The troops in the east of the country will be among the first to receive man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) "Verba" in combination with specially designed to protect the fighters of the armored vehicles "Typhoon-AIR DEFENSE". The new weapons will help integrate anti-aircraft gunners on armored vehicles with "Verbami" in the overall air defense system to reliably detect and hit any target-from aircraft to cruise missiles. Such equipment, according to experts, will be especially useful in the fight against small unmanned aerial vehicles, which are becoming an increasing problem.
The troops in the east of the country will be among the first to receive man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) "Verba" in combination with specially designed to protect the fighters of the armored vehicles "Typhoon-AIR DEFENSE". The new weapons will help integrate anti-aircraft gunners on armored vehicles with "Verbami" in the overall air defense system to reliably detect and hit any target-from aircraft to cruise missiles. Such equipment, according to experts, will be especially useful in the fight against small unmanned aerial vehicles, which are becoming an increasing problem.
New kit
It was decided in principle to equip the anti-aircraft gunners of the Eastern Military District with updated portable missile systems. They will receive not only the 9K333 "Willow" MANPADS, but also their automation tools, mobile radars, as well as specially designed armored vehicles, sources in the defense ministry told Izvestia. The pace of rearmament will depend on the implementation of the state defense order for new vehicles by the industry. The completion of the Typhoon-air defense tests, which were first demonstrated this year at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, is scheduled for the end of 2021.
Conventional "Werbs", without special anti-aircraft gunners, are already actively rearming the Ground Forces and airborne units. Portable complexes are supplied to them in complete sets, allowing them to immediately equip an entire brigade or division. In the future, it is necessary to replace thousands of Igla MANPADS, which are equipped with all types and types of troops.
Earlier, the commander of the military air defense of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Leonov, stated that compared to the current Igla MANPADS, the effectiveness of the Verba complex has increased by one and a half to two times.
In October last year, at the Ashuluk training ground in the Astrakhan region, for the first time, the inclusion of soldiers on an armored vehicle with "Verbami" in a single contour of the air defense of the Ground Forces was worked out in pilot exercises. The new MANPADS were used at the last turn to intercept targets that were able to break through the zones of action of the S-300V4, Buk and Tor longer-range air defense systems.
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| Car "Typhoon-air defense" and MANPADS "Willow". |
| Source: iz.ru |
— At the primary level, at the stage of units equipped with MANPADS, there was a problem, not critical, but important for the effectiveness of military air defense-the lack of a specialized machine for anti — aircraft gunners, which would allow integrating such units into the general air defense system and automated command and control systems, - military expert Viktor Murakhovsky told Izvestia. — This is especially important because of the development of air attack means — small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles and barrage ammunition.
Such complexes, of course, must be tested in any conditions, and the Eastern Military District is perfectly suited for this.
— There are places where in the summer heat, dust and very strict operating requirements, and in the winter records are set for frost and snow. In addition, this district has a lot of experience in mastering the latest technology, " said Viktor Murakhovsky.
"Typhoon" for air defense
Now the anti-aircraft gunners with MANPADS move on conventional armored personnel carriers or trucks. The new vehicle will not only transport their weapons and property, its equipment allows you to receive target designation from other radars and army air defense systems, including the powerful long-range radar "Tor-M2" and brigade automation points "Polyana-D4M1".
Prototypes for anti-aircraft gunners were created in 2019. They were designed on the basis of an amphibious armored vehicle "Typhoon-Airborne", which was prepared to equip the airborne troops. All four wheels of the car are driving, which provides the necessary cross-country ability. The 350 hp engine accelerates the car weighing 14 tons to a speed of 105 km / h. The armor protects it from armor-piercing incendiary bullets of light small arms from any direction.
The car can withstand the explosion of six kilograms of TNT under the bottom or four under the wheel. It also has its own weapons. "Typhoon-AIR DEFENSE" is equipped with a large-caliber machine gun on a new installation. It allows you to fire in any direction at both air and ground targets.
Each armored vehicle can carry, in addition to the anti-aircraft gunners ' squad, ammunition from nine missiles in special mounts. In addition to the "Willow", you can also download the previous modifications of the MANPADS that are in service. You can open fire with missile systems directly from a special hatch in the roof of the car, without completely leaving its armor protection.
Higher and sharper
Adopted in 2014, the MANPADS 9K333 "Willow" has many advantages compared to the most popular in the military "Needle". The previous generation was created in the 1980s.
The main feature of the new MANPADS is the ability to defeat even small drones, the bodies of which are made of composite materials. These are almost invisible on radar and emit little heat. To capture them in the sight of the previous generation of missiles can be very difficult.
The Willow can distinguish targets better thanks to the new multispectral homing head. It works not only in the infrared range, but also for the first time for domestic complexes in the ultraviolet. As a result, it cannot be deceived by conventional heat traps, which are used to protect against missiles by planes and helicopters.
The portable complex can shoot down the target at a distance of up to 6 km and an altitude of 4.5 km. The range of damage rates has also been expanded. "Willow" is able to intercept even a plane flying at supersonic speed. The transfer time from the marching position to the combat position of the new MANPADS is reduced by fifty percent. Now it only takes eight seconds to do this.
The small-sized 1L122 "Accordion" radar is included in the composition of the platoon of anti-aircraft gunners with "Verbami"for the first time. The new Typhoon-Air Defense combat vehicle will help in its transportation. If necessary, the radar can be quickly deployed by the calculation forces in any place. After that, it allows you to observe aerial objects at a distance of 40 km.
The information from the radar goes to the automated control system, which unites the entire division-from the commander to the anti-aircraft gunners. Fighters receive information in advance about the direction from which the enemy is approaching. This allows you to prepare for shooting even before the target is visible to the naked eye.
Anton Lavrov Anna Cherepanova