Fantastic flight of "Zircon" and "Petrel"
For a start historical example. Three decades ago, there was an SDI (Star Wars) program to create a large-scale missile defense system with space-based elements. Among the proposals there were “nuclear-pumped” X-ray lasers, attempts to stop the ICBMs by a controlled swarm of microsatellites (the “Diamond Dust” project), and other surprising ideas. All of them were based on data from fundamental science, backed up by a technical backlog in the laboratory.
As a result of the program, it turned out that all of the proposed “non-traditional” solutions are inferior in efficiency to more traditional means.
Unlike the work on the creation of nuclear weapons or the “rocket euphoria” of 60's, where the results were worth the costs, the PIO turned out exactly the opposite. Combat satellites and death rays did not have a distinct superiority over existing weapons, but they required much more to deploy. The only result achieved in practice was the continuation of work on the creation of transatmospheric interceptors, based on the already known and mastered principles of rocket technology.
In my opinion, the current situation with promising models of armaments is a reflection of those “star wars” of the late twentieth century. When news on the creation of realistic means combined with statements about the development of absolutely fantastic, difficult to implement and, moreover, useless projects.
Let's see how this looks with specific examples.
There is no doubt about the testing of the Sarmat RS-28 heavy-duty ICBM and the Rubezh mobile RS-26 missile systems. Further evolution of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Further, modern technologies allow the creation of a warhead that uses the aerodynamic principle of flight to lower it (Avgard AGGBO). Glider for the upper layers of the atmosphere, which does not need advanced aerodynamic surfaces, - the lifting force is created by the shape of the hull. When decelerating, the AHBO loses lift and moves to a reduction along a ballistic trajectory. Because This aircraft was not originally intended for flying at low speeds and, moreover, does not have landing modes. Such developments were well known in the past, for example, the BOR-4 orbital rocket glider (first launch - 1980). So no doubt.
Interest is the guidance system "Avant-garde". Unlike MIRVIHIs, which almost instantly fall on the target along a ballistic trajectory, in the case of AGPO it is impossible to ensure acceptable accuracy only due to the impulse of the warhead rearing system. Aerodynamic flight is associated with the unpredictable influence of the atmosphere, and the combat unit at the end of the path will require additional correction.
A similar case from history is the Pershing 2 guided warhead. Outside the atmosphere, its primary, rough correction was carried out according to the ANN, using gas rudders. The stage of precise guidance began at an altitude of about 15 km, after reducing speed (to 2-3М) and resetting the heat-resistant fairing. An airborne radar came to life under a light radiotransparent fairing, in the memory of the RADAG system there were five digital terrain maps for different heights. The final correction was carried out, as in the usual KAB, using the "petals" of the aerodynamic rudders.
As you can see, the creators of the "Pershing" relatively easily circumvented the problem with the "plasma cloud", which makes it difficult to induce hypersound. In theory, this method allows you to hit even large moving objects, such as ships (the Chinese "Dongfeng-21"). The disadvantage is that the warhead becomes vulnerable at the final stage of the flight.
How guidance is made on the purpose of the Avgard AGBO - the secret behind seven seals. The main question is whether it was possible to create a sufficiently powerful and compact radar seeker that is able to view anything from the upper layers of the atmosphere from a height of tens of kilometers. Or is this another reincarnation of the “Pershing-2”, which was slowed down to completely ridiculous speeds by the standards of astronautics and only then began to think something.
I suppose it was possible to voice here all the main points of interest on the topic of the AGBO. Moving on.
Domestic military laser complex? The main thing - do not trust his creation Skolkovo.
80% of the global market for high power fiber lasers is owned by IPG Photonics, founded by a group of Russian scientists. Until now, in the town of Fryazino (Moscow Region) there is one of its key scientific and industrial centers (IRE-Polus). Given this potential, you can seriously talk about Russia's global leadership in creating a laser weapons.
We turn to the most interesting.
The air-launched ballistic missile "Dagger" and its complete opposite - hypersonic anti-firing "Zircon", which in its present form is a meaningless set of characteristics.
Many now splash coffee on the monitor, but the fact remains so.
