Predator project news
Work continues on promising types of weapons and equipment. According to the latest data, one of the most interesting directions is developing - high-speed underwater rockets. To date, the arsenal of the Russian naval fleet only one system of this class consists. In the future, the fleet’s arsenals can be replenished with a new product of this class, which is now denoted by the code “Predator-M”. A few days ago, new details of the work on this project became known.
Currently, the Union of Russian Aircraft Manufacturers is holding the next Aircraft Builder of the Year contest, during which the merits of domestic enterprises in 2015 will be noted. Among other enterprises aviation industry and related industries, its application for the competition filed JSC "CB" Elektropribor "(Saratov). In this document, the company mentions its work on two projects in different areas, including the development of promising ammunition for the Navy. The second project submitted to the competition relates to the field of missile defense.
In the competitive application it is reported that at present Electropribor design bureau is engaged in research and development work on the creation of components of a promising underwater technology. These works are carried out in accordance with the state defense order. Saratov experts are developing new products, as well as produce and test prototypes. All these works are carried out in the framework of the project with the code "Predator".
Since 2013, the development of individual units of a promising underwater missile, implementing new principles of boundary layer control, is underway. Reportedly, to date, these works have reached the test of individual prototypes. Completion of the required inspections will allow to continue work on the creation of a promising ammunition as a whole. Moreover, a schedule for further work has already been defined.
To date, some moments of the project "Predator" had time to become the topic of two dozen scientific works. Of these, four were published in the 2015 year. Work is underway on filing applications for patents confirming the priority of Electropribor Commercial Bank in the creation of several utility models. Last year, the first two prototypes of the component of the advanced apparatus were also built. Also, docking tests and testing on a laboratory bench were completed. The ground testing of various components and assemblies was carried out.
To date, the project "Predator" brought to readiness for new trials. At the end of this year, it is planned to conduct preliminary tests of the component part of the apparatus created by Electropribor design bureau. It is also planned to conduct sea trials, according to the results of which the design documentation for the developed component will receive the letter “O”.
In addition to individual components and assemblies of the promising high-speed underwater missile “Predator”, additional equipment and software are being created to service the new weapons. In the future, such devices will be used for surveying, checking and adjusting missiles in general and their individual parts.
It should be noted that the Predator / Predator-M project has been known to specialists for quite some time. The first mentions of this development appeared a few years ago, but so far most of the known information about it is based on rumors and evaluations. Technical details of the project have not yet appeared in official publications. This situation contributes to the emergence of various discussions, disputes and speculations. Apparently, in the near future the situation will not change.
The first official mention of the work "Predator" appeared in court documents. 7 March 2013, the Moscow Arbitration Court ruled a lawsuit related to pricing issues for certain research and development. In accordance with the court documents, 11 May 2011 of the year SPMBM Malachite and GNPP Region signed an agreement to work on the topic Predator-M. Subsequently, the two companies could not reach an agreement on the labor intensity and cost of the work, because of which they had to go to court. The decision of the arbitration court indicated the main parameters of the works that should be used in the further determination of labor costs and their cost.
The next mention of the topic “Predator” appeared in the report of the Electropribor design bureau for 2013 year. This document indicated the beginning of work on a promising weapon system. It was also noted that the development of a new product will continue, at least in 2014-16. In addition, it was stated how the new project affected the financial statements of the company. Technical details, however, were not given.
Other data about the project "Predator" has not yet officially agreed. Nevertheless, it is known from unofficial sources and various assessments that a promising product will have to replace the existing squall high-speed submarine missiles (AB) BA-111. The latter are in service over the past few decades, and no longer fully meet modern requirements. Apparently, the purpose of the new project “Predator” / “Predator-M” is to replace outdated weapons with a more modern system, characterized by enhanced characteristics.
Recall SPR "Squall" is an ammunition proposed for use by submarines and surface ships equipped with torpedo tubes caliber 533 mm. The design of the product uses several original technical solutions, allowing to obtain very high performance. The main advantage of the Squall rocket is the ability to move to a target at a speed of about 200 nodes (approximately 375 km / h).
The SPM of the Squall complex is equipped with a streamlined cylindrical body with a conical head. The head fairing is equipped with a special device-cavitator. With the help of a gas generator and a controlled disk, this device, when moving, forms a gas cavity around the rocket body. It is the formation of the cavity surrounding the body of the product and dramatically reducing the resistance of the medium, allows to develop high speed. Directly for achieving the required speeds responsible jet engine with solid fuel. For the initial acceleration, a reset start engine is used, after which the cruise is activated. The main power plant has a charge hydro-solid fuel.
