<tit>
BELARUSSIAN BRIDGEHEAD
<stl>Russia's only answer to NATO expansion
<aut>Aleksei Matveev
<src>Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kurier, No 49, December 28, 2005 - January 10, 2006, p. 2
<sum>Strengthening of the Russian-Belarussian army group is viewed as one of the measures aimed to counter NATO expansion.</sum>
<cov>STRENGTHENING OF THE RUSSIAN-BELARUSSIAN ARMY GROUP MAY BECOME ONE OF THE COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST NATO EXPANSION
Moscow is compelled to pay close attention to American and NATO military preparations on its borders. Strengthening of the army group of the Russian-Belarussian alliance is viewed as one of the countermeasures.
The group of Strategic Missile Forces has been withdrawn from Belarus. On the other hand, there is nothing to prevent our ally from deploying anti-missiles (a defensive weapon) together with Russia on Belarussian territory. Minsk's determination is beyond doubts. Belarus is an active partner in establishment of the Russian-Belarussian antiaircraft defense system. There are operational-tactical commands of the Air Force and Antiaircraft Forces in the Western and Northwestern directions (every one of them comprising more than five antiaircraft missile and jammer brigades and AF bases). Russian AF Commander Vladimir Mikhailov is convinced that these groups could be counted on to protect Belarus and Russia from potential air attacks from the West. The first S-300PS complexes are expected in Belarus next spring. The 115th Antiaircraft Missile Brigade quartered in Brest will be rearmed with them. Belarus regularly uses upgraded MIG-29BM and SU-27BM fighters to monitor its borders with NATO countries. Belarussian specialists even reanimated the "old weapon" enabling them to engage in deep reconnaissance. The matter concerns zeppelins used as an alternative to AWACs planes. The structure of the Belarussian Armed Forces is being perfected as well. Two new commands - of the Ground Forces, and Armed Forces and Antiaircraft Forces - were formed. Army corps formations were transformed into the Western and Northwestern operational commands. A system of strategic deterrent with subsystems of aggression detection and preventive strikes was established. The High Command of the Armed Forces, once a working body of the defense ministers that wielded no clout with other ministries and departments according to Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev, was reorganized into the General Staff, a structure working directly under the president.
Belarus steadily increases its military budget, which is supposed to amount to nearly 1 trillion Belarussian roubles or $462 million in 2006 (a rise of 26%). All of that proves that Minsk is determined to set up a common Russian-Belarussian defense space with Moscow.
<tit>
BMP-3F - A BLOW FROM THE SEA
<aut>Author not indicated
<src>Voyenny Parad, No 3, 2005, pp. 70, 71
<sum>Battle machine of infantry BMP-3F manufactured by Public Corporation Kurganmashzavod on basis of BMP-3, was specially intended for usage both on land and at sea.</sum>
<cov>FIRING POWER AND MOBILITY
(…) Battle machine of infantry BMP-3F manufactured by Public Corporation Kurganmashzavod on basis of BMP-3, was specially intended for usage both on land and at sea. The machine is intended for subunits of Special Destination Forces and Naval infantry, as well as without direct support of main forces in the coastal zone and on islands, and in the depth of the rival's territory. In the construction of the machine some changes were introduced, which increase its firing power and mobility. When compared with "ground" BMP-3, the floatability rate was increased, as well as the level of protection.
Two water engines which are rather simple in exploitation let BMP-3F float at 10 km/h and provide enough maneuverability. The presence of the telescope turbine water-resisting shields are good for confident travel on water even in a storm of 3 points strong. The machine can fire in a storm of 2 points. The time of continuous float is seven hours.
Another peculiarity of the BMP-3F exploitation is the ability to tug one-type of machine. Correspondingly, it could be tugged by other BMP or caters.
BMP-3F could be sent to a place of landing by naval landing ships or planes, i.e. it fully corresponds to the demands of strategic maneuverability. They could be loaded on landing ships independently. The combat machines could be delivered by means of air landing. Tactical mobility of BMP-3F is provided by sensible fuel discharge and speed and the capability to surpass water obstacles without any beforehand preparations.
Wonderful mobility qualities of the machine are attained at the expense of setting a powerful diesel engine UTD-29T, hydro mechanical transmission with an automatic driving gear, as well as high effective suspense. At that, the maximum speed on the road is up to 70 km/h, the average - 45 km/h. The high firing power is attained at the expense of the unique armament complex (100-mm gun - launching device, 30-mm automatic cannon, three 7.62-mm machine guns), automatic system of fire control and highly effective ammunition. The machine is able to fight against ground and air rivals. 100-mm cannon shots with controlled and non-controlled ammunition of increased power ability could destroy tanks and other armored objects, which splinter ones, abolish fortifications and people. There is a 30-mm automatic cannon for struggling against air targets and light-armored machines. The machine guns are used in a close fight.
New automatic system of fire control is set in BMP-3F, which includes the main sight of an operator with integrated laser range finder and channel of aiming the controlled missiles, the targeting complex with thermal imaging camera and an automat of conveying the target. The precise and truthfulness of the range finder, cutting down the period of preparations and realization of shooting increase the battle efficiency of BMP-3F.
The usage of the automatic system of fire control when shooting at moving targets lets reduce the time of their guaranteed abolition and to cut down the discharge rate. The indexes of battle efficiency of BMP-3F rise as well.
BMP-3F is characterized by a high level of protect ability at the expense of the aluminum armor, optical space displacement of armored elements, little noticeable silhouette, camouflage devices and perfect floating qualities. Simplicity of the construction, reliability and technological advantages of BMP-3F let create other machines on its basis. (...)
