Hypersound for coastal troops. The project of the missile complex "Zmeevik"

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Coastal missile system "Bastion". In the future, it will be supplemented by "Snake"

A few days ago it became known that in the interests of the Russian naval fleet a new model of hypersonic weapons is being developed. To combat large surface targets at long ranges, a missile system with the code “Zmeevik” is being created. Some of its features and capabilities have already been reported, but there is no official information yet.

Promising project


On July 12, the TASS agency reported on the existence of a project with the mineralogical name “Zmeevik”, traditional for RCC. It received information about this project from two unnamed sources close to the Ministry of Defense and the military-industrial complex. At the same time, official information about the project could not be obtained: NPO Mashinostroeniya (part of the Tactical Missiles Corporation) did not comment on information from sources.



The first TASS source claims that the development of the Serpentine product has been going on for a long time, but did not name more exact dates and dates. According to him, the goal of the project is to create an anti-ship complex with a ballistic missile carrying hypersonic warheads. The latter will be able to hit large surface ships such as aircraft carriers.

The second source indicated that the new anti-ship missiles could enter service with the coastal units of the Navy. It is also reported that in terms of its characteristics, the new domestic missile is similar to well-known foreign developments - the DF-21D and DF-26 complexes of the Chinese army. Their missiles are also designed to combat surface targets and fly at a distance of up to 4 km.

Other details have not yet been reported, and the alleged developer organization does not comment on the latest at all. news. As a result, at the moment only the existence of the project is known - but only from the words of unnamed sources. At the same time, the current stage of the project, the progress achieved and the deadlines for completion of the work remain unknown. Also, the technical features of the entire complex and the new rocket are not specified. Not even approximate characteristics are named.


Launch of the Zircon hypersonic missile

However, as development continues, new messages and statements can be expected. The Serpentine project will be discussed at the official level, and in the future, when it is possible, they will demonstrate launches and name the main characteristics. How soon this information will be disclosed depends on the progress at the current stage.

Possible appearance


News from TASS allows us to roughly imagine the appearance of a promising missile system and determine the possible level of some characteristics. In addition, one can evaluate the main concept of this project and draw some assumptions or conclusions.

It is reported that the Zmeevik missile system will be coastal. This means that in terms of its composition and some principles of operation, it will be similar to the existing Bastion. In addition, the key features of the missile make it possible to draw parallels with the operational-tactical Iskander. Probably, the Zmeevik will include self-propelled launchers with missiles, detection tools, a command post, etc.

For such a complex, a completely new ballistic missile with hypersonic combat equipment and high flight characteristics is being developed. Apparently, we are talking about a rocket with an upper stage and a gliding warhead. The use of such technologies in the field of anti-ship weapons is interesting in itself, although it requires solving several specific problems.

The rocket for the "Zmeevik" must have limited dimensions and weight, corresponding to the limitations of the launch platform. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure high acceleration parameters, on which the further flight of the warhead depends. How exactly these design problems are solved is unknown.


Of particular interest is the hypersonic warhead for the Serpentine. With limited dimensions and weight, it must have high flight characteristics. To solve these problems, modern technologies that have already been tested in practice are required. In addition, the block needs a homing head to hit moving targets in the presence of interference and other negative factors. GOS with such capabilities is already used on the Zircon rocket, and the creation of a head for the Zmeevik is unlikely to cause fundamental difficulties.

It is not clear what kind of combat equipment the hypersonic unit will receive. It can carry a high-explosive warhead of a certain mass, but in principle there is no need for it. Such a block is capable of inflicting the most serious damage only due to its kinetic energy.

The flight characteristics of the "Zmeevik" are not named, but there are certain guidelines. So, the rocket is classified as hypersonic. It follows from this that the warhead will accelerate to 5 M or more. In terms of range, the missile is compared with Chinese complexes. Recall that the DF-21D ballistic anti-ship missile has a range of up to 1500 km, and the DF-26 is expected to fly 5 thousand km. In what part of this range the actual range of the new domestic missile will be is a big question.

