Rocket Target IC-35
For the correct and complete preparation of the calculations of air defense systems, it is necessary to arrange firing at targets that imitate aircraft or weapon the adversary. In particular, there are targets for practicing the fight against anti-ship missiles of a conditional enemy. One of the domestic samples of this kind is present in the product catalog of the developer organization with the official designation IC-35.
The main threat to warships is currently represented by anti-ship guided missiles placed on surface or underwater platforms, on airplanes or onshore complexes. To combat such threats, modern ships carry an advanced air defense system, including missile and artillery systems. In training calculations of anti-aircraft complexes, radio-controlled or unmanned targets are often used. Among other samples of this kind, domestic industry has created targets that mimic anti-ship missiles.
The launch of the simulator target IC-35 from a rocket boat
In the early nineties, the Russian State Research and Production Center Zvezda-Strela, now the head enterprise of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation, began developing several new target missiles for training air defense crews. This time it was about creating systems for training naval anti-aircraft gunners, and therefore capable of imitating a conventional enemy anti-ship missile system.
With a minimum interval of projects were launched under the names of MA-31 and IC-35. It is curious that the initiator of the first project was the American company McDonnell Douglass. At that time, she participated in the US Navy competition to develop a promising target missile, and to simplify and accelerate the work, she decided to seek help from Russian specialists. This approach is fully justified. The target missile, created on the basis of Soviet / Russian developments with the leading role of our specialists, won the Pentagon competition several years later and was recommended for use.
Also at the beginning of the nineties, Zvjezda-Strela State Research and Production Center began designing a second rocket of a similar purpose, but with a number of noticeable differences. This target received the official designation IC-35 or ITS-35 - for foreign language materials. The name of the rocket completely reflected its essence. The letters "IC" meant "target simulator", and the number 35 indicated the type of rocket used as the base - X-35.
Since the future target for training anti-aircraft gunners was to repeat as much as possible the characteristics and capabilities of real anti-ship missiles, it was proposed to be made on the basis of the existing product X-35. The latter is characterized by high performance and therefore a target at its base could be of great interest to potential customers. Having learned how to deal with the IC-35 targets, the calculations of the air defense systems could count on high results in repelling a real attack of anti-ship missiles.
According to known data, in the design of the IC-35 target, a large number of ready-made assemblies and assemblies borrowed from the X-35 rocket were used. At the same time, some of the devices and devices were removed as unnecessary, and in their place were placed new units corresponding to the tasks to be solved. Such an approach did not require serious reworking of the appearance of the rocket, its aerodynamic configuration, power plant, etc.
The target missile received a large elongation body with a rounded head fairing. For most of its length, the body had a circular or close to circular section. In the central part of the body, under its bottom, there was an engine air intake, which smoothly mated with the tailgate paneling. In the center and tail of the case were placed the X-shaped wings and rudders of the folding structure. Before the exit of the target from the transport and launch container, the planes should have been in the folded state.
The layout of the body has not undergone any major changes. The head and central compartments, previously given under the homing head and warhead, were now intended for the installation of the autopilot and some other instruments. The tail section accommodates the engine; in front of him was a fuel tank of circular configuration, covering the air intake channel.
The basic X-35 anti-ship missile had an active radar homing head and an autopilot, supplemented by a radio altimeter. The presence of the latter allowed the RCC to fly over water at minimum altitudes. During the rework, the existing combat missile lost its regular target detection and targeting tools. Instead, it was proposed to use the modified autopilot, with which the target could imitate the flight profile of the serial X-35. Both the stored and the new equipment were placed in the main instrument compartment.
To hit the designated targets, the X-35 anti-ship missiles had to use 145-kg penetrating high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The target, for obvious reasons, did not need such devices, and therefore the central compartment for the warhead was released. At the same time, like other products of its class, IC-35 was equipped with a self-liquidator.
A twin turbojet TRDD-50 engine was retained in the tail section of the hull. This product was only 850 mm long and had a 330 mm diameter and was capable of developing thrust up to 450 kgf, sufficient to provide the required characteristics of an anti-ship missile or target.
The X-35 rocket was used as the basis for the IC-35 target in a configuration for ship and coastal missile systems. In this regard, the product also received a starting accelerator. The latter in both projects is a small solid-fuel engine in a cylindrical body with folding stabilizers, fixed on the tail section of the rocket. The accelerator's task is to pull the rocket out of the transport and launch container, followed by acceleration to the required speeds. After that, the main turbojet engine is switched on, and the spent accelerator is reset.
