How does the fighting affect the testing of new military equipment in Russia
The Russian military-industrial complex has been tasked with increasing the production of weapons, military and special equipment (VVST) in the context of the continuation of the special operation in Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions against Russia. Research and development work (R&D) continues on the modernization of old and production of new military equipment. 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. But it turns out differently.
PJSC Kurganmashzavod (part of the holding "High-precision Complexes" of Rostec State Corporation) is working on the modernization of the self-propelled howitzer 2S18 "Pat-S" 152 mm caliber on a modified BMP-3 chassis.
The experimental 152 mm floating self-propelled artillery installation (ACS) 2S18 "Pat-S" was developed in the mid-1980s by the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant Design Bureau based on the BMP-3 chassis for the regimental level. The ACS was equipped with a 2A63 howitzer swing part, unified with the light 152 mm towed howitzer 2A61 "Pat-B", developed by OKB-9 of Artillery Plant No. 9.
The gun can use all types of ammunition from 152 mm guns D-1, ML-20 and D-20. The ballistics approximately corresponds to the ML-20 when firing with a reduced variable charge No. 3 and, depending on the type of projectile, gives a maximum firing range from 13.7 to 15.2 km. Loading is separate-sleeve, the gun was equipped with a loading mechanism (which showed low reliability). The ammunition was 35 rounds. The ACS had a design combat weight of 18.7 tons, a crew of five people and was floating.
Due to the insufficiency of ballistics, both "Pats" were not adopted. One prototype ACS was manufactured, which was stored at the Rzhevsky training ground until the beginning of 2017, after which it was transferred to the Military Historical Museum of Artillery of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in St. Petersburg.
Apparently, a howitzer with a firing range of 15 km (less than that of the D-20) is exactly what is urgently needed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Especially for fighting long-range Western artillery systems of 155 mm caliber in Ukraine.
The following news looks more encouraging. The Su-34 front-line bombers received protection from enemy electronic warfare equipment, including foreign-made complexes. Su-34s operate in the near zone. As previously reported in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Su-34s are used in special operations to strike enemy targets, including using guided aerial bombs. So, in May, it became known that the Su-34 bombed the deployment point of foreign mercenaries in the Kharkiv region.
The special protective material "Cape" produced by the Research Institute of Steel, which reduces the visibility of tanks in a wide range of wavelengths, began to arrive at the customer's address for participation in combat operations. A number of enterprises have already received samples of the "Cape" for manning manufactured tanks.
Armored vehicles are disabled not only by anti-tank weapons, but also as a result of artillery shelling or rocket attacks from long distances. The shelling is carried out after the enemy detects equipment using satellites or aerial reconnaissance means. The obvious counteraction is the masking of technology, and the Research Institute of Steel offers a whole range of means to reduce visibility.
One of the main elements of this complex is the "Cape". It protects against detection by radar and thermal imaging reconnaissance devices, its deforming coloring also provides optical camouflage. The "cape" is becoming a mandatory element of the acquisition of Russian armored vehicles in combat zones.
The Oktava plant (part of RT-Capital, part of Rostec) has launched the production of assault body armor "Obereg". The equipment provides reliable protection from fragmentation shells and bullets, does not restrict movement. The trial batch has already been tested by combat. The capacities of the Tula enterprise allow to produce up to 2 thousand products per quarter with a subsequent increase in volumes.
The elements of the "Amulet" are made of aramid fabric, the chest part is equipped with a ceramic plate of class Br5, the back is protected by a plate with a ballistic package of class Br5. All sections have anti-shatter and anti-ricochet layers placed in moisture-proof covers. The protection class of the side sections in the basic configuration is Br1, if desired, it can be replaced by Br3.
The bulletproof vest is equipped with additional shoulder protection, neck and groin protection, and is equipped with a set of pouches for a combat kit. The weight of the "Amulet" is 9.1 kg, the weight is evenly distributed and moderately loads the spine. The plates protect vital organs, do not restrict movement and allow you to maintain mobility.
The "amulet" is made of nylon woven Cordura 1000D type material with a water-repellent impregnation with a polyurethane coating. The equipment and body armor covers are made in classic, pixel and monochrome versions.
The Amulet bulletproof vest is an initiative development of the Octave. They began to create it, seeing the urgent need for such ammunition with the beginning of a special operation. The high protective properties of body armor were confirmed by tests: the samples withstood the hit of cartridges, ranging from pistol (first class of protection) to the armor-piercing B32 machine gun cartridge (fifth class). The quality of ammunition protection remains unchanged in water and at temperatures from -40 to +40 degrees Celsius.
The support units of the Zapad group of forces have begun issuing a new type of field uniform. The video is presented on the website of the Ministry of Defense. As stated in the commentary, all-season sets of new-style field uniforms are made of modern combined materials that protect vulnerable areas of the body and ensure thermoregulation in all weather conditions. The servicemen were also given new special boots with a membrane to protect their feet from getting wet and ventilation in hot weather. The calculations of the towed 152-mm howitzers "Hyacinth-B" of the artillery battery of the motorized rifle unit of the Western Military District have already changed into a new model uniform.
Thus, the Russian defense industry continues to introduce advanced developments in the interests of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. New models of weapons and equipment are available in almost every direction. Many of them surpass their foreign counterparts in their characteristics. The task now is to deploy their mass production. H
Vasily Ivanov
