Russian UAVs. Part 1

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Unmanned aircrafts - is one of the most promising branches of the modern warfare. Traditionally it's used to think that Russia - is in backward position in this domain. But is it true? First of all, it's partially true, that Russian army is a very conservative body regarding any new revolutionary implementations, and till now has shown low interest to UAV\UCAVs. A number of UAV\UCAV programs were financed by Russian DM since soviet time, but with except of 1-2 systems ('Pchela', 'Tipchak') no UAV system was accepted on the service. This paradigm was suddenly changed after August 2008 Caucasian war, where the need for unmanned aircrafts was awaken, and the number of Israeli UAVs were bought 'for study'. In May, 9 the UAV systems were first time shown during the Victory parade on Red Square .

However, other security forces - FSB, Internal Ministry, border guard - were more innovative, having started to use UAVs early. There is too an intensive use of UAVs for purely civilian purpose like pipelines technical support, forest fire recognition etc. It's a bulk and profitable market, which allowed for Russian UAV manufacturers to develop the models that can be further be used for different military purposes too.

There are more than couple of tens firms in Russia which manufacture tens of UAV models, more than hundred models are in different stage of development. This is a list of the most prominent Russian UAV makers. Between them there are the world known aircraft design houses and practically unknown abroad firms.

A new video with PAK FA was published in Internet

How to win in the missiles race. Part 2

 This is the second part of the interview with KTRV chief, taken by 'Expert' journal.

Q - Besides the missiles and the aircraft bombs your corporation develops   the sufficiently wide spectrum of sea weapons    . How is developed the cooperation of [KTRV] with our Navies?

A - We have proposed to the Navy commander Vladimir Vysotskiy to develop the whole     program of sea weapons creation. In it the phase of     new ships production and weapons for them must be clearly connected. There before was frequently that there are new torpedoes, but the submarine still stands in the dock. We presented our operating times, I think, this question will succeed in solving in the working order soon.

Q - What new armaments for the Navies does now develop [KTRV]?

A - First of all, this are the torpedoes, including of the large diameter (more than 500 millimeters). They are made by Moscow enterprise “Region”, which forms a part of our corporation. This is chief implementing agency on the sea underwater weapon. It's part is approximately 60 percent of all experimental design works, carried out on this thematic along with Navy, and about 48 percent of the series production. We now complete the tests of the system of antisubmarine complex “Packet- E/NK', which includes new torpedoes and anti-torpedoes for the protection of ship from the submarines. This system allows to counter the attack of enemy and to secure ship, and other hand - to deliver effective retaliatory attack. Furthermore, we continue works on the torpedoes “Squall”, which are capable of under water move at a rate of 100 meters per second. This is the most terrible naval weapons, which was created in the USSR. And I am glad, that it was possible to follow this thematics.

How to win in the missiles race. Part 1.

This is an interview with the chief of Russian 'Tactical Missiles Weapon Corporation' Boris Obnosov about the latest development. Initially it was published in 'Expert' journal.

The tendency toward the total liquidation of strategic carriers and warheads, fixed in the new Russian- American agreement  , unavoidably will lead to the fact that the role and the significance of conventional weapons    will sharply grow   in the very near future. But if with our arsenal of strategic weapon we actually can on the equal talk with the Americans,   in the sphere of conventional armaments there is no basis for parity. For example, the number of our contemporary combat aircraft   is approximately 15 times less than in the USA, the disparity in the number of 'blue water' combat ships between USA and Russia is as 20 times. This means that in   “global nuclear zero” situation Russia has no enough against its potential enemies.

The problem here is not in the quality of our tactical armaments, but in their quantity. While the Americans during the last ten years stocked up more than hundred thousands   aircraft bombs alone,   our army within the same period purchased the air based weapons for only   one day of war. This is so despite the fact that the new Russian missiles,   are not worse than American, but even they are better in a number of characteristics. The main developer of them is "Tactical missile weapon corporation' (KTRV in Russian abbreviation). This is one of most secret corporation in whole Russian  military-industrial complex [VPK in Russian abbreviation]. It was created about eight years ago during the consolidation process of Russian MIC, now it includes almost two ten different enterprises, plants and design houses, dealing in the sphere of air, ground-based and naval weapons. The general director of KTRV Boris Obnosov said us  about the development of new missiles and torpedoes and how they differ from the American analogs, why we should fear China and in what direction   it is necessary Russia to develop its air-based weapon .

