High precision robots
At the exhibition of weapons and military equipment in Nizhny Tagil, the High-Precision Systems holding company will show not only the latest anti-tank missile systems, but also combat robots.
The exhibition of armament and military equipment RAE (Russian Arms Exhibition), which takes place every two years at the Nizhny Tagil proving ground, has traditionally attracted not only various companies engaged in the development and production of weapons, but also experts, specialists, representatives of military departments from many countries.
"Shell", "Cornet", "Iskander", but not only
The intrigue of the current exhibition is given by the fact that judging by the statements of Russian officials, for the first time, advanced Russian developments will openly be presented to specialists: the Armata T-14 tank, a heavy infantry fighting vehicle based on it, infantry fighting vehicles and tracked armored personnel carriers of the Kurganets family, wheeled armored personnel carrier "Boomerang".
These promising models of weapons and military equipment, in addition to the anniversary Victory Parade, held on 9 in May this year in Red Square, were already shown at the Army-2015 exhibition forum held in June in Kubinka near Moscow, but in a closed exposition intended only for the leadership of the country and Ministry of Defense.
At the exhibition in Nizhny Tagil promised an open show "Almaty", "Kurgants" and "Boomeranga." True, the question remains, will the newest models of weapons and military equipment be available only at a static exposition or will take part in the demonstration of driving capabilities, firing from standard weapons, etc.
But even despite the presence of such intriguing samples, undoubtedly, the attention of specialists will be attracted by the exposition of the High-Precision Complexes holding, which is part of the Rostec state corporation, presenting a wide range of its products from anti-tank missiles to combat robots.
Over the past few years, the ZRPK Pantsir-S1, as well as the Kornet-E / EM ATGM, have become the hallmark of this Russian weapons-industrial association. It should be noted that these products not only arouse the interest of visitors to international exhibitions, but also are in great demand in many countries. No wonder knowledgeable people call "Cornet" and "Pantsir" best-sellers of the world arms market.
The close attention of foreign specialists and military representatives is constantly attracted by another product developed by Kolomna Engineering Design Bureau, which is part of the High-Precision Complexes holding company. This is the operational-tactical missile system Iskander, which is in service with the Russian army. So far, this unique OTRK is not exported, although there are already enough buyers abroad who are ready to stand in line for the ultra-precise novelty.
But at the exhibition in Nizhny Tagil, the Russian holding decided to bet not on well-known and procured products in many countries, but on promising models of weapons and military equipment, which also undoubtedly attract close attention not only from domestic but also from foreign specialists, international experts, and military delegations.
The mighty "Bakhcha" and "Crossbow" for the "Tiger"
Recently, the Russian Airborne troops began to actively purchase the latest BMD-4M. This lightweight combat vehicle, weighing about 14 tons, is not only landing using special multi-dome systems, but also able to overcome water obstacles and destroy any targets on the battlefield. This and the sheltered tank dangerous manpower and armored vehicles of the enemy, including such complex targets as the main combat Tanks (MBT).
The main secret of the newest BMD is hidden in its combat module - “Bakhcha-U”, produced by the Tula Instrument Engineering Bureau. Work on the "Bakhche" in KBP began in the late 90-x, and completed in the 2004 year with the adoption of the BMD-4.
The main caliber of the Tula combat module is the 100-mm gun-launcher 2А70, capable of striking the enemy not only with high-explosive fragmentation projectiles, but also guided missiles. The Bakhchi armament also includes an 30-mm automatic gun (AP) 2A72, coupled with the 2A70 (PCT).
If guided anti-tank missiles launched from an 100-mm cannon-launcher, can destroy an enemy tank, then armor-piercing tracer and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles 30-mm AP are deadly dangerous for cars, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, helicopters.
The armor penetration capability of anti-tank guided missiles, which the Bakhcha is equipped with, reaches 750 millimeters and, at the same time, the missile has high noise immunity from the means of protection offered by tanks. Guided missiles are used to combat armored objects, and with well-protected fortifications, infantry in buildings, as well as aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles.
An important feature of “Bakhchi-U” is the possibility of using 100-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells “Cherry” with contact and non-contact undermining, capable of striking not only the enemy's living strength, but also light armored vehicles. Until recently, the range of damage by regular ammunition was slightly more than 150 square meters. But modernized "Cherries" have already entered service, with which this indicator has increased five to six times. In fact, airborne units equipped with BMD-4M can operate successfully without the support of artillery.
