LMUR missile in operation and on display

Product LMUR on the forum "Army". Photo "Rostec"

In service with the Russian army aviation consists of a "light multi-purpose guided missile" LMUR or "Product 305". This weapon is actively used in the area of ​​the Special Operation and shows good results. Serial missiles "305" regularly confirm their performance and demonstrate the ability to hit a variety of targets.

Rocket in Special Operations

The first information about the use of LMUR products by the army aviation participating in the Special Operation appeared in mid-June 2022. Soon this information was confirmed, and then reports of the use of LMUR missiles became regular. In addition, all of them were accompanied by the publication of video recordings of the use of weapons.

High tactical and technical characteristics for its class and ample opportunities influenced the intensity of the use of LMUR. Army aviation is quite actively using these missiles, and they have actually become one of the main weapons of the Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters. In this case, an appropriate level of combat effectiveness is achieved and significant damage is inflicted on the enemy.

Helicopter Ka-52M and missile "305" on "Army-2023". Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

According to the well-known resource Lost Armor, from June to December last year, our helicopters used at least 70 305 missiles. In this case, we are talking only about known episodes, confirmed by the open publication of video materials. Obviously, not all videos from homing heads or helicopter optics have become public knowledge, and the actual consumption of LMUR missiles can be many times higher - as well as the number of targets hit.

A similar situation has persisted this year. On specialized resources, a significant amount of materials has been published on the launches of "Products 305", demonstrating the effectiveness of missiles. At the same time, it cannot again be argued that these are all launches carried out in the zone of the Special Operation. It can be assumed that by now aviation has used at least several hundred LMURs, and all or almost all of them hit their intended targets.

Well-known videos show that 305 missiles are capable of confidently hitting a variety of targets. They were used against automotive and military equipment, incl. armored, standing or moving. Also, LMUR hit various buildings and destroyed militants hiding there, ammunition storage sites, etc. At the same time, high accuracy was demonstrated. In particular, there are cases when a rocket flew into the window of a building.

Rocket with seeker protection. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Obviously, our army aviation will not refuse such a successful and convenient tool. The LMUR missile will continue to be used to hit certain targets. In this case, other weapons will be used. This will make it possible to compile an ammunition load that most fully corresponds to the goals and objectives of each sortie.

Product at exhibitions

According to known data, the future "Product 305" was created in the first half of the tenth years by the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (holding "High-precision complexes" / state corporation "Rostec"). In 2016, the missile was adopted by the FSB aviation, after which similar measures began in the interests of the aerospace forces. The necessary tests, fine-tuning and paperwork took several years, and in 2019 the LMUR was adopted by military aviation. According to some sources, the Ministry of Defense assigned the X-39 index and the code "Prefix" to the missile.

The first open display of the 305 rocket took place at the Army-2021 forum. Since then, the product has been repeatedly demonstrated at new exhibitions. The recent "Army-2023" was no exception. This time, LMUR attracted increased attention from the public and specialists - the successes of real combat use affected. It is curious that the rocket was shown together with the upgraded Ka-52M attack helicopter. In the near future, such machines will become one of the main carriers of the "Product 305".

Side view, you can consider the design of the planes. Photo Telegram / MilitaryRussia

As TASS writes, the High-Precision Complexes holding notes that the operators speak of the LMUR product extremely positively. This is facilitated by a successful combination of tactical and technical characteristics and combat capabilities.

First of all, the manufacturing organization pays attention to the range indicators. A combat helicopter can launch the "Product 305", while remaining at a safe distance from enemy air defense systems. This opportunity is being used right now: the Ukrainian formations in the combat zone do not have air defense systems that can interfere with the effective use of LMUR.

Technical features

LMUR / "Product 305" / X-39 is a short-range air-to-surface guided missile designed to destroy a variety of ground targets, stationary and moving. The missile differs from other products of its class by a special combination of basic technical and combat characteristics, which determines its capabilities and potential.

Launch on the ground structure of the enemy, filming the missile seeker. Photo Lostarmour.info

The LMUR product is built in a cylindrical body less than 2 m long and 200 mm in diameter. Outside, there are two X-shaped sets of planes - stabilizers and rudders. Starting weight - 105 kg, of which 25 kg falls on a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. A solid propellant rocket engine is used, which gives a high subsonic flight speed - about 230 m / s. Launch range - 14,5 km.

The missile is equipped with an optical homing head, an autopilot and a two-way communication system with the carrier. It is reported that there are two modes of operation. At the first, the search and acquisition of the target is carried out before the reset; after separation, the rocket operates according to the "launch-forget" scheme. The second mode provides for an independent flight of the missile to a given area, after which the operator finds the target and takes it for escort. Guidance is carried out automatically.

The carriers of "305" at the moment are attack helicopters Mi-28N and Ka-52, including machines of the latest modifications. In addition, transport and combat versions of the Mi-8 helicopter can carry and use such weapons. Such carriers, according to various sources, are used in the aviation of the FSB.

