The process of updating the strategic missile defense, covering Moscow and the central industrial region from a nuclear missile strike, continues. As part of an extensive and complex program, various works are carried out to build and test modernized or new defense components. The other day, another test of a promising missile, designed to protect vital objects from enemy missiles, took place. The interceptor missile reportedly successfully destroyed the mock target and demonstrated the required capabilities.
On the morning of April 2, the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of Russia published an official report on the newly passed tests of a new domestic anti-missile missile. As indicated in a short note, the combat crew of the air and missile defense forces of the aerospace forces successfully conducted another test launch of a new missile for a strategic missile defense. The tests took place at the Sary-Shagan test site, the main site for such events.
Preparing for November test launch
At the end of the tests, Major General Andrei Prikhodko, deputy commander of the air defense and missile defense association of the aerospace forces, said that the modernized anti-missile missile successfully hit a conditional ballistic target. The set test problem was solved at the specified time.
The press service of the Ministry of Defense also recalled the goals and objectives of the new project. It is indicated that the anti-missile defense system is in service with the Aerospace Forces and is intended to protect the capital from attacks using aerospace attack weapons. In addition, a complex complex, which includes a lot of different systems and means, is used to control outer space and warn of missile attacks from third countries.
It should be noted that this is the second test launch of the upgraded anti-missile missile, which took place this year. If we take the last few months, starting in the fall of 2017, then the recent start turns out to be the third in the current test program. According to official reports, the first test launch of the current program took place on November 23, 2017. The next start was carried out just a few weeks ago - on February 12. It was reported that in both cases, the interceptor missile successfully completed the assigned task and destroyed the training target.
Loading a container into a mine
In the official reports of the Information Department of the Ministry of Defense, such moments were not specified, but it is known that in recent months an updated version of the already existing anti-missile, known as PRS-1M and 53T6M, is undergoing flight tests. Also, specialized resources report that the site No. 35 of the Sary-Shagan test site was selected for the current tests, and the launches are provided by the multi-channel firing complex 5ZH60P "Amur-P".
According to known data, the current project for the development and testing of the promising PRS-1M missile is part of a larger program for the modernization of the domestic missile defense system. Since the beginning of the nineties, the A-235 anti-missile system, also known as RTC-181M and "Samolet-M", has been on alert to protect Moscow and the surrounding region. It includes various ground-based technical means and a set of interceptor missiles. In the basic configuration of this system, the short-range interception echelon was based on the PRS-1 / 53T6 missile. The aim of the current work is to re-equip the A-235 system with new missiles.
Product start
For obvious reasons, the defense industry and the military department were in no hurry to disclose detailed information about the most important project, as a result of which information was published extremely rarely and in limited quantities. Nevertheless, some information about the PRS-1M rocket still got publicly available. In addition, certain assessments and assumptions that are quite plausible have gained a certain distribution.
It is known that the development of new guided missiles for the Russian strategic missile defense is carried out by the Novator experimental design bureau (Yekaterinburg), which is part of the Almaz-Antey aerospace defense concern. The first reports of the development of a completely new or modernized interceptor missile date back to the middle of the last decade. In the future, the project of such a weapon was mentioned several times in various messages, but without unnecessary details.
At the turn of the decade, it became known that the Almaz-Antey concern was preparing to resume production of some components of the relatively old 53T6 missiles. In particular, they mentioned plans to produce new solid-fuel engines for such weapons. Even then, there were certain grounds to assume that it was about the production of power plants for a modernized version of the PRS-1M rocket. It is believed that all these works were associated with the expiration of the warranty period for the existing PRS-1 missiles. The appearance of new batches of engines made it possible to re-equip serial missiles and return them to duty.
Launched Feb 12, 2018
In December 2011, the first test launch of the PRS-1 product, equipped with a new series engine, released after the resumption of production, took place. Probably, then an anti-missile missile was tested in a basic configuration, which fully corresponded to the original 53T6 project. At the same time, versions appeared about testing a new rocket, which is at least a modernized version of the existing one. However, officials did not comment on such assumptions in any way. The events of the following years, in turn, became an indirect confirmation of the fact that in 2011 the main task was precisely to check the engine of the new batch.
Information about the testing of a promising product, officially called a "new modernized rocket", appeared only last fall. As the press service of the Ministry of Defense reported, on November 23, 2017, a test launch of such an anti-missile took place. The command noted that the launch was successful and ended with the interception of the training target. The type of product used in the tests, however, was not specified. However, in the video from the Ministry of Defense, it was possible to notice that the 53T6M index was present on the transport and launch container of the experimental rocket.
