The experience of the Special Operation in the exhibits of "Army-2023"
In the course of the current Special Operation for the Protection of Donbass, the Russian armed forces not only solve the assigned combat missions, but also gain the necessary experience in operating various systems and models. This experience is then used to improve the existing material part or to develop a completely new one. At the recent military-technical forum "Army-2023", the Russian industry showed a number of promising products, created taking into account the experience of the Special Operation.
Protection for armored vehicles
The process of developing means of protection for armored vehicles of various classes continues. In the course of the current hostilities, they are faced with new threats that require an early response. Necessary measures are taken, and vehicles in the war zone receive additional protection. Some samples of additional means against new threats were shown at Army-2023.
Special attention of forum visitors was attracted by tanks and other armored vehicles with a new set of additional protection means to counter threats of a different nature. Some of the systems installed on the T-72B3, T-90BMV and T-90M tanks, as well as on other vehicles, are already familiar to the public. Others were shown for the first time.
"Tigr-M" with "Mad Max" set. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
A full range of new defenses includes the “Cape” camouflage kit from the Research Institute of Steel, which prevents the enemy from detecting and attacking an armored vehicle. In early July, the development organization reported that, based on the experience of the Special Operation, the “Cape” was adopted and is now considered as mandatory equipment for tanks participating in hostilities.
Using the example of modern MBTs, they also demonstrated a new version of the protective "visor". To protect against missiles and drones-kamikaze, such a device may have elements of spaced armor and mesh screens, incl. vertical around the perimeter of the structure. The configuration and composition of the "visor" should be determined taking into account the characteristics of the carrier equipment.
One of the exhibition tanks also received an electronic warfare system - the Triton product from the PPSh Laboratory. The system includes several devices, incl. control panel and antennas mounted on the carrier outside. Triton operates in four bands and suppresses the communication and control channels of UAVs of popular models.
Protected light truck from Shvabe-SpetsAvto. Photo "Rostec"
Development of motor transport
An interesting option to improve the protection of an existing machine is implemented in the Mad Max project. It is proposed to install a set of additional armor on the Tigr-M production car. New elements cover the engine compartment, the front of the cabin and the wheels. In addition, instead of a machine gun on an open installation, the armored car received a remote-controlled combat module. The Ministry of Defense is reportedly already purchasing such kits. Armored cars with enhanced protection are planned to be used to escort columns and solve other similar tasks.
A curious modernization of the old GAZ-66 platform was carried out at the Nizhny Novgorod Aviation Society. The chassis of the car remained the same, but received a new engine. For the car, they developed an armored hull with a bonnet layout. The inhabited compartment, at the request of the customer, can have one or two rows of seats. In the stern, a platform for cargo or the necessary superstructure has been preserved.
Vehicles for other purposes may also receive protection. So, the Shvabe-SpetsAvto company from Rostec presented a pickup truck with engine and cockpit armor. The machine is built on the basis of available components and is equipped with an original armored hull corresponding to the 3rd class of protection according to the domestic standard. The carrying capacity of the car is 500 kg.
Options for upgrading the ZU-23-2 installation. Photo Telegram / "Military informant"
Air defense
Small reconnaissance and strike UAVs are now actively used in the combat zone. To combat them, specialized systems of various kinds are offered. So, at Army-2023, several new solutions were proposed based on existing components.
Tulamashzavod and NTC Elins propose to fight modern air threats with the help of modernized ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. Two options for the use of such weapons have been developed. The first, called ZU-23AE, proposes to keep the existing towed carriage and a pair of automatic guns, but provides for the use of new means of search and guidance, as well as fire control. Also implemented the possibility of group work under a single control. In the future, the ZU-23AE will be able to use controlled detonation ammunition.
The ZAK-23E self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is also presented. It is made on the basis of the BTR-82A and has an original combat module with a radar, an optoelectronic station and a pair of 23-mm guns. From the point of view of combat and fire capabilities, the ZAK-23E almost does not differ from the ZU-23AE, but it is distinguished by increased mobility.
Self-propelled gun ZAK-23E. Photo Telegram / "Military informant"
An interesting air defense system was proposed by Ruselectronics. The product "Rat" is built on the basis of the SBA-70K4 armored car and is equipped with its own radar with a detection range of small UAVs up to 4 km. Within a radius of 1,5 km, the built-in electronic warfare system comes into operation, suppressing communication and control channels. At ranges up to 3-4 km, air targets are hit by a 30-mm cannon mounted on the combat module. All devices and tools work together and are controlled from a single operator console.
Mobile artillery
In connection with the development of means of reconnaissance and adjustment, artillery is exposed to increased risks. Troops need systems with not only high firepower, but also increased mobility. Products that meet these requirements have long been in service with our army. At the same time, a number of other samples of this kind were shown at Army-2023.
At the last forum, Rostec again showed the Malva self-propelled artillery gun. In fact, this is a gun from the Msta-S self-propelled guns on a wheeled chassis of the BAZ brand. Such a combat vehicle combines high fire performance and high mobility on the highway and off-road. Probably, the developer organization, developing this project, took into account the experience of using artillery in the Special Operation.
Anti-UAV "Rat" complex. Photo "Ruselectronics"
In combat operations, improvised self-propelled guns from a truck and artillery of small or medium caliber are used and demonstrate themselves well. The industry offered a similar prefabricated model based on the Spartak armored car. It was possible to place a 60 mm S-57 gun on its cargo area. The resulting system is designed to combat ground targets.
The modernized GAZ-66MB vehicle was shown at the exhibition in the configuration of a similar weapon carrier. At the same time, a carrying capacity of up to 2,5 tons made it possible to place only the ZU-23-2 installation in one of the later versions with improved control devices.
Unmanned aircraft
Ongoing hostilities once again demonstrate the potential of unmanned aviation and discover new possibilities. In the war zone, reconnaissance UAVs of various classes and types have long been widely used, and later strike systems became widespread.
Quadro-1400 is one of the numerous domestic UAVs. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
A large number of enterprises and organizations presented their developments in the field of UAVs at the last forum. Interest in this area is shown not only by various companies, but also by groups of enthusiasts. The result of this was the emergence of a large number of new designs and projects. A number of such developments are present not only at exhibitions, but also at the front.
An important novelty of the Army-2023 forum was a new version of the Lancet loitering ammunition. The promising "Product 53" has been revised taking into account the experience of the combat use of existing samples and has a number of advantages over them. It is expected that in the near future our operators will be able to test the upgraded product at enemy facilities.
Experience and development
Thus, in the course of the current Special Operation, the Russian army is gaining experience in operating various weapons and equipment. In turn, the defense industry systematizes and analyzes it, after which it offers certain ways to improve existing samples or develop completely new ones.
A significant number of such developments were shown at the recent Army-2023 military-technical forum. Some of them are already reaching operation in the army, while others are still only exhibition models. At the same time, it is clear that some of them will soon show themselves well and also get into the army. In addition, the armed forces, continuing the operation, will give the industry new information that will allow the creation of advanced weapons and equipment that meet current and future needs.
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