New Indian T-90S cammo

- Taken from the Internet, via a Russian forum. To those who know the original source, please answer!

Jai hind!

Before I finish the long promissed translation of an article about new Russian AAMs development, some important news: the new issue 2, 2010 of new 'AirIndustry' journal  is mainly dedicated to Russo-Indian ties in this sphere. Most important facts from the issue:

1) An-148 - the negotiations with 2 Indian companies for 8 (+ optionally 11) for passenger and 10 - for cargo version. THe suppositional start of the supply is expected in the first 2011 quarter . The   partner of UAC in India in this program promotion is HindAvia Aeronautical Services Pvt Ltd.

2) India has a half of whole current Russian military export contracts ($16 bil from $32 bil).

3) Till 2007 India preferred the light PAK FA variant of RAC MiG, but then changed its position.

4)  IAF has already contracted 45 MTA with option for 45 more.

5) Il-38SD contract is fully realized. There is information about negotiation for 5-8 more planes, independently of P-8I purchasing progress.

6) They are sure that after 16 + 29 MiG-29K\KUB India will buy more 20 planes. Together with RuAF contract (24-26 units) it will be  as 90 MiG-29K\KUBs, so this plane becomes the world second after F\A-18 SH carrier based fighter.

7) RD-33MK on MiG-29K\KUB and F414 on SH have just the  same specific characteristics
RD-33MK:         980 kg,      5500\9000 kgf dry\wet thrust, 0.11 kg\kgf.
F414-GE-400:    1107 kg,    6690\9990 kgf dry\ wet thrust, 0.11 kg\kgf
but MiG-35 (Mig-29K too) is as 30% lighter, so its thrust\weight characteristics are much better, than on SH : 1.03 vs 0.92
By its weight and range the characteristics of MiG-35 and MiG-29K are most close to EF.

8) Zhuk-AE  with 680 MMICs, its TWS\attack number is 30\6.
however, the 688 mm 1064 MMICs variant is ALREADY INSTALLED on MiG-35 and went to Indian tender tests!

The interview with S-400's chief designer.

“The thought of Russian engineer works more rapidly than the thought of Russian bureaucrat”

The Director-General of GSKB “Almaz- Antey” Igor Ashurbeyli about the rocket business

           

The newspaper “Kommersant”   № 77 (4377) from 30.04.2010

Recently the views of the officials, servicemen and economists on Russian military-industrial complex were split. Sometimes they call it 'the main locomotive' of the development of advanced technologies, sometimes – 'the main brake' of this development. How locomotive and brake go together in its most highly technological branches - creation of air defense systems? Also,   who is behind whom   in reality and how all this is going at the end? About all this the general director of joint stock company “main system design bureau “Almaz- Antey” Igor Ashurbeli spoke to 'Kommersant'.

- What is the primary task and the basic ideology of the concern “Almaz- Antaey” now?

- Well, I can say only about the design branch – GSKB “Almaz- Antaey”. We already grew from the pure air defense, and our future is with the aerospace defense. We overgrew the height of 30 km, which was our upper threshold (ceiling of   the existing anti-aircraft missiles lethal area). Therefore our strategy is: to go from air defense through the antimissile defense to the defense of aerospace.

Funny advertizing of T-90S tank :)

"If you are crazy because the traffic jams, if you are infuriated by the road police, if you are annoyed by the foreign cars, if you are bothered by the tires, so especially for you: the powerful full-gear crossover T-90S! The enforced chassis, the invincible armor, the diesel engine and the individual anti-missile system: all in one! We already don’t need rearward mirrors, because we don’t care… Donate the security belts to the adversaries! The ultimate answer to any problem: T-90S! Let'em  laugh the last time! T-90S: quality, which terrified the whole world…"

MiG-35's new pics, interpretation

Since a number of new important articles were published in Russia at last I come back for posting  most interesting of them. The strange lack of information about MiG-35 participation in MMRCA competition was solved by the publication in 'Take-Off' journal. They informed that two new MiG-35 prototypes were built in 2009: №961 and №967. The last was built on the base of MiG-29KUB №947 . It's in addition to the first prototype (MiG-35 №154). It  confirmed too, that both new planes took participation in flying tests in India in October, 2009. Then, they turned to Russia where Zhuk-AE radar was installed on MiG-35D (№967). This spring both planes followed the testing in Zhukovsky. Different loads and flying systems were tested during these program.