Rocket "305" is approaching the armored vehicle of the enemy. Telegram photo / "Spetsnaz Archangel"

Apparently, in order to use the "Product 305", the sighting and navigation system of the helicopter needs to be updated and the appropriate software modules installed. Due to this, the helicopter gets the opportunity to transmit target designation to the missile instruments from its detection tools.

In general, the LMUR rocket has several main advantages. It is quite simple and relatively cheap, but has high performance characteristics for its class. In particular, the flight range is fully consistent with the capabilities of detection equipment on a helicopter, and also exceeds the characteristics of common military air defense systems of a potential enemy. The 25-kg warhead, as practice has shown, copes with a variety of purposes.

Proven effectiveness

Thus, the Russian army aviation has been actively using the LMUR / "305" light multi-purpose guided missile since last summer and is getting a number of important results. First of all, such weapons destroy the equipment and objects of the enemy, contributing to the general processes of its demilitarization. In addition, helicopter crews and technical staff are gaining experience in operating a modern rocket. Application experience should also influence the further development of aviation missile weapons.

It is important that "Product 305" is not the only modern development in the field of missile weapons for domestic attack helicopters. Other samples with certain features and advantages are being developed. In particular, the new Hermes complex with uniquely high performance is expected to enter service. However, even without this complex, our helicopters already have all the necessary weapons.

Comments

[Ross xnumx]

In particular, the new Hermes complex with uniquely high performance is expected to enter service.

This tortoise haste seemed strange, for:

Russian promising complex of guided missile weapons, developed at the Instrument Design Bureau in Tula, together with NIIFP. Aviation variant testing was completed in 2003, for the first time the complex was demonstrated to the general public on February 22, 2009.

The troops need serial products, and they continue to be "inspired" by promising developments with high performance ...

[SergeyB]

The main advantage of the LMUR missile is the ability to guide the missile according to radar data.
It would be great to pair, for example, with the SU-34, which sees with its radar a target the size of a tank at a distance of up to 70 km.
The LMUR range is 14 km, but this is if the launch is carried out from a stationary helicopter, from a minimum height.
When launched from an aircraft at an altitude of more than 10 km and at about sonic speed, the range of the rocket is guaranteed to increase several times.
Thus, the SU-34 will have the opportunity to hit even targets that are on the move, several tens of kilometers behind the front line.

[Orange Bigg]

The Su-34 has the Kh-38M with a range of 70 km. There and warheads are 10 times more powerful than the Kh-39.

TTX missiles Kh-38

Length - 4,2 m Wingspan - 1,14 m Body diameter - 310 mm Weight - 520 kg Warhead weight - 250 kg Maximum speed - 2,2 M Carrier speed - 54 - 1620 km / h Launch height - 200 - 12000 m Range - 3 - 70 km

[chingachguc]

lmur has not been used since October last year. Too expensive

[AntidipresaHt]

They use a lot of things in the operation, they just don’t report it to you in the morning with a cup of coffee.

[Vadim S]

A standard ATGM is controlled from afar, it is very difficult to see through the sight where it will hit there, you lead it into a silhouette, but here you essentially aim from the first person, and the possibility of more ATGMs, 25kg warheads is serious. I wonder how Hermes will show himself.

[certero]

For a very long time I have not seen a single video of the use of this rocket, but last year they were regularly published

[Nikolaevich I]

It is reported that there are two modes of operation.
Actually, the 3rd mode was also mentioned ...!

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Nikolaevich I

Actually, the 3rd mode was also mentioned ...!

There are two main modes:

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.

And the second one is rocket kung fu:

For product 305 - the mode of firing at an unobserved target is technically possible, but practically very difficult to implement, so the requirements for the operator will be VERY high due to certain limitations of the seeker and the rather high average speed of the rocket.
I do not know whether this regime was reliably worked out in the troops (including in Syria), but this regime was not tested in interdepartmental tests. In most cases, if the operator on the helicopter does not observe the target, then there will be no launch.
In the original version of product 305 (formally product 79), there was no radio line at all, it was then added, for the purpose of unification.
Real work at the training ground showed that it is practically impossible to detect targets in flight, a lot depends on the operator and the interaction interface.
There were real cases of switching targets in flight, which actually confirms the fundamental possibility of additional reconnaissance in flight and hitting an unobserved target.
But this is with an experienced crew. Those who watched this process did not call it anything other than "rocket kung fu".

Analogy - imagine that you have great myopia (optics is the bottleneck of the GOS) and you have to drive a Formula 1 car. Certain skills are required.

[George Sviridov]

Hmmm, but they said it seemed to have a longer range, up to 20 km for her.