With obvious benefits


Obviously, due to a number of characteristic features, the Zmeevik coastal missile system will have advantages over any existing systems of its class. Due to this, it is of great interest to the Navy and to the defense of maritime borders in general.

First of all, it is necessary to note the general significance of such a complex. Anti-ship missiles with the ability to fly thousands of kilometers should become the most serious threat to the ships of a potential enemy. In order to avoid losses, he will have to keep his fleet at an appropriate distance from the coast. Obviously, this will negatively affect the capabilities of its deck aviation and ship missiles. The threat from them will be reduced.


It should be expected that the Serpentine project will also implement other characteristic advantages of hypersonic weapons. Thus, high speed reduces the duration of the flight, and also reduces the time to detect a missile and respond to a threat. At the same time, the warhead maneuvers on the trajectory, and all this practically excludes timely interception by modern or advanced means of naval air defense.

It is reported that the Serpentine will be able to hit and sink even large ships, up to aircraft carriers. Probably, due to the kinetic energy, the rocket will be able to literally pierce the target through and through. In this case, the flight on a downward trajectory will provide the most dangerous damage.

Flexibility


According to known data, the Zmeevik coastal missile system is still at the development stage. It takes at least several years to complete the design, conduct tests and other activities. However, after that, the complex will be able to go into series, get into coastal units and take up duty.

Based on the results of these processes and events, the Russian Navy will already have two hypersonic missile systems at its disposal. In this case, we are talking about systems of different bases with different principles of operation and combat capabilities. So, the already existing product "Zircon" is a cruise missile that flies with its own engine and is intended to be launched from ships. The developed "Snake", in turn, can receive a planning warhead and will be used on the coast.


Two hypersonic anti-ship missiles in the future will complement other fleet weapons. The presence of sub-, super- and hypersonic missiles with different basing methods will give certain advantages. The existing system of anti-ship weapons of the Navy will become more flexible and efficient, and will also be able to solve more complex tasks, incl. at extended ranges.

However, such opportunities should be expected only in the distant future. The Serpentine project, like other samples in the field of hypersonic weapons, is notable for its complexity, and it will take several more years to develop it. Apparently, the finished coastal complex will take up duty no earlier than the middle of the decade.

On the way to the result


Thus, the Russian industry continues to develop the hypersonic direction and creates new weapons systems. In particular, anti-ship missiles are being developed on the basis of new technologies. One of them, "Zircon", is already ready for adoption, and the other is expected in a few years as part of the "Zmeevik" complex.

The open publication of data on the new Zmeevik project gives reason for optimism. It may indicate that the project is moving forward successfully, and the customer and contractor are ready to disclose data about it. And this allows you to count on the future appearance of new messages and details.
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38 comments
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  1. +2
    19 July 2022 16: 07
    mineralogical name "serpentine"

    "Stone cutters reaped glory
    And inhaling the poison
    Customized to the rim
    Poisonous coil.
    https://lyricstranslate.com" (Новиков) request
    1. +1
      19 July 2022 16: 39
      Well, the serpentine, it's a serpentine (serpent-snake), not poisonous, it's just a metaphor. Although, the mineral itself is beautiful! good
  2. +2
    19 July 2022 16: 23
    Good news. I will wait for the next, more specific news on this topic.
    1. -15
      19 July 2022 16: 33
      Great news about an excellent "wunderwaffle" in all respects, which ... is not. request What's with the "Dagger"? Once applied for a real purpose and for revision? ... recourse
      1. -8
        19 July 2022 16: 42
        Yes, there is a complete mess. Applied? how many times? what effect? In fact, no one will tell us anything for 5 years.
        1. +4
          19 July 2022 17: 14
          Quote: 6erJIblu
          Actually we are like 5 years old no one will tell you anything.
          "No, but who are you!" (Golden Calf) fool
        2. +2
          20 July 2022 08: 10
          Whoa, whoa, whoa. But what, should the dagger be used on dugouts, or on brick buildings? Or maybe the dagger should generally be used on tanks or light vehicles?
      2. 0
        19 July 2022 16: 57
        Quote: Snail N9
        What's with the "Dagger"? Once applied for a real purpose and for revision? ...

