Modern and promising anti-aircraft missile systems of air defense of Russia. The best air defense systems and pros The history of the emergence of air defense forces in Russia

Since the mid 50s. 20th century Until now, the basis of the air defense of our state is made up of anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) and complexes (SAM), created in domestic design organizations of OAO NPO Almaz named after. Academician A.A. Raspletin, OJSC NIEMI, OJSC MNIIRE Altair and OJSC NIIP im. Academician V.V. Tikhomirov. In 2002, all of them became part of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern. And in 2010, in order to combine the scientific and production potential of developing enterprises and reduce the cost of creating anti-aircraft missile systems through the use of unified design and technical solutions based on the Almaz, NIEMI, Altair, MNIIPA and " NIIRP" JSC "Head System Design Bureau of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern" was established. Academician A.A. Raspletin (JSC GSKB Almaz-Antey).

At present, the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern is one of the leading corporations in the world in the field of creating anti-aircraft missile systems for air defense and anti-missile defense.

The main task that the air defense forces and military air defense solve is the defense of administrative and political centers, national economic and military facilities, as well as troops in places of permanent deployment and on the march.

Air defense systems and air defense systems of the first and second generations could effectively combat aircraft and had limited combat capabilities to defeat high-speed and small-sized unmanned attack vehicles. The representative of the third generation air defense system is the family of mobile multi-channel air defense systems of the S-300 type.

For the Air Defense Forces of the country, a mobile, multi-channel medium-range anti-aircraft missile system S-300P was created, capable of hitting modern and advanced air attack weapons at all altitudes. The requirements for the implementation of long-term round-the-clock duty by combat crews at workplaces led to the creation of combat cabins with the necessary overall dimensions, placed on a wheeled chassis. The ground forces put forward as the main requirement to ensure high cross-country ability of the air defense system and to place the system on a tracked chassis for this purpose, which required the use of design solutions that provide a special layout of electronic equipment.

In the early 1990s the creation of a deeply modernized system of the S-300P type - S-300PMU1 air defense system was completed. It is capable of repelling massive strikes from both modern and advanced air attack weapons, including those manufactured using stealth technology, in the entire range of their combat use and in the presence of intense active and passive interference. The main means of this system are also used to build the air defense system of the ships of the Navy. The system was delivered to a number of foreign states.

In recent years, the most advanced modification of the air defense system of this series has been created and is being mass-produced - the air defense system "Favorite" as part of 83M6E2 controls and S-300PMU2 air defense systems. The air defense system S-300PMU2 ("Favorite") includes:

83M6E2 controls, consisting of: 54K6E2 unified command and control center, 64N6E2 detection radar, a set of single spare equipment (ZIP-1);

Up to 6 S-300PMU2 air defense systems, each as part of the 30N6E2 on-load tap-changer, up to 12 launchers (PU) 5P85SE2, 5P85TE2 with the ability to place four SAMs of the 48N6E2, 48N6E type on each;

Anti-aircraft guided missiles (hardware and software construction of the S-300PMU2 air defense system allows the use of missiles of the 48N6E2, 48N6E type);

Means of technical support of the system, means of technical operation and storage of missiles 82Ts6E2;

A set of group spare property (SPTA-2).

The Favorit system may include repeaters 15YA6ME for telecode and voice communications to ensure territorial separation (up to 90 km) of the command post of the system and anti-aircraft missile systems (up to two repeaters for each direction).

All combat assets of the system are placed on self-propelled off-road wheeled chassis, have built-in autonomous power supply, communications and life support systems. To ensure long-term continuous operation of the system means, the possibility of power supply from external power supply means is provided. It is planned to use the system facilities in special engineering shelters with the removal of the on-load tap-changer, PBU, SART from the self-propelled chassis. At the same time, it is possible to install an OLTC antenna post on a 40V6M type tower and install a SRS antenna post on a 8142KM type tower.

As a result of the modernization, the Favorit air defense system, in comparison with the S-300PMU1 and SU 83M6E air defense systems, has the following improved characteristics:

Increased far boundary of the limiting zone of destruction of aerodynamic targets on head-on and overtaking courses up to 200 km against 150 km;

The approximate near boundary of the zone of destruction of aerodynamic targets is up to 3 km versus 5 km;

Increased effectiveness of the destruction of ballistic missiles, including OTBR with a launch range of up to 1000 km, with the provision of undermining the combat charge of ballistic missiles on the flight path;

Increased probability of hitting aerodynamic targets;

Increased noise immunity from active cover noise interference;

Improved performance and ergonomics.

The implementation of new technical solutions is ensured by the following modifications of the S-300PMU1 system and 83M6E controls to the level of the characteristics of the Favorit air defense system:

Introduction of a new ZUR 48N6E2 with modified combat equipment;

Entering a new high-performance computing complex "Elbrus-90 micro" into the hardware container;

Introduction into the hardware container of new jobs for the commander and launch operator, made on a modern element base;

Modernization of the digital phase computer (DPC), which ensures the implementation of a new algorithm with independent control of the orientation of the beams of compensation antennas;

Use of a new input low-noise microwave amplifier in the on-load tap-changer;

Introduction into the on-load tap changer of new highly reliable communication equipment and the Orientir navigation complex, which uses satellite and odometer channels, as well as radio navigation information;

Refinement of the equipment of the antenna post and launchers, ensuring the implementation of the above measures and increasing the reliability of its operation.

