Equipment "Legionnaire". Future replacement for the promising Sotnik
Fighters in BEV "Warrior"
Currently, the Russian army uses combat equipment of a serviceman (BEV) of the Ratnik type. In order to re-equip the troops in the future, the industry is developing next-generation equipment called the Centurion. In the near future, work will begin on the next BEV. This complex will appear in the long term and will receive the designation "Legionary".
Big plans
Over the past few years, the state corporation "Rostec" and organizations from its structure regularly show various developments on the BEV "Sotnik" project. Such equipment, which combines the most advanced ideas and components, is still under development and should be supplied to the supply only in a few years. The transition to Sotnik will only be completed in the indefinite future.
In January 2021, Rostec announced that it had received an assignment from the Ministry of Defense to develop a new BEV, which would replace Sotnik in the long term. In the coming years, it was planned to carry out the necessary research work. The main result of this stage was to be the formation of a comprehensive target program for the development of equipment for the period up to 2035.
It was reported that domestic and foreign experience will be studied within the framework of the new R&D. In particular, it was planned to analyze modern and promising foreign BEVs. Based on the collected data, they planned to draw up requirements for the equipment of the future and then begin its development.
The military personnel of the RKhBZ troops have their own version of the "Warrior"
For obvious reasons, the technical aspects of the new project were not disclosed at that time. However, the management of Rostec noted that this is a fundamentally new BEV, the creation of which requires a look into the future. During its creation, the most modern developments and technologies will be used. In particular, solutions in the field of life support, robotics, information systems, etc. will find application.
Project Legionnaire
Now it has become known that the development of a promising BEV will soon move to a new stage. This was reported on October 3 by RIA News citing an unnamed source in the military-industrial complex. The source revealed the prerequisites for the emergence of the future project and called it a code.
The source recalled that the Ratnik project was implemented about 10 years ago. It was successful, but over time, new materials and technologies have appeared, and the specifics of hostilities have also changed. All this leads to the need to develop a new generation of BEVs.
It is noted that two well-known BEV projects received "primordially Russian" names - "Warrior" and "Sotnik". The next type of equipment has already been assigned the Legionnaire cipher. This time we decided to use the "international" term.
Set "Warrior" for the crews of combat vehicles
Literally a few hours after the reports from RIA Novosti, new details of the future project became known. They were announced by the Gazeta.ru publication with reference to representatives of the Rostec corporation. In particular, the terms for carrying out part of the work are named, as well as some features of the future equipment.
A source in Rostec said that research work on the Legionnaire topic will take place next year. By the beginning of 2024, the required appearance of such a BEV and the terms of reference for it will be formed. This will allow you to move on to development work. How soon it will be possible to complete all the following steps is unknown.
New generation
The existing serial BEV "Warrior" is a complex multi-component complex, including all the means necessary for a soldier. It includes uniforms, protective equipment, communication and data processing systems, weapons, etc. In total, there are several dozen components, products and devices, divided into a number of subsystems.
The complete set of equipment and the composition of products is determined in accordance with the affiliation and specialty of the fighter, his tasks and needs on the battlefield. There are several options for the infantry kit, equipment for the crews of combat vehicles, gunners, etc. is provided.
Early concept of a promising BEV
Currently, Rostec enterprises are developing a new BEV, designated as Sotnik. According to known data, this project can be considered as a deep modernization of existing equipment. The existing architecture with multiple subsystems and multiple components will be retained. It will also remain possible to build kits for the needs of certain troops and units.
It was reported that a deep modernization of the existing BEV provides for the simultaneous use of ready-made and new components. So, some of the elements will be transferred to the new equipment without changes, while others will be modernized. Some appliances will be replaced. Their place will be taken by new products on a modern component base and with updated functions.
The promising Legionnaire equipment will be fundamentally new, it will be developed practically from scratch. At the same time, well-proven solutions in the field of architecture and construction are used. To improve all the main characteristics and achieve other benefits, it is planned to introduce new designs and systems.
Gazeta.ru, citing a source in Rostec, reports that the army is already making its proposals. So, the customer would like to reduce the weight of the equipment. At the same time, it is desirable not only to maintain, but also to increase the level of protection. Such problems can be solved with the help of new materials and technologies that have appeared recently. In addition, they will improve ergonomics and manufacturability.
They also report that Rostec considers it necessary to introduce fundamentally new subsystems. So, taking into account the requirements of the time, Legionnaire should include elements related to robotics and artificial intelligence. Probably, due to such technologies, they will ensure interaction with modern and promising RTK or UAVs, as well as improve the control systems of units.
Armament plays a key role in equipment. For the "Warrior" in the recent past, a new line of small arms was being developed. weapons; some of these samples entered service. New sighting devices and other aids were also created. Whether the Legionnaire will receive a new weapon is unknown. This project is being created with an eye to the distant future, and by that time there may be a need for new weapons.
In the process of improvement
In the recent past, the industry has mastered the production of BEV "Warrior" and is now engaged in its production for the needs of the army. In addition, by order of the Ministry of Defense, improved Sotnik equipment is being developed, which is expected in the troops in the near future. Now, full-fledged research and design work on the next generation of BEV in the form of the Legionnaire project is beginning.
The details of such a project are still unknown, and there are only a few reports or assumptions. However, the goals and objectives are quite clear. "Legionary" is created to improve all the main indicators of protection, firepower, situational awareness, etc. - as an individual fighter, and entire units. How exactly such goals will be achieved will become known later, when the industry will carry out the necessary work and be able to show finished products.
Completed and starting projects show that the Ministry of Defense understands the importance of the equipment of military personnel and takes measures to create and develop them. Moreover, work in this direction is acquiring features of a continuous process. The development of the new "Sotnik" has not yet been completed, but research is already beginning on the next "Legionary". This allows us to count on the fact that in the future the army will be able to regularly receive modernized or new BEVs, while maintaining the necessary potential and getting the capabilities it needs.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, "Rostec"
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