Anti-ship missile X-35
According to available data, the onboard equipment of the IC-35 target missile had all the necessary algorithms and provided an imitation of the flight of a full-fledged anti-ship missile X-35. Recall the marching part of the flight of an anti-ship missile is performed at altitudes of no more than 10-15 m. In the target area, the rocket is reduced to 3-4 m. In addition, such a flight profile significantly complicates the use of anti-aircraft weapons. The X-35 rocket is a complex threat to ships, and the IC-35 target is designed to recreate all the features of military weapons in firing practice.
The simulator of the IC-35 target in the launch configuration had a length of 4,4 m, of which about 550 mm was a solid-fuel accelerator. The rocket body had a diameter of 420 mm. The span of the unfolded planes is 1,33 m. The starting mass was determined at the level of 620 kg. The steady flight speed provided by the main engine ranged from M = 0,8 to M = 0,85. The minimum firing range was determined by the developer in 5 km, the maximum - in 70 km.
Tactical and technical characteristics show that the IC-35 target missile was very similar in size and speed to the base product X-35. At the same time, it was distinguished by a smaller fuel tank capacity, which reduced the maximum flight range. For comparison, anti-ship missiles of the X-35 type are capable of delivering a warhead to a distance of up to 130 km. However, the only task of the target does not impose special requirements on its flight range. Even the 70 km range can quite properly simulate the flight profile of an anti-ship missile.
Like the base rocket, the IC-35 product could be used with different carrier platforms. The rocket with the starting engine, placed in the transport and launch container, was compatible with the ship’s Uranus missile system. The latter is used on domestic and foreign missile boats, patrol ships, etc. In addition, the target, like the base rocket, could be used by Bal coastal complexes.
As follows from official communications, aviation there is no modification of the target IC-35. At the same time, the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation claims that, at the request of the customer, the existing complex can be modified accordingly. Apparently, such improvements are not particularly difficult. So, the aviation version of the anti-ship missile X-35 differs from the basic one in the absence of a launch accelerator and a transport and launch container. The required refinement of the IC-35 is likely to be a refusal from the container and the launch accelerator.
Design work on a promising target simulator, developed on the basis of an existing rocket, was completed in the early nineties. According to some sources, in the fall of 1992, IC-35 products were submitted for flight tests. The results of these checks are unknown, but there is some information about further events. So, according to known data, in the summer and autumn of 1994, the target missile passed state joint tests. According to other sources, state tests were not conducted during this period. The company-developer was not able to prepare new experienced rocket, because of which the checks had to be abandoned.
Probably, the IC-35 rocket could have received a recommendation for acceptance for supply, however, the economic problems of the nineties made themselves known. The target did not go into the series and was not supplied to the Russian armed forces. In connection with this, the Zvezda-Strela State Research and Production Center began to look for orders abroad. The new product was introduced to the international market under the modified name ITS-35. Since the mid-nineties, various foreign customers have shown interest in X-35 anti-ship missiles, and therefore one could expect someone to wish to acquire targets that mimic them.
A few years ago it became known that India was interested in ITS-35 products. The naval forces of this country have several ships with the Uran-E missile system and are actively exploiting the X-35 export anti-ship missiles. As a result, the Indian command had an interest in unified target missiles. In a report from Tactical Missiles Corporation for 2010, a reference was made to the elaboration of a possible agreement on the conversion of a certain number of combat missiles available to the Indian Navy into target imitators. Whether such plans have been implemented is unknown.
From the open data, it follows that the ICT-35 type target missile did not show much success and did not even come close to the list of the most mass samples of products of domestic defense products. Nevertheless, the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation still keeps this product in its product catalog and, probably, is not going to abandon it. The X-35 anti-ship missiles are in service with several countries, and therefore the imitators of the ITS-35 target can still find their buyer.
Due to certain reasons, the IC-35 target missile, designed to imitate the X-35 anti-ship, was not produced in a large series and was not in active operation. However, in the event of an order, the organization-developer will be ready to adjust the release of such products. In the meantime, before the appearance of such an order, the simulator of the IC-35 target can only be an example of a curious approach to creating special systems for training calculations of shipboard anti-aircraft systems.