<tit>
SECOND YOUTH OF TANK PT-76<aut>Sergey Suvorov
<src>Voyenny Parad, No 3, 2005, pp. 72-74
<sum>The radical growth of fire power of modernized PT-76 is reached at the expense of setting a new turret with armament complex.</sum>
<cov>ANALYSIS OF TENDENCIES OF LIGHT TANK DEVELOPMENT
( ) After the all-sided analysis of tendencies of light tank development, the most perspective project, as many experts admit, is deep modernization of well-known floating tanks PT-76E. The modernization program was developed; it is urged to increase the machine resource and its battle efficiency as well.
The radical growth of fire power of modernized PT-76 is reached at the expense of setting a new turret with armament complex. In the composition of the complex there is a 57-mm automatic cannon (modification of zenith cannon S-60). Modernization of the cannon was made by CB Burevestnik (Nizhniy Novgorod). When shooting with armor-penetrating tracer shells at a range of 1,120 meters, the cannon breaks through 100-mm armor, in other words, corps of any modern tank. As for the reliable destruction of armored hardware of any class (BMP or BTR), the new cannon abolishes at any fire range. The maximum inclined fire range of shooting at air targets is more than 6 km.
The 57-mm automatic cannon use two types of staff unitary shots with the splinter-tracer or armor-penetrating-tracer shell. However, it is possible to shoot with a special zenith shell. Shooting from the cannon can be done by single shots, short (2-5) or continuous (up to 20) bursts.
The automatics of the cannon operate at the expense of the shot energy and lets do without using an outward driving gear, as it is done on the majority of foreign automatic cannons. That gave the opportunity to have construction with acceptable mass-overall dimensions characteristics and did not demand extra power sources. The shooting may be done even at the absence of a power supply. The cannon is equipped with a special automatic machine which lets charge and throw out the ammunition at high rates and provide rate of fire equal to 120 shots per minute. The ammunition could be placed either in the automatic gear (20 shots in each) or in the mechanical one (72 shots). Per se, the automatic gear is a machine carbine, which allows using different ammunition. The change takes place in 2-4 seconds.
The charger replenishes the ammunition gear. At that, no complicated manipulations are required the next shell is chosen from the mechanic gear and is placed in the automatic one. The time of full replenishment is two minutes. Such construction has no analogues in the world and may be considered Russian know-how.
7.62-mm machine-gun PKT may be considered to be an extra armory in the new turret, it is integrated with the cannon.
The modern automatic system of fire control (SFC) is included for high-precise shooting; it operates together with the new biplanar armament stabilizer (BAS). SFC provides the following things: all-day long detecting targets, estimating the range, determining shooting correction, stabilized pointing of main and extra armory, shooting at land, above-water and air targets with any kind of shell. Aiming-observing complex SFC includes combined sight Liga-S (developed by Public Corporation Peleng, Minsk) with independent stabilized vision line with optic, infrared and laser channels, as well as the double of the main sight zenith aim 1P67. The corrections are made by tank ballistic calculator (TBC), operating together with a complex of automatic sensors of firing conditions. Such sensors in SFC of modernized tank PT-76 are: block of the main mirror of sight Liga-S, laser range-finder, sensors of bank, course angle, tank speed and weather conditions. A part of necessary information is input manually, the air temperature and that of a shell, deterioration of barrel, atmospheric pressure and other indexes as well. After all the information is input, TBC works out automatic signals corresponding to angles of sighting and forestalling, which are sent to the control block over firing stabilizer, and gears of BAS realize the corresponding aiming. On the whole, the fire power of the new complex is by 5.5 times greater than that of PT-76B! (...)
(...) For increasing the maneuverability on the ground (when floating, PT-76 still has no competition), it is foreseen to set a more powerful diesel engine UTD-20 (300 horsepower instead of 238) and transmission used in BMP-1 with the corresponding providing systems. That would allow increase of the specific rating of the tank up to 20 horsepower per ton. (...)
The activities aimed at increasing the maneuverability of the tank let rise its maximum speed from 44 km/h up to 60 km/h, while the average speed of cross country from 32 km/h up to 42 km/h. New caterpillar tracks are set on the machine as well. Owing to all that, the exploitation ability was increased. The fatigability of a driver-operator is lessened. (...)
The protect ability of a modernized machine and its survivability on the battlefield are increased at the expense of new fast-acting system of fire fighting. Besides, it is foreseen to set a scanning system and detecting of optical devices, as well as giving automatic aiming directions for them. That means, as soon as any optical device is caught by a system, SFC would turn the turret in the automatic regime in a twinkling of an eye, prepare the information for shooting and aim. The operator would have to push the button only.
The tank may also be equipped with a system of dynamic defense, which lets protect it from grenades and ATCM with tandem battle parts. Such systems have already been tested in this country.
Another direction of increasing the machines defense is setting complexes of optic-electronic interference in channels of anti-tank missiles control, as well as a complex of active defense.
One of the most important characteristics of the modern armored hardware is command controllability. In this connection, it is foreseen to replace old devices of communication with the new ones in PT-76. (...)
The very process of PT-76 modernization is purely technological, and its laboriousness is comparatively low. That is attained at the expense of using module technology. The modernization may be run at an enterprises possessing very little technological hardware.
The modernization of tank PT-76 lets increase its battle possibilities 2.7 times, which is comparatively low at insignificant expenses that all makes this machine one of the best in the world in the given class.
<tit>
AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE ATTACKS FROM THE GROUND
<stl>The anti-aircraft modification of the RVV-AE missile becomes a weapon of ground-based anti-aircraft complexes
<aut>Vladimir Bogatsky, Victor Yeletsky
<src>Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No. 28, 2005, p. 10
<sum>The RVV-AE missile presents a break-through in the development of missiles. The missile is designed for intercepting air targets in daylight and at night under difficult weather conditions. It can intercept maneuverable air targets with an overload of nine units. Russian designers have created its ground-based modification.</sum>
<cov>THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MODIFICATION OF THE RVV-AE MISSILE
<itl>Vympel focused on the unification of airborne weapons in the second half of the 1980s. The Kleyenka project was accomplished in 1985 - it proved the possibility of using the R-27P missile as part of anti-aircraft complexes. The Yelnik project realized in the early 1990s made it possible to use the RVV-AE air-to-air missile with ground-based anti-aircraft complexes.