The rocket has an autonomous control system that tracks the movement of the product and compensates for the deviation from the specified course. The controls used are triangular rudders that are extended from the hull after exiting the torpedo tube. The possibility of homing is absent. According to some data, the control systems provide for a target turning mode after launching from the carrier.
Initially, the ammunition was equipped with a special warhead with a power of 150 CT, with which it was planned to compensate for a possible miss. Subsequently, a new high-explosive warhead was created, the power of which is equivalent to 210 kg of TNT.
DSS of the BA-111 complex has a length of 8,2 m. M caliber 533 mm. The launch weight of the product is 2,7 t. The missile can be fired by various types of torpedo tubes of existing types. When used by a submarine, the launch depth should not exceed 30 m. After launch, the rocket goes to a depth of 6 m and continues to move toward the target, creating a gas cavity. A high thrust engine and a gas cavity allows it to reach speeds up to 200 knots. At the same time, high consumption of solid fuel seriously limits the range. The effective firing range of the Squall does not exceed 7-8 km, the maximum - up to 10-11 km.
The high-speed underwater missile "Squall" had both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of this product was considered high speed, dramatically reducing the chances of the target ship to escape from attack. In earlier versions, the advantage was a special warhead capable of causing serious damage not only to the target, but to the entire naval unit. At the same time there were a number of shortcomings. The highest speed and engine performance of the rocket led to the formation of excessive noise unmasking the carrier. Also on the survivability of the ship or submarine carrier adversely affected the relatively short range of fire. The missile layout used with a nasal gas generator and a device for receiving seawater did not allow the rocket to be equipped with homing systems.
According to various sources, during the last decades, attempts have been made to create an improved version of the Squall. Various reports have mentioned the future development of an improved SPM with enhanced features, but any evidence of promising adoption weapons on arms yet did not appear.
According to reports from recent years, a promising rocket with the code "Predator" is being developed as a possible replacement for the VA-111. The available information does not disclose the technical details of the project, but indicates the current progress and shows the existing plans of the developers. So, already at the end of the current year, individual units of the Predator product must go to the next tests. In addition, running tests of the rocket as a whole will begin soon. Carrying out such work clearly indicates a certain success and the approach of the start of inspections of new missiles in full configuration. As a result, project development can be completed in the next few years.
On the materials of the sites:
https://riafan.ru/
http://utro.ru/
http://aviationunion.ru/
http://docs.pravo.ru/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Currently, the Union of Russian Aircraft Manufacturers is holding the next Aircraft Builder of the Year contest, during which the merits of domestic enterprises in 2015 will be noted. Among other enterprises aviation industry and related industries, its application for the competition filed JSC "CB" Elektropribor "(Saratov). In this document, the company mentions its work on two projects in different areas, including the development of promising ammunition for the Navy. The second project submitted to the competition relates to the field of missile defense.
In the competitive application it is reported that at present Electropribor design bureau is engaged in research and development work on the creation of components of a promising underwater technology. These works are carried out in accordance with the state defense order. Saratov experts are developing new products, as well as produce and test prototypes. All these works are carried out in the framework of the project with the code "Predator".
Since 2013, the development of individual units of a promising underwater missile, implementing new principles of boundary layer control, is underway. Reportedly, to date, these works have reached the test of individual prototypes. Completion of the required inspections will allow to continue work on the creation of a promising ammunition as a whole. Moreover, a schedule for further work has already been defined.
To date, some moments of the project "Predator" had time to become the topic of two dozen scientific works. Of these, four were published in the 2015 year. Work is underway on filing applications for patents confirming the priority of Electropribor Commercial Bank in the creation of several utility models. Last year, the first two prototypes of the component of the advanced apparatus were also built. Also, docking tests and testing on a laboratory bench were completed. The ground testing of various components and assemblies was carried out.
To date, the project "Predator" brought to readiness for new trials. At the end of this year, it is planned to conduct preliminary tests of the component part of the apparatus created by Electropribor design bureau. It is also planned to conduct sea trials, according to the results of which the design documentation for the developed component will receive the letter “O”.
In addition to individual components and assemblies of the promising high-speed underwater missile “Predator”, additional equipment and software are being created to service the new weapons. In the future, such devices will be used for surveying, checking and adjusting missiles in general and their individual parts.
It should be noted that the Predator / Predator-M project has been known to specialists for quite some time. The first mentions of this development appeared a few years ago, but so far most of the known information about it is based on rumors and evaluations. Technical details of the project have not yet appeared in official publications. This situation contributes to the emergence of various discussions, disputes and speculations. Apparently, in the near future the situation will not change.
