Domestic BECs: progress and results
Mine countermeasure boat "Scanda". Photo Telegram / BMPD
One of the promising and promising areas in the field of military technology is unmanned boats. Light and medium surface platforms with remote or autonomous control are capable of solving a variety of tasks in the interests of fleet. Russian industry became interested in this topic several years ago, and has developed a number of similar projects to date. Some of the new models have reached serial production and entered service.
Promising direction
The first domestic concepts of unmanned boats (UBC) for one purpose or another appeared quite a long time ago. However, only in recent years has this direction been developed. Real projects have appeared that have led, at a minimum, to the construction and testing of experimental equipment.
At the end of the 12700s, the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau developed the Skanda BEK. It was built on the basis of a serial motor boat and equipped with equipment for searching for sea mines. Serial boats of this type are used to equip mine defense ships of Project XNUMX Alexandrite.
At the military-technical forum "Army-2022" another domestic unmanned aerial vehicle called "Vizir-700" was shown for the first time. It was developed by the holding company "Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant" (KMZ) and the St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University taking into account the new requirements of the army and other customers.
Early version of the BEK "Vizir". Photo "KMZ"
The experimental boat presented at the exhibition had a remote and autonomous control system. Hydrographic equipment was installed on it, and it was also reported that it could use other loads, including military ones.
Later, KMZ and its subcontractors carried out several upgrades of the existing boat. Now we are talking about a whole series of BEKs with the general name "Vizir". Since 2023, these products have been manufactured in small series. It was reported that the equipment would be delivered to the Ministry of Defense for testing and subsequent operation.
Last year, at the Fleet-2024 exhibition, another new domestic development was shown for the first time. The Orkan/Zephyr BEC from the Si Project company is similar in size and main characteristics to the Vizir, but differs in a number of features and capabilities.
According to known data, "Orkan" has gone into production and is being supplied to the armed forces. In addition, the possibility of using such equipment by units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations was demonstrated.
Multipurpose boat "Katran". Photo by CBST
Several versions of modern UAVs have been proposed in recent years by the Design Bureau "Center for Unmanned Systems". Boats under the general name "Murena" are similar to other domestic developments and are also intended to solve a wide range of tasks by installing one or another equipment.
By now, several domestic organizations have joined the process of developing military-purpose BECs. Both large enterprises and small groups of enthusiasts offer their projects of this kind. They implement similar concepts, but use different solutions that yield certain results.
It is obvious that the development of the BEK theme will continue. In the near future, new boats with different features and capabilities should appear. New organizations with their original ideas will be able to join these processes.
Technical solutions
Most of the domestic BECs presented in recent years belong to the same class. In terms of technical appearance or characteristics, they are similar to each other, but there are also significant differences. All this shows the current capabilities of the industry and the needs of potential customers.
"Skanda", "Vizir", "Orkan", etc. are boats several meters long with a displacement of no more than 1,5-2 tons. To speed up development and simplify production, they were created on the basis of serial models with the preservation of key units. Thus, hulls, propulsion systems, some common systems, etc. were borrowed.
Testing one of the domestic BEKs in the Special Operations area, May 2024. The boat is moving towards a coastal target. Photo Telegram / "Tam za tomamy"
The boats are equipped with outboard motors of available models. With their help, the speed of up to 40-45 knots is achieved. The cruising range can exceed 100-120 nautical miles. Seaworthiness is normal for equipment of such size and design.
The BECs receive a set of electronics necessary for driving and performing assigned tasks. First of all, they are equipped with a remote control system, optical-electronic means, radio stations and navigation devices. Full-fledged information and control systems are offered, such as the Murena product for the Vizir boats.
All BECs have the ability to be remotely controlled from the operator station. The boat transmits a video signal and telemetry to the station in real time and receives commands from it. Automation algorithms for movement along a given route, reaction to external factors, etc. are also being developed and implemented. In the foreseeable future, the degree of automation will increase.
The boats can carry different payloads to perform certain tasks. Thus, the standard optics allow reconnaissance and search for surface or air objects. It is proposed to install compact radars with the same function. Some of the demonstrated BEKs received hydroacoustic equipment for searching for underwater targets, mapping the bottom, etc.
Given their size, modern domestic BEKs can carry full-fledged combat modules with a barrel or rocket weapons. It is also possible to use the boat as a disposable strike vehicle. Existing platforms can carry a 500-600 kg explosive charge and deliver it to the target with high accuracy.
Ukrainian reconnaissance ship in the lens of the Russian BEK. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
Practical experience
According to known data, some of the domestic BEKs entered the Special Operation zone no later than the first months of 2024. Single samples and pre-production lots of equipment were intended for military testing and design development in real-life conditions.
Various episodes of boat use in the Black Sea and on the Dnieper River were reported. They were used to conduct reconnaissance of enemy positions and solve other auxiliary tasks. In addition, several BEKs were used in a kamikaze configuration to destroy coastal targets.
The boats showed their best side and received good reviews. In this regard, the Ministry of Defense decided to purchase some of the available models. However, it is still unknown which BEKs were adopted for service, in what quantities they are being purchased and to which units they are being delivered.
On August 28, the Ministry of Defense reported the largest success of domestic BEKs to date. A high-speed boat of an unnamed type entered the mouth of the Danube River and hit the medium-sized reconnaissance ship Simferopol from the Ukrainian Navy. After the only kamikaze boat was blown up, the ship sank and blocked an important fairway.
The moment of the Simferopol's defeat. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
It is obvious that the use of the available BEKs continues. With their help, they can monitor the situation and conduct reconnaissance in the necessary waters. New strikes on the remaining ships or vessels of the enemy, as well as on its coastal infrastructure, should also be expected.
Useful experience
The last few years have shown the high potential of unmanned and crewless systems of various classes. In this regard, the Russian industry, represented by various organizations, began developing such equipment and has now presented a number of different UAVs.
Some of the new developments were tested at sea ranges, and then took part in the Special Operation and confirmed the calculated characteristics. These boats perform real tasks and help to gain experience. It will be useful in creating the next generation of UAVs, which may appear in the very near future.
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