(…) The RVV-AE medium range air-to-air missile created by Vympel was added to arsenals of tactical aviation in 1994. (…)
To date, Russian designers have created its anti-aircraft modification, which can be launched from ground-based missile complexes such as the Kavdrat and launchers created on the basis of the S-60 anti-aircraft complex.
The RVV-AE missile presents a break-through in the development of missiles. The missile is designed for intercepting air targets in daylight and at night under difficult weather conditions. It can intercept maneuverable air targets with an overload of nine units.
The missile is equipped with an active radio-locating head, which has its own transmitter. The target does not need to be designated by the radio-locating station after launching. The missile consists of mini computers with modern data processing methods and algorithms, which make it possible to change the parameters of the guidance and stabilization systems during flight.
RVV-AE is built using the normal aerodynamic scheme. The short wings located in the central section of the missile and the cylindrical body are the main bearing elements of the missile. Latticed rudders are located in the tail section of the missile. The body of the missile is cylindrical with constant diameter. The nose section has a parabolic shape and a thin profile, which makes it possible to minimize the missile's wave resistance.
The latticed rudders is the most interesting technical solution. They have a range of advantages despite an insubstantial increase of the aerodynamic resistance and radio-locating detectability. They feature a stable hinge movement, which made it possible to use weak steering drives. The rudders remain effective to the angle of attack up to 40 degrees. Their resilience and durability is higher.
The latticed rudders, which unfold after launching, and short wings also minimize the dimensions of the missile and make it possible to carry missiles inside the fuselage or the transport container.
The missile is equipped with a solid-fuel engine. The speed reaches Mach3. The missile is also equipped with an active laser detonator and a contact detonator, and the warhead with additional explosive elements, which damage high-precision small targets.
A few words about the peculiarities of launching the anti-aircraft modification of the missile. The missile is launched from the transport container after the target detection station transmits data. Up to six such containers can be mounted on the Kvadrat launcher. The S-60 complex can carry four such containers.
The missile is controlled and stabilized by four differential aerodynamic rudders after launching. The stabilization system uses the digital-analog automatic pilot, which adapts to the conditions of autonomous flight. The stabilization system features high dynamic characteristics of stabilization, the three-channel stability of the missile and its aerolastic stability.
The control system of the missile is equipped with a floating inertial navigation system and an active multifunctional monopulse Doppler radio-locating homing head, which locks on the target after launching. This is why RVV-AE uses combined guidance to the target. The inertial system guides the missile to the "mathematical target" using information about the parameters of its movement transmitted by the control center. Active self-guidance switches on after the homing head locks on the target. The self-guidance system is activated by the onboard computer, which determines the distance needed for locking on the target.
The missile is guided using the method of modified proportional navigation, which takes into account all possible disturbances and the inertial features of the missile's stabilization circuit. Evaluations of the parameters of the target's movement generated by the onboard computer are used for adapting the guidance rule to the changing conditions and controlling the antenna of the homing head before and after locking on the target. In addition, these evaluations and data transmitted from the ground-based center are used for controlling the warhead.
The S-60 complexes created on the basis of the RVV-AE missile have new features. Such complexes can repulse mass attacks and increase the efficiency and precision of launches. The maintenance of the missile complex becomes simpler.
The Kvadrat complex armed with RVV-AE can intercept new types of targets with higher efficiency thanks to missiles armed with more powerful warheads. The rate of fire of the complex increases because it does not need to guide the missile to the target.
<tit>
STABLE DEMAND FOR ANTI-TERROR<stl>Special weapons and system from Russia ensure protection from criminals
<aut>Vadim Udmantsev
<src>Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No. 28, 2005, p. 12
<sum>Rosoboronexport, the Interior Ministry and the FSB displayed special weapons and special technical systems designed for countering terrorism and organized crime to journalists.</sum>
<cov>SPECIAL WEAPONS AND SPECIAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
<itl>Rosoboronexport, the Interior Ministry and the FSB displayed special weapons and special technical systems designed for countering terrorism and organized crime to journalists. (…)
(…) The journalists took interest in stands with infantry weapons, including silent weapons for special operations. For instance, producers displayed the SR-1 Gyurza handgun, which can pierce a 4-mm steel sheet at a range of 30 meters and the PSS handgun (7.62 mm) for silent shooting. In addition, the journalists examined the GSh-18handgun, the SPP-1M handgun for underwater shooting, the SR-2, Vityaz and Kashtan machine-guns, the SR-3 portable machine-gun, the AS silent automatic rifle, the 9A-91 automatic rifle, the APS automatic rifle for underwater shooting, the VSS, VSK-94, SV-98 sniper rifles and more.
Producers also displayed non-lethal weapons such as multipurpose grenade cup discharges for psychological and physiological impact on terrorists in vehicles and buildings. (…)
For instance, the GS340 light and sound grenade can neutralize a criminal at a range of 400 meters. (…)
The GS3T(TSh) light and sound grenade can neutralize criminals by means of the psychological and physiological impact. The grenade resembles the F-1 fragmentation grenade but belongs to the category of non-lethal weapons.
(…) The Vybros RM complex is designed for neutralizing bombs using special grapnels and lines. The complex is launched from the GP-25 grenade cup discharge of automatic rifles.