On the materials of the sites:
http://ktrv.ru/
http://airwar.ru/
http://guraran.ru/
http://forums.airbase.ru/
The main threat to warships is currently represented by anti-ship guided missiles placed on surface or underwater platforms, on airplanes or onshore complexes. To combat such threats, modern ships carry an advanced air defense system, including missile and artillery systems. In training calculations of anti-aircraft complexes, radio-controlled or unmanned targets are often used. Among other samples of this kind, domestic industry has created targets that mimic anti-ship missiles.
The launch of the simulator target IC-35 from a rocket boat
In the early nineties, the Russian State Research and Production Center Zvezda-Strela, now the head enterprise of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation, began developing several new target missiles for training air defense crews. This time it was about creating systems for training naval anti-aircraft gunners, and therefore capable of imitating a conventional enemy anti-ship missile system.
With a minimum interval of projects were launched under the names of MA-31 and IC-35. It is curious that the initiator of the first project was the American company McDonnell Douglass. At that time, she participated in the US Navy competition to develop a promising target missile, and to simplify and accelerate the work, she decided to seek help from Russian specialists. This approach is fully justified. The target missile, created on the basis of Soviet / Russian developments with the leading role of our specialists, won the Pentagon competition several years later and was recommended for use.
Also at the beginning of the nineties, Zvjezda-Strela State Research and Production Center began designing a second rocket of a similar purpose, but with a number of noticeable differences. This target received the official designation IC-35 or ITS-35 - for foreign language materials. The name of the rocket completely reflected its essence. The letters "IC" meant "target simulator", and the number 35 indicated the type of rocket used as the base - X-35.
Since the future target for training anti-aircraft gunners was to repeat as much as possible the characteristics and capabilities of real anti-ship missiles, it was proposed to be made on the basis of the existing product X-35. The latter is characterized by high performance and therefore a target at its base could be of great interest to potential customers. Having learned how to deal with the IC-35 targets, the calculations of the air defense systems could count on high results in repelling a real attack of anti-ship missiles.
According to known data, in the design of the IC-35 target, a large number of ready-made assemblies and assemblies borrowed from the X-35 rocket were used. At the same time, some of the devices and devices were removed as unnecessary, and in their place were placed new units corresponding to the tasks to be solved. Such an approach did not require serious reworking of the appearance of the rocket, its aerodynamic configuration, power plant, etc.
The target missile received a large elongation body with a rounded head fairing. For most of its length, the body had a circular or close to circular section. In the central part of the body, under its bottom, there was an engine air intake, which smoothly mated with the tailgate paneling. In the center and tail of the case were placed the X-shaped wings and rudders of the folding structure. Before the exit of the target from the transport and launch container, the planes should have been in the folded state.
The layout of the body has not undergone any major changes. The head and central compartments, previously given under the homing head and warhead, were now intended for the installation of the autopilot and some other instruments. The tail section accommodates the engine; in front of him was a fuel tank of circular configuration, covering the air intake channel.
The basic X-35 anti-ship missile had an active radar homing head and an autopilot, supplemented by a radio altimeter. The presence of the latter allowed the RCC to fly over water at minimum altitudes. During the rework, the existing combat missile lost its regular target detection and targeting tools. Instead, it was proposed to use the modified autopilot, with which the target could imitate the flight profile of the serial X-35. Both the stored and the new equipment were placed in the main instrument compartment.
To hit the designated targets, the X-35 anti-ship missiles had to use 145-kg penetrating high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The target, for obvious reasons, did not need such devices, and therefore the central compartment for the warhead was released. At the same time, like other products of its class, IC-35 was equipped with a self-liquidator.
A twin turbojet TRDD-50 engine was retained in the tail section of the hull. This product was only 850 mm long and had a 330 mm diameter and was capable of developing thrust up to 450 kgf, sufficient to provide the required characteristics of an anti-ship missile or target.
The X-35 rocket was used as the basis for the IC-35 target in a configuration for ship and coastal missile systems. In this regard, the product also received a starting accelerator. The latter in both projects is a small solid-fuel engine in a cylindrical body with folding stabilizers, fixed on the tail section of the rocket. The accelerator's task is to pull the rocket out of the transport and launch container, followed by acceleration to the required speeds. After that, the main turbojet engine is switched on, and the spent accelerator is reset.