Improvements to SU 83M6E:

Introduction to the control system of the newly developed unified combat control center (PBU) 54K6E2, unified in terms of equipment composition with the PBU 55K6E ZRS S-400 "Triumph" and made on the basis of the URAL-532361 chassis. PBU 54K6E2 was created by entering:

VK "Elbrus-90 micro" with software (SW), including software for control of SART 64N6E2;

Unified workplaces with the use of modern computers and liquid crystal matrices;

Upgraded telecode communication equipment with the ability to transmit voice information;

Radio relay station mm-range "Luch-M48" to provide radio communication between the PBU and SART;

Data transmission equipment 93Ya6-05 for communication with SRS, VKP and external sources of radar information.

The Favorit system is easily integrated into various air defense systems. The dimensions of the area of ​​defense of the Favorit air defense system from attacks by various air attack weapons are determined by the corresponding characteristics of the S-300PMU2 air defense systems, the number of air defense systems in the Favorit air defense system and their mutual location on the ground.

Introduced in the late 1980s new classes of aerospace attack weapons and the increase in the combat capabilities and quantitative composition of the SVNK, which are in service, has led to the need to develop a new generation (“4+”) of more advanced universal and unified anti-aircraft missile weapons - mobile long-range and medium-range air defense systems 40Р6Е "Triumph" for the effective solution of the tasks of the aerospace defense of our state at the beginning of the XXI century.

The new quality characteristics of the 40P6E "Triumph" air defense system are:

Solving the tasks of non-strategic missile defense, including the fight against medium-range ballistic missiles;

High security against all types of interference, recognition of false targets;

Using the basic-modular principle of construction;

Information interface with the main types of existing and developed sources of information;

Integration into existing and future control systems for air defense groupings of the Air Force, military air defense and anti-aircraft missile systems of the Navy.

By Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 28, 2007, the 40R6 Triumph system was adopted by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The first serial sample of the air defense system was put on combat duty on August 6, 2007. The air defense system 40R6 "Triumph" is being created in various versions (modifications).

The composition of the air defense system "Triumph" includes:

30K6E controls, consisting of: combat control center (PBU) 55K6E, radar complex (RLK) 91N6E;

Up to six anti-aircraft missile systems 98Zh6E, each consisting of: multifunctional radar (MRLS) 92N6E, up to 12 launchers of the 5P85SE2, 5P85TE2 types with the ability to place four SAMs of the 48N6EZ, 48N6E2 types on each;

Ammunition for anti-aircraft guided missiles (hardware and software construction of the 98Zh6E air defense system allows the use of missiles of the 48N6EZ, 48N6E2 type);

The complex of means of technical support of the 30Ts6E system, the means of technical operation and storage of missiles 82Ts6ME2.

All combat air defense systems are placed on self-propelled wheeled off-road chassis, have built-in autonomous power supply, orientation and geolocation, communications and life support systems. To ensure long-term continuous operation of the system means, the possibility of power supply from external power supply means is provided. The use of air defense systems in special engineering shelters is envisaged with the removal of hardware containers for MRLS, PBU, RLC from self-propelled chassis. The main type of communication between the means of the system is radio communication; communication is provided via wired and standard telephone communication channels.

The system may include repeaters of telecode and voice communication to ensure the territorial separation of PBU 55K6E and SAM 98ZH6E at distances up to 100 km, as well as portable towers of the 40V6M (MD) type for raising the antenna post of the MRLS 92N6E to a height of 25 (38) m when conducting combat operations in wooded and rough terrain.

The size of the defense area of ​​the S-400E "Triumph" air defense system from attacks by various air attack weapons is determined by the corresponding characteristics of the zones of destruction of the air defense system, the number of air defense systems in the composition of the air defense system and their mutual location on the ground.

The advantages of the export version of the S-400E "Triumph" air defense system in comparison with the S-300PMU1 / -2 air defense system are as follows:

The class of hit targets has been expanded to flight speeds of 4800 m/s (medium-range ballistic missiles with a flight range of up to 3000-3500 km);

Increased impact zones of small targets and targets such as "stealth", due to the increase in the energy potential of the RLC 91N6E and MRLS 92N6E;

The noise immunity of the system has been significantly increased through the introduction of new means of noise protection;

The reliability of the hardware and software complex has been significantly increased, the volume and power consumption of the system's resources have been reduced through the use of more advanced radio-electronic equipment and element base, new equipment for autonomous power supply, and new vehicles.

The main performance characteristics of the S-400 "Triumph" air defense system

At the end of XX - beginning of XXI centuries. new trends in the development of means of aerospace attack appeared:

The mastering by "third" countries of technologies for the creation of rocket weapons, ballistic missiles with a flight range of more than 2000 km have appeared in service with a number of countries;

Development of unmanned reconnaissance and weapon delivery vehicles with a wide range of flight times and ranges;

Creation of hypersonic aircraft and cruise missiles;

Increasing the combat capabilities of jamming equipment.