(…) The 2R3 hydrodynamic destroyer of dangerous objects can shoot a water capsule to a distance of seven meters with high precision thanks to the laser target designator. Water destroys the bombs without blasts because its speed is up to 240 meters per second. The 2R3 destroyer is designed for destroying self-made bombs hidden in cases, mailboxes and other boxes made of plywood (5 mm), aluminum alloys (1 mm) and steel (0.3 mm).
(…) The Dospekhi and Voin-KM suits for military engineers are designed for special units involved in assault operations in buildings and vehicles.
(…)
The Dospekhi suit also protects a military engineer who neutralizes a bomb (fragments, air-blast, high temperature and falling).
The suit consists of a jacket, trousers, shorts, gloves, helmet with a windshield, a ventilation system, a radio-acoustic system and a loud speaker. The helmet is equipped with a torch or two color video cameras for transmitting video via radio channels or wires. The helmet decreases the overpressure of the air-blast by 500%.
The helmet and armor, which protect the most important organs (chest, stomach and groin) can protect a person from fragments flying at a speed of 1,100 meters per second. The windshield stops fragments flying at a speed of 700 meters per second. The windshield is made of polycarbonate glass. Armor on other organs protect from fragments flying at a speed of 550 meters per second.
The maximum weight of the suit is 40 kilograms. The FSB already uses this complex.
The Voin-KM suit consists of a flak-jacket (protection level is +1) equipped with frontal and back armored panels, shoulder and side elements, a detachable apron, a two-section collar, anti-fragment sleeves and front and back armored panels.
<tit>
RUSSIAN WHARFS<aut>Alexander Fedorov - journalist of magazine Voyenny Parad
<src>Voyenny Parad, No 3, 2005, pp. 18-21
<sum>Precise description of all the projects realized at Russian wharfs for the needs of Motherland Fleet and Navy Forces of foreign countries.</sum>
<cov>World oceans will not be deserted!
(…) At the northern machine engineering enterprise (Sevmash) in Severodvinsk, they construct two atomic missile submarines of the 4th generation, project 955 Borey. (…) Their full displacement is about 24,000 tons. They will get 12 intercontinental ballistic missiles of new complex Bulava in their armament list, as well as torpedoes and missile-torpedoes. Head craft Yuri Dolgoruky (…) is to start its tests in 2006. The second vessel of this type, Alexander Nevsky, is under construction as well.
The work under the atomic multi-purpose submarine of the 4th generation, project 885 Yasen (named Severodvinsk) is terminating as well. This submarine is truly universal. It can assault using torpedoes, missile-torpedoes and winged missiles, aiming at above-water ships, submarines and enemy's transport systems, aim at coastal targets, set mining barriers, fulfill special operations. The fleet is waiting for its first performance in 2006.
In the Baltic Fleet, they test a diesel-electrical submarine of the 4th generation St. Petersburg - head project 677 Lada. (...) It is destined to abolish submarines, above-water ships of a possible rival, protect native navy bases and communications, as well as do reconnaissance. Its full displacement (according to export modification Amur 1650) is 1,765 tons; the speed of under-water cruise is 21 knots. The depth limit is 300 meters. The crew consists of 35 members. The autonomy period is 45 days. Six forward torpedo apparatus are intended for shooting torpedoes, winged missiles and mining (total ammunition consists of 18 units). They plan to commence constructing this craft at Admiral Wharfs this year.
In the second half of this year, at Severnaya Wharf they are waiting for launching the head multi-purpose guard ship of close naval zone (corvette) Steregushchy, project 20380. (...) At that very enterprise, they construct the second vessel of this type - Soobrazitelny, the keel-laying of the third one is foreseen as well. Corvettes of project 20380 and its export modification 20382 Tiger have complete displacement in 2,100 tons the speed is 28 knots. The armament consists of launching devices of anti-vessel missile complex Uran, which does not yield and even exceed (according to some parameters) American Harpoon and French Exocet. In the forward part there is 100-mm universal automatic armory A-190, which does not have foreign analogues. Zenith-missile artillery complex Kortik/Kashtan is intended for defending against air blows. Torpedo apparatus can shoot anti-vessel torpedoes and by missile-torpedoes. (...) A helicopter may land on the corvette and be placed in hangar afterwards. (...)
This year, the keel-laying of head multi-purpose combat ship of the oceanic zone (frigate) of project 22350 would probably happen. (...) It would be equipped with assaulting, anti-vessel, zenith armament, as well as the most modern electronic and aviation ones.
At Gorky's Shipyard (Zelenodolsk), the work on the second guarding ship Gepard (project 11661) is terminating. This ship is to go to the Caspian Fleet. (...) The head vessel of this type - Tatarstan - was introduced to the Navy Forces in 2002. The full displacement is 2,090 tons the speed is 27 knots. The armament consists of two quad launching devices of anti-vessel missile complex Uran, zenith missile complex Osa-M, 76-mm artillery device AK-176M, 30-mm automatic carbines AK-630M. The setting of anti-submarine armament is possible - two RBU-6000 and 533-mm torpedo apparatus. The export modification Gepard-3.9 foresees the stowage of helicopter Ka-28 or Ka-31.
At shipyard Almaz, they construct two small artillery ships of project 21630 Buyan for the Caspian Fleet. (...) They have names Astrakhan and Kaspiysk. (...) The launching is planned for this year; overall, there will be about 10 such vessels in the Fleet.
After a continuous pause, the construction of landing ships has been started again. They have laid a keel at the Baltic shipyard Yantar for grand landing ship of new project 11711 (...). The grand landing ship (displacement about 6,000 tons) corresponds to the most up-to-date demands for ships of such class and intended for transporting the marines and military technologies, as well as coastal landing of paratroopers. It would be armed with devices of fire support and self-defense. (...) The Russian Federation Navy Forces plan to construct several more ships of this type.
