A few days ago, the international exhibition of arms and military equipment MILEX-2017 ended in the Belarusian capital. This event became a platform for demonstrating the mass of new developments of the Belarusian defense industry. Along with full-fledged serial or prototypes in the exhibition pavilions, there were models of promising technology, still at the development stage. In particular, the concept of a promising anti-aircraft missile system designed to replace the outdated systems of its class was demonstrated in the form of a scale model.
A promising project is proposed by a private Belarusian company NP OOO OKB TSP (Minsk). This organization was founded at the beginning of the last decade and is engaged in the development of various devices and devices for defense or dual-use. Also, the design bureau is known for its attempts to modernize existing models of military equipment. In particular, in the past it has repeatedly shown the Buk-MB anti-aircraft missile system, upgraded according to its own design, at military-technical exhibitions, and later even received an order for the serial production of such equipment. Apparently, it was with the use of the existing experience that the general appearance of the promising complex was formed.
The layout of the air defense system in a combat position
According to available data, by now the specialists of the TSP bureau have formed only the general aspects of the project and have identified the main technical features of the future combat vehicle. In addition, the requirements for individual elements of the complex have been formed. At the same time, the promising design of the air defense missile system has not yet emerged from the conceptual stage, which is why it cannot yet be implemented in metal and tested at the test site. Nevertheless, the development organization has already made a mock-up of a self-propelled anti-aircraft complex and showed it at a recent exhibition.
Curiously, the concept project is at such an early stage that it doesn't even have a name of its own. Even in official reports, it is referred to simply as a medium-range air defense missile system.
It is reported that the enterprise "OKB TSP" began work on a new project on an initiative basis and without an order from the domestic or foreign armed forces. Despite this, the approximate dates for the completion of the design have already been determined. The first stages of the program are planned to be completed within 3-5 years. Probably, after this, the project can be offered to customers, as a result of which prototypes may appear, and in the future, serial equipment.
The goal of the current work is to form a general appearance and requirements for a promising anti-aircraft missile system that can replace outdated systems in the foreseeable future. The main candidates for replacement with the help of a promising complex are the military air defense systems of the Buk family. The old modifications of the complexes of this family no longer fully meet the requirements of the time, and the solution to this problem can be the creation of a completely new anti-aircraft system.
It is reported that as part of a promising air defense system, it is proposed to use some units and assemblies of existing types. Interestingly, these components were previously developed during the creation of the Buk complex modernization project. Thus, a certain continuity can be ensured in terms of technical appearance and basic functions. At the same time, however, the new concept proposes the use of a number of new ideas of one kind or another, allowing to change the characteristics and capabilities in comparison with existing air defense systems.
The new project, which does not yet have a name, proposes the construction of a self-propelled combat vehicle, which has on board all the necessary electronic equipment and a missile launcher. With such a composition of units, the complex will be able to perform the assigned tasks and destroy air targets. In addition, it is possible to interact with other pieces of equipment that carry one or another means of detection.
Travel position
Probably, the Belarusian defense design bureau, when shaping the appearance of the new air defense system, took into account the capabilities of the domestic industry, which is why a wheeled chassis is proposed as the basis for a combat vehicle. The model of the anti-aircraft complex, shown at the recent exhibition, was "built" on the basis of a four-axle all-wheel drive wheeled chassis. Belarusian enterprises produce several samples of such equipment, one of which can be used in a new project. In addition, it can be expected that with the appearance of a new chassis with the required characteristics, the air defense missile system project may receive corresponding changes.
It should be noted that the special vehicle chassis of the model shown has minimal resemblance to existing production models. For example, it had a futuristic cockpit. Judging by the size of the cab, in the existing volume, made in the form of a large front overhang, it was possible to accommodate not only the driver's workplace, but also operator consoles with all the necessary devices. There should probably be an engine compartment behind the cab. This arrangement made it possible to free up the cargo platform of the chassis for the installation of radar equipment and a launcher.
On the cargo area of the chassis, which is characterized by a large length, it is planned to place a platform with large side casings. In the transport position of the combat vehicle, the volume formed by the side boxes must accommodate the launcher. In the aft part of the sides, protruding elements are provided, which are necessary to protect the radar equipment.
One of the most interesting features of the concept from OKB "TSP" is the use of a target tracking radar with an unusual antenna placement. The authors of the project proposed to raise the radar antenna to a great height above the ground, which allows, to a certain extent, to improve its technical characteristics. To raise the antenna to the working height, a special device of interesting design is used.
Directly behind the cab and engine compartment, it is proposed to install a pivot mount for a box frame with a large window in the center. The opposite frame member must be equipped with a rotary support for antenna mounting. In the transport position, the antenna frame should be laid along the body. In this case, the central window of the frame is located above the internal volume of the body. It is proposed to place one of the main units of the combat vehicle in the available space. When the support is laid, the radar antenna casing is located between the aft elements of the hull sides.
