Americans have spotted a revolutionary new Russian tank in Syria
Russia is developing and adopting new robotic complexes for various purposes, and this activity does not go unnoticed. A few days ago, a public demonstration of this kind of Uran-9 combat system took place, and there were also reports of the combat use robots in Syria. Such news could not help but attract the attention of the foreign press. Among other publications, The National Interest reviewed the current situation with the latest Russian robotic complexes.
On March 12, it published an article by Eugene C. Chow, “Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria” - “Russia confirmed sending a revolutionary new tank to Syria. ” An article from The Buzz and Security headings, as its name implies, is devoted to the latest Russian works in the field of special combat vehicles.
At the beginning of his article, Y. Chou notes that Russia is now in a leading position in the field of unmanned ground combat vehicles. In addition, last week (in early May), the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Uran-9 robotic complex had time to pass a test not only at the test sites, but also in Syria.
The combat robot "Uran-9" carries various weapons to fight against different targets. It is equipped with an automatic cannon and machine gun, as well as anti-tank guided missiles. It is possible to install ground-to-air missiles. Also, the combat vehicle is equipped with an improved optical-electronic system and means of targeting. The electronic equipment of the complex includes thermal imaging equipment and a warning system for laser irradiation.
Y. Chou recalls that in the past, the Russian army sent the Uran-6 robotic complex to Syria to search and destroy mines. The work of such systems has been widely reported by the Ministry of Defense and the media. As for the Uran-9 combat complex, its use in the Syrian operation has not yet been officially announced.
The author of The National Interest quotes Samuel Bendetta, an analyst with Center for Naval Analyses and a specialist in Russian unmanned systems. He notes that the tests of "Uranus-9" in Syria should have attracted much attention from all major Russian media. This is expected, considering how the Russians are proud of their new remote-controlled tank. However, the tests could really take place, but they were carried out in secrecy.
However, there is an official statement indicating the use of "Uranium-9" in a foreign operation. 6 May, the state news agency RIA Novosti, quoting the Russian Ministry of Defense, wrote about the use of robotic systems in Syria. It was stated that the Uran-6 complexes, designed to combat mines, showed themselves well during the Syrian operation. Also, the desired results were shown by the Uran-9 complex, intended for conducting reconnaissance and fire support of ground units.
At the same time, as noted by Y. Chou, the published data do not allow to establish precisely whether Uranium-9 was used in Syria. In addition, if it was in the Middle East, the area of deployment remains unknown, which has become a kind of testing ground.
The National Interest recalls that the current operation of the Russian armed forces in Syria, launched in the 2015 year, made it possible to test in the battle a lot of new weapons systems and models of equipment. Under the conditions of a real armed conflict, the newest Su-57 fighter, the main tank T-90, as well as various cruise missiles and air defense systems, were tested.
The publication points to the statements of the former commander of the airborne troops, and now the chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Vladimir Shamanov. Earlier, he said that as part of helping the fraternal Syrian people, the Russian army tested and tested more than two hundred types of weapons and equipment.
Unmanned aerial vehicles have gained widespread acceptance and are actively used in armed conflicts around the world. Remotely controlled ground systems can not yet repeat their successes and mostly remain at different stages of testing. In such circumstances, the project "Uranium-9" is a significant step forward. At the same time, the United States and China already have similar projects of their own design, but are still not ready to put the equipment into battle. These countries are still busy assessing the prospects for the use of such machines, and besides, they are looking for ways to get rid of the identified shortcomings.
One of the main goals of creating unmanned systems is to reduce risks for the operator. However, in the field of ground complexes there is a characteristic problem. The aircraft, at a height, can communicate with the control panel relatively easily. The radio signals of the ground robot, in turn, can be blocked by buildings, hills and other obstacles. The landscape limits the actual range of the combat vehicle, which is why the operator has to approach it, including entering the danger zone.
