New horizons of weapons: laser complex "Zadira"
Modern laser complex "Peresvet"
In recent years, domestic defense science and industry has been actively engaged in the so-called. weapons based on new physical principles and regularly demonstrates the results of such work. It became known that a new combat laser complex has been brought to the stage of field tests and trial operation in the troops. The promising product "Zadira" is intended to combat unmanned aerial vehicles and is capable of destroying them physically.
New horizons of weapons
The New Horizons marathon, organized by the Znanie society, was recently held in Moscow. For three days, representatives of various organizations and structures spoke about the current situation in the country and the world, about the latest achievements and plans for the future. In particular, the military-technical sphere did not go unnoticed.
On May 18, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, who oversees the defense sector, spoke at the marathon. He spoke about promising domestic developments in various fields, incl. in the field of "new physical principles". In this context, the Deputy Prime Minister recalled the Peresvet combat laser system, and also mentioned a completely new project.
According to Yu. Borisov, on the eve of the performance, another test of the new laser complex took place. The product worked on an air target in the form of an unnamed UAV. The complex aimed a laser beam at the target and held it for 5 seconds. This was enough to burn the target. The distance to the air target was 5 km.
On the sidelines of the marathon, the Deputy Prime Minister gave new details. So, the new product is called "Zadira". It is already in production, and the first copies have been handed over to the troops. Moreover, such equipment is already being used during the Special Military Operation in Ukraine. Also, Yu. Borisov noted the fundamental possibility of further development of the complex with an increase in the range.
Under an existing contract
It should be noted that the existence of the project with the cipher "Zadira" became known almost five years ago. During the military-technical forum "Army-2017", the Ministry of Defense and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Russian Federal Nuclear Center" (part of Rosatom) signed a state contract for the development work "Zadira-16". It is curious that Y. Borisov, who at that time held the post of deputy minister, signed the document on behalf of the military department.
It was reported that the purpose of the new R&D is to develop a combat complex based on new physical principles. Other details of the future project were not given. In addition, after the signing of the contract, the Zadira-16 project was not mentioned in open official materials.
Now it has become known that RFNC-VNIIEF has successfully coped with the development of a new complex, manufactured experimental equipment and even carried out part of the tests. Apparently, the equipment confirmed the design characteristics - and this made it possible to transfer it to the troops, incl. for testing in combat.
However, the bulk of the data is still unavailable. Even the general appearance of the complex is unknown. It remains to be hoped that in the future the Ministry of Defense will show experimental or serial equipment, as well as clarify its characteristics and potential.
Technical issues
So far, very little is known about the Zadira laser complex - only the purpose of the project, some of the characteristics and capabilities are named. However, one can imagine what a weapon system of this class should be, suitable for use by the troops.
Apparently, the Zadira product is a short-range air defense system. It should detect and hit various air targets, ranging from small-sized UAVs. An anti-aircraft weapon of this kind can find a place in the military, in the territorial and even in the ship's air defense - its characteristic capabilities will be useful in all areas.
The complex of the "Zadira" type should be self-propelled. Depending on the needs of the customer, there should be the possibility of combat work on the go. On what basis the complex is being built is unknown. At the same time, our industry can offer a number of different tracked and wheeled vehicles suitable for mounting various weapons, including a laser.
Like other air defense systems, the laser complex needs a number of electronic equipment. He needs his own locator and optoelectronic station for searching for targets, a fire control system with appropriate capabilities, etc. It is necessary to integrate the complex into the contours of air defense.
The mobile version of the complex imposes special requirements on the dimensions, weight and power consumption of the laser and, accordingly, limits the range of technologies suitable for use. It is not known what type of laser was used on the Bully. Also in question is power, the method of beam guidance, operational parameters, etc. So far, it is only known that at a distance of 5 km, a new domestic laser can destroy the design of a flying target.
Universal Perspective
As reported, at present, Zadira products are being tested and hit training targets, and also work in the Special Operations zone, providing protection for our troops. Based on the results of all these activities, the future fate of the new laser complex will be determined. It probably has every chance of getting into service and strengthening existing air defense systems.
It should be noted that the "Zadira" is indeed of some interest to the army. Such a complex can work for different purposes and solve several problems at once. At reduced power and/or at a greater distance, the laser can suppress or disable the target's optics. An increase in power and a reduction in distance allows not only damaging the optics, but also burning through structural elements.
Complex "Sanguine" - a functional analogue of the modern "Zadira"
The targets for the "Zadira" in the first place are unmanned aerial vehicles of various classes that are part of the complex's area of responsibility. The laser is able to prevent them from completing the task, incl. in the most radical way. The same applies to low-flying tactical aviation and parts of her ammunition. The laser is quite capable of suppressing the optics of an aircraft or the GOS of a launched missile. Damage to their structural elements is also not ruled out.
The characteristic advantages of the laser are the high accuracy due to the physics of the beam, as well as the speed of preparation for a new "shot". This allows you to successfully deal not only with single, but also with group targets, such as "swarms" of UAVs. At the same time, the cost of combat use is lower than that of artillery and missile systems.
Thus, the Zadira complex should have a number of characteristic features that will make it an effective multi-purpose air defense system. He will be able to deal with both well-known and fundamentally new threats of various kinds. Together with other complexes of other classes, a combat laser will make it possible to build a developed layered air defense system for troops or important facilities.
Development processes
It should be recalled that "Zadira" is not the first of its kind domestic development. Back in the eighties, the Sanguine self-propelled laser complex was created, capable of suppressing the optics of aircraft. Due to a number of objective factors, this project did not progress beyond the construction and testing of a few prototypes.
Now the topic of air defense combat lasers is being developed using modern technologies and solutions. The result of scientific and design activities in this area to date have become the complexes "Peresvet" and "Zadira". According to known data, the larger and more powerful Peresvet is already on alert, and the Zadira product is still being tested.
Thus, an important promising direction is not left without attention. Moreover, certain successes are being achieved, which can influence the further development of laser systems. However, for now, the main task is to fine-tune existing projects and fully put them into service. And Badass seems to be making it through those stages.
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