Interestingly, both plane was made in Lukhovitsy, where MiG-29K\KUB program successefully started early. Other potential MiG-35 manufacturer - Sokol' plant - was not involved in the building. The pictures show regular nozzles without TVS. All these facts push to conclusion that MiG company stakes on maximal unification of the offered MiG-35 with the serial MiG-29K\KUB for Indian Navy. Probably it reflexes the wish of the Indian side too. If MiG-35 wins the tender, the total Indian fleet of last gen MiGs will reach 126+45=171 units. In such case the logistic burden would be significantly reduced, and the investment in RD-33 engine manufacturing in India would be justified. Also it allows to limit the manufacturing base to Lukhovitsy and not ti wait three years when 'Sokol' plant will be ready to MiG-35 production, if needed. Indeed the Indian tender conditions suppose production of only 18 planes abroad and the remained will be produced in India anyway.

Indian SSN plans and Nerpa leasing

''Nerpa will help India in its objective to have three SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines with long-range missiles) and six SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines) in the long-term" - wrights Rajat Pandit  in 'The Times of India'. His article was written in the wake of the news from Russia, confirming, that a group of Indian personal (50 crewmen with 8-10 officers between them) is coming to Russia for training on Akula-II class submarine.

Interestingly, I was right, when early have supposed the existence of Indian SSN ambitions and the link between them and the Nerpa leasing. It's despite only few information was about this in media. But sometimes it's easy to guess... I think, I will not be much wrong if say, that 1) the design works are already started and 2) the prospective Indian SSN will be based on Akula-II technologies and constructive solutions.

Putin's trip in India. Results

After many unofficial commentaries in press it's may be interesting to bring briefly the list of outcomes according to Russia's Government site:

Documents signed:

1) Intergovernmental agreement about cooperation in nuclear sphere.
2) The road map of peaceful nuclear cooperation for 2010.
3) Joint venture for GLONASS equipment - establishment document.
4) Inter-ministerial memorandum about bilateral trade of fertilizers .
5) Framework agreement on fertilizers trade.

Verbal agreements (as resulted from Putin's speech):

1) Two Indian astronauts in 2013.
2) Cooperation in space research and particularly - in Lunar program.
3) Follow cooperation in mil. sphere including 5th gen. fighter program.
4) Russia confirmed literally: 'to not cooperate with Pakistan, taking into consideration India's concerns'.
5) Joint fighting terrorism.
6) Students exchange activation.
7) Mutual recognition of university certificates.

Early signed:
1) + 29 MiG-29K/KUB's for Vikramaditya carrier.
2) Additional agreement on Vikramaditya price.

Early declared:
1) + 42 Su-30MKI agreement in negotiation, will be signed till 2010 end.

Don't I miss something?

Topol-M and other stuff video

The May 9 Victory Day rehearsal in Russia. First time Topol-M missiles on an 8-axle chassis are demonstrated in number.

PAK FA with 'Brahmos'

The PAK FA chief designer Alexander Davydenko said, that during development work, the fight between T-50 and F-22 was modeled with good outcome for T-50. He also informed that the new avionics, weapon systems are already exist but will appeared latter since the 1st prototype is not ready for actually weapon carrying. The 2015 as the end term for starting serial supply was confirmed too. 

Most inportant he said, T-50 will be built together with India 'in parity principle 50 and 50%', and can be equipped with 'Brahmos' missiles. It's first official confirmation about possibility of 'Brahmos' installation on PAK FA/FGFA fighter. However, it's not clear whether these missiles would be installed internally or externally. Anyway, it can be 1-2 missiles only due to heavy weight of 'Brahmos' supersonic missile. 

PAK FA and PAK DA plans

More 3 prototypes of PAK FA will be built in 2010 end - 2011 years for tests intensifying, - said Sukhoi chief Pogosyan after the big meeting with Putin, where all aircraft and engine design bureaus chiefs have speeched. Details - latter, follow updates of the blog!

Pogosyan: The 2nd stage engine for PK FA will be ready after 2015

Russian 'United Airbuilding Corporation' (UAC) will be the system integrator of 2nd stage engine for 5th gen fighter,- said today Mikhail Pogosyan, the Sukhoi corp chief.

According to ARMS-TASS, he also have said, that the 'United Engine-building Corporation' will merge 'Salut' corp - second prominent center of gas-turbine manufacturing and design in Russia. 'The specification of the prospective engine is decided, but the whole time of development will take 10-12 years, so this engine will not be ready in 2015 for sure'? - he said.