In addition, Yu Chou recalls the characteristic problem of all remote-controlled vehicles. It is not quite clear how such equipment will work in areas with active electronic countermeasures from the enemy. Interference can interfere with the operation of the complex, and more advanced EW facilities in theory can generally intercept control of it. During the Syrian events there were reports that Russian radio-electronic systems suppressed American-made UAV navigation with their interference.
In the case of the Uran-9 robotic complex, the control machine, equipped with an operator console, must be within a distance of no more than 1,8 miles from the combat robot. The automation of the complex provides independent observation of the terrain and search for targets, but the decision to open fire is taken only by a person.
The National Interest notes that such an approach by Russian designers and the military reminds the ideology of American projects. US pilotless systems equipped with a lethal weapons, also built on the concept, called centaur warfighting - "the war of the centaurs." The name of this idea refers to a mythical creature, half human and half horse. It is understood that in the robotic complex man controls the mechanisms, and the latter improve human abilities, but do not replace the operator.
Yu Chao believes that the war on earth will change in the future. Unmanned aerial vehicles have already influenced the face of modern battles. Similarly, the use of ground-based unmanned systems will lead to the transformation of land battles.
Fully and partially autonomous combat systems of various classes and types have outstanding prospects in the context of the future of armed conflicts. Working together with existing "manned" tanks, land robots will be able to positively affect the performance of troops. They will be able to increase the firepower of the formations, work in particularly dangerous areas, and also provide for the breakthrough of enemy defenses through the destruction of technology, fortifications, or manpower. It is important that combat vehicles will be able to do all this without putting their operators at risk. The control panel and the person will have to remain at a safe distance.
Representatives of the Russian military department previously spoke about the capabilities of the Uran-9 complex. It was argued that he would be able to reconnoiter a given area, including that which is under the control of the enemy. It can transmit video and provide observation of enemy objects. At the same time, reconnaissance does not preclude the use of weapons: without waiting for reinforcements, a combat robot is able to independently attack a detected target.
Yuzhdin Chow’s article “Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria” concludes with very interesting conclusions. He almost openly praises Russian achievements, and also notes the impact of existing projects on the future.
The author writes: the project "Uranium-9" clearly demonstrated the fact that from the point of view of technology, the era of ground-based unmanned combat vehicles has already arrived. And now the main questions are related to how the armed forces will use such equipment. At the moment, Russia is overtaking everyone in terms of the pace of adoption of robotics in service. As a result, the subsequent actions of the Russian industry and the army in this area will have the most serious consequences for third countries. And besides, they directly affect the formation of new concepts of modern combat.
***
It is necessary to indicate what exactly was the reason for the new publication of The National Interest about Russian robotic complexes. On the eve of the Victory Parade, the Russian Ministry of Defense told about the future participants of the celebrations. Including information was disclosed on the composition of the mechanized column, which was to pass on Red Square. Official information from the military department was reprinted by all major domestic media.
Attention of Y. Chao was attracted by the publication of RIA Novosti “Most of the equipment at the Victory Parade passed combat tests in Syria”, published on May 6. Referring to the information of the Ministry of Defense, RIA Novosti wrote that the sapper robot Uran-6 and the multipurpose reconnaissance and combat complex Uran-9 had proven themselves in Syria. Readers were reminded of already known operations using Uranium-6. Information was also disclosed on the technical and operational features of the combat complex. Information about its combat use, however, was not given.
One of the theses of the Ministry of Defense and RIA Novosti left an ambiguous impression, and it could be interpreted in different ways. It indirectly implied that the Uran-9 combat robot, as well as the Uran-6 engineering complex, had already managed to visit Syria. Despite the lack of other information about the possible use of military equipment in a real conflict, the data announced attracted the attention of a foreign author. The result was another interesting article in The National Interest.
Thus, on the basis of a not very significant excuse, a rather interesting article appeared with a curious conclusion. It is unlikely that the Russian audience will not like its completion, where our country is recognized as a leader in the field of ground-based robotic systems, capable of influencing the further development of the entire region.