In addition, during this period, our state carried out the reform of the Armed Forces, one of the directions of which was the reduction in the number of personnel of the branches and branches of the armed forces.

Parrying the emerging threats required in the current political and economic conditions to solve the problems of reducing the costs of developing, manufacturing and operating weapons in the process of creating modern air defense systems, such as:

1. Reducing the type of air defense and anti-missile defense information and fire weapons, including interceptor missiles and launchers, while increasing their combat capabilities to detect and destroy new types and classes of air defense systems.

2. Increasing the potential of radar facilities while maintaining their mobility or redeployability.

3. Ensuring high throughput and noise immunity of communication and data transmission systems when implementing the principles of their network construction.

4. Increasing the technical resource and time between failures of air defense and missile defense systems in the absence of full-scale mass production of electrical and radio products (ERI).

5. Reducing the number of service personnel.

The analysis of scientific and technical groundwork has shown that the solution of the tasks of creating a new generation of air defense-missile defense anti-aircraft missiles, taking into account overcoming the above problems, should be based on the design of block-modular information and fire systems with an open architecture, using unified hardware components in their composition. (this approach is used by international cooperation of developers and manufacturers of weapons and military equipment). At the same time, the comprehensive unification of newly created weapons systems, as well as the use of unified hardware and software functionally complete devices for the modernization of weapons and military equipment operated by the troops, ensures a reduction in budget allocations and an increase in the competitiveness of promising air defense and missile defense systems in the foreign market.

In 2007, design work was launched a promising unified air defense missile defense system of the fifth generation (EU ZRO), the creation of which should ensure the effective defense of our state facilities from attacks by promising air defense systems while reducing the range of anti-aircraft missile weapons being developed, increasing the interspecific unification of combat weapons, reducing the cost of equipping troops and fleet forces with air defense systems and their maintenance, as well as reducing the required number of personnel.

The creation of a promising fifth-generation EU DRO is carried out on the basis of the following principles:

To reduce the cost of developing and equipping troops with advanced air defense systems, the concept of the basic-modular principle of constructing the EU air defense system is being implemented, which makes it possible, with a minimum type (basic set) of the means (modules) included in it, to equip air defense formations of various purposes and types;

High efficiency and combat stability of air defense systems in the conditions of predictable fire and electronic suppression due to the possibility of operational reconfiguration depending on the evolving operational-tactical situation, as well as providing maneuver with fire and information resources;

The multifunctionality of the EU ZRO, which consists in the ability to deal with various types of targets - aerodynamic (including those located behind the radio horizon line), aeroballistic, ballistic. At the same time, not only the defeat by fire weapons is ensured, but also a decrease in the effectiveness of their impact by the use of appropriate means from the unified defense system from the EU ZRO;

Interspecific and intrasystem unification, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the range of developed anti-aircraft missile weapons and consists in the use of the same means (modules) from the EU ADRO in the air defense systems of the Air Force, military air defense and the Navy. The required type of chassis for the means of the system is determined based on the physical and geographical features of the area of ​​​​possible use, the development of the road network and other factors;

implementation of the specifics of the use of anti-aircraft missiles on surface ships of the Navy (rolling, exposure to sea waves, increased requirements for explosion and fire safety, a complex system for storing and loading missiles, etc.), requiring the development of EU anti-aircraft defense systems for the Navy in a special design (at the same time, the level of unification means of air defense systems should be at least 80 - 90% and be provided through the use of unified standard elements and devices of hardware and software and air defense systems of the EU air defense system, complete unification of missiles, communications equipment and other elements);

Mobility, which makes it possible for units and subunits equipped with the means of the EU ZRO to conduct maneuverable combat operations without loss of communication and control, to deploy in battle formation from the march to unprepared positions and bring them to combat readiness without laying cable communication lines and power supply;

The network structure of the construction of the control system of the EU ZRO, which ensures the receipt of information from various sources and the exchange of data between the consumers of the system, as well as the timely issuance of target designations for the necessary means of destruction and countermeasures in real time; integration of the EU ZRO with electronic warfare systems, aviation air defense systems;

High operational reliability throughout the life of the system;

High competitiveness in the world market and high export potential.

In addition, when creating command and control means of the EU ADAM in the software and hardware systems of these tools, the possibility of controlling and information support of air defense systems and air defense systems of early developments is laid, which in the conditions of the phased re-equipment of air defense groups on air defense systems and air defense systems of the EU ADAM will ensure the preservation of the combat capabilities of such groups, as well as the adaptation of the means of the EU ZRO to the existing structure of any air defense zone (region) (VKO) without prior organizational and technical preparation.

The following new technical solutions and technologies are being implemented during the creation of the fifth-generation EU ZRO air defense-missile defense system:

The use of active phased arrays in air defense radars;

Unification of the components of the system (receiving and transmitting modules, signal processing devices, computers, workplaces, chassis);

Automation of the processes of combat work, functional control and troubleshooting;

Use of built-in electronic intelligence channels;

Application of base-correlation methods for determining the coordinates of active jammers;

Creation of missiles with inertial-active trajectory guidance and high-precision gas-dynamic control in the final section of the trajectory, equipped with an active-semi-active seeker (for hitting priority targets at medium and long ranges) or optoelectronic seeker (for intercepting ballistic missiles at high altitudes).

