bagulnik" was not mentioned in official reports. At the same time, from time to time, some information or assessments appeared. The new information was allegedly leaked through unofficial channels. In addition, the available information about this project and other modern developments served as the basis for new conclusions.
Information about the creation of the Bagulnik complex by means of a two-stage modernization of the existing Strela-10M3 air defense system led to the appearance of an assumption about the project developer. It is believed that the complex of a new type was to be created by the Moscow Design Bureau of Precision Engineering named after V. I. A. E. Nudelman. It should be noted that the "Ledum" project was not mentioned in the official materials and reports of this enterprise.
Fighting vehicle at the range
Over the past years, a promising air defense system with the code "Ledum" has repeatedly become a topic of discussion, and the public, through joint efforts, was able to form the most logical technical appearance of this sample. However, it was not possible to verify these assumptions until a certain time.
Information from a decade ago about the creation of the 9P337 firing module reveals the essence of the new project. It follows from them that under the code "Ledum" is not a full-fledged anti-aircraft complex, but only one of its elements. All assembled products, in turn, are called "Pine". This complex appeared not so long ago, but has already managed to gain some fame. In addition, as recently reminded by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, he should get into the troops.
Back in 2007, information appeared about the development of a firing module with the index 9P337 within the framework of the ROC "Ledum". The appearance of this product remained unknown for a long time, although there was reason to believe that it could be similar to the modules of existing air defense systems. By now, the industry and the military have revealed the appearance of the "Sosna" complex, which makes it possible to carefully examine its individual elements.
The 9P337 firing module for the Sosna air defense system is made in the form of a turret of a complex shape, mounted on the shoulder strap of the carrier vehicle body. In the front part of the module housing there are means for mounting a large block of optoelectronic equipment. It is proposed to use it to search for targets and missile guidance. In the stowed position, the optics are covered with movable covers.
Two launchers are mounted on the sides of the tower, each of which is equipped with mounts for six transport and launch containers with missiles. Such installations have their own vertical guidance drives. Preliminary guidance in the horizontal plane is made by turning the entire tower.
The first reports about the 9P337 "Ledum" combat module mentioned the compatibility of this product with the 9M337 anti-aircraft guided missiles. Soon, experts and technology enthusiasts were able to determine the prospects for such a product, taking into account the known information about it. It was known that this missile was developed for the Sosna air defense system, but the start of such a project was initially associated with the program for the modernization of the Tunguska missile and cannon complex.
According to the latest data, the Sosna anti-aircraft complex uses missiles of a different type. For hitting targets, it is proposed to use 9M340 products, to some extent reminiscent of the previous 9M337. With similar dimensions and weight, the new Sosny / Ledumnik missiles use the same guidance principle. The flying missile is controlled by a laser beam sent by the carrier's optics unit. The receiving devices are located in the tail of the rocket, which protects the control channel from electronic or optical jamming.
Using 9M340 missiles, the Sosna complex can hit targets at a maximum range of 10 km and altitudes up to 5 km. The maximum target speed is 900 km / h. At the same time, the real indicators of range and altitude, as well as the configuration of the protected space, depend on various factors, primarily on the type of target. Thus, low-speed targets can be effectively intercepted over the entire range of permissible ranges and altitudes.
According to known data, the optical-electronic systems of the Sosna air defense missile system are suitable for monitoring in any weather conditions and at any time of the day. Under favorable conditions, they are able to find an air target at a distance of up to 30 km - far beyond the affected area. In the case of aviation weapons and other complex small-sized targets, the detection range is reduced to 8-10 km. The found object can be taken for auto-tracking with the subsequent launch of the rocket. The applied guidance system requires you to accompany the target up to the moment of hitting the target.
An interesting feature of the "Sosna" system is the ability to work on ground targets. With the help of control using a laser beam, the missile can be aimed at a tank, another combat vehicle or any structure. The effectiveness of an anti-aircraft missile in such a role directly depends on the type of target and the warhead used. This mode is not the main one, but to a certain extent it increases the potential of the anti-aircraft complex.
In the summer of 2013, the industry built and presented a prototype of the new Sosna air defense system. The first demonstration of this machine took place during a military scientific conference dedicated to the development of air defense of the ground forces. Later it was reported that in 2014, the experienced equipment successfully coped with the preliminary tests. About a year later, a new stage of inspections began. A few months ago, the Pine prototype went to state tests, which were scheduled to be completed no later than 2018.
Back in early 2016, the domestic press reported on the imminent adoption of the Pine complex by the ground forces. According to the latest data announced by the leadership of the military department a few weeks ago, this issue has already been resolved. The Pine system is either already entering the troops, or will begin to be delivered in the very near future. Whether an order has been signed on the adoption of the air defense system for service has not yet been specified.
The development of the air defense of the ground forces is proceeding along several main paths. One of them provides for the use of exclusively optoelectronic systems in combination with laser missile control devices. The new equipment was created together with the Ledumnik firing module, and the combat vehicle as a whole received the designation Pine. The use of different names at one time led to confusion and certain difficulties, but later the real state of affairs was established. Now the armed forces will be able to use all the advantages inherent in the new projects "Ledum" and "Sosna".