The article “Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria”:
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russia-confirms-revolutionary-new-tank-was-sent-syria-25791
On March 12, it published an article by Eugene C. Chow, “Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria” - “Russia confirmed sending a revolutionary new tank to Syria. ” An article from The Buzz and Security headings, as its name implies, is devoted to the latest Russian works in the field of special combat vehicles.
At the beginning of his article, Y. Chou notes that Russia is now in a leading position in the field of unmanned ground combat vehicles. In addition, last week (in early May), the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Uran-9 robotic complex had time to pass a test not only at the test sites, but also in Syria.
The combat robot "Uran-9" carries various weapons to fight against different targets. It is equipped with an automatic cannon and machine gun, as well as anti-tank guided missiles. It is possible to install ground-to-air missiles. Also, the combat vehicle is equipped with an improved optical-electronic system and means of targeting. The electronic equipment of the complex includes thermal imaging equipment and a warning system for laser irradiation.
Y. Chou recalls that in the past, the Russian army sent the Uran-6 robotic complex to Syria to search and destroy mines. The work of such systems has been widely reported by the Ministry of Defense and the media. As for the Uran-9 combat complex, its use in the Syrian operation has not yet been officially announced.
The author of The National Interest quotes Samuel Bendetta, an analyst with Center for Naval Analyses and a specialist in Russian unmanned systems. He notes that the tests of "Uranus-9" in Syria should have attracted much attention from all major Russian media. This is expected, considering how the Russians are proud of their new remote-controlled tank. However, the tests could really take place, but they were carried out in secrecy.
However, there is an official statement indicating the use of "Uranium-9" in a foreign operation. 6 May, the state news agency RIA Novosti, quoting the Russian Ministry of Defense, wrote about the use of robotic systems in Syria. It was stated that the Uran-6 complexes, designed to combat mines, showed themselves well during the Syrian operation. Also, the desired results were shown by the Uran-9 complex, intended for conducting reconnaissance and fire support of ground units.
At the same time, as noted by Y. Chou, the published data do not allow to establish precisely whether Uranium-9 was used in Syria. In addition, if it was in the Middle East, the area of deployment remains unknown, which has become a kind of testing ground.
The National Interest recalls that the current operation of the Russian armed forces in Syria, launched in the 2015 year, made it possible to test in the battle a lot of new weapons systems and models of equipment. Under the conditions of a real armed conflict, the newest Su-57 fighter, the main tank T-90, as well as various cruise missiles and air defense systems, were tested.
The publication points to the statements of the former commander of the airborne troops, and now the chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Vladimir Shamanov. Earlier, he said that as part of helping the fraternal Syrian people, the Russian army tested and tested more than two hundred types of weapons and equipment.
Unmanned aerial vehicles have gained widespread acceptance and are actively used in armed conflicts around the world. Remotely controlled ground systems can not yet repeat their successes and mostly remain at different stages of testing. In such circumstances, the project "Uranium-9" is a significant step forward. At the same time, the United States and China already have similar projects of their own design, but are still not ready to put the equipment into battle. These countries are still busy assessing the prospects for the use of such machines, and besides, they are looking for ways to get rid of the identified shortcomings.
One of the main goals of creating unmanned systems is to reduce risks for the operator. However, in the field of ground complexes there is a characteristic problem. The aircraft, at a height, can communicate with the control panel relatively easily. The radio signals of the ground robot, in turn, can be blocked by buildings, hills and other obstacles. The landscape limits the actual range of the combat vehicle, which is why the operator has to approach it, including entering the danger zone.
In addition, Yu Chou recalls the characteristic problem of all remote-controlled vehicles. It is not quite clear how such equipment will work in areas with active electronic countermeasures from the enemy. Interference can interfere with the operation of the complex, and more advanced EW facilities in theory can generally intercept control of it. During the Syrian events there were reports that Russian radio-electronic systems suppressed American-made UAV navigation with their interference.