The replenishment of the Naval Forces by ships of special and auxiliary destination has renewed. Recently, the Northern Fleet received diving vessel VM-596 of project 11980 from Rybinsk shipyard (...). It is intended for diving operations at the maximum depth of 60 meters, in particular, for searching and lifting sunken objects, as well as repair works. The vessel is equipped with pressure chamber, various instruments and welding instrumentation, under-water TV-controlled apparatus Falcon (able to function at the maximum depth of 300 meters), perfect navigation devices. The crew consists of 29 members, five of whom are divers. It is planned to construct two more such vessels according to the modified project 11981.
In 2007, machine engineering plant Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk) is to complete construction of search-transport vessel of project 20180 (...). Its crane and lift mechanisms would provide an opportunity to realize freight miles of objects (maximum weight - 150 tons) even at unequipped docks, as well as assembly works when constructing harbor walls, estuarial stands (...). The vessel would have an area for landing and take-off for helicopters.
Last December, at Severnaya Wharf they laid a keel for ship of project 18280 (...). Various radio technical armament would be set on it. Its displacement is more than 4,000 tons. The crew would consist of about 120 members. (...)
(...) At Dalnevostochnaya Wharf, Yaroslavl shipyard and shipbuilding firm Almaz, the construction of frontier guarding ships (FGS) of close naval zone (project 10410 Svetlyak) continues. Now there are 26 such FGS, in particular, two modifications 10412 in the composition of the Vietnamese Fleet. Svetlyak of the last series has a displacement of 360 tons, equipped with diesel engines, has a speed of 30 knots. (...) The armament consists of two six-barreled 30-mm automatic artillery devices AK-306 with remote control. There is a rapid cater for landing examination parties.
Sea guardians liked a new patrol cater of project 14310 Mirazh as well (developer - CB Almaz), which is classified like a frontier guarding ship of the 4th rank. The complex of automatically controlled bottom interceptors let it go at high speed even under conditions of insignificant rough sea, lowers board and keel rolling. In calm waters, the 125 tons cater, equipped with artillery device AK-306 and machine-guns of high caliber, can go at a speed of 50 knots. At shipyard Vympel, they realize serial production of 14310M modification. The frontier cater-interceptor of project 12200 Sobol is equipped with interceptors as well. (...) Its full displacement is 60 tons; its speed is almost 50 knots. The head cater of such type is constructed by shipbuilding firm Almaz.
At shipbuilding plant Vympel, caters of project 12150 Mangust are manufactured specially for the frontiers' needs. (...) Their displacement is 23.6 tons; their speed is about 53 knots. They are in charge of patrolling, securing coastal waters and fish resources. (...)
(...) A grand order was received from India on reequipping heavy aircraft-carrier cruiser Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov into an aircraft-carrier of project 11430 (...).
After terminating all the works, its flight deck (length 280 meters) will stretch from the stern to the head, where there will be a spring-board with an angle of exit of 14 degrees. So, it would be able to provide take-off and landing of supersonic destroyers MiG-29K. Apart from these planes (21-24 machines), helicopters Ka-31 and others would "get registration" on this ship (6-13 machines).
(...) At Severnaya Wharf, two torpedo-boat destroyers of project 956EM were launched for PRC Navy Forces. (...) They plan to deliver them in 2006.
At the end of 2004, diesel-electric submarine of project 636 went to China from Artillery Wharf (...). In May of 2005, the second one was delivered to the customer. The third one is being tested at the moment. The fourth one was launched this May, the fifth one - in the summer. At Sevmash, they launched another submarine of such type in May as well. A submarine constructed by plant Krasnoye Sormovo (Nizhny Novgorod) will be sent to China in October. Unlike other submarines of project 636 delivered to China, the new submarines (8 units) have a missile complex Club-S in their armory list - for abolishing ships and land targets.
For the Vietnamese Navy Forces, a series of missile caters (project 12418) is under construction at shipyard Vympel. Such cater is a modification of famous family Molniya (...). Their main armory is four quad launching devices of anti-ship missile complex Uran-E. At Khabarovsk shipyard, they laid a keel of the third and the last landing cater on the air cushion of project 12061 Murena-M, developed by CB Almaz, for the needs of South Korean Navy Forces. (...)
<tit>
NON-ATOMIC SUBMARINES OF CLASS KILO
<aut>Yuri Kormilitsyn - constructor general of non-atomic submarines, FSUE CB Rubin
<src>Voyenny Parad, No 3, 2005, pp. 22-24
<sum>NATO officials, following the rules, labeled the new SM class by another letter flag of international signal codex - Kilo.</sum>
<cov>2005 SAW THREE EMINENT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF KILO CLASS
2005 saw three eminent events in the life of Kilo class - the 25th anniversary of launching the head SM of project 877, as well as launching 50PL and 25PL - on export. (...)
(...) The project got number 877, while specialists baptized it as Varshavyanka, since these SM were delivered only to the countries of the Warsaw agreement. NATO officials, following the rules, labeled the new SM class by another letter flag of international signal codex - Kilo. (...) The problem of significant extension of the acoustic secrecy of SM project 877 was solved at the expense of realization of a whole complex of activities, including, in particular, using equipment with low noise level, unique noise-absorbing hull coverage, newest methods of struggling against appearing and expanding acoustic interferences all over the ship. The asymmetric hull shape was accepted, the correlation of its length and diameter was optimized, as well as the number of sea inlets was reduced to minimum. (...) For increasing the secrecy level, a principally new system of gas bleeder was accepted, which does not leave any trace when moving. (...) The power plant, unlike the previous SM, was fulfilled according to the system of full electromotive, which let providing the flexibility of electro-energy system, optimizes moving regimes and charging accumulators. The powerful accumulate battery was developed and set. The reserve propulsive system provided SM with an opportunity to swim in above and under-water conditions, overcome mine fields, and fulfill maneuvers. The SM architecture conditions on its above-water floodability under emergent infill of one module and two adjoining cisterns of main ballast. The modernized hull shape and construction of wheel devices of SM provided its high maneuverable qualities under various floating conditions.
