Russia is a leader in the development of hypersonic weapons. True?
Have a break in hypersound
On December 24, 2019, as part of an expanded meeting of the board of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a statement that probably made Western partners think.
“Today we have a unique situation in our new and latest stories: catching up with us. No country today has hypersonic weapons in general, and continental-range hypersonic weapons even more so, "
- quoted the leader of Izvestia.
As the president stated, hypersonic "Dagger" already represented in the army, and in addition, the equipment of the first regiment began with the Avangard hypersonic intercontinental complex. The plans include Zircon, which some experts see as revolutionary and "ultimate" weapons. Almost the “wunderwaffe” of the XNUMXst century (why this is not so, we will tell later).
Let's start with the main question: what is this “hypersonic weapon”? For example, can the UGM-133A Trident II (D5) American ballistic missile warhead be called hypersonic? In fact, the question is complex and multifaceted. If you try to answer briefly, then a full-fledged hypersonic aircraft should be able to fly in the atmosphere with hypersonic speed and maneuver using aerodynamic forces. That is, to maintain the highest speed until the moment the target is hit, which, of course, will greatly interfere with its interception or even make it impossible. Probably the most famous example is the U.S. X-51A Waverider. However, it remained experimental, and the results could be called "ambiguous" - and this is with the technological level and financial capabilities of the United States!
The problem is the difficulty of providing controlled flight at hypersonic speed, when a plasma is formed at the surface of the device, literally enveloping it. Among the most important fundamental problems and contradictions are the heating of gas to incredibly high (up to several thousand degrees) temperatures, as well as the need to combat the screening effect of a cloud of hot plasma surrounding a rocket. Now let's see what Russia boasts of.
"Dagger"
Characteristics (hypothetical):
Type: aeroballistic rocket.
Carriers: MiG-31K fighter-interceptor.
Range of destruction of the complex: about 1000 kilometers (excluding carrier range).
Rocket flight speed: up to 10 M.
The mass of the warhead: 500 kilograms.
The full name of the complex - X-47M2 "Dagger". Most likely, the president told the truth about the presence of the complex. “Dagger” is a rare case of a “secret” Russian strategic complex, which we could see in all its glory. As evidence of the presence of troops and combat readiness, we can recall the recently conducted tests of the X-47M2 in the Arctic.
“The tests took place in mid-November. The missile was launched at a ground target located at the Pemboy training ground from the MiG-31K carrier aircraft, taking off from the Olenegorsk aerodrome. ”
- said then TASS informed source.
Another question is whether it is correct to call the modernized Iskander a hypersonic weapon. As can be clearly seen in the pictures, the rocket does not have a ramjet, similar to the one we see on the aforementioned X-51A. And although the Dagger can develop hypersonic speed in some areas, this probably does not apply to all sections of the flight, especially when precise guidance is required on the target. Recall that the latter are the ships of the probable enemy - not the most “agile” targets, but quite capable of standing up for themselves thanks to the presence of powerful air defense.
"Zircon"
Characteristics (hypothetical):
Type: hypersonic cruise missile.
Carriers (potential): nuclear submarines, as well as surface ships with 3C14 universal launchers.
Range of destruction of the complex: from 400 to 1000 kilometers.
Rocket flight speed: up to 8 M.
The mass of the warhead: 300-400 kilograms.
Is the Zircon PR justified by the media? Yes and no. First, you need to understand that this missile is only being tested and it cannot be put on a par with the same “Dagger”. Secondly (and this is a more serious difficulty in terms of evaluation) we have not yet seen the new product “live”. Images available on the Web are in fact images of American hypersonic missiles - and then often hypothetical.
And then what is there? Perhaps the only material evidence of the existence of the Zircon is the transport and launch containers shown in November 2019, located on board the Admiral Gorshkov frigate: in general, they are very similar to those that should be used for Zircon hypersonic missiles. It is a lot or a little, decide for yourself. Most likely, the rocket really exists, but how effective it can be used is another matter.
Avanhard
Characteristics (hypothetical):
Type: guided combat unit.
Carriers: intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) UR-100N UTTH (in the future - RS-28 Sarmat).
Range: Intercontinental.
Rocket flight speed: up to 20 M.
Warhead power: from 800 kilotons to two megatons.
According to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in December, the Russian Avangard hypersonic system was put on combat duty.
"Flies like a pancake on water, leaves space to atmosphere and back,"
- military specialist Dmitry Litovkin explained to Sputnik radio.
You can, of course, just believe the information about unique weapons, which are not afraid of any existing or even promising missile defense. However, not knowing in detail the characteristics of the hypersonic unit in all parts of the flight, doing so would be reckless.
Experts say that instead of the usual six warheads of the UR-100N missile, Russia actually received one. And since his ability to fly in the atmosphere at hypersonic speed and maneuver using aerodynamic forces has not been proven, the criticism seems reasonable. Recall that, according to some observers, after entering the atmosphere, the Vanguard can turn into an uncontrollable “brick”, so it’s difficult to talk about development (compared to Soviet missiles) in this case. But, again, these are just assumptions, albeit with good reason.
So can Russia be considered a leader in the development of hypersonic weapons? As can be clearly seen in the examples presented, the statement of Vladimir Putin is an exaggeration. And although the ability of some missiles and warheads to develop hypersonic speed is not in doubt, they should not be considered something revolutionary. Especially until the appearance of confirmed characteristics.
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