The XXVII International exhibition "Interpoltech-2023" was held in Moscow
In the middle of October this year, the XXVII International exhibition of state security equipment "Interpoltech-2023" was held in Moscow. The exhibition "Interpolitech" positions itself as a brand with a 27-year history, "the leader of innovations in the field of interdepartmental information interaction, implementation of state programs and federal projects in the field of improving the efficiency of the functioning of the national security system."
In 2023, more than 100 manufacturing enterprises from Russia, Belarus, and China became exhibitors of the exhibition. At the same time, more than 70% of Russian exhibitors are new manufacturers of security equipment.
The exhibition included several thematic sections: technical means of protection of the state border and equipment of checkpoints; technical means of protection and security of critical infrastructure; forensic and analytical equipment; special equipment and means of conducting rescue operations; robotics and artificial intelligence; equipment and tactical equipment.
Throughout the work of the exposition, a business program was carried out on its site. The speakers, moderators, organizers and participants of the events were heads and specialists of specialized departments of federal executive and legislative authorities, industry associations and key manufacturers of state and public security equipment. During the meetings, they discussed issues of robotics, digital forensics, the latest security systems and much more.
"KOMAR" AGAINST KAMIKAZE BOATS
The RATEP company, which is part of the Almaz-Antey concern of East Kazakhstan Region, presented at the exhibition an innovative anti-aircraft missile system Komar 3M47-03E, capable, according to manufacturers, of effectively countering the threat of attacks by air and sea targets.
In addition to the Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles, the new rocket launcher is equipped with powerful Ataka guided missiles. This allows it to destroy not only aerial targets, but also high–speed unmanned naval vehicles - kamikaze boats moving at speeds reaching 90 km/h.
"Komar" is primarily designed to guarantee the protection of ships and vessels deprived of powerful anti-aircraft and anti-ship guns. In addition, the installation has the potential to protect strategically important industrial facilities and other significant points within the borders of our country.
The Komar anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) can be produced in two versions. The first modification, 3M47-01, is equipped with Igla and Igla-S man-portable air defense missile systems (MANPADS) designed to work on aerial targets. The second modification, 3M47-03, is equipped with anti-tank guided missiles of the "Attack" type.
The version of the Komar 3M47-01 combat module was adopted by the Russian Navy in 2008. It is equipped with an optoelectronic target recognition system with a thermal imaging channel. The range of destruction of the Komar 3M47-01 air defense system of aerial targets, including small-sized unmanned vehicles, reaches 20 km. East Kazakhstan Region Almaz-Antey has started to supply the module to the Russian Armed Forces, and also offers the Komar air defense system for export.
INTROSCOPES, SIGHTS, THERMAL IMAGERS
Shvabe Holding presented advanced developments in the field of security at Interpolitech-2023. The key exhibits included the Sapphire-IR6550 introscope, which detects prohibited items in mail parcels and luggage of passengers of various modes of transport.
The introscope "Sapphire-IR6550" is produced by the Ministry of Health "Sapphire". The tasks of the system include the detection of prohibited items in parcels and luggage at inspection points.
The same holding demonstrated a scanning detector of surveillance equipment "Sosna", created by specialists of the M.F. Stelmakh Research Institute "Polyus". The device allows you to identify optical and optoelectronic devices that conduct counter surveillance or aiming. Scanning is carried out using an infrared laser beam at a speed of 6, 12 and 18 degrees per second. The detection range is up to 2.5 km, depending on the type of target and weather conditions.
In addition, Shvabe Holding demonstrated a line of collimator, prismatic and optical sights, which are produced by the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Plant (REFINERY). Among the exhibits is a modernized collimator sight of the closed type PKU-2M. It has six brightness gradations, has an extremely low parallax value and an extended operating time of up to 10 thousand hours without replacing the power source.
In the same part of the exposition there is a PO156 optical sight with two fixed magnifications – 1.5 and 6 times. This optics is suitable for terrain surveillance, detection, target recognition and rapid aiming.
The holding also showed at the exhibition a SWIR camera from the State Research Center of the Russian Federation NGO "Orion". It is capable of searching for objects in conditions of insufficient visibility, including on water, identifying sources of ignition and laser radiation, as well as detecting people in heavily smoky rooms.
IMPORT SUBSTITUTION IN ACTION
At the exhibition "Interpolitech-2023" the Russian company "HMB.A" for the first time presented a domestic mobile inspection and inspection complex (MIDC) based on backscattering of X-ray radiation. The Russian-made MIDC is housed in a standard minibus or van and is characterized by ease of operation, high quality of inspection and low cost of maintenance.
