The Russian Defense Industry has introduced new aircraft missiles, UAVs and anti-drone weapons
On Thursday, August 17, aviation received special attention at the Army-2023 forum. The upgraded Mi-28NM combat helicopter and the Ka-52M reconnaissance and strike helicopter were presented at one of the sites. The latest guided aircraft missiles "Whirlwind-1" and air–to-surface missiles, known as "Product-305", are suspended on them. An unguided aviation missile (NAR) with a C-8KL cluster warhead, jamming and anti-radar cartridges for aviation were also shown. Experts note that at the forum it is possible to trace the rapid development of new types of missiles, UAVs, as well as means of combating drones.
The newest "Product-305"
This year, at the Army-2023 forum, special attention is paid to aviation technology. According to Izvestia's sources in the military department, several new aircraft weapons systems, including those for equipping helicopters of naval and army aviation, were presented within the framework of Army-2023, but not for a wide range of visitors. Some of the novelties radically increase the combat capabilities of helicopters, the interlocutors of the publication emphasized.
The Forum showed that Russian industry is effectively switching to military rails, demonstrating new types of weapons and military equipment. This gives even greater confidence in the successful completion of the SVO, expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia.
— We can see many new types of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, means of combating UAVs, — he noted.
An upgraded Mi-28NM combat helicopter and an updated Ka-52M reconnaissance and strike helicopter are presented at one of the Army-2023 sites. They carry on suspensions the latest guided aircraft missiles "Whirlwind-1" and air–to-surface missiles, known as "Product-305".
Guided air–to-surface missile "Product 305"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
— According to insiders from the developers, the "Product 305" missile shows very high efficiency in destroying the armed formations of Ukraine. Nobody knew about this rocket until recently," Dmitry Boltenkov stressed.
This missile — recently classified — confidently destroys both armored vehicles and enemy fortifications.
A Mi-171Sh transport and combat helicopter is displayed nearby, which can take on board more than 30 landing troops. The car received additional booking and the ability to use the widest range of weapons.
The Mi-171Sh is equipped with large-caliber machine guns, and can also work with guided and unguided missiles and even carry bombs on an external suspension. Almost all helicopters presented at the forum are equipped with onboard defense systems that will help to divert anti-aircraft missiles from the crew.
Mi-171SH transport and combat helicopter
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
The forum for the first time showed the newest unguided aviation missile (NAR) with a cluster warhead S-8KL. It is filled with cumulative fragmentation combat elements - there are 24 of them in total. The rocket can be launched from standard NAR blocks, as well as from intelligent B-8B10-UV blocks.
The ammunition is compatible with all major types of helicopters and aircraft of the army, assault and tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
In addition, interference and anti-radar cartridges for aviation were shown for the first time.
Su-57, Su-30SM2, Su-34, Mi-26T2B military transport helicopter, Ka-32A11M multi-purpose helicopter, Pacer, Termit, Altius-RU, Outpost-R, Grom, Hornet unmanned aerial vehicles were exhibited at the forum".
From Yars to ZU-23
In Pavilion A, the ZU-23 anti—aircraft guns enjoy increased attention. The guns, developed more than 60 years ago, were recreated at a new technological level and received a new name - ZU-23AE. But most importantly, modern optoelectronic units were installed on them, which allow them to confidently accompany and destroy targets.
— The revival of the old, good and effective ZU-23 anti—aircraft system on a new technological base is a great engineering feat of the Tula defense workers, — Dmitry Boltenkov believes.
The installation is designed primarily to defeat all types of drones, including small-sized ones, due to the use of ammunition with a programmable detonation time.
The developers admitted to Izvestia that the new Zushka confidently destroys Mavik-3 drones at a distance of 500-700 m. If necessary, this anti-aircraft gun can effectively work both on lightly armored targets and on infantry.
Next to the strategic missile "Yars" and the upper stage for the hypersonic complex "Avangard", a remote mine clearance vehicle "Foliage" based on the armored vehicle "Shot" is exhibited. This technique accompanies strategic missile systems advancing to strike lines.
"Foliage" is designed to detect mines and explosive devices with metal elements, destroy explosive objects with electronic components. The latter is provided by the radiation of a powerful microwave cannon, which disables electronics or blocks the detonation of mines and land mines.
T-14 Armata tank
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
An improvised tank column is opened by the T-14 Armata and the T-90M Breakthrough. Nearby are samples of the most protected main battle tanks T-80BVM and T-72B3M. The armored vehicles were equipped with additional dynamic protection units, which were especially carefully covered with details of the frontal projection, sides and stern.
They also had industry-made visors installed on them, which should take the blows of barraging and dropping ammunition from quadrocopters, as well as FPV drone attacks. All these tanks received modern camouflage nets of the "Cape" type. The good old T-62M closes the line.
The public is also attracted by the unmanned vehicle "Chisel" with a 4x4 wheel formula. The name fully corresponds to the appearance of the combat vehicle. It is designed to provide various assistance to active assault groups. "Chisel" can support attack aircraft with fire from a 23-mm rapid-fire anti-aircraft gun ZU-23-2. If necessary, it can deliver supplies to the front line or evacuate the wounded.
Employees at the stands admit that they expect an influx of visitors in the near future — the exhibition has always been loved by Russians. Purely civilian visitors will not be bored on it either. Not only army buckwheat porridge with stewed meat is waiting for them, but also pavilions of Russian manufacturers of shoes, as well as military clothing and accessories — a lot of high-quality novelties have appeared here over the year that will be useful in everyday life. The exhibition with captured captured equipment will be of interest to everyone.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Alexey Ramm