Scramjet, 5-6 speeds of sound ("on trial - up to 8"). Flight range, according to different estimates - from 400 to 1000 km. All this - while preserving the mass-dimensions of subsonic Calibr with the ability to run from the standard UVP corvettes, frigates and IRAs.
These characteristics correspond to the nickel-iron meteorite., a part of which due to intensive ablative cooling (evaporation of the surface) will be able to fly a given distance in dense layers of the atmosphere. Because after the separation of the accelerator, such an aircraft will no longer have mass reserves for the installation of thermal protection capable of withstanding heating in 3-4 thousand degrees. This should be a solid array of metal, the structure of which is not terrible heat.
Based on the task, this object must have the ability to maneuver and be induced on the target. And most importantly - independently maintain hypersonic velocity in the stratosphere.
This is a new stage in the management of matter at the subatomic level, forcing the stones to show signs of complex technical systems and artificial intelligence.
8-swing anti-ship missile with scramjet in the specified dimensions - the worst pseudo-science fiction for the gullible public, always ready to charge banks from the TV with Chumak and profitable to invest in MMM.
All known today hypersonic devices with scramjet, whose characteristics are available in open sources (X-43 and X-51, photos of which are issued for "Zircon") show that nothing like the dimensions of the "Zircon" is impossible to implement.
X-51, max. The achieved speed is 5,1М, the longest flight is 426 km. Starting weight 1814 kg - when launched from the B-52 at a transonic speed, at an altitude of 13 km. It is clear that when launching from the surface, from a shipboard CIP, such an aircraft would require a more massive starting accelerator. At the same time, the X-51 lacked a WPC and a mechanism for opening aerodynamic surfaces, which also contributed to a decrease in the starting mass of the device. He was ready for overclocking immediately after separation from the carrier. Finally, the X-51 was a “dummy”, an experimental apparatus in which there was not even a hint of the homing head and the warhead.
Only erase the emblems of NASA ... Thanks to the futuristic appearance and incompetence of journalists in domestic and foreign articles, X-51 often plays the role of the "newest hypersonic weapon" of Russia and China
The X-43 was even more exotic than the X-51. He charred at a speed of 9M in exactly 10 seconds. So much was the estimated time of its ramjet operation, and for acceleration at the start, a multi-ton Pegas LV stage was used. Of course, the old man B-52 was also present in this scheme, first raising the entire system to an altitude of 13 km.
It is worth noting that both projects could not interest the military and were closed for their futility.
And now our media are hunting down stories about 8 Makhov on the tests of the “missile that has already entered the Navy’s arsenals”, which can be launched from the UWP of surface ships and submarine launch pits, designed for subsonic KR.
Many are concerned - why so far at least the approximate appearance of the “Zircon” has not been demonstrated. A logical question against the background of detailed and regular demonstrations of the “Dagger” or “random” exposure of another top-secret weapon (“Status-6”). Secrecy, secrecy ...
In my opinion, the answer lies on the surface - the publication of any specifics in the form of the appearance and layout of the rocket will immediately kill the myth of the hypersonic Zircon. Whatever the designers draw, it will not answer the question of how such impressive characteristics were achieved.
“We know the similar layout, how was the heating problem inevitably arising in this and that part of the rocket solved?” Such comments will inevitably follow from specialists in the field of aircraft and rocket production.
Immediately note the version with intentional misinformation and "screenshots from the game." The story of Zircon could have been based on testing an experimental aircraft, some modification of Onyx or X-31AD (the fastest RPCs that can develop 3 + sound speeds at high altitudes). And all this deft movement in the interests of individuals was presented for the “already adopted for the hypersonic anti-ship missile system” with distorted characteristics.
Especially successful joke about 8 Makhov. Between five and eight speeds of sound lies such a catastrophic difference (see the table of heating), which requires the use of completely different design solutions and materials. Not to mention the fact that the required thrust in horizontal flight depends on the square of the speed, therefore, to exceed 1,5 times the design characteristics of the aircraft created for flying at a speed of 5-6М ... such "success" can only cause a smile. This is how to design a locomotive and eventually build an airplane.
Eh ... what's next? Cruise missile with a nuclear engine!
Weapons that do not give anything in the presence of extensive arsenals of ballistic missiles of mine, mobile and submarine-based. And that promises big problems for those who face its exploitation.