All of the above systems, their further modifications and air defense systems (ADMS) of the EU ZRO PVO-PRO will form the basis of the groupings of the fire subsystem of the Russian aerospace defense system being created.

To write this article, I was largely inspired by the excessive jingoistic moods of a significant part of the visitors of the Military Review website, which I respect, as well as the cunning of the domestic media, which regularly publish materials about the strengthening of our military power, unprecedented since Soviet times, including the Air Force and Air Defense.

For example, in a number of media outlets, including on "VO", in the section "" not so long ago an article was published entitled: "Two air defense divisions began to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region."

In which it is said: “The assistant commander of the troops of the Central Military District, Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin, said that two divisions of air defense took up combat duty, starting to protect the airspace of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region.

“The duty forces of two air defense divisions have taken up combat duty to cover administrative, industrial and military facilities in the Volga region, the Urals and Siberia. New formations were formed on the basis of the Novosibirsk and Samara aerospace defense brigades, ”RIA Novosti quotes him as saying.

Combat crews equipped with S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems will cover the airspace over the territory of 29 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which are part of the CVO's area of ​​​​responsibility.

After such news, an inexperienced reader may get the impression that our air defense anti-aircraft missile units have received qualitative and quantitative reinforcement with new anti-aircraft systems.

In practice, in this case, no quantitative, much less qualitative strengthening of our air defense has happened. It all comes down to just changing the organizational structure. New equipment did not enter the troops.

The S-300PS anti-aircraft missile system mentioned in the publication, with all its advantages, cannot be considered new in any way.

S-300PS with 5V55R missiles was put into service back in 1983. That is, more than 30 years have passed since the adoption of this system. But at present, in anti-aircraft missile units of air defense, more than half of the long-range S-300P air defense systems belong to this modification.

In the near future (two or three years), most of the S-300PS will either have to be written off or overhauled. However, it is not known which option is economically preferable, the modernization of old or the construction of new anti-aircraft systems.

The earlier towed version of the S-300PT has either been decommissioned or transferred "for storage" without any chance of returning to the troops.

The most "fresh" complex from the "three hundredth" S-300PM family was delivered to the Russian army in the mid-90s. Most of the anti-aircraft missiles currently in service were produced at the same time.

The new, widely advertised S-400 anti-aircraft missile system has just begun to enter service. In total, as of 2014, 10 regimental kits were delivered to the troops. Given the upcoming mass write-off of military equipment that has exhausted its service life, this amount is absolutely not enough.

Of course, experts, of whom there are many on the site, can reasonably object that the S-400 is significantly superior in its capabilities to the systems it is replacing. However, we should not forget that the means of air attack of the main "potential partner" are constantly being improved qualitatively. In addition, as follows from "open sources", mass production of promising 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles and 40N6E ultra-long-range missiles has not yet been established. Currently, the S-400 uses 48N6E, 48N6E2, 48N6E3 SAM S-300PM missiles, as well as 48N6DM missiles modified for the S-400.

In total, according to "open sources", in our country there are about 1500 launchers of the S-300 family of air defense systems - this, apparently, taking into account the air defense units of the ground forces that are "in storage" and in service.

Today, Russian air defense forces (those that are part of the Air Force and Air Defense) have 34 regiments with S-300PS, S-300PM and S-400 air defense systems. In addition, not so long ago, several anti-aircraft missile brigades, converted into regiments, were transferred to the Air Force and Air Defense from the air defense of the ground forces - two 2-divisional S-300V and Buk brigades and one mixed (two S-300V divisions , one Buk division). Thus, in the troops we have 38 regiments, including 105 divisions.

However, these forces are distributed extremely unevenly throughout the country, Moscow is best protected, around which there are ten regiments of S-300P air defense systems (two of them have two S-400 divisions each).

Satellite image of Google Earth. The layout of the positions of air defense systems around Moscow. Colored triangles and squares - positions and areas of basing of active air defense systems, blue rhombuses and circles - surveillance radars, white ones - currently liquidated air defense systems and radars

The northern capital, St. Petersburg, is well covered. The sky above it is protected by two regiments of S-300PS and two regiments of S-300PM.

Satellite image of Google Earth. Scheme of placement of air defense systems around St. Petersburg

The Northern Fleet bases in Murmansk, Severomorsk and Polyarny are covered by three S-300PS and S-300PM regiments, at the Pacific Fleet near Vladivostok and Nakhodka - two S-300PS regiments, and the Nakhodka regiment received two S-400 divisions. Avacha Bay in Kamchatka, where SSBNs are based, is covered by one S-300PS regiment.

Satellite image of Google Earth. ZRS S-400 in the vicinity of Nakhodka

The Kaliningrad region and the BF base in Baltiysk are protected from air attack by the S-300PS/S-400 mixed regiment.

