LMUR product at the exhibition. Photo bmpd.livejournal.com
In Syria and Ukraine, the Russian army aviation uses a light multi-purpose guided missile LMUR or "Product 305". it weapon It has high performance and is capable of hitting a variety of targets. The flexibility of its use is increased by using it with different media. Domestic helicopters of three main types and a number of their modifications can carry and use the LMUR missile.
Universal weapons
The future "Product 305" was created by the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering in the first half of the tenth years by order of the Federal Security Service. It was planned to equip special forces helicopters with this missile - to hit various targets at a great distance and fire support for ground units. In the middle of the decade, the rocket passed the necessary tests and was recommended for adoption.
In the same period, the Ministry of Defense became interested in the LMUR product. It conducted its own missile tests as part of various aviation complexes. The carriers of the product "305" were attack helicopters of the latest models and modifications, incl. not yet adopted.
In the second half of the decade, LMUR missiles underwent experimental military operation. In particular, a number of such weapons were delivered to Syria, where they were tested on real targets in the form of various enemy objects and vehicles. Probably, it was the results of these events that "305" was recommended for adoption. At the same time, the first public demonstration of the new rocket took place only in 2021, when the main events were completed.
Single launcher APU-305 on a Ka-52 helicopter. Photo bmpd.livejournal.com
Since February-March 2022, army aviation has been using LMUR against Ukrainian formations. Video recordings of their combat work appear regularly, moreover, filmed by the homing head of a flying missile. Such videos clearly show the high accuracy of the new weapon, on which its effectiveness depends.
As reported, the Mi-305N(M) and Ka-28 attack helicopters are carriers of the 52 products. They are able to carry several of these missiles and consistently apply them to targets. In January 2023, domestic media reported that modernized Ka-52M helicopters, also equipped with a light multi-purpose missile, are now participating in the Special Operation.
Actually rocket
The LMUR or "305" is an air-to-surface guided missile designed for launchers of various types and capable of hitting a wide range of ground targets, stationary and moving. The rocket is built in a cylindrical body and has a canard aerodynamic configuration. Planes and rudders are foldable for transportation. The length of the rocket is less than 2 m with a body diameter of 200 mm and a wingspan of no more than 600-700 mm. Starting weight - 105 kg.
LMUR is equipped with an optical homing head with two modes of operation. At the first GOS, it captures the target before launch and follows it. The second involves flying to the target area under the control of the carrier, followed by target detection by the operator, capture and guidance. The GOS is interfaced with communication equipment, which provides video signal transmission to the carrier and reception of commands, incl. on target acquisition. The missile delivers a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 25 kg to the target.
Flight to the target - shooting the GOS missile. Frame from video from Telegram / Komdiv_76
The rocket has a solid propellant engine, with the help of which it develops speed up to 220-230 m/s. The maximum launch range is determined at 14,5 km. Probably, this parameter may vary depending on the flight altitude and the speed of the carrier at the time of launch.
Two types of aircraft launchers were developed specifically for the "Product 305". The APU-305 device is intended for the suspension of one missile. On the beam of the device there are locks and connectors for connecting the missile and carrier avionics. In addition, the device has a hinged cover that protects the missile's nose fairing before launch. The APU-L device carries two missiles at once, but does not fundamentally differ from a single-seat one.
In a multipurpose class
According to known data, the first carriers of the 305 missiles were multi-purpose and transport-attack helicopters of the FSB aviation - Mi-8MNP-2 and Mi-8AMTSh-VN. Compatibility with the new weapon was provided by a set of devices mounted inside and outside the fuselage. Not later than 2015-16 strike aircraft complex based on Mi-8 variants was tested and entered service.
First of all, helicopters of the Mi-8 family receive launchers for LMUR. Up to four APU-305 or APU-L products with missiles are placed on the external sling. The maximum ammunition load is up to 6-8 missiles, depending on the task and / or technical features of a particular modification of the carrier helicopter.
Transport and attack helicopter Mi-8AMTSh-VN with the possibility of using "305" missiles. Photo "Russian Helicopters"
Also, the helicopter receives an optical-electronic station of one type or another. "Ball" with a day and night camera and a laser rangefinder is suspended under the forward fuselage. An antenna device for two-way communication with the rocket is also placed outside.
New fire control devices are mounted in the cockpit; also provides for the use of regular devices. So, for communication with the missile, a new "equipment for interfacing with an unmanned aerial vehicle (AS-UAV)" is used. The video signal is displayed on regular monitors, and there is also a remote control for controlling the launch and flight of the rocket in different modes.
Attack helicopters
The Air Force did not use the developments for the FSB and ordered the integration of LMUR into the armament of specialized attack helicopters. The first carrier of such a missile in army aviation, experienced and combatant, was the Mi-28NM helicopter. Tests of "305" on such a helicopter started in 2019.
The Mi-28NM has four underwing pylons, each of which can be mounted with a launcher for LMUR - the maximum ammunition load includes eight missiles. However, in practice, "305" products are suspended in smaller quantities and are used together with other weapons.
Attack helicopter Mi-28NM. Photo "Russian Helicopters"
Target detection for LMUR is carried out by standard means already available on board the Mi-28NM. This can be an H025 over-the-arm radar or a turret OES under the forward fuselage. The target is detected in one way or another, after which, with the help of the OES, target designation is issued to the rocket head. Information from the radar and OES, as well as from the missile seeker, is displayed on the screens of the pilot and operator in a regular manner. The missile is controlled in flight using AS-UAV instruments, which were originally present on the Mi-28NM.
The situation is similar with the Ka-52 attack helicopter and its modernized version. So, these machines have four underwing suspension points and are also capable of carrying up to eight missiles. At the same time, as in the case of the Mi-28NM, the integration of the new missile does not require restructuring of the onboard equipment complex.
For the initial detection of ground objects, the crew of the Ka-52 (M) can use the Arbalet radar and / or the GOES-451 station. The launch is carried out in the required mode, both with the preliminary capture of the target and with the launch of the missile to the required line. Taking into account the prospects for the development of weapons and other equipment, the Ka-52M was also equipped with an AS-UAV device.
With the help of radar or optoelectronic means, the Mi-28NM and Ka-52M are capable of detecting and tracking a variety of ground targets over a wide range of ranges. In the case of relatively large targets, such as automotive and armored vehicles, structures, etc., detection, identification and tracking are provided over the entire range of the LMUR missile launch range.
Attack Ka-52 during the tests of the LMUR missile. Photo "Russian Helicopters"
Having received the new 305 missile, attack helicopters retain the entire previous range of ammunition. The presence of several types of guided weapons with different flight characteristics, guidance principles, warhead, etc. allows the Mi-28NM and Ka-52M helicopters to more effectively and flexibly solve an extended range of tasks.
Rocket and its carriers
Judging by the available data, the 305 light multi-purpose missile or LMUR is one of the most successful acquisitions of our Air Force in recent years. This product shows high tactical and technical characteristics and has other advantages. However, to use all its strengths, any aviation weapon needs a carrier.
In the case of the LMUR missile, modern domestic helicopters of three types and several modifications, which form the basis of our army aviation, can act as a carrier. It is possible that the development of the 305 product will continue - and it will be able to be used on other aerial platforms, manned and unmanned. However, as the practice of recent months shows, the existing carriers do an excellent job with the use of a new missile and the solution of real combat missions.