How does the fighting affect the development of new types of weapons in RussiaThe Russian defense industrial complex (MIC) is tasked with increasing the production of weapons, military and special equipment (VVST)
in the context of the continuation of a special military operation (SVO) in Ukraine and the introduction of an unprecedented number of sanctions against Russia in history. In accordance with the planned plans, research and development work (R& D) continues on the modernization of old and production of new military equipment. Despite the work of the Russian defense industry in rather harsh conditions, no one removed the task of introducing innovative technologies into the products of the domestic defense industry for Russian industrialists. Therefore, the enterprises of the Russian defense industry, taking into account the lessons learned from the special operation, pay close attention to the introduction of innovative solutions in the production of VVST samples.
MORTARSMortars equipped with "smart" sights were tested in combat in the zone of a special military operation in February 2023.
Earlier, last year, 120-mm mortars with "smart" sights were already tested in combat conditions in the SVO zone, after which they underwent the necessary refinement. The developer of the sight for mortars is NPO Automatika. The invention allows you to open fire on the enemy faster.
The 120 mm mortar is widely used in the Russian Army. And if, as a result of the refinement, a more prompt and accurate defeat of the enemy is ensured, purchases of "smart" sights can begin en masse in the near future.
AK-12 ASSAULT RIFLEThe AK-12 assault rifle has been substantially modified taking into account the experience of its own, serial production of its updated version will begin in 2023.
It is important that representatives of the Russian defense industry work in cooperation with the military and have feedback. Thus, it is possible to respond more quickly to changing needs, make structural changes and improve military products.
For example, the AK-12 assault rifle has become much more convenient and ergonomic as a result of improvements. This year, an updated version of it will go into the series.
Developed by the Kalashnikov Concern (part of the Rostec State Corporation), the AK-12 assault rifle has a caliber of 5.45 mm, has increased accuracy and accuracy of shooting. It has several Picatinny rails for installing additional equipment: sights, front handle, flashlight, laser designator.
FROM ISKANDERS TO SNIPER RIFLESSpeaking about military equipment manufactured by Rostec State Corporation enterprises, we will also give an example of T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks, Iskander operational and tactical missile systems, various multiple launch rocket systems, Ka-52 and Mi-28 helicopters, Su-35S and Su-57 fighters, Kub drones and the Lancet.
We also note an increase in the rate of production of high-precision sniper rifles. For example, Lobaev Arms doubled their output in February 2023, and from April the volume of production of products will be doubled again.
There is no information yet whether significant changes have been made to the design of the products, but we can preliminarily conclude that they have been checked by a special operation.
APPLICATION OF ROBOTSTwo versions of the promising combat robot "Marker" – reconnaissance and strike – will be tested in the zone of its own.
The first version is a reconnaissance complex, it works with a so–called suspended drone. The second version is a combat version. The shock version of the robot can be equipped with anti-tank missile systems, a paired heavy machine gun and other set of weapons.
The suspended unmanned vehicle operates on a power cable that goes to the reconnaissance version of the "Marker". Such a drone rises to a height of, for example, 150 m and provides visibility up to 20 km, including with the help of thermal imagers.
Working on the cable removes the restriction on the drone's power supply – it does not need a battery. In addition, its control system is more difficult to influence by means of electronic warfare (EW).
The reconnaissance "Marker" will move towards the front and, while in hiding, lift a suspended drone that will stay in the air for hours, conducting reconnaissance of the situation.
Today it must be borne in mind that on the battlefield you need exactly such a machine that has its own suspended drone and good weapons, has technical vision, the ability to navigate the terrain, go to a point that is simply indicated by the operator, choosing a route independently.
It is planned to prepare a group of IT specialists who will become the operators of the "Marker". Then, after running-in at the landfill, the cars will go directly to the front line. It is necessary to understand how the "Marker" will work in conditions when the enemy will introduce corrections based on navigation signals, when powerful electronic warfare tools will work.
Earlier, the "Marker" was tested as a security robot at the Vostochny cosmodrome. These complexes can be used as part of security units as devices that ensure the safety of critical infrastructure facilities.
This development has the most advanced autonomous movement skills in Russia with object recognition based on artificial intelligence technologies.
FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEEEngineers of the Competence Center of unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Novosibirsk have developed a micro-drone "Bumblebee", the main customer of which can be the special services and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
The Competence Center for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles was established this year on the basis of Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU). He will be engaged in the development of new domestic models of drones.
In the future, the specialists of the center plan to achieve 100% localization of domestic developments and components as part of the designed devices. The main problem is the microelectronic element base.
The development is still at the level of a mock-up sample. The prototype of the Bumblebee micro-drone was the British Black Hawk drone, which also belongs to the micro-UAV type and is designed for special operations forces. So far, the main task of developers in this segment is to try to get closer to the well–known analog in terms of technical characteristics and dimensions.
The mass of the micro-UAV is 85 g, the flight speed is up to 25 km / h, the flight range is up to 2 km. This is the range to which the device can transmit information from a video camera attached to the body. The duration of the flight on one battery is approximately 20 minutes. The micro-drone kit includes three replaceable and rechargeable batteries at once.
According to the plans, the demonstration of the prototype to potential consumers will begin from June 2023. Its main feature is its miniature dimensions, and one working organ is a video camera. Therefore, its scope of application is the implementation of observation where it is physically difficult for a person to do it.
In fact, the "Bumblebee" is an extension of the human eye. The probable scope of its application is special services and special units located in the most dangerous conditions.
Marina Khairullina, Vice-Rector of NSTU for Innovation and Development, said that negotiations are already underway with a number of partners who show high interest in this development. By the summer of this year, specific agreements can be reached.
DISGUISE AND EQUIPMENTIn Russia, a disguise kit is being created that will make the fighter invisible to thermal imagers and, by changing the color, will allow him, like a chameleon, to merge with the terrain.
The development of this project is engaged in CJSC "Cuirass".
The company faces the task of sheltering military personnel in various wavelength ranges, including thermal imaging. The achievement of this goal was made possible by the appearance of new special materials.
We are not talking about interference complexes or electronic warfare, which are attached to a serviceman. The effect of "invisibility" is achieved thanks to special fabrics with special dyes.
These developments can be offered by the enterprise as part of the research work on the equipment of the soldier of the future "Legionnaire". CJSC "Cuirass" is one of the leading domestic developers and manufacturers of personal armor protection and individual combat equipment for the Ministry of Defense, the Federal Security Service and other law enforcement agencies of Russia.
Among the company's developments are helmets, goggles, body armor, combat protective kits 6B49, which formed the basis for the equipment of the soldier of the future "Warrior", as well as a winter camouflage kit 6SH119.
A prototype of the promising equipment of the soldier of the future "Legionnaire", which will replace the "Warrior" set, may appear in 2025, and serial supplies of equipment to the troops may begin in 2035. For the "Legionnaire", the Cuirass specialists will develop the same elements as for the "Warrior": the combat protective kit itself (BZK), winter camouflage and glasses.
Already today, the company is working on a BPC with the function of temperature control, ventilation of the storage space, so that it is more comfortable for the fighter to wear it.
The main differences between the "Legionnaire" and the "Warrior" will be to reduce the weight and increase the ballistic characteristics of the equipment, as well as the possibility of its integration with various combat systems.
At the same time, within the framework of this research work, a new direction has appeared - "the system of robotic support". The "Legionnaire" should include an armored helmet with an augmented reality system, capable, among other things, of receiving data from drones.
In addition, the Russian defense industry is considering the possibility of creating an iron man suit made of composite armor for the "Legionnaire", which will be able to completely cover the fighter's body.
CONCLUSIONS AND GENERALIZATIONSThus, at the present stage of development, the Russian military-industrial complex continues to introduce the most advanced developments in the interests of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Such developments, samples of weapons and equipment in Russia are available in almost every direction. Many of them significantly exceed their foreign counterparts in their characteristics.
The task now is to deploy their mass, serial production. Such work is underway, its pace is constantly increasing – and on its own, domestic scientific and industrial base, due to the active involvement of small and medium-sized high-tech businesses in the implementation of the state defense order.
Vasily IvanovVasily Ivanovich Ivanov is a journalist.