Satellite image of Google Earth. S-400 air defense system in the Kaliningrad region at the former positions of the S-200 air defense system

Recently, there has been an increase in the anti-aircraft cover of the Black Sea Fleet. Prior to the well-known events related to Ukraine, a mixed regiment with S-300PM and S-400 divisions was deployed in the Novorossiysk region.

At present, there is a significant strengthening of the air defense of the main naval base of the Black Sea Fleet - Sevastopol. It is reported that in November the peninsula's air defense group was replenished with S-300PM air defense systems. Taking into account the fact that complexes of this type are currently not produced by industry for their own needs, most likely they were transferred from another region of the country.

In terms of air defense cover, the central region of our country resembles a "patchwork quilt" in which there are more holes than patches. There is one S-300PS regiment each in the Novgorod region, near Voronezh, Samara and Saratov. The Rostov region is covered by one regiment of S-300PM and Buk.

In the Urals, near Yekaterinburg, there are positions of an anti-aircraft missile regiment armed with S-300PS. Beyond the Urals, in Siberia, only three regiments are deployed on a gigantic territory, one S-300PS regiment each near Novosibirsk, in Irkutsk and Achinsk. In Buryatia, not far from the Dzhida station, one regiment of the Buk air defense system is deployed.

Satellite image of Google Earth. ZRS S-300PS near Irkutsk

In addition to anti-aircraft systems protecting the fleet bases in Primorye and Kamchatka, in the Far East there are two more S-300PS regiments covering Khabarovsk (Knyaz-Volkonskoye) and Komsomolsk-on-Amur (Lian), respectively, one S-300PS regiment is deployed in the vicinity of Birobidzhan. 300V.

That is, the entire vast Far Eastern Federal District is protected by: one regiment of mixed S-300PS / S-400, four regiments of S-300PS, one regiment of S-300V. This is all that remains of the once powerful 11th Air Defense Army.

The "holes" between the air defense facilities in the east of the country are several thousand kilometers long, anyone and anything can fly into them. However, not only in Siberia and the Far East, but throughout the country, a huge number of critical industrial and infrastructure facilities are not covered by any air defense systems.

In a significant part of the country's territory, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants remain unprotected, air strikes on which can lead to catastrophic consequences. Vulnerability from air attack means of deployment of Russian strategic nuclear forces provokes “potential partners” to attempt a “disarming strike” with high-precision means of destroying non-nuclear equipment.

In addition, long-range anti-aircraft systems themselves need protection. They need to be covered from the air with short-range air defense systems. Today, regiments with the S-400 receive the Pantsir-S air defense missile systems for this (2 per division), but the S-300P and B are not covered by anything, except, of course, for effective protection of anti-aircraft machine gun installations of 12.7 mm caliber.

"Pantsir-S"

The situation with the lighting of the air situation is no better. This should be done by radio engineering troops, their functional duty is to issue early information about the beginning of an enemy air attack, provide target designation for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for controlling air defense formations, units and subunits.

During the years of “reforms”, the continuous radar field formed during the Soviet era was partially, and in some places completely lost.
At present, there is practically no possibility of controlling the air situation over the polar latitudes.

Until recently, our political and former military leadership appears to have been preoccupied with other more pressing issues, such as downsizing the military and selling off "surplus" military property and real estate.

Only recently, at the end of 2014, the Minister of Defense, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, announced measures that should help correct the existing situation in this area.

As part of the expansion of our military presence in the Arctic, it is planned to build and reconstruct existing facilities on the New Siberian Islands and Franz Josef Land, reconstruct airfields and deploy modern radar stations in Tiksi, Naryan-Mar, Alykel, Vorkuta, Anadyr and Rogachevo. The creation of a continuous radar field over the territory of Russia should be completed by 2018. At the same time, it is planned to upgrade radar stations and data processing and transmission facilities by 30%.

Separate mention deserves fighter aircraft, designed to deal with enemy air attack weapons and carry out tasks to gain air superiority. Currently, the Russian Air Force formally has (taking into account those in "storage") about 900 fighters, of which: Su-27 of all modifications - more than 300, Su-30 of all modifications - about 50, Su-35S - 34, MiG -29 of all modifications - about 250, MiG-31 of all modifications - about 250.

It should be borne in mind that a significant part of the Russian fighter fleet is only nominally in the Air Force. Many aircraft produced in the late 80s and early 90s require major repairs and modernization. In addition, due to problems with the supply of spare parts and the replacement of failed avionics units, some of the upgraded fighters are in fact, as the aviators put it, "doves of peace." They can still take to the air, but they can no longer fully complete a combat mission.

The past year 2014 was notable for the volumes of deliveries of aviation equipment to the Russian armed forces that were unprecedented since the times of the USSR.

In 2014, our Air Force received 24 Su-35S multifunctional fighters manufactured by the Yu.A. Gagarin in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (branch of Sukhoi Company OJSC):

Twenty of them became part of the reconstructed 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 303rd Guards Mixed Aviation Division of the 3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command of Russia at the Dzemgi airfield (Khabarovsk Territory), which is joint with the plant.