[Observer2014]

In general, there is a rocket. Which from its predecessors has no analogues in the world with its cheapness and the need to shoot one at a time. By illuminating the target with a laser until the target is hit. It has a more advanced guidance system. Well, if everything worked out so well. What prevents it from being integrated into systems other than the helicopter. The same "Orion" ground-based anti-tank systems. Yes, anything can and should be invented. For carriers of this rocket. The main heresy is not to listen to any more about the fact that the second-generation ATGM is cool and we don’t need anything else. A modern ATGM simply has to be with a smart missile. So a new life will open up for ground-based anti-tank systems. We found a target from a quadrocopter raised even from the ATGM itself. Shot over the horizon. There is a defeat of the target .....

[alexoff]

The rocket weighs a hundred kilos, the orion will only drag one, the ATGM is too heavy. And from its height, it’s better for Orion to work with vortices, they are twice as light, at such a distance the target will be visible anyway

[wladimirjankov]

while one trumpet with a cornet was attached to the orion. And the operator will have to guide his missile along the sight until the target is hit. This poses a great risk for the carrier to come under enemy air defense fire. Orion and our other attack UAVs need small-sized missiles with a “fire and forget” function, as well as 25 kg bombs with UMPC.

[certero]

Quote: chingachguc

lmur has not been used since October last year. Too expensive

The high cost of war is relative.
Most likely they cannot produce in the required quantities

[quaric]

Many did not understand or did not want to understand that LMUR is not a fire-and-forget missile. The flight of the missile is controlled by radio until the target is hit by the operator. That is, the helicopter hung over the battlefield until the end of the rocket's flight and will hang. It's sad, but there is no homing module in the rocket (there is no elementary base). The principle of operation of the rocket camera / thermal imager and transceiver. Radio flight correction.

If we compare this rocket with a similar Spike-NLOS (installed on Apache since 2020), then in its pure form we get:
LMUR: weight 105 kg, range - 14,5 km,
Spike-NLOS: weight 71 kg, range - 32 km.

[shikin]

"Hanging" over the battlefield is not necessary at all. If communication allows, then there is no need for direct visibility and motionless "hovering" (the same Lancet as an example). In addition, TV-guided missiles are insensitive to various interferences and are more accurate than fire-and-forget missiles.
What kind of warhead does the Spike-NLOS rocket (similar to as you write) have? I found information about 3 kg.

[alexoff]

Is this some kind of social competition, does the extra 25% of the mass make the rocket non-shield? And she has homing, but of course you better know

[Alexey RA]

Quote: quaric

Many did not understand or did not want to understand that LMUR is not a fire-and-forget missile. The flight of the missile is controlled by radio until the target is hit by the operator.

Only in the second mode - search and capture of the target through the seeker.
In the first mode, the GOS captures the target before launch and follows it, the operator can only cancel the capture and redirect the SD.

The operator does not "guide the rocket". The missile will always reach the target area, even if the helicopter that launched has already been shot down. The operator introduces a correction if necessary. In the event of an erroneous identification at launch (they thought it was a gazelle with terrorists, when approaching they recognized an ambulance), they can make a re-capture to a vacant lot.

In the original army "product 79" there was no operator control at all - it was introduced by "faces" to be able to divert the missile from the target if these are not the droids you are looking for.

[quaric]

Homing is launching a rocket, turning around and leaving for the base, or looking for another target. In the case of LMUR, launching a rocket from 14 km obliges the helicopter to hang over the battlefield for 60 seconds (a whole minute), maintaining contact with the flying rocket ... (speed 230 m / s.) So the chances of survival for the helicopter, oh, what, not bright . YES!!! For UAVs like "Orion" or "Hunter" this weapon is just right, BUT !!! helicopter pilots are horrified at the prospect of such a long hover. Hence the dislike for the possibility of equipping helicopters with these missiles, as well as the impossibility of equipping attack aircraft with them. Here is such a "hedgehog" with these LMUR.

[Vitaly161]

you write some kind of bre, LMUR works in 2 modes, capturing a target before leaving and then it works on the principle of fire and forget, and the 2nd launch in a given area and the search for targets by the operator, why does the helicopter hang at this moment? There is no laser target designation, it calmly goes where you want

[Vlodek]

The brow has an "elementary base" instead of an elemental one. What do you want from him?

[R100]

It is necessary to adapt this missile for use from the ground according to drone reconnaissance. Like the Lancet.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: R100

It is necessary to adapt this missile for use from the ground according to drone reconnaissance. Like the Lancet.

Then you need to improve the optics on the seeker. Because even if there is a control center from a reconnaissance UAV, the operator of the ground-based 305th complex will still have to search for and capture a target through the GOS (just in a narrower area). And this can be problematic.

Analogy - imagine that you have great myopia (optics is the bottleneck of the GOS) and you have to drive a Formula 1 car. Certain skills are required.

And we will get the Russian "Spike-NLOS" as a result.