(...) Submarines of class Kilo are almost universal ones. They are able to struggle effectively against submarines and above-water ships both in the ocean, among the fiords, near reefs and other restricted areas of water. They have a powerful armament complex - 6 torpedo apparatus, 2 of which are intended for shooting TV-controlled torpedoes. Under the next modernization, newest high-effective winged missiles were added to them. The total reserve ammunition consists of 18 torpedoes or 24 mines. The torpedo module is equipped with automatic device of quick charge, which lets realize shooting at high tempo. (...) In the above-water condition, zenith controlled missiles may abolish air targets.
The full period of autonomy is 45 days.
The composition of technical devices lets exploit it under any weather conditions. (...)
(...) At the same time, the equipment and armament of SM on the basis of newest science achievements was going on. By the end of the 1980s, the quantity of these innovations was logically transformed into quality. The next modernization was connected with the equipping of SM with unique anti-ship missile complex Club-S, which let expand the abolishing zone of enemy ships. At the same time, on the submarines of the 3rd generation there are set the following items:
- the newest inertia navigation complex with continuous storage of parameters without correction, which provides processing of the needed information into the missile complex in the above-water position. The secrecy is increased in this connection;
- the modern automatic information-controlled system, including sub-system of controlling the missile armament and providing the solution of command tasks, giving target directions and controlling missile and torpedo armament, as well as torpedo apparatus. (...)
The commencement of a new century in Russian submarine engineering was marked by creating the 4th generation non-atomic submarine - project 677, more famous under the name of its export version - Amur 1650. At that, there are a lot of ways to provide further modernization. (...)
<tit>
SMALL SUBMARINE OF COASTAL OPERATIONS P-550
<aut>Yuri Mineev, constructor general of FSUE SPMBM Malakhit, Yevgeny Masloboev, deputy of constructor general
<src>Voyenny Parad, No 3, 2005, pp. 26, 27
<sum>One of its peculiarities is presence of integrated shipping automated control system (SACS) of SM, its armory, radio electronic armament and technical devices when both solving military tasks and every-day service.</sum>
<cov>NON-ATOMIC SMALL TORPEDO SUBMARINE
Non-atomic small torpedo submarine (SM) of coastal operations (type P-550) is intended for guarding the coast under conditions of shallow waters, struggling against craft, above-water ships and submarines of a rival, placing mine barriers and reconnaissance. (…)
P-550 is a tandem SM with developed ends and enclosure of telescopic devices, displacement 760 cubic meters and diving depth of 300 meters. Its main peculiarity is high richness with various armament (winged missiles, torpedoes, mines) and modern devices of radio electronic armament, even when having relatively small displacement. At the expense of automation, the maneuver processes and technical devices, its crew does not consist of many members. Low noise level and those of electromagnetic fields attain the high level of secrecy. It can operate effectively in all climatic zones. (...) Four bow individual torpedo apparatus of caliber 533 mm provide single or volley torpedo/ missile firing.
Eight outboard launching devices of caliber 400 mm are located in the bow end of the submarine. There are 12 outboard mining devices for setting ground mines, as well as zenith-missile complex Igla for counteracting aviation in the above water condition. Preparation for using torpedo apparatus, launching devices, armory and shooting are done by a subsystem of armory control, which is in the structure of automatic system of SM battle control. The control is centralized. All ammunition is stored in torpedo apparatus, outboard launching devices and mining ones. It is always ready for immediate use.
Six diver/scouts could be placed in a SM with full equipment.
Submarine P-550 is extra-low-noise. Its levels of underwater noise are by times lower than those of its analogues. P-550 is equipped with modern radio electronic armament. One of its peculiarities is presence of integrated shipping automated control system (SACS) of SM, its armory, radio electronic armament and technical devices when both solving military tasks and every-day service. SACS provides centralized control of SM from the head command point. At that, there is no necessity to guard some mechanisms inside the submarine. That is why the crew consists of nine members only. Coastal technical crews realize technical maintenance on land.
Radio complex is foreseen on P-550, which provides dual communication in diapasons SSW, SW as well as receiving of messages in diapasons MW and LW; in the under-water condition - on diapasons SW, MW and LW. For functioning of radio complexes.
The electric power plant of the submarine is tandem. In its composition there are diesel generator (630 kilowatt output) with generator of alternating current with rectifier and control shield, all-regime automatic propeller electric engine (nominal output - 900 kilowatt) and low-noise propeller, accumulator elements, reserve moving complex, which consists of two outboard folding columns.
The electric power plant provides:
- above-water motion at the speed of 10 knots per hour with charging of accumulators;
- motion in the periscope state; speed - 8 knots with charging of accumulators;
- under-water motion at economic speed of 4 knots and full speed of 16 knots. According to fuel quantity, the navigation range is about 2000 miles.
In the perspective, the project foresees to add an anaerobic plant to the diesel-electric power one by means of incut in the module body. The anaerobic plant will let increase the time of continuous navigation up to 10 days. At that, tactic-technical elements would not change significantly.