All these fighters were built under an August 2009 contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense for the construction of 48 Su-35S fighters. Thus, the total number of vehicles manufactured under this contract by the beginning of 2015 reached 34.

The production of Su-30SM fighters for the Russian Air Force is carried out by the Irkut Corporation under two contracts for 30 aircraft each, concluded with the Russian Ministry of Defense in March and December 2012. After the delivery of 18 vehicles in 2014, the total number of Su-30SMs delivered to the Russian Air Force reached 34 units.

Eight more Su-30M2 fighters were produced by the Yu.A. Gagarin in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Three fighters of this type entered the newly formed 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Command of Russia at the Belbek airfield (Crimea).

The Su-30M2 aircraft were built under a contract dated December 2012 for the supply of 16 Su-30M2 fighters, bringing the total number of aircraft built under this contract to 12, and the total number of Su-30M2 in the Russian Air Force to 16.

However, this significant amount by today's standards is absolutely not enough to replace in the fighter regiments written off due to the complete physical deterioration of the aircraft.

Even if the current pace of deliveries of aircraft to the troops is maintained, according to forecasts, in five years the fighter fleet of the Russian Air Force will be reduced to about 600 aircraft.

During the next five years, about 400 Russian fighters will probably be written off - up to 40% of the current payroll.

This is primarily due to the upcoming decommissioning of the old-built MiG-29s (about 200 units) in the very near future. Due to problems with the airframe, about 100 aircraft have already been rejected.

The non-modernized Su-27s, whose flight life is ending in the near future, will also be decommissioned. The number of MiG-31 interceptors will be reduced by more than half. As part of the Air Force, it is planned to leave 30-40 MiG-31s ​​in DZ and BS modifications, another 60 MiG-31s ​​will be upgraded to the BM version. The remaining MiG-31s ​​(about 150 units) are planned to be written off.

Partially, the shortage of long-range interceptors should be resolved after the start of mass deliveries of the PAK FA. It was announced that it is planned to purchase up to 60 PAK FA units by 2020, but so far these are only plans that are likely to undergo significant adjustments.

The Russian Air Force has 15 AWACS A-50 aircraft (another 4 are in “storage”), recently they were supplemented by 3 modernized A-50U.
The first A-50U was delivered to the Russian Air Force in 2011.

As a result of the work carried out as part of the modernization, the functionality of the airborne early warning and control complex has significantly increased. The number of simultaneously tracked targets and simultaneously guided fighters has been increased, the detection range of various aircraft has been increased.

The A-50 should be replaced by the A-100 AWACS aircraft based on the Il-76MD-90A with the PS-90A-76 engine. The antenna complex is built on the basis of an antenna with an active phased array.

At the end of November 2014 TANTK them. G. M. Beriev received the first Il-76MD-90A aircraft for conversion into A-100 AWACS aircraft. Deliveries to the Russian Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2016.

All domestic AWACS aircraft are based on a permanent basis in the European part of the country. Beyond the Urals, they appear quite rarely, for the most part during large-scale exercises.

Unfortunately, loud statements from high tribunes about the revival of our Air Force and Air Defense often have little in common with reality. Absolute irresponsibility for the promises made by high-ranking civil and military officials has become an unpleasant tradition in the “new” Russia.

As part of the state armaments program, it was supposed to have twenty-eight 2-divisional S-400 regiments and up to ten divisions of the latest S-500 air defense system (the latter should perform the tasks of not only air defense and tactical missile defense, but also strategic missile defense) by 2020. Now there is no doubt that these plans will be thwarted. The same fully applies to plans for the production of PAK FA.

However, no one, as usual, will be seriously punished for disrupting the state program. After all, we “do not hand over our own”, and “we are not in our 37th year”, right?

P. S. All the information provided in the article regarding the Russian Air Force and Air Defense is taken from open public sources, the list of which is given. The same applies to possible inaccuracies and errors.

Information sources:
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru
http://bmpd.livejournal.com
http://geimint.blogspot.ru
Satellite imagery courtesy of Google Earth

From the transcript of a conversation with Lieutenant General Sergei RAZYGRAEV, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force for Air Defense (Air Defense), which took place on September 26, 2009 as part of the Military Council program of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Ekho Moskvy radio station and the Zvezda TV channel.

About the Russian air defense system

The air defense system of Russia today includes four powerful subsystems: command and control, fighter air cover, anti-aircraft missile cover, reconnaissance, as well as a system of combat, technical, rear and moral and psychological support.

As for the command and control system, this is a whole network of command posts, ranging from a subunit, company, division to higher authorities, up to the central command post of the Air Force. These are control points, a system of tropospheric, space, wire, radio relay communications, and so on. This is trained personnel, the latest automated control systems.

Fighter air cover is a network of airfields on which fighter aircraft and the support system for this aircraft are based.

The anti-aircraft missile cover system is a whole network of anti-aircraft missile systems deployed at positions around important objects designated by the state for cover, which are based on S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems of various modifications and the latest S-400 system that has entered service.

A radar reconnaissance system is a network of radar stations located on the ground in a certain sequence in order to create a radar field and an information field for controlling the above fire weapons.

All of these systems are equipped with weapons, automation, those means that highly trained personnel are able to use at the right time.