"Even if the sword has to be applied once in a lifetime, it is worth it to carry it all its life." However, Lao Zi never spoke about the second sword.
All the tasks of the “Petrel” are reliably duplicated by the available means of the nuclear triad. Without the risks of radiation poisoning of its own territories at each test launch.
But what common sense when national trust is at stake? Without a nuclear rocket is not enough.
In contrast to the unscientific fiction "Zircon", the story of a nuclear missile received at least some visual confirmation. However, there is nothing on them that could attract attention. The launch video is no different from the tests of conventional cruise missiles. As well as photos of the assembly shop, in which the head fairing is visible, which may belong to the KR of any type. Neither the appearance nor the general principle of operation of the engine was presented, taking into account the passion of the Defense Ministry to demonstrate the available models of the latest weapons. Compare with photos of the "Dagger" on which even the smallest details and tail numbers are noticeable.
Feasibility of the "Petrel" from a technical point of view? The answer is ambiguous.
Experiments at the beginning of 60's ("Tori-IIC") proved the performance of a nuclear ramjet during ground tests. Adjusted for significant mass and size characteristic of any nuclear reactors. It is no coincidence that the nuclear power industry has received the greatest development in the form of stationary objects (NPP) and power plants of ships, the dimensions of which allow installing the reactor and the necessary energy converters.
The military could not figure out the route during the air tests of the AOLS. According to calculations, for each hour of flight, the rocket would infect 1800 square miles with radiation. And to the place of its crash (the inevitable ending for any rocket) will be an insecure approach for thousands of years. According to one of the crazy sentences, the rocket should have been tied to a cable and driven in a circle over the desert in Nevada ...
At that time, reliable ICBMs appeared, and they immediately forgot about the idea of the JEMP.
Modern experts suggest the creation of an "environmentally friendly" nuclear-powered rocket with an isolated core. However, there is a more categorical opinion. Engine sizes that are too small and high airflow rates will require unconventional means of heat transfer. Heating of the working fluid (air) to the required temperature (above 1000 ° C) in such a short time is possible only by mixing it with particles evaporating from the surface of the core. That will lead to radiation pollution of the exhaust.
In both cases, it remains unclear what to do when it eventually collapses to the ground.
The engine of the Caliber missile develops 440 kgf thrust with the march speed of 0,8М (270 m / s), which corresponds to the power of 1,2 MW.
The ideal calculated efficiency of a turbojet engine is 30%, approximately the same figure describes the efficiency of nuclear power plants (submarine reactors). For the existence of the “Petrel” while maintaining subsonic flight speed and weight and size of the “Caliber”, a nuclear engine with a thermal power of about 4 MW is needed.
Много это или мало?
American experts, using the example of an experimental small-sized HFIR reactor, conclude that it is possible in principle to create an 1MW reactor in the dimensions of a cruise missile body. "Beer Keg" HFIR develops the thermal power of 85 MW, but experts forget to say that the "keg" is the active zone itself. And the whole system is 10 meters in height and weighs tens of tons.
At the same time, as you understand, the power and size of nuclear facilities are connected by non-linear dependence. In the case of a nuclear missile with the “Calibr” size, designers have only about 500 kg in stock (instead of the stock of fuel and a conventional turbojet engine).
The most powerful and sophisticated of small-sized nuclear reactors for equipping spacecraft (Topaz-1, end of 1980-x.) With its own mass 980 kg had a thermal power of "only" 150 kW.
This is 25 times less than the required value for the existence of a cruise missile.
As regards military significance, the threat of cruise missiles is their massive use. A lone subsonic missile defense barrage in the air throughout the day has every chance of being intercepted by air defense / missile defense and aviation the enemy. Much higher than that of an ICBM warhead.
Readers will surely resent my skepticism about the latest products. But there were asked obvious questions and facts that are hard to ignore. Based on the continuous demonstration of some samples and a deaf veil of secrecy around Burevestnik and Zircon, broken by promises to exceed all conceivable distance and speed indicators, as well as “conducting state tests already this year” ... One conclusion - in reality we will soon see laser complexes and a new generation of ballistic missiles. And “Zircon” and “Petrel” will continue to fly in the information space.
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