The autonomy of the submarine (type P-550) is 20 days. (…)
The solid body of the SM is separated by full-strength partition into bow and stern rescue zones (fire-prevention zones). In each of them, there are devices of individual safety, stationary respiratory system, system of chemical fire-prevention, drainage system, station of all-craft hydraulics system, rescue food stocks and fresh water, rescue hatch for exiting the submarine. Torpedo apparatus are equipped with locking systems as well as may be used for rescuing the crew. In the bow sector, it is possible to set a floating camera (for the whole crew). There are rescue tugging and two stocked devices for rescue lifting of the SM. The rescue hatch in the stern zone is equipped by common area. In the superstructure, there is pipeline for insufflations of the main ballast cisterns. There are as well signaling devices, floating buoy with radio signal device and telephone, apparatus for launching signal shells. (…)
<tit>
SALYUT MEANS STIFFNESS, RELIABILITY AND PERMANENCY <aut>Boris Gertsovsky, chief of the department of the design bureau
Salyut
<src>Voenny parad, special edition 2005, p. 76, 79
<sum> The design bureau Salyut is a leading Russian enterprise for developing and equipping ships of the Russia fleet and of a number of foreign countries with three-dimensional acquisition and tracking radars.</sum>
<cov>THE DESIGN BUREAU SALYUT
The design bureau Salyut is a leading Russian enterprise for developing and equipping ships of the Russia fleet and of a number of foreign countries with three-dimensional acquisition and tracking radars. (…) One of the main components of a radar is an aerial post. It is it that determines the character features of a radar. (…)A distinguishing feature of aerial posts made at the design bureau Salyut are flat waveguide slot aerial arrays with frequency scanning, securing the determination of target data. (…)
The waveguide slot array consists of a number of square wave guides with radiating slots and a power divider, incorporated in one welded frame. The improved characteristics (lower losses, a minor lobes level and so on) are accounted for not only by the right choice of energy distribution parameters, but by an original construction of dividers. (…) The power dividers are made of two aluminum blocks, in each there are cut waveguide channels. While assembling the blocks there appears a square waveguide, folded into a "coping saw". The joint of block is pressurized by a anaerobic sealant. (…)
The hermetic sealing of radiating slots by fluoroplastic flights ensures reliable exploitation of antennae on the opened decks and masts while undergoing influence of atmospheric condensations prevent accumulation of water and formation of frost in the area of radiating slots and guarantees preservation of high parameters even under negative weather conditions. (…)
The transfer of microwave frequency energy to the aerial posts rotating element is implemented through a waveguide-coaxial rotary joint for power channels and coaxial low-powered channels.
The enterprise developed the constructions for the rotary joints for N, E, S frequency ranges. To transfer energy to the rotating element of the aerial post with two antennae (for example N and E ranges) there were created original construction of two-channeled rotary joints.
For the state identification the multi-channeled rotary joints were designed, that work within different frequency ranges, including the international range.
All the rotary joints are made contactless with coaxial joints on the quarter-wave sleeves. Such a construction ensures their permanence and reliability during the whole exploitation period without protective treatment and maintenance. The rotary joints, as a rule, are made in a single block, a multichanneled one, having also a rotary connection to transfer low frequency signals and energy to the rotating element of the aerial post. (…)
Alongside the flat aerial array the characteristic feature of the aerial posts the innovations of the design bureau Salyut, is a placement of the electric motor and reducing gear on the rotating housing and burnishing them around fixed housing. (…) Such an arrangement of the aerial post rotary drive enables to simplify its construction, improve working conditions of the mechanical part of the drive and increase the reliability and permanence, and also diminish to minimize the maintenance during exploitation.
The aerial posts of Salyut has an electro-mechanical rotary drive of antennae, using induction motors, regulated velocity of rotation, with a smooth start and stop, possibility to turn to zero position. They can be fully stabilized, and destabilized.
The stabilization of the aerial post enables to use the possibilities of scanning antennae while surveying space at a tilt angle. The elector-mechanical drives of stabilization with use of tax follower drive with the direct-current motor ensure high precision of stabilization, and consequently high precision of elevation target data.
These days the enterprise designs stabilization drives of a new generation with digital follow-up devices, high-torque non-touch electromotor with digital guidance, digital antenna position encoder, using free form slack screw-shaped pairs as executing devices and entire absence of gear transmissions. (…)
For radiolocation stations with large-sized the enterprise develops and produces aerial posts with electric stabilization, that considerably simplifies the construction, diminishes its weight and cost. Such aerial posts can be used in land radiolocation stations.
Aerial posts of the radiolocation stations made by the design bureau Salyut include compact and light antennae of state identification and coaxial rotary joints, working in Russian and international frequency ranges. Aerial posts are used in all the climate zones of the Worlds Oceans, from Northern to tropic seas. (…)
<tit>
HELICOPTER RADARS: PECULIARITIES, TASKS, FUNCTIONS
<aut>Valery Ratner, constructor general in Public Corporation Fazotron-NIIR
<src>Aerokosmichesky Kurier, No 1, 2005, pp. 28-30
<sum>Several years ago, Public Corporation Fazotron-NIIR began working in the direction of creating unified board radiolocation complexes for helicopters of various destinations.</sum>
<cov>BRLS EXPANDS ITS POSSIBILITIES
(...) Several years ago, Public Corporation Fazotron-NIIR began working in the direction of creating unified board radiolocation complexes for helicopters of various destinations. (...) Together with the fact that equipping a helicopter with BRLS expands its possibilities significantly as well as makes it real to use a helicopter under various climatic conditions, at flights at low altitudes etc., the board efficiency of a helicopter grows at the expense of target detection range, which lets shorten the time of searching the target by optic-electronic sight. At the same time, BRLS raise the vital ability of a helicopter at the expense of well-timed rival missiles detection (...) and organizing efficient battle resisting and more rational spending of defense devices. (...)
The analysis of helicopter equipped with BRLS peculiarities and the tasks solved by it has driven the corporation to the conclusion that creating of unique specialized BRLS for solving the tasks of a concrete helicopter (for instance, a battle helicopter or observing-rescuing helicopter) is inexpedient. (...)
However, despite plane aviation with its limited number of tasks and variants of functional BRLS construction, helicopter BRLS, paying attention to their wide (...) usage, have many more variants of necessary construction. (...)