Of course, there are also problems. Equipment manufactured in Soviet times underwent modernization, switched to a new element base and is now capable of fulfilling the tasks that are set for it. The share of the latest technology is small, and we do not hide it. But all equipment is combat ready. More than 1000 people are constantly on combat duty in order to immediately respond to any situation that arises, including repulsing a sudden attack by an air enemy.

Lessons from the US operation in Iraq

The logic of the development of means of aerospace attack by a potential adversary is such that in the 21st century, more and more emphasis is shifting to the sphere of armed struggle in space, through space. Let's remember operations in Iraq, Yugoslavia. This is especially true for Iraq. Before the ground forces began moving forward, an air offensive operation was conducted for more than a month, during which the Iraqi command and control system was disorganized and its armed forces were demoralized. After that, it was easier for the ground grouping to solve the tasks assigned to it.

Based on this example, we can say that the essence of the air defense system and, in general, the most important principle of air defense is not only protection, but also the delivery of a preventive strike. After all, air defense tasks can be solved not only in the air by destroying manned, unmanned vehicles, cruise missiles, and so on, but also by delivering a preemptive strike on airfields based on these weapons (destroying aviation, cruise missiles on carriers, airfields, ships, submarines).

About the capabilities of the air defense system

In the 1950s, the country's leadership set the task of creating an anti-aircraft missile defense of Moscow, capable of simultaneously destroying a thousand enemy aircraft. Our engineers, in particular, the current Almaz-Antey head system design bureau, developed the S-25 Berkut system, which was put into service with the air defense forces around Moscow. Two rings, 56 regiments, each of which had the ability to simultaneously destroy 20 targets and direct 60 missiles at them. That is, in total - a thousand downed objects or even a few more.

This system was at that time the most modern. It was a qualitative leap from anti-aircraft artillery to the next level. A new type of weapon has qualitatively changed the entire air defense system. They switched from artillery to anti-aircraft missile weapons. In the future, these systems developed and improved. A number of systems were created: S-25, S-75, S-125, S-200, S-300 and, finally, S-400. Now the basis of the anti-aircraft missile defense systems of the air defense of Russia is the S-300 system of various modifications. It has the ability to destroy almost all existing types of cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft. And after modernization, these systems gained the ability to destroy short-range ballistic missiles.

S-400 is a further development of this complex. This is not a modernization, but a completely new complex, which has completely new capabilities that are different from the S-300. It became possible to create a non-strategic missile defense near the interception radius, or interception line. It has certain capabilities in terms of heights, ranges and, accordingly, is capable of destroying and covering area objects from operational-tactical missiles that could reach this object. In other words, the S-400 will perform the tasks of non-strategic air defense of the near radius of interception or the near line of interception. It is limited to certain heights, ranges, target speeds.

And the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system, which is under development, will already have the ability to destroy certain types of intercontinental ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles, not to mention operational-tactical ballistic missiles. And, in general, the interception height will be such that these missiles can shoot down the corresponding means of enemy aerospace attack already in near space. I think that this complex will already have elements of strategic air defense.

Now we are developing in theory and in practice the following gradation. There are four groups of anti-aircraft missile systems:

long range, medium range, short range (short range) and close cover.

The long-range niche, as we have already said, is occupied by the S-400 complex, which has been on combat duty for the second year. A bright representative of medium range is the S-300.

But these complexes are made in such a way that they can control each other, they can use each other's missiles. This, roughly speaking, is like a unitary cartridge that fits both an assault rifle and a rifle, and so on. This is a great idea that has been put into practice: the S-400 can fire S-300 missiles, and those missiles that are used in the S-400 can be used by the S-300.

Accordingly, short-range (short-range) complexes (“Tor-M2”, “Pantsir-S”) have the ability to destroy air targets, and cannon weapons to work on ground targets, which was effectively demonstrated recently at the Ashuluk training ground during the exercise "Combat Commonwealth-2009".

Close cover systems are man-portable air defense systems and new systems currently under development.

About the difference between a missile defense system and an air defense system

- It is necessary to distinguish between strategic missile defense and non-strategic, or tactical, based on the fact that the means of aerospace attack are of a different class. Operational-tactical missiles have a firing range of 300-500 km, medium-range ballistic missiles - 5 and 6 thousand km, intercontinental - 10 thousand km or more.

Appropriate systems are created to destroy each class of these missiles. A system capable of destroying ballistic missiles is called missile defense (ABM). Strategic missile defense, as you know, is now part of the Space Forces. And the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system has the ability to destroy a certain group of these ballistic missiles, which do not have a very long range.

About the Joint Air Defense System

- Within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, there is a Coordinating Committee of the Joint Air Defense System, which includes ten CIS member states. Unfortunately, Georgia, having withdrawn from the CIS, also withdrew from the Joint Air Defense System, and Moldova does not participate in it either.

We are conducting appropriate exercises. A vivid example was the recently conducted exercise "Combat Commonwealth-2009", the apotheosis of which was live firing at the Sary-Shagan training grounds in Kazakhstan and Ashuluk (Astrakhan region). Air defense duty forces are trained, general classes, training in various types of combat activities, and so on.