The first official mention of the work "Predator" appeared in court documents. 7 March 2013, the Moscow Arbitration Court ruled a lawsuit related to pricing issues for certain research and development. In accordance with the court documents, 11 May 2011 of the year SPMBM Malachite and GNPP Region signed an agreement to work on the topic Predator-M. Subsequently, the two companies could not reach an agreement on the labor intensity and cost of the work, because of which they had to go to court. The decision of the arbitration court indicated the main parameters of the works that should be used in the further determination of labor costs and their cost.
The next mention of the topic “Predator” appeared in the report of the Electropribor design bureau for 2013 year. This document indicated the beginning of work on a promising weapon system. It was also noted that the development of a new product will continue, at least in 2014-16. In addition, it was stated how the new project affected the financial statements of the company. Technical details, however, were not given.
Other data about the project "Predator" has not yet officially agreed. Nevertheless, it is known from unofficial sources and various assessments that a promising product will have to replace the existing squall high-speed submarine missiles (AB) BA-111. The latter are in service over the past few decades, and no longer fully meet modern requirements. Apparently, the purpose of the new project “Predator” / “Predator-M” is to replace outdated weapons with a more modern system, characterized by enhanced characteristics.
Recall SPR "Squall" is an ammunition proposed for use by submarines and surface ships equipped with torpedo tubes caliber 533 mm. The design of the product uses several original technical solutions, allowing to obtain very high performance. The main advantage of the Squall rocket is the ability to move to a target at a speed of about 200 nodes (approximately 375 km / h).
The SPM of the Squall complex is equipped with a streamlined cylindrical body with a conical head. The head fairing is equipped with a special device-cavitator. With the help of a gas generator and a controlled disk, this device, when moving, forms a gas cavity around the rocket body. It is the formation of the cavity surrounding the body of the product and dramatically reducing the resistance of the medium, allows to develop high speed. Directly for achieving the required speeds responsible jet engine with solid fuel. For the initial acceleration, a reset start engine is used, after which the cruise is activated. The main power plant has a charge hydro-solid fuel.
The rocket has an autonomous control system that tracks the movement of the product and compensates for the deviation from the specified course. The controls used are triangular rudders that are extended from the hull after exiting the torpedo tube. The possibility of homing is absent. According to some data, the control systems provide for a target turning mode after launching from the carrier.
Initially, the ammunition was equipped with a special warhead with a power of 150 CT, with which it was planned to compensate for a possible miss. Subsequently, a new high-explosive warhead was created, the power of which is equivalent to 210 kg of TNT.
DSS of the BA-111 complex has a length of 8,2 m. M caliber 533 mm. The launch weight of the product is 2,7 t. The missile can be fired by various types of torpedo tubes of existing types. When used by a submarine, the launch depth should not exceed 30 m. After launch, the rocket goes to a depth of 6 m and continues to move toward the target, creating a gas cavity. A high thrust engine and a gas cavity allows it to reach speeds up to 200 knots. At the same time, high consumption of solid fuel seriously limits the range. The effective firing range of the Squall does not exceed 7-8 km, the maximum - up to 10-11 km.
The high-speed underwater missile "Squall" had both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of this product was considered high speed, dramatically reducing the chances of the target ship to escape from attack. In earlier versions, the advantage was a special warhead capable of causing serious damage not only to the target, but to the entire naval unit. At the same time there were a number of shortcomings. The highest speed and engine performance of the rocket led to the formation of excessive noise unmasking the carrier. Also on the survivability of the ship or submarine carrier adversely affected the relatively short range of fire. The missile layout used with a nasal gas generator and a device for receiving seawater did not allow the rocket to be equipped with homing systems.
According to various sources, during the last decades, attempts have been made to create an improved version of the Squall. Various reports have mentioned the future development of an improved SPM with enhanced features, but any evidence of promising adoption weapons on arms yet did not appear.
According to reports from recent years, a promising rocket with the code "Predator" is being developed as a possible replacement for the VA-111. The available information does not disclose the technical details of the project, but indicates the current progress and shows the existing plans of the developers. So, already at the end of the current year, individual units of the Predator product must go to the next tests. In addition, running tests of the rocket as a whole will begin soon. Carrying out such work clearly indicates a certain success and the approach of the start of inspections of new missiles in full configuration. As a result, project development can be completed in the next few years.
On the materials of the sites:
https://riafan.ru/
http://utro.ru/
http://aviationunion.ru/
http://docs.pravo.ru/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
- Ryabov Kirill
- Wikimedia Commons
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