        It is definitely worth reading the characteristics of the "Dagger":
        the maximum range of destruction is 2000-3000 kilometers ...
        Let's hit the sparrows with a cannon...
        We are told that Kalibr, Iskander, Hyacinth, Msta-S and air-to-surface missiles used by Russian aviation are coping with the tasks.
        *****
        As for the article, I will support:
        Quote: Snail N9
        Great news about an excellent "wunderwaffle" in all respects, which ... is not.
      3. 0
        19 July 2022 19: 54
        Quote: Snail N9
        Once applied for a real purpose and for revision?

        Two...twice!
      4. +2
        23 August 2022 11: 57
        Dagger needs a plane, and it won’t be able to stay at the database all the time for a week, but the DBK can be driven into a forest 150 km from the coast and it can stand there for at least a year and wait for an order to launch
    2. +2
      19 July 2022 23: 34
      Quote: Alexander Minin
      I'll be waiting for the next more specific news on this topic.
      winked
      Well then, not from Ryabov (!) ... what
  3. +4
    19 July 2022 16: 25
    The most important thing in this article is:
    Thus, the Russian industry continues to develop the hypersonic direction and creates new weapons systems.
    It's good that developments continue, and existing ones will be improved.
  4. 0
    19 July 2022 16: 28
    Hypersound for coastal troops. Missile complex project "Coil"
    I always remember "Moonshiners" request
  5. +3
    19 July 2022 16: 40
    With a range of up to 5500 km, it is somehow difficult to call this complex "coastal", but it is quite suitable for the concept of an IRBM. So it is possible that the appearance of the RS-26 "Rubezh" in at least two guises is not far off, I hope the "Portal" near Anadyr has already been shamanized, everything is ready for reception ...
    1. -7
      19 July 2022 17: 18
      Quote: mark1
      but under the concept BRDS quite suitable.

      Ballistic?.... what Brad. request
      1. +3
        19 July 2022 19: 33
        Quote: Mavrikiy
        Ballistic? .... Nonsense.

        Ours went the way of the whales. BR reduces the delivery time of the warhead to the target area. And then - the strike of a falcon from under the clouds! For hungfuzes, it looks something like this:

        True, unlike us, I haven’t heard anything about the successful launches of Chinese anti-ship missiles, well, at least in the BC, or something ...
        1. +2
          19 July 2022 22: 37
          I have two guesses about this:
          1) BR as the second stage in which the air-launched missile "Dagger" acts, and as the first stage - the engine from the "Iskander" (then the range will be about 2000 km.) Or more powerful, and then the range can be up to 3000 - 4000 km.
          2) BR R-26 "Rubezh" is used as a base.
          And it seems to me that option number 1 is more likely, because it is more accessible. Although ... if a DBK with a Zircon (over 1000 km, maybe up to 1500 km) enters service, then another DBK with a range of 2000 km may turn out to be redundant.
          But the RS-26 in two guises would immediately be perhaps more useful.
          1. +1
            23 August 2022 12: 01
            a blow to depth is more than a useful thing, so a blow to 5 km is awesome
        2. 0
          20 July 2022 13: 14
          Chinese Long-Range Ballistic Missiles Struck Moving Ship In South China Sea: Report
          https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/37662/chinese-long-range-ballistic-missiles-struck-moving-ship-in-south-china-sea-report
      2. +1
        23 August 2022 11: 59
        But how do you propose to hit a target at a distance of several thousand km? A cruise missile will certainly fly, but it will need a control center, even the Americans with their bunch of satellites were forced to implement the search algorithm with the missile itself. And the ballistic one is good because you can stuff 3 there -4 blocks from zircon and it will hit from space - the flight will take at least 10 minutes
      3. 0
        6 September 2022 14: 24
        Quote: Mavrikiy
        Ballistic? .... Nonsense.