The further development of this cooperation is the creation of unified regional systems at the two-, three- and multilateral levels. For example, we are now very actively working on the creation of the Unified Regional Air Defense System of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

We are also working on the creation of a unified regional air defense system with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. But the most advanced and almost reached the finish line with Belarus. In February this year, an agreement was signed, the annex to which was the Regulations on the Unified Regional System and Protection of the External Border of the Union State of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

We have already decided on a grouping (it has been agreed upon), which is part of the Unified Regional Air Defense System, a central command post, a candidacy for a commander who will be approved by the heads of state on the proposal of the Council of Defense Ministers of the two states. A plan of action for duty forces and instructions for organizing and carrying out joint combat duty with the Republic of Belarus as part of the Unified Regional Air Defense System have already been worked out. We submitted draft documents to the Government of the Russian Federation for the ratification of this treaty. That is, we are at the finish line. The creation of the Unified Regional Air Defense System will be a further step in uniting common efforts.

Using mathematical modeling methods, we calculated that this integration into a single system will increase the efficiency of the control system by 15-20%. A unified leadership, a unified control center, unified plans for combat use in wartime and actions of duty forces in peacetime, general combat training as a result increases the effectiveness of the use of fighter aircraft by both the Belarusian and Russian armed forces by 1.3 times.

As for Ukraine, it takes part in the Joint Air Defense System of the CIS. So, at the last (in the Air Force it is not customary to use the word “last”) meeting of the Coalition Committee of the Joint Air Defense System of the CIS, chaired by the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Ukraine was represented by the Chief of the Main Staff of the Air Force and Air Defense of Ukraine. We will continue to develop cooperation with this brotherly state. There are such possibilities.

About sore

- I would like to touch on one more topic, which, as a military man, and a person in charge of Russian air defense, and the first assistant to the commander-in-chief of the Air Force, is very concerned about these issues. Recently, the topic of low-altitude, small-sized aviation has been heard more and more often in the media, which can cause very big trouble in terms of air terrorism. This topic has already been raised more than once, I would like to point it out again.

Currently only in Moscow and the Moscow region. - we calculated - about 3.5 thousand aircraft, not registered anywhere.

They are imported from abroad disassembled, then assembled here and make unauthorized flights, and at extremely low altitudes, not observing air traffic rules, air routes, interfering not only with the use of civil aviation, state aviation, but also, sometimes, being a threat security, which can lead to unpredictable consequences.

This is an absolutely unorganized aviation, although there is both relevant legislation and an appropriate organization. But the slovenliness on the part of individual citizens, of which there are quite a lot, does not allow now to fully control this process. And I would like to appeal to the media: to cover this problem more sharply and objectively. The fight against air terrorism should be entrusted not only to Russia's air defense, but also to other bodies and departments of power, special services.

If we buy a car, we must have rights, we must register this car, obtain license plates and follow the rules of the road. In the air, these rules are even more pressing. If the engine breaks down, then the car will eventually stop on the side of the road without disturbing anyone. And if the engine breaks down, roughly speaking, or fails in the air - can you imagine what the consequences can be even from a small-sized helicopter or airplane ...

In conclusion, I would like to quote Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov as a quintessence, as an afterword to our conversation:
“Reliable air defense capable of repelling enemy attacks, especially at the beginning of a war, creates not only favorable conditions for the entry of the armed forces into the war, but also gives the country the opportunity to more organizedly reorganize on a military footing. Severe grief awaits the country that will be unable to repel an air strike. I have nothing to add to this.

Interviewed by Anatoly YERMOLIN
and Sergey BUNTMAN.
Prepared for printing by Alexander
PRONIN,
photo from the archive of the Agency
"Voeninform" of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Air defense is a special set of measures that are aimed at repelling any air threat. As a rule, this is an air attack of the enemy. The Russian air defense system is divided into the following types:

• Military air defense. This is a special kind of NE of Russia. The air defense troops of the Russian ground forces are the most numerous type of air defense in Russia;
• Objective air defense, which since 1998 became part of the Russian Air Force, and since 2009-2010 are aerospace defense brigades;
• Shipborne air defense or air defense system of the navy. Air defense missiles, which are armed with ship-based air defense systems (for example, the Storm air defense system), are capable of not only protecting ships from enemy air attacks, but also hitting surface ships.

Air Defense Day was introduced in the USSR on February 20, 1975, as a special holiday for the military, who were related to the country's air defense. Then the day of air defense was celebrated on April 11. Since 1980, Air Defense Day in the USSR has been celebrated every second Sunday in April.

In 2006, by a special Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 31, Air Defense Day was officially declared a memorable day. The holiday is also celebrated every second Sunday in April.

The history of the emergence of air defense forces in Russia

The need for the appearance of anti-aircraft artillery was recognized at the end of the 19th century. In 1891, the first firing at air targets took place, which were used as balloons and balloons. Artillery showed that it could quite successfully deal with stationary air targets, although firing at moving targets was unsuccessful.

In 1908-1909, experimental firing at moving targets took place, as a result of which it was decided that in order to successfully