He also marked that there is nothing critical with the fact that the tests of PAK FA have started with 1st stage engine. 'THe plane took-off with the engine, which was projected for this fighter, 'it's very modern device, allowing long term exploitation of the plane'. The plane will start its service in RuAF with the 1st phase engine.

As regards 2nd phase engine, the terms of the program need elaboration, it will be decided during 2010 - 2011 maximum , he added. During Putin visit to 'Sukhoi' facility in Moscow Pogosyan also declared that 27 degree AoA was achieved throughout last PAK FA testing. 'When Su-27 was tested, such AoA was achieved only after some months of active testing' he added.

PAK FA from technological POV

An interesting video about T-50 program was published by Russian 'Roscosmos TV'. The follow text is my translation to English:

Short acceleration – 200 m only – and the take-off is done! Other aircrafts can do this only from carriers. However, the Russian 5^th gen fighter has a number of features allow it to take-off from a short horizontal airstrip. The 5^th gen engine effectively provides it.

Ilia Fedorov, the Supervising Director of NPO 'Saturn', deputy general director of the Russian 'United Engine-building Corporation' (UEBC) tells about the difference of  t-50's engine: 

-         "It has different thrust, naturally different tuning control. The number of constructive differences allow better thrust with lower fuel consumption. And the most important – it has totally different system of control".

The Russian 5th generation

An interesting article of Peter Butowsky appeared in the French Air&Cosmos Magazine. I put here the original text and the translation in Russian. From interesting moments could be noted a sentence that the light 5th gen tactical aircraft variant will be developed starting from 2012.

PAK-FA: the first flight

The new 5^th  generation fighter prototype T-50-1 ('izdelie 701'), developed within the framework of the Indo-Russian PAKFA/FGFA program, has made its first flight at Jan. 29 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. It was 47 min on the air. Despite the wrap of secrecy, the look of the fighter appeared very close to that, previously described in the most reliable Russian publications. So, everybody can now compare what was said about the PAK FA specs before, and what exists actually. 

Unofficial specs:

- wings 14.2 m
- square 78.8 m2
- length 22 m
- height 6.05 m
Weight:
- max 37000 kg
- normal 26000
 - void 18500

 Now it is clear, that in its airframe design the fighter is closer related to American F-23 prototype, than F-22 or JSF, but with bigger internal payload bay. However, it has unrepeatable impress of Sukhoi design house, clearly looking as a thoroughbred Su-linage. According to the most reliable estimations, T-50 has 10 internal and 2 additional external hardpoints on the wings (the 'mystery' triangle thickening under the wings). With this great payload capability and much space for the fuel T-50 can became a true military 'workhorse' of the future battlefield! 

New tank conditioner

The new compact conditioner for tanks, armored and civilian vehicles was developed in Russia. It used Peltier effect: thermoelectric cooling, based on creating a heat flux between the junction of two different types of materials. The most problem successfully solved was effectiveness of the Peltier modules. It's all solid state freon-free device, without any negative effect on ozone layer and global warming. Also it's very compact and stress-withstanding. Unlike current models it can be installed inside the Russian MBT tank T-90A. However, the more probable target for the new conditioner installation is 'Burlak' - the modernized version of T-90 tank currently over the tests. It could be installed on the export version T-90S or T-90M instead of the external conditioner, which can be seen on the Algerian and Libian T-90s. Naturally the Russian Future MBT, which published name is T-95, would be equipped with a conditioner based on the same principles, if the program succeeds.

Т-90М. New Specs.

The new pictures and main specs of T-90M (ob.188M) were appeared on a Russian site. This tank was first time demonstrated for Putin in Dec.10 at N-Tagil. It has got:

- New bigger turret without weakened frontal areas and with the all-aspect ERA covering.
- ERA 'Relict'
- Additional roof protection against atop attacking munition.
- New additional autoloader, placed on the aft part of the turret and able using the new longer sub-caliber rods.
- Aft ammo storage.
- Panoramic 3-channel IR commander site with improved anti-split/rounds protection.
- 7.62 mm automatic turret instead of 12.7mm.
-  Totally new 2A82 125 mm MG (2A46M5 - optional).
- FCS with the net-centric module.
- New radio.
- New navigation system.
- New anti-split kevlar layer instead of the standard Russian anti-neutron layer.
- new anti-fire system.