        Big!
  6. +3
    19 July 2022 16: 41
    Cyril, you know how to write a lot, but you can’t write anything specifically! If you could give free rein to your imagination, within reasonable limits, describe your vision of the whole complex!
  7. 0
    19 July 2022 16: 44
    What, God forbid, that the desires coincide with the possibilities. And the control device can be made on lamps. I saw lamps the size of a little fingernail and they did their function and were not afraid of nuclear explosions and overheating.
    1. 0
      29 August 2022 20: 21
      And why do you want to do it with lamps, if Russia has excellent on-board computers with modern processors. Which work on Caliber and Iskander. What don't you like? Do they hit badly? On lamps will be more accurate? wink And what kind of missile defense system is this, which army, which will hit with special heads against Iskanders and Calibers, destroying the radiation control computer? wink
  8. +1
    19 July 2022 16: 53
    One of them, "Zircon", is already ready for adoption, and the other is expected in a few years as part of the "Zmeevik" complex ......
    Or maybe not years, but months, if the "Snake" is adapted for firing by the ground-based Zircon complex.
    This is an option.
    1. +1
      19 July 2022 18: 56
      Sliced ​​Zircon can be used as a warhead for the Serpentine. More warheads less fuel on board.
      But he definitely needs to master the first step. Range in 5 tk. It's not a joke.
    2. -1
      19 July 2022 19: 24
      Quote: Bad_gr
      One of them, "Zircon", is already ready for adoption, and the other is expected in a few years as part of the "Zmeevik" complex ......
      Or maybe not years, but months, if the "Snake" is adapted for firing by the ground-based Zircon complex.
      This is an option.

      We have only 2 real options in the current conditions for the BPRK.
      Base on Inskander.
      Base on Zircon.

      The economics of creating a new IRBM from scratch in the anti-ship version, like the Chinese, cannot be pulled out.
      And the old restoration of production is generally unrealistic. Everything has changed since those years.
      In general, the state is again depressing.
      Our military-industrial complex, coupled with lured military officials, are creating another little animal in the zoo.
      Is there a ball? There is. Fresh? Fresh.
      Is there a bastion? There is. Fresh? Fresh.

      Let's also finish the Serpentine in addition.
      What kind of unification, what are you talking about, we so love to make mutually exclusive zoos, and so that not a single compatible part is either in rockets, or in transporters, or in RLCs, or in command vehicles.
      So we will cut the country's budget for a long time and boldly.
      The world has changed, a military operation is underway, but in the life of our military-industrial complex, everything is the same ...
      1. +1
        23 August 2022 12: 05
        Why create a new one? There is the same Frontier, there are launchers, the difference is that it will be necessary to adapt the warheads in size
    3. +4
      19 July 2022 19: 40
      Quote: Bad_gr
      if the “Snake” is the Zircon adapted for firing by the ground-based complex.
      This is an option.

      Most likely the way it is!
      Because the Supreme Commander has spoken more than once about the development of a COAST-based GZ complex. And there is no reason to reinvent the wheel when you have a scooter in your hands! It is necessary to put combat equipment on the IRBM and launch "gifts" to the adversary. The technology for the production of components for Zircon has already been worked out. What else do you need!? (Pour, and drink!!!) laughing
      1. 0
        20 July 2022 13: 09
        Quote: Boa constrictor KAA
        And there is no reason to reinvent the wheel when you have a scooter in your hands!

        And nothing needs to be reinvented, "Frontier" - "Avangard-R" has already been developed by 95 percent and is frozen, it just turns out not to be a "coastal" complex, but a multi-purpose one, its anti-ship incarnation was rolled forward so as not to scare the Americans so much with a more serious threat .
        -I think so ! - as the hero "Mimino" used to say)))
  9. +2
    19 July 2022 16: 59
    All this, of course, is very cool, but - the issues of reconnaissance and target designation at such distances are not very clear. After all, even with hypersound - in half an hour the target will whistle to the side pretty much .. Yes, you also need to detect it before that ..
    1. +1
      19 July 2022 19: 33
      Quote: paul3390
      All this, of course, is very cool, but - the issues of reconnaissance and target designation at such distances are not very clear. After all, even with hypersound - in half an hour the target will whistle to the side pretty much .. Yes, you also need to detect it before that ..