In the case of the Uran-9 robotic complex, the control machine, equipped with an operator console, must be within a distance of no more than 1,8 miles from the combat robot. The automation of the complex provides independent observation of the terrain and search for targets, but the decision to open fire is taken only by a person.
The National Interest notes that such an approach by Russian designers and the military reminds the ideology of American projects. US pilotless systems equipped with a lethal weapons, also built on the concept, called centaur warfighting - "the war of the centaurs." The name of this idea refers to a mythical creature, half human and half horse. It is understood that in the robotic complex man controls the mechanisms, and the latter improve human abilities, but do not replace the operator.
Yu Chao believes that the war on earth will change in the future. Unmanned aerial vehicles have already influenced the face of modern battles. Similarly, the use of ground-based unmanned systems will lead to the transformation of land battles.
Fully and partially autonomous combat systems of various classes and types have outstanding prospects in the context of the future of armed conflicts. Working together with existing "manned" tanks, land robots will be able to positively affect the performance of troops. They will be able to increase the firepower of the formations, work in particularly dangerous areas, and also provide for the breakthrough of enemy defenses through the destruction of technology, fortifications, or manpower. It is important that combat vehicles will be able to do all this without putting their operators at risk. The control panel and the person will have to remain at a safe distance.
Representatives of the Russian military department previously spoke about the capabilities of the Uran-9 complex. It was argued that he would be able to reconnoiter a given area, including that which is under the control of the enemy. It can transmit video and provide observation of enemy objects. At the same time, reconnaissance does not preclude the use of weapons: without waiting for reinforcements, a combat robot is able to independently attack a detected target.
Yuzhdin Chow’s article “Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria” concludes with very interesting conclusions. He almost openly praises Russian achievements, and also notes the impact of existing projects on the future.
The author writes: the project "Uranium-9" clearly demonstrated the fact that from the point of view of technology, the era of ground-based unmanned combat vehicles has already arrived. And now the main questions are related to how the armed forces will use such equipment. At the moment, Russia is overtaking everyone in terms of the pace of adoption of robotics in service. As a result, the subsequent actions of the Russian industry and the army in this area will have the most serious consequences for third countries. And besides, they directly affect the formation of new concepts of modern combat.
***
It is necessary to indicate what exactly was the reason for the new publication of The National Interest about Russian robotic complexes. On the eve of the Victory Parade, the Russian Ministry of Defense told about the future participants of the celebrations. Including information was disclosed on the composition of the mechanized column, which was to pass on Red Square. Official information from the military department was reprinted by all major domestic media.
Attention of Y. Chao was attracted by the publication of RIA Novosti “Most of the equipment at the Victory Parade passed combat tests in Syria”, published on May 6. Referring to the information of the Ministry of Defense, RIA Novosti wrote that the sapper robot Uran-6 and the multipurpose reconnaissance and combat complex Uran-9 had proven themselves in Syria. Readers were reminded of already known operations using Uranium-6. Information was also disclosed on the technical and operational features of the combat complex. Information about its combat use, however, was not given.
One of the theses of the Ministry of Defense and RIA Novosti left an ambiguous impression, and it could be interpreted in different ways. It indirectly implied that the Uran-9 combat robot, as well as the Uran-6 engineering complex, had already managed to visit Syria. Despite the lack of other information about the possible use of military equipment in a real conflict, the data announced attracted the attention of a foreign author. The result was another interesting article in The National Interest.
Thus, on the basis of a not very significant excuse, a rather interesting article appeared with a curious conclusion. It is unlikely that the Russian audience will not like its completion, where our country is recognized as a leader in the field of ground-based robotic systems, capable of influencing the further development of the entire region.
The article “Russia Confirms a Revolutionary New Tank Was Sent to Syria”:
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russia-confirms-revolutionary-new-tank-was-sent-syria-25791
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