The exposition reflected the main trends of modern combat — the massive use of UAVs and the development of electronic warfare.
The main trend of the Equipping exhibition, which opened in Moscow on May 27, was technologies for combating drones, from mobile electronic warfare systems to interceptor drones. Along with anti-drone systems, domestic manufacturers have introduced lightweight body armor, UAV detectors, camouflage kits and tactical medicine equipment. Izvestia got acquainted with the most interesting Russian developments.
Bulletproof vests and drones
The pavilion of the VDNH "Russia — my story" is full of people in the morning. Among them are representatives of Russian law enforcement agencies, participants in a special military operation, and experts in various military disciplines. Everyone looks at the products on display with interest, asks questions, and lingers at the stands for a long time.
— What is the protection class of this "armor"? — One of the visitors asks.
— Br-4, during the tests it withstood a hit from an SVD, — says a company representative.
The bulletproof vest "Granat BS-K" manufactured by the Shchelkovsky silk-weaving factory has several features. Armor elements made of boron carbide, a lightweight and durable material capable of stopping a 7.62 mm bullet, are installed in the inner pocket of the chest section and the outer pocket of the dorsal section. This greatly facilitates the body armor, its weight is about seven kilograms.
Bulletproof vest "Granat BS-K"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
A quick—release system is provided on the thoracic section, and an escape loop is provided on the dorsal section. In addition, the bulletproof vest can additionally be equipped with a collar, shoulder pads and protective aprons.
Another similar development is the Arcturus bulletproof vest from Khabarovsk—based T-Armis.
— Its difference from other body armor is a relatively large area of anti—shatter protection, - says a representative of the developer. — It is even larger than that of the combined arms kit "Ratnik".
T-Armis company's stand at the Equipping exhibition
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
The developer noted that many users reported to the company that the bulletproof vest saved their lives, and in case of injuries, it reduced the severity of the damage.
One of the most notable exhibits was the Pepelac P-20 Pro quadcopter with a diameter of more than a meter. The device is designed for transport, reconnaissance and special tasks. It is capable of transporting loads weighing up to 20 kg, conducting aerial photography and reconnaissance.
Pepelats P-20 Pro Quadcopter
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
The maximum flight range is 25 km, so the operating range is about 12.5 km, including return. If necessary, the drone can be adapted to drop ammunition.
— With the Picattini bar, relief devices can be attached to it. For example, the TM-62 mine," says a representative of the manufacturer, the Lipetsk company NPO Liptech. — The soldiers on the front line really asked to carry food on it. We made him carry food, and they fixed the mine. It turned out very well.
According to the developers, the quadcopter has increased resistance to electronic warfare, although it requires highly qualified operators.
Means of combating drones
A significant part of the exhibition is related to countering enemy drones.
The Hermes company presented the Goose interceptor drone operating on Hermes special communications at a frequency of 500 MHz. Its flight altitude is up to 3 km, its range is up to 8 km, its maximum flight time is eight minutes, and its cruising speed is 175 km/h. It can be equipped with a warhead in the form of a grenade from a VOG-25 grenade launcher, or it can work as an aerial ram. According to the developer's representative, the device easily catches up with FPV drones, and equipped with ammunition, it can shoot down aircraft-type drones.
The Goose interceptor drone
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
The NABAT V.3 UAV detector manufactured by Goudron has a protected body and several functions — detecting enemy drones, a spectrum analyzer and video interception.
"In the range from 200 to 8800 MHz, in spectrum analyzer mode, we receive a signal and see every source — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cameras, cellular communications," a company representative told Izvestia. — And in the drone detector mode, we see drones. It's effective for fighters because they understand what kind of drone is flying. Knowing the frequency, you can convert the signal into a picture and output the image. This allows you to find out what the operator sees, where he directs the device.
The range of the drone detector is up to 2 km. If necessary, you can connect additional directional antennas, then the signal will be picked up at a distance of up to 10 km. The device has already been tested by the Ministry of Defense and is being supplied to the troops.
Another anti—drone development is the Svod-2 electronic warfare system. It is a mobile device that can be placed on a car and even on an ATV.
Svod-2 electronic warfare system
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
— The system scans the air and shows approaching objects. If a drone is detected, you need to activate the electronic warfare system. We are giving a very large number of these funds to the troops. Lots of reviews. They constantly write that the device saves lives," said a representative of the developer.
The average range of the "Vault" is 200 m. It is designed to protect vehicles from kamikaze drones, reconnaissance drones, and drop drones.
The Equipment exhibition showed that the fight against drones is becoming one of the key areas of development of modern military technologies. Manufacturers rely not only on the means of destroying drones, but also on detection systems, electronic suppression and protection of personnel. At the same time, a significant part of the presented solutions are already being tested in the SVO area and are being finalized taking into account the experience of their practical application.
Roman Kretsul