All the firepower of the combat module is controlled by a modern automatic fire control system (SLA), which includes a gunner's sight with optical, thermal imaging, laser-ranging distance channels and an anti-tank guided channel, as well as a commanding panoramic sight with a laser range finder and thermal imaging channels. Meteorological sensors are also installed on the “Bakhche”, the readings of which are introduced as amendments in the course of firing.
The LMS includes a laser rangefinder and such an important element as a target tracking machine. The principle of its operation is very simple: the gunner-operator detects the target and leads to the frame of the machine gun, then presses the “START” button, depending on the selected weapon, then the MSA does the work itself.
Under the conditions of modern combat, the automatic accompaniment not only facilitates the work of the gunner-operator several times, but even if he is tired, injured or for some other psycho-physiological reasons his condition has deteriorated significantly, he will still be able to continue fighting and guaranteed to hit targets on the field fight
It is noteworthy that if we compare the Bakhchi OMS and the upgraded main battle tanks T-72B3, then by some indicators the Tula module has an obvious superiority.
At present, the combat module developed by the Instrument Engineering Design Bureau is supplied for the Armed Forces of Russia only at BMD-4M, but the holding of High-Precision Systems and KBP has already made it possible to install Bakhchu on BMP-1, 2, and even on combat boats. All that is required is to bring the 3-volt power supply to the module, as well as the signal from the speed sensor.
It should be recognized that the Tula combat module allows the customer to receive for a relatively moderate payment seriously upgraded combat vehicles with multiply increased firepower, capable of solving various tasks both in conditions of general combat and in conducting counterguerrilla operations.
On RAE 2015, “High-precision complexes” will present “Bakhchu”, adapted for installation on combat vehicles of infantry fighting infantry vehicles BMP-3 that are in service with not only the Ministry of Defense of Russia, but also several other armies.
The exposition in Nizhny Tagil is especially interesting because experts and experts will also be able to familiarize themselves with the Arbalet-DM remote module, produced by the Kovrov Electromechanical Plant together with the Armory Workshops company. This domestic development is intended for installation on armored cars, in particular on the Russian "Tigers".
Unlike Bakhchi, the Crossbow is much more modest, there is neither 100-mm cannon launcher, nor 30-mm MAP - at the request of the customer, the Kovrov module can be armed with either 7,62-mm or 12,7-mm machine guns, or 30- mm automatic grenade launcher.
But to detect the enemy, the Crossbow is equipped with both night and thermal imaging sights, as well as a rangefinder. Inside the car, there is a shock-resistant liquid crystal display, where information is output from surveillance devices, here, with something that resembles a game joystick, the weapon controls and the module itself.
In addition, the “Crossbow” installed standard launchers for smoke grenades, allowing, if necessary, to immediately cover the armored vehicle with a veil.
According to some reports, equipped with "Crossbows" "Tigers" are already received by the Russian law enforcement agencies.
Unkillable robots and super-artillery
In addition to the "Crossbow" Kovrov Electromechanical Plant will present at the Nizhny Tagil exhibition products, if I may say so, from the future. This is a whole family of various robotic systems.
Created to work in conditions associated with high risk, in particular in the elimination of man-made disasters, demining operations, some robots produced by KEMZ are already being procured by Russian law enforcement agencies. It is noteworthy that in the product line of the Kovrov plant there are both ultra-light, carried by one or two specialists of Rover-TM, and heavy, weighing several hundred kilograms ANT-1000.
What are the advantages of these products? First, in their unique maneuverability and cross-country ability, which is significantly better than that of many domestic and foreign analogues. Secondly, in the range of control, reaching several kilometers, whereby KEMZ robots can be manipulated either by special wires or using a radio channel. Depending on the task, the operator chooses a wired or radio command type of control that is more appropriate in a particular situation.
But the main advantage of Kovrov robots is in unique manipulators capable of performing the most complex movements that are so necessary when clearing various explosive devices, including self-made ones, as well as repairing damage, replacing components and assemblies in places of man-made disasters.
The most futuristic product of the Kovrov Electromechanical Plant, without a doubt, can be called a multifunctional mobile complex based on the ANT-1000Р loader, which looks like “killer robots” from the Hollywood Terminator franchise.