Anti-ship missile X-35
According to available data, the onboard equipment of the IC-35 target missile had all the necessary algorithms and provided an imitation of the flight of a full-fledged anti-ship missile X-35. Recall the marching part of the flight of an anti-ship missile is performed at altitudes of no more than 10-15 m. In the target area, the rocket is reduced to 3-4 m. In addition, such a flight profile significantly complicates the use of anti-aircraft weapons. The X-35 rocket is a complex threat to ships, and the IC-35 target is designed to recreate all the features of military weapons in firing practice.
The simulator of the IC-35 target in the launch configuration had a length of 4,4 m, of which about 550 mm was a solid-fuel accelerator. The rocket body had a diameter of 420 mm. The span of the unfolded planes is 1,33 m. The starting mass was determined at the level of 620 kg. The steady flight speed provided by the main engine ranged from M = 0,8 to M = 0,85. The minimum firing range was determined by the developer in 5 km, the maximum - in 70 km.
Tactical and technical characteristics show that the IC-35 target missile was very similar in size and speed to the base product X-35. At the same time, it was distinguished by a smaller fuel tank capacity, which reduced the maximum flight range. For comparison, anti-ship missiles of the X-35 type are capable of delivering a warhead to a distance of up to 130 km. However, the only task of the target does not impose special requirements on its flight range. Even the 70 km range can quite properly simulate the flight profile of an anti-ship missile.
Like the base rocket, the IC-35 product could be used with different carrier platforms. The rocket with the starting engine, placed in the transport and launch container, was compatible with the ship’s Uranus missile system. The latter is used on domestic and foreign missile boats, patrol ships, etc. In addition, the target, like the base rocket, could be used by Bal coastal complexes.
As follows from official communications, aviation there is no modification of the target IC-35. At the same time, the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation claims that, at the request of the customer, the existing complex can be modified accordingly. Apparently, such improvements are not particularly difficult. So, the aviation version of the anti-ship missile X-35 differs from the basic one in the absence of a launch accelerator and a transport and launch container. The required refinement of the IC-35 is likely to be a refusal from the container and the launch accelerator.
Design work on a promising target simulator, developed on the basis of an existing rocket, was completed in the early nineties. According to some sources, in the fall of 1992, IC-35 products were submitted for flight tests. The results of these checks are unknown, but there is some information about further events. So, according to known data, in the summer and autumn of 1994, the target missile passed state joint tests. According to other sources, state tests were not conducted during this period. The company-developer was not able to prepare new experienced rocket, because of which the checks had to be abandoned.
Probably, the IC-35 rocket could have received a recommendation for acceptance for supply, however, the economic problems of the nineties made themselves known. The target did not go into the series and was not supplied to the Russian armed forces. In connection with this, the Zvezda-Strela State Research and Production Center began to look for orders abroad. The new product was introduced to the international market under the modified name ITS-35. Since the mid-nineties, various foreign customers have shown interest in X-35 anti-ship missiles, and therefore one could expect someone to wish to acquire targets that mimic them.
A few years ago it became known that India was interested in ITS-35 products. The naval forces of this country have several ships with the Uran-E missile system and are actively exploiting the X-35 export anti-ship missiles. As a result, the Indian command had an interest in unified target missiles. In a report from Tactical Missiles Corporation for 2010, a reference was made to the elaboration of a possible agreement on the conversion of a certain number of combat missiles available to the Indian Navy into target imitators. Whether such plans have been implemented is unknown.
From the open data, it follows that the ICT-35 type target missile did not show much success and did not even come close to the list of the most mass samples of products of domestic defense products. Nevertheless, the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation still keeps this product in its product catalog and, probably, is not going to abandon it. The X-35 anti-ship missiles are in service with several countries, and therefore the imitators of the ITS-35 target can still find their buyer.
Due to certain reasons, the IC-35 target missile, designed to imitate the X-35 anti-ship, was not produced in a large series and was not in active operation. However, in the event of an order, the organization-developer will be ready to adjust the release of such products. In the meantime, before the appearance of such an order, the simulator of the IC-35 target can only be an example of a curious approach to creating special systems for training calculations of shipboard anti-aircraft systems.
On the materials of the sites:
http://ktrv.ru/
http://airwar.ru/
http://guraran.ru/
http://forums.airbase.ru/
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