The project provides for the use of a launcher for six guided missiles. The missiles are proposed to be transported in transport and launch containers. With the help of several clips, six containers are assembled into a single package; in two horizontal rows of three missiles. The TPK package must be mounted on a lifting boom necessary to transfer the missiles to a vertical position before launch. In the transport position, the package of containers is stacked on the cargo platform and is protected by the side boxes and the radar antenna frame.
Raising the antenna and launcher
There is no exact information about the missiles proposed for use and their characteristics. As a result, the main characteristics of the complex being developed remain unknown at the moment. It is argued that the promising air defense system will relate to medium-range systems. From this it follows that he will be able to hit targets at distances from 30 to 100 km. There is also information about the intention of the developers to use some missiles of their own production.
It can be assumed that the ammunition of the Buk family, including the one borrowed from the Buk-MB complex, will be used as the basis for a promising missile. Certain doubts may also arise, directly related to the lack of the ability of Belarus to manufacture such products. Not all components of missile weapons can be manufactured by Belarusian enterprises. Other important features of the system, directly related to missiles and their use, such as the number of target channels, etc. also have not been specified yet.
The medium-range anti-aircraft missile system of the proposed appearance, being built on the basis of a wheeled chassis, will be able to use highways or move off-road. At the same time, he will be able to quickly exit to a given area or accompany troops on the march or in places of concentration. The use of existing or prospective special chassis of Belarusian production will allow obtaining sufficiently high mobility characteristics.
It should be noted that the main features of the appearance will not allow the new air defense system to fire while moving. Before attacking the target, the calculation will have to stop, and then raise the antenna and the launcher to a vertical position. Only after this will the combat vehicle be able to take the target for escort and attack it. Such features are typical for many modern anti-aircraft systems, but in certain situations they can lead to the most serious consequences.
In the context of a promising concept design of an anti-aircraft missile system, one should recall the previous development of the TSP design bureau. In the middle of the last decade, a project was created to modernize existing systems of the Buk-M1 type under the name Buk-MB. The project involved the overhaul of an existing combat vehicle with the simultaneous replacement of a number of units and systems. Provided for the replacement of the overwhelming majority of electronic components. To simplify production and subsequent operation, systems of our own Belarusian production were used.
As part of the Buk-MB modernization program, more than a hundred different components and assemblies had to be re-developed. As stated, all of them are produced in Belarus using a modern element base. In addition, the new equipment fully met modern requirements. The main characteristics, however, in general, remained at the level of the complex of the basic model. The Buk-MB project also proposed processing the composition of the anti-aircraft battery. In particular, the standard self-propelled radar 9S18M1 was replaced by a new machine 80K6M based on a wheeled chassis.
The complex is ready to fire
It was reported that each of the Buk-MB self-propelled launchers, equipped with its own tracking and guidance radar, has only one target channel. It was proposed to include six such vehicles in the staff of the anti-aircraft complex, which made it possible to simultaneously attack up to six targets. The presence of six target channels was considered relevant modern requirement and sufficient to repel an enemy air strike.
To date, the Buk-MB air defense missile system has been brought to serial production and supplies to customers. Developers and manufacturers of such equipment managed to interest foreign countries. So, in June 2013, the armed forces of Azerbaijan demonstrated their new anti-aircraft systems.
The latest reports mention that the new concept project uses separate units that have already passed the necessary tests and delivered in series within the framework of the Buk-MB project. Thus, for some units, the promising complex will be unified with the existing one. It is possible that this feature of it, among other things, will lead to similar characteristics and capabilities.
To date, NP OOO OKB TSP has managed to form only a general concept of a promising medium-range anti-aircraft missile system and determine some of the main features of its future appearance. In this regard, most of the details of a technical nature were not only not disclosed, but, apparently, have not even been determined yet. All these nuances will have to appear in the future, in the course of the development of existing ideas and preparation for full-fledged design work.
The project of a new air defense system is being developed on an initiative basis, which can have understandable consequences, as well as lead to negative results. The ongoing work is said to take several years to complete. Nevertheless, for the further development of the project, a potential customer is needed. If it is found, the design organization will have the opportunity not only to continue work, but also to build an experimental technique. Otherwise, the complex runs the risk of remaining in the early stages and in the form of exhibition models.
Both the layout of the promising air defense system and other exhibits of the recent Minsk exhibition MILEX-2017 clearly show the desire of the Belarusian industry to work on the development of existing and promising systems. Some original projects have already yielded some results, while others are still at a very early stage. Time will tell whether the new concept project will lead to real results or will remain unattended by the customers. At the moment, however, it looks interesting and therefore may have a certain chance of being developed.
