Hypersound for coastal troops. The project of the missile complex "Zmeevik"
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.
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.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Information