In this complex, primarily intended for clearing minefields, the operator’s place was replaced by a control unit, observation devices and communications, which allow controlling the robot day and night in adverse weather conditions. Important components and assemblies, including surveillance cameras, are covered with additional protection.
Special equipment makes it possible to neutralize both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, and the detonation of land mines filled with several kilograms of explosives does not cause ANT-1000 special damage.
Along with combat robots, quite peaceful vehicles will be on display, such as multi-purpose skid steer loaders of the ANT family (350, 1000 and 3000). These products, already being actively supplied to various companies, not only facilitate the work, but in their characteristics are in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts.
Another company located in Kovrov, the All-Russian Research Institute Signal, will present the so-called automated fire control devices, Kapustnik-B and Mashin-M, at RAE 2015.
The 1B12-3 complex, also known as Machine-M, is a deep modernization of the 1973В1 complex that was adopted in the distant 12 year. True, unlike its progenitor, the latest “Machine” has become digital, moreover, its equipment provides interfacing with modern ACS, including “Andromeda” and “Constellation”.
The 1В12-3 consists of two vehicles based on MTLBU tracked off-road conveyors: a command and observation post designed to act on the front lines, reconnaissance and issue targets for identified enemy targets, as well as a fire control station, which during combat work is located directly on fire battalion battery positions and provides artillery data for firing.
“Mashina-M” has become so universal that almost all actions can be performed automatically, and calculations only need to control the work of the ACS.
Another automated control complex 1В126 "Kapustnik-B", which will also be exhibited at RAE, is also capable of direct interaction with gun control systems for guidance and fire. One of the differences between the Kapustnik and the Mashina is that the base does not use the MTLBU chassis, but the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier.
VNII "Signal" for many experts is known primarily as a manufacturer of weapon stabilizers for modern armored vehicles. At the exhibition, which will be held in Nizhny Tagil, Kovrov developers will present a two-plane electromechanical stabilizer 2E58 based on valve actuators, designed to control the cannon and turret of modern tanks. It allows for re-assembling and significantly improving the effectiveness of firing by improving the basic technical characteristics.
Another new product that will be presented by the Signal Research Institute on RAE 2015 is the 1NA1-E navigation system, which, as indicated in the developer’s official documents, is intended for solving navigation problems of mobile ground objects. It is capable of providing not only an automatic determination of the directional angle of the object on which it is installed, but also the definition and indication of its lateral and longitudinal tilt angles during movement and parked, as well as provide the crew with current coordinates.
The Chelyabinsk Special Design Bureau Turbina, which is part of the High-Precision Complexes holding, will show at the Nizhny Tagil exhibition two gas turbine units GTA-178А and GTA-18М, currently installed on T-80 and T-72 family tanks (including the latest T-XNXX) and T-72B3, sometimes called biathlon because of their participation in popular army competitions).
GTA rotates a DC generator, which provides electricity on-board networks of tanks when the main engine is off. Being in ambush or in combat positions, the MBT not only does not unmask its location with the sound of a working diesel, but also due to the fact that its electronic systems are in working condition, the crew is always ready to destroy the enemy.
Designed and manufactured by Turbina, GTA operates in the temperature range from -50 to + 50 degrees, in difficult weather conditions up to 24 hours. At the same time as the main fuel is used conventional diesel, and if necessary it can be replaced with gasoline or kerosene.
The gas turbine unit not only charges the tank batteries, but also, if necessary, provides a quick start of the main engine.
Proof of potential
The current exhibition of weapons and military equipment in Nizhny Tagil will undoubtedly become a landmark event for both Russian defense industry enterprises and the entire world arms market. The point is not only that specialists and experts will see alive for the first time unique “Armata”, “Kurganets” and “Boomerang”. RAE 2015 will present all the latest products of the Russian defense industry, demonstrating its capabilities and prospects. The exposition of “High-precision complexes” is one of the most vivid evidence of the design and engineering potential of the domestic defense industry. The closest attention is provided to all products of the holding, not only such already known in the international market as Pantsir and Kornet. The interest of experts and specialists is guaranteed by the combat modules Bakhcha and Arbalet, not to mention the unique family of robots created in Kovrov.
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