On February 12, 2018, one of the sites of the Sary-Shagan test site was again used for a test launch of a "new modernized rocket". According to A. Prikhodko, who still had the rank of colonel at that time, the product completed the task and hit the conditional target. At the same time, the interceptor missile showed the specified accuracy. Just a few weeks later, another test launch took place, culminating in the destruction of a third target that imitated enemy weapons. Now the official statements indicated the successful defeat of the target at a given time.
An anti-missile missile flies to a conditional target
Apparently, the Almaz-Antey VKO concern and the Ministry of Defense will have to continue testing new missiles. After several test launches with the attack of training targets, such a weapon will be able to receive a recommendation for adoption. This will be followed by a corresponding order and a new order for full-scale serial production. As a result, over the next few years, Moscow's strategic missile defense system will noticeably update its means of intercepting the near echelon.
Project 53T6M / PRS-1M, as well as the entire A-235 / "Airplane-M" program, is of particular importance for the country's defense capability and strategic security. For this reason, most of the information about him has not yet been disclosed by official sources. The Ministry of Defense regularly reports on the implementation of certain works, publishes photographs and videos of various processes, including the launch of missiles, but certain data are kept secret. As a result, there are many versions describing the technical appearance and characteristics of promising anti-missile weapons. Which of them correspond to reality is still unknown.
It is known that the PRS-1M rocket, like its predecessor, consists of a launch and sustainer stages. When assembled, the product is in the shape of a cone with some protruding elements. To obtain the highest possible performance data, both stages are equipped with solid-propellant rocket engines using modern mixed fuel. The missile is delivered from the factory in a cylindrical transport and launch container. Together with him, she is transported to the place of duty and loaded into the silo launcher.
The third start of the experimental PRS-1M
According to known estimates, the 53T6M interceptor missile retains the principles of operation that have already been tested by time. Its guidance is carried out by commands from the ground. The ground components of the A-235 missile defense system monitor the movements of the ballistic target and the missile, and in parallel calculate and transmit commands for the latter. The target is struck with the help of a special warhead, the relatively high power of which compensates for a possible miss. According to some reports, 53T6M missiles or similar missiles in theory can also carry a conventional warhead.
Having sufficiently high characteristics, the PRS-1 and PRS-1M products do not differ in their large size and weight. The length of such interceptor missiles together with the container does not exceed 12 m. The TPK diameter is no more than 2 m. The launch weight is less than 10 tons. Transport-loading vehicles built on the basis of the four-axle chassis of the MZKT brand operate with 53T6 missiles. At the same time, the relatively large length of the product has led to the need to supplement the cargo platform with outboard elements. Also, a wheeled semi-trailer with attachments and means of loading the TPK into the launch shaft has been developed.
The exact information about the flight data of the "new modernized" domestic interceptor missile has not yet been officially announced. According to some reports, it develops a speed of at least 4-5 km / s. The firing range, according to various estimates, reaches 100 km, the maximum height is up to 40-50 km. Due to the highest flight speed, the time to intercept the target is reduced to the lowest possible values. The flight to the maximum range takes a matter of seconds.
Rapid acceleration is assured by a high-power engine that produces noticeable puffs of smoke
It should be noted that the interception zone of the PRS-1M missile is not very large. The fact is that such an interceptor missile should be used in conjunction with other products of its class that have different flight characteristics. Using two or three interceptor missiles with different parameters, the A-235 system creates echeloned protection of a fairly large area.
It allows you to intercept dangerous objects at ranges up to 1000-1500 km and at altitudes up to several hundred kilometers. The task of the short-range missile defense echelon, represented by 53T6 / 53T6M products, in this case is to intercept single targets that managed to break through the zone of responsibility of other missiles. This architecture of the missile defense system allows obtaining a sufficiently high potential and minimizing the probability of a successful breakthrough.
Over the past several years, a number of leading enterprises in the Russian defense industry have been working to modernize the existing strategic missile defense system. One of the main ways to update it is to update one of the existing missiles, aimed at improving its technical and combat characteristics. Such a project, known by the 53T6M index, reached the testing stage last year, and so far three test launches have been carried out. Most likely, similar events will be held in the future. At the same time, it should be remembered that the date of acceptance of the rocket into service and its subsequent setting on duty is approaching with each new test launch.
