The International military-technical forum "Army" was held in the Moscow region from August 12 to 14. This year the forum has an anniversary − it was held for the tenth time. Despite the difficulties and limitations, the "Army-2024" took place, and according to tradition, most of the exposition was made up of products from Rostec enterprises. Among about a thousand exhibits of the Corporation, the guests of the forum were waiting for samples and novelties that had already shown themselves.
About the specifics of the "Army-2024" and the most interesting developments of Rostec at the forum – in our material.
The Army program, which traditionally takes place at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center, has been reduced to three days this year. The forum has become more capacious and informative, and a special military operation has been chosen as the main topic. This time there were no days with open access, dynamic screenings and the air program were canceled. However, the number of exhibits has not decreased – it is about 28 thousand samples of military products and dual-use products. Special attention was paid to the topics of UAVs, robotic technology, electronic warfare and reconnaissance. It is noteworthy that many of the samples presented were created or modified taking into account the combat experience of recent years.
Almost all Rostec holdings presented their expositions: UAC, Russian Helicopters, UVZ, Techmash, High-Precision Complexes, Roselektronika, Kalashnikov and others. In total, about 1,000 samples were exhibited in the Corporation's pavilion and at the full-scale exhibition. Also, according to tradition, a number of important agreements were concluded at the forum.
Speaking at the Army-2024 forum, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, noted: "In 2023, Rostec completed more than 400 R&D and 80 technological modernization projects. About a third of last year's revenue was achieved through innovative military products. These figures prove that the domestic defense industry is actively developing in the context of a technological battle with the West. The advantages of our weapons school are clearly visible today during the special operation. The whole world understands them." The head of the Corporation also announced an increase in production capacity for further growth in the production of weapons.
Air premieres: combat Yak-130M and UAV truck
Among the news of the aviation program of the forum, perhaps the most striking is the presentation of the upgraded Yak-130M aircraft. The Russian Yak-130, on the basis of which a new machine is being created, is the world's first combat training aircraft (UBS), the characteristics of which make it possible to train pilots of fighters of the fourth and fifth generations. In addition, it can perform the functions of a light attack aircraft, hitting targets on the ground and in the air.
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| Yak-130M. |
| Source: United Aircraft Corporation |
In the upgraded version, the Yak-130M will receive additional weapons, including air-to-air missiles and high-precision air-to-ground aircraft weapons with satellite and laser guidance systems. The updated UBS will also include more modern on-board systems that expand its capabilities. All this is designed to increase the export potential of the development: the Yak-130M will be of interest to partners who are not yet ready to buy heavier and more expensive aircraft.
The second premiere of the Rostec United Aircraft Corporation was a full-scale sample of a new unmanned off-airfield transport system (BTS-VAB) with a C-76 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. This model is capable of transporting loads weighing up to 300 kg over a distance of up to 1000 km. Sukhoi Design Bureau is also developing a small S-76 (MBS) vehicle designed to transport goods weighing up to 50 kg over a distance of up to 400 km.
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| BTS-VAB. |
| Source: United Aircraft Corporation |
In addition to the fleet of unmanned aircraft, the system includes a single operational control center, which integrates the UAV into a single airspace and interacts with end customers, as well as with ground infrastructure and landing sites. The development of the UAC is designed to increase the profitability of air cargo transportation nationwide.
Antidron systems: "Meerkat" under the "Shell" in the "Forest"
The high interest of the guests in the Rostec exposition was aroused by the means of countering UAVs. Roselektronika Holding offered several new products at once. The Meerkat wearable complex will help personnel detect and suppress drones. It includes detection/suppression modules and a battery. The small weight of 2.75 kg and the size of the modules allow them to be attached to the unloading or body armor of a serviceman. The development of the Vector Research Institute detects an enemy drone at a distance of at least 1 km and suppresses it at a safe distance for a fighter from 300 m. According to experts, such a complex should become mandatory for wearing in a combat zone along with a helmet and body armor.
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| The Meerkat wearable complex. |
| Source: Roselektronika |
To protect armored vehicles from radio-controlled explosive devices, the Constellation Concern presented a modernized Lesochek electronic warfare system at the forum. The key difference of this modification lies in the ability to also suppress the channels of operation of commercial UAVs, which are often used for combat and reconnaissance purposes. The device is mobile, compact, fits in a briefcase or backpack, so it can be used to protect protected persons indoors or on the move. Lesochek has already shown its effectiveness in the course of its work.
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| Electronic warfare "Lesochek". |
| Source: Roselektronika |
For the first time, the High−Precision Complexes Holding demonstrated at the forum a new representative of the Pantsir family - the Pantsir-SMD-E ultra-short-range anti-aircraft missile system. Its main task is to protect any stationary objects from massive drone attacks. Thanks to an expanded set of equipment, the complex is able to detect and hit air targets at medium and short range, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of firing in automatic mode. The launcher of the new Pantsir has 48 short−range missiles or 12 standard anti-aircraft guided missiles.
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| Pantsir-SMD-E. |
| Source: Andrey Alekseev |
In order to organize effective protection of large objects from drone attacks, it is necessary to assemble various detection and counteraction devices in a single digital space. Such a hardware and software complex called RT-BVS was developed by the SIBER Holding, which is responsible for the security of Rostec enterprises and facilities. It analyzes the situation, displays it in real time on a 3D map and warns the operator about the threat. The system automatically ranks threats according to their degree of danger and offers the most effective solutions. Rostec's development is capable of operating in automatic mode, including controlling the means of destroying drones according to pre-laid attack scenarios.
Updated BMP-3: Three in one
Kurganmashzavod of the High-Precision Complexes holding showed an improved BMP-3 at Army-2024. In the new version, the infantry fighting vehicle received an additional protection kit aimed at countering drones and cumulative ammunition. Armored and lattice screens, as well as the protection of the upper hemisphere, made the Queen of Infantry a little heavier, but she did not lose her maneuverability and buoyancy. The video surveillance system has also been improved, which increases the visibility of the driver.
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| BMP-3. |
| Source: Egor Yurkin |
But the most interesting addition to the BMP-3 is the robotics equipment. Thanks to it, the car can be controlled in one of three modes: classically – by the crew from the cockpit, remotely − from a remote control or automatically − according to a given algorithm. In this way, almost any armored vehicle can be turned into a robot.
Robots on the warpath: tracked "Caracal" and wheeled "Dispatch"
Continuing the current topic of robotics, Rostec presented several robotic devices at the forum for the first time. One of the novelties is the tracked robot "Caracal", named after the predatory steppe cat. The iron predator is controlled by an operator at a distance of 2 km, capable of carrying 500 kg with a power reserve of 150 km. The maneuverable and compact Caracal will be equipped with various equipment and perform a wide range of tasks – to transport cargo, evacuate the wounded, perform fire support, etc. The robot has been developed by the High-Precision Complexes holding.
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| The tracked robot "Caracal". |
| Source: "High-precision complexes" |
The wheeled platform "Dispatch" of the same holding was shown at the forum in versions of a robot miner and a robot orderly. Both professions are associated with increased risk, and here the robot will help save people's lives. As noted in Rostec, such a robot with a remote mine setting system is a kind of "Farming" in miniature and with remote control.
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| The wheeled platform "Dispatch". |
| Source: Rostec |
Also, a small and nimble "Dispatch" can covertly deliver provisions, ammunition, fuel and even act as a ground-based kamikaze drone. One of the advantages of the platform is the ability to control both over the radio channel and over the wires, which makes it less vulnerable to interference.