      But why?
      In our Armed Forces, there is still nothing in the structure to ensure the integrated interaction of the military branches. Everyone is for himself and categorically does not tolerate interference in his "patrimony".
      No one can break this system.
      Long-range missiles need target designation?
      What are you? Truth?
      Well, I don’t know, we need to ask Roscosmos to make 2 dozen satellites. What? Do they not have that much money? And what do we have to do with it? We make good rockets, we are not to blame. It is Roscosmos’ fault that it cannot give target designation to 1000 km for our excellent missiles, and Roscosmos is to blame that without target designation our long-range missiles can only be launched at 300 km, and that’s not a fact, we don’t always see 300 either, because KRET also didn’t fuss with new ones RLC, no one gave him money either, and therefore we see only 150 km with our existing complexes.
      So that's where we're going to shoot.
      Here is such a real irony.
      There is no one who understands the systems approach and who creates the system. Complex.

      Not scraps of scraps.
  10. 0
    19 July 2022 18: 00
    Briefly so - good bully
  11. 0
    19 July 2022 19: 14
    At the same time, the warhead maneuvers on the trajectory, and all this practically excludes timely interception by modern or advanced means of naval air defense.


    I ask the same question again and again and never get an answer.
    A team of authors working under the pseudonym "Ryabov Kirill", can you at least tell me how and at what moment, on the basis of what, the Combat Block decides that it is necessary to start doing maneuvers?
    What maneuvers and with what direction, amplitude? When to start and when to end?
    And this is in conditions of hypersonic speeds, respectively, problems with radio waves, due to the ionization of the surrounding space, problems with the strength of the hull, due to the strongest overloads even with minimal changes in the direction angle, well, the requirements to maintain an accurate corridor to the target, and any sharp maneuver to hypersound, if not destroys the device, then throws it out of the corridor without a chance of re-targeting the target, because the ballistic trajectory. And yes, you can't fool physics.
    So all the same?
    I'm just wondering where this nonsense about anti-aircraft maneuvers came from ...
    And even more so for hypersound.
    1. 0
      31 August 2022 17: 55
      Did those moments bother you? For a ballistic complex, you need the appropriate energy, and this is the chassis, infrastructure, etc. You can look at the Chinese version for an example. With such a range of 3-5 tons, there is no need to keep it near the coast - launchers can even be container ones, at a distance of 500 km from the coastline. Most likely we are talking about Bastion with Zircon as anti-ship missiles, this is logical and feasible.
      On the issue of BB maneuvers, there is just nothing complicated here. Pseudo-random maneuvering within the acceptable energy corridor. SAM somehow maneuver in hypersound without destruction?;))
  12. -1
    19 July 2022 19: 28
    Let there be a "Snake" if only it would sink enemy ships.
  13. 0
    20 July 2022 13: 19
    Assign a pension to Ryabov, let him stop messing up the site. It looks like his "creativity" on TC "REN" ...
  14. 0
    18 September 2022 12: 06
    We have fortune-telling by the clouds. I’ll tell fortunes too. If the artificial range limit is removed from the rocket for the Iskander, the warhead 9M724 is made 100 kg lighter and two stepped, then the declared range of 5000 km is more than real. 2,5-3 thousand guaranteed. Declared hypersound (max 6-7) is already available on 9M723 and 9M724. Actually, the Serpentine, this is most likely an adaptation of Iskander for working on moving targets, such as a Dagger. (Probably with a unified launcher for Caliber and Zircons. Well, it would be natural) On land for there are simply no acceptable moving targets of this class of missiles.

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