The complex can be used at state border facilities, customs and checkpoints, critical infrastructure facilities, at mass events or "high-level events" requiring enhanced security.
The principle of operation of the inspection and inspection complex is based on technology that registers the backscattering of X-rays in order to ensure visual control of the contents of the inspected objects. A high-quality image is displayed in real time on the operator's monitor screen. This allows you to quickly detect the presence of threats and immediately take measures to prevent them.
"BLACK WIDOW" ON A RUSSIAN WHEELBARROW
The Scientific and Production Association (NGO) "Gran" has developed a mobile installation for mounting machine guns. According to NGO representatives, the Black Widow turret, equipped with a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine gun, can be controlled remotely at a distance of up to 1.5 km from the operator.
The turret is equipped with a machine vision system capable of recognizing enemy manpower and equipment at any time of the day. Without loss of stability, the product weighs about 15 kg and is mobile. This self-propelled machine gun is the only exhibit that reached the exhibition on its own.
The mobile installation does not look too presentable against the background of other exhibits. However, this type is explained by the fact that it was tested for six months at the landfills near Mariupol in Ukraine. About 10 such robots have already become participants in a special military operation. Right now they are helping our fighters to carry out combat missions in the hottest areas.
The mobile installation in the attack goes ahead, can shoot in all directions. But not "into the milk", but into real targets, because the complex is able to notice a live force or an enemy car at a distance of up to 30 km in any weather.
DANGEROUS DRAGONFLY
Other military equipment was also brought to Moscow for the exhibition, which is also used in the special operation zone. Including several modifications of mine detectors. In addition to explosives, smart technology will report the approach of a drone.
By the way, there are also new items among the mine detectors. "Dragonfly" is a complex for remote detection of improvised explosive devices on an unmanned aerial vehicle. "Dragonfly" developed by JSC "Protection Group – YUTTA" can replace a sapper, and from the air, without touching the ground.
A specially designed detector is placed under the body of this drone. On command from the ground, the drone begins to fly around the territory. If there are mines with an electronic fuse on the ground, then red flags appear on the monitor screen. At the same time, a stick of TNT is fixed on the Dragonfly, which can be used to undermine the detected mines.
The weight of the equipped quadcopter (with battery) is 12 kg. Built–in geo-positioning systems - GPS/GLONASS. Flight time – 55 min. The flight range from the NPU (ground control point) is up to 5 km. The ability to fly by points – from 1 to 99 points. The maximum flight speed is 50 km/h. The possibility of dumping cargo – up to 3 kg. The speed of the survey of the area is 5-10 km/ h. Flight modes – automatic, semi-automatic, manual.
PROTECTION FROM ENEMY DRONES
At the Interpoltech-2023 exhibition, NGO Kaysant presented the Argus-Antidron antidron rifle with a signal suppression range of up to 1.5 km. The operating time without recharging the battery is 1.5 hours. The gun is designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles of various types by suppressing radio control channels, data transmission and navigation. Argus-Antidron can "land" most of the types of drones used by our real opponents today.
Suppression occurs by generating radio interference at frequencies used by most UAVs. The use of a gun against a drone can cause a loss of control of the drone, "blinding" its operator.
Some drones really cannot be suppressed by either domestic or any other similar devices - for the reason that they work in completely autonomous mode. Which means there is no interaction with the remote control of the drone operator. These are, in particular, FPV drones (from First Person View, "first person view" – technical devices capable of transmitting the surrounding physical reality to a remote operator as virtual reality).
Electronic suppressors break the control channel between the remote control and the drone. Therefore, a drone flying in radio silence cannot be detected by a detector based on radio frequency scanning, nor suppressed by any electronic means of suppression.
Physical protection helps to resist such drones, for example, the Argus-Network-Antidron product. Also, such drones can be destroyed from small arms.
Separately, it is worth noting drones operating in modified frequency ranges. It resembles a "projectile and armor race". Electronic warfare (EW) means are trying to crush previously known UAV frequencies, and drone developers are looking for ways to work in other frequency ranges.
Since during combat operations it is almost impossible to immediately provide suppression over the entire range from 10 to 6000 MHz due to the huge energy costs, this battle between developers of electronic warfare and manufacturers and operators of drones will continue.
Valery Ageev
Valery Vladimirovich Ageev is a historian of aviation and cosmonautics, a journalist.