The latest means of destruction are able to stay in the air for a long time and destroy specified targets on command
The Russian Aerospace Forces have received several types of new missiles at once. They are capable of covertly patrolling in the air, and on command from the ground to go to a given area and hit targets, sources of Izvestia in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation explained. Also, missiles can fly along difficult routes and change the directions of the combat approach several times when attacking a target. They are very difficult to detect or intercept. The first products have already been used in the zone of a special military operation. According to experts, the development will give Russian VKS new opportunities.
Missile Patrol
Operational-tactical and long-range aviation of Russia has received new types of missiles, sources in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation told Izvestia. Launching from airplanes, they may not immediately hit the target, but go to a given area and fly there in standby mode. They enter the target only on command, having received its coordinates. Moreover, they can change their course several times. Earlier, these missiles were tested during a special military operation.
The creation of such missiles became possible thanks to the current level of development of electronics, satellite navigation and guidance systems, Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Militaryrussia portal, told Izvestia.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Mikhail Voskresensky
Image source: iz.ru
"With such rockets with a modern control system, you can program almost the entire flight," he explained. — For example, give the command to be in the waiting area, then give the command to strike at a particular target. They have been striving for this for many years — to give target designation after launching missiles. If the reconnaissance and strike complex is working, then sometimes the detected target has a very short time to defeat. For example, a HIMARS installation was detected from an airplane. There are literally 5-10 minutes for her defeat. And here there is an opportunity to quickly transmit information about a target that has appeared in the area of action of a particular barrage missile.
In improved mode
When creating upgraded cruise missiles of medium and long range — X-555, X-BD (with a range of up to 6.5 thousand km) — several modes are laid in them to increase their combat effectiveness, military expert Alexey Leonkov told Izvestia.
— One of these modes is changing the flight task, — he said. — That is, while the cruise missile is flying, the target can be hit with some other ammunition. The second is the mode of action in a group, when missiles from different azimuths enter a specially protected target. One missile can distract, others can hit the target. The third mode is a barrage area in order to use the most advantageous moment to hit the target. By the way, similar tests took place in the Kiev area. Local media noted that the rocket circled and flew on. At this time, Kiev designated the work of the Patriot air defense system. She lit up, and a hypersonic Dagger rocket flew to her.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Mikhail Voskresensky
Image source: iz.ru
According to the expert, such modes are embedded in promising developments, because the enemy is building an integrated air defense system, the main component of which is the distribution of weapons of destruction. Therefore, the means of destruction may appear in unexpected places. And to activate this system, the rocket is launched in a mode that allows maneuvers depending on the tasks assigned.
On September 16, the commander of long-range aviation, Sergei Kobylash, announced that the Russian strategic missile carriers Tu-160 had received new X-BD cruise missiles. According to him, their range exceeds 6.5 thousand km. The statement was made when the head of the DPRK Kim Jong-un and the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu inspected the drum launcher of the Tu-160 missiles through the open wings of the fuselage. The head of the Russian Defense Ministry showed the North Korean leader a plane equipped with new missiles at the Knevichi airfield in Vladivostok. Sergey Kobylash clarified that all the vehicles presented at the airfield are from combat units.
Earlier, Izvestia reported that last year the development of a new line of high-precision aviation bombs began. This year they passed military tests and generally confirmed their characteristics.
Strategic missile carrier Tu-160
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Zurab Javakhadze
According to the results, some of them were sent for revision, but the rest were recognized as combat-ready and began to be supplied to the arsenals of the Aerospace Forces and naval aviation. The new line includes several models capable of hitting targets at a distance of tens of kilometers. They differ in their mass, range of application, as well as the correction and guidance system. Bombs are capable of destroying both ground targets and moving objects, including armored ones, with extreme accuracy.
A few years ago, for the needs of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the development of the Thunder aerial bomb with a flight range from 60 to 120 km began. The small diameter and folding wings make it possible to use it not only with manned aircraft, but also with drones. Izvestia wrote about the decision to adapt these munitions for use with UAVs. The bomb can be placed in the internal compartments of inconspicuous Su-57 fighters and Hunter drones. On the external suspension, they can be carried by Su-34 bombers and the Altair medium strike.
Roman Kretsul
Alexey Ramm