The head of helicopter radars family is a baseboard RLS Kopje, developed and manufactured by corporation Fazotron-NIIR. (...) The usage of unified solutions, standard interfaces, module construction and openness of powerful calculating system architecture let us create helicopter BRLS of various destinations in the shortest possible time. We paid much attention to peculiarities of helicopters and conditions of their usage.
First of all, this is providing all-weather usage at the expanse of several emanation diapasons. Combination of X-, Ka- and L-diapasons let provide not only radio location visibility of wide diapason of land targets under various climatic conditions, but to get a number of advantages when comparing with one-diapason BRLS, i.e. provide high resolution and precision of detecting the coordinates, round diapason of informational securing field, as well as long range of detecting and capturing the targets.
One of the main problems in the respect of increasing helicopter efficiency is providing their usage all-day long, in the wide diapason of weather and other conditions. The most perspective solution is integrating of radiolocation systems, which could be in charge of the informational side of all processes, including secret flight to the district of battle actions or landing, safe coming up to the target and returning to the base. (...)
It is supposed to use three diapasons for BRLS:
Ka-diapason - for using blowing tasks when using helicopters above the battle field. The functions of low-altitude flight are realized here as well as detecting of dangerous weather formations. (...)
L-diapason - for solving defense tasks of a helicopter in the ground zone from attacking missiles, destroyers and rival helicopters. The antenna is set under the propellers of the main rotor. (...) Another variant of placing - several antenna posts covering 360 degrees on the azimuth.
X-diapason - for solving observing-reconnaissance tasks at the great range of activity with giving fire directions about detected land, above-water and air targets, as well as receiving data about the weather. (...)
For solving the set tasks, the integration of two or three diapasons in the one BRLS is possible. It is of purpose to use block-module BRLS structure for providing the necessary functions and adaptation for various helicopters, providing flexibility when integrating blocks and modules of different BRLS configurations, unification of scheme-technical, constructive, technological and logistic decisions. (...)
Each helicopter type depending on the tasks solved by it and its tactic-technical peculiarities, only antenna and broadcasting BRLS devices are adapted; the rest parts of analogue apparatus are constructed according to the module principle in correspondence with emanation diapasons.
The open architecture of calculating system and standard interfaces provide the definite flexibility of BRLS structure, let increase the number of solved tasks and give an opportunity to integrate BRLS with helicopter BRED. (...)
<tit>
PORTABLE ANTIAIRCRAFT MISSILE COMPLEXES
<stl>A half-year distance
<aut>Author is not indicated
<src>Aviapanorama, No. 3, 2005, p. 38-43
<sum>Creation of a Soviet analogue of "Red Eye" - PZRK "Strela-2" was entrusted in 1960, to the Shavyrin Design Office (now KBM).</sum>
<cov>THE BIRTHDAY OF THE PORTABLE ANTIAIRCRAFT MISSILE COMPLEX
(...) The birthday of the portable antiaircraft missile complex (PZRK) can be defined as November 30, 1956, when American company Konver published for the first time the details of her "Red Eye" PZRK project.
(...)
Creation of a Soviet analogue of "Red Eye" - PZRK "Strela-2" was entrusted in 1960, to the Shavyrin Design Office (now KBM). (...) Diameter of the missile of PZRK "Strela-2" was only 72 mm ("Red Eye" had 76mm), and its weight a bit over 9 kg (compare with 8.2 kg of the American missile).
In November of 1968, "Strela-2" was added to the armory and in 1970, was used for the first time in operations in Egypt. (...)
By the 1980s, in the Soviet Union and in the United States were created the first samples of PZRK of the second generation, equipped with modernized IK-GSN, capable of working on two diverse wave-lengths, with microprocessors, distinguishing a real target from fired infrared traps, as well as long-wave IK-GSN, securing multi-aspectual pointing. Using of refrigerated sensors in homing heads offered to the PZRK effective resistance to disturbances, as well as attacking low-flying targets.
In parallel with improvement of GSN, on the basis of achievements in the sphere of missile fuel and explosives development, and especially in microelectronics. There were works carried out in qualitative improvement of the PZRK: reduction of the response speed, projection of facilities for preliminary target designation, automation of launching procedures, increasing the fire range at targets on head-on courses, guidance accuracy and kill effectiveness, prevention of firing at own airplanes and helicopters.
The leading position among the second generation PZRK was taken by variants of American "Stringer" and of Soviet "Strela-3" and "Igla". (...)
The most perfect Russian PZRK "Igla-S", designed by KBM, also belongs to the third generation of this kind of weapon.
PZRK "Igla-S" consists of:
-a missile, installed in the starting container, with a disposable ground electric power supply element and a refrigerant for cooling of IK-GSN attached;
-a nonexpendable starting device, securing ground pre-launch preparation and starting of a missile.
On designing of PZRK "Igla-S" in LOMO Association (St. Petersburg) they designed
Jam-resistant GSN 93435, which, estimating the object's radiation in two infrared ranges, can select a target against a background of jams. According to the data of the designers, in this GSN they realized record characteristics of sensitivity, vibro and impact resistance.
The missile used in "Igla-S" differs from the preceding variants in its considerably increased fighting part, both in the explosive weight and in the number of fragments. As well as in the presence of a contact proximity fuse, which working algorithm provides for the choice of a moment optimal for exploding of the fighting part, in both contact and non-contact operating regimes.
The missile can be started by the gunner right off his shoulder, from any unprepared open ground, a trench, the body of a moving car, a bay, a pond, etc.
PZRK "Igla-S" can operate under the conditions of extreme temperatures and high humidity, under sudden temperature drops and condensed precipitation, after water dipping and lifting in an unpressurized airplane cabin to the altitude of 12 km, after long transportation by any transport means, including by car and track-type vehicles by any roads and off the road. In the packed form, falling of the missile in the starting container from the altitude of 2 m onto a concrete bottom is allowable without any limitations for further fighting use.
RVR
