Uncrewed boats "Vizir-700" will enter experimental military operation
Boat "Vizir-700" in hydrographic version with weapons
The Russian defense industry is developing various unmanned systems, incl. unmanned boats. Not so long ago, a project of this kind was presented under the name “Vizir-700”. The armed forces were interested in it, and a pilot batch of such boats in the attack version is expected to be delivered in the near future. This equipment will be sent to the Special Operations area for testing in real conditions.
From project to order
The project of the unmanned platform boat Vizir-700, capable of solving various tasks, was developed by the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant (KMZ) holding company and the St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University. The design work was completed in the recent past and has now entered the stage of construction and testing of prototype equipment. In addition, the new development has already been shown to the public.
The first public display of the Vizir in a hydrographic configuration took place last year at the Army-2022 military-technical forum. This sample received a set of research equipment for various purposes to study the state of the bottom and coastal zone. In addition, the possibility of installing weapons for self-defense was demonstrated.
This year the boat was brought to the Army again, and new information about it was also revealed. It was reported that the new development could carry other sets of equipment to solve different problems. It is possible to create a kamikaze attack boat or a “fighter” to combat enemy equipment of this class. Also, Vizir-700 can be a transport for landing troops or various cargoes.
Following the first show, in September the KMZ holding announced the presence of interest from the Ministry of Defense. At that time, various consultations and negotiations were ongoing. The Ministry of Defense and the developer company were finalizing the technical specifications, discussing the possibility of creating certain modifications of the boat, etc. Based on the results of these events, a contract for the supply of equipment was expected to be signed.
Military tests
New information about the progress of work on Vizir-700 was received on November 28. Several domestic media outlets immediately published new statements from KMZ Managing Director Mikhail Danilenko. According to him, the Ministry of Defense ordered an experimental batch of attack boats. So far we are talking about only 10 products with delivery before the end of the year.
Production of the ordered equipment has already begun. KMZ has manufactured water-jet propulsors for boats and is preparing other units. Over the next few weeks, it is planned to make all the necessary components and assemble the products.
Military tests of the Vizir boats will be carried out by our special operations forces. For obvious reasons, the exact plan of such tests, as well as the assigned tasks or intended goals for the boats, are not reported. The development organization assumes that the new boats will be able to strike a variety of targets on the shore and in the open sea.
The shock modification of Vizir-700 does not yet have its own official name. In the KMZ holding, such a product has the working designation “disposable boat”. It is assumed that the army, having completed the tests and adopted the complex for service, will independently come up with a name for it.
If the tests are successfully completed and a decision is made to put Vizir-700 into service, the KMZ holding is ready to launch mass production. It has two assembly sites with the necessary technologies and competencies. At the same time, the timing of the possible launch of production and the start of full-scale deliveries of equipment has not been specified.
Platform and loads
The crewless Vizir-700 complex is built on the basis of the existing boat RK-700M / 03080 / Sapphire, previously developed by the KMZ holding. The hull, power plant and some other elements were taken from the existing watercraft. At the same time, some of the standard units, such as the control station, were simply removed as unnecessary.
"Vizir" and "Sapphire" have a unified hull with a length of 7,5 m and a width of 2,4 m. Displacement - approx. 2 tons. The hull received traditional contours necessary to ensure stability and achieve high speeds. Such a housing is made in the form of a single part from a composite material based on plastic and metal fibers. The case is declared to be highly resistant to various impacts and other external influences.
The boat is equipped with a diesel engine connected to a stern water jet. Vizir-700 reaches speeds of up to 45 knots. Range of use – up to 120 nautical miles. In this case, a payload weighing 600 kg may be present on board.
Boats of the new family should receive a unified set of instruments, as well as several types of target equipment. In all cases, devices for remote control, navigation, etc. are installed. The equipment included a self-developed information and control system, a Murena technical vision system, navigation aids, an autopilot, etc. A certain new method of controlling a boat is mentioned, distinguishing it from foreign analogues, but its essence is not revealed. Some of the equipment is placed on a folding A-shaped mast.
The boat's automation has several operating modes. The platform is capable of executing a programmed program and moving along a pre-loaded route, as well as responding to various challenges and changes in the situation. In particular, there is a function of returning to base after solving a problem or in the event of active opposition from the enemy.
At Army 2022, a hydrographic version of the Vizir-700 boat was demonstrated. It is proposed to install a side-view hydroacoustic station and other instruments for studying the water column and bottom. In addition, on the boat’s tank there was a remote-controlled combat module with a normal-caliber machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
The development of a fighter boat designed to combat enemy surface weapons is reported. The details of this project remain unknown for now. It is unknown what and how such a boat is armed. Perhaps we are again talking about the use of DBM with weapons one type or another.
The shock disposable modification will soon reach the stage of experimental military operation. In this version, the boat can carry up to 500-600 kg of explosives with detonation controls. It is likely that a conventional high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a contact or remotely controlled fuse will be used. It is alleged that this version of the complex has a reduced cost.
Water jet KMZjet-295 developed by KMZ. Such propulsors help boats demonstrate high performance
A cargo-passenger boat is also offered. In this case we are talking about a simple boat with remote controls, having a deck to accommodate cargo or people. It is unknown whether the landing party will be able to independently control the boat.
A new direction
Unmanned boats and vessels with certain characteristics have long attracted the attention of military personnel in different countries. In the recent past, the Russian army became fully interested in such equipment. At least one project, developed by the KMZ holding and St. Petersburg Polytechnic, will soon reach military testing and show its capabilities in the special operation zone.
We can expect that the first version of the Vizir-700 boat will pass the tests and receive a recommendation for adoption, after which full-scale serial production will begin. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that in the future other models of equipment on a common platform will go into production.
The Vizir boat became one of the first domestic modern developments of its kind that became widely known. Obviously he won't be the last. In the near future, other projects from the field of unmanned boats may be presented both at major domestic exhibitions and at other events. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that such developments are already undergoing military tests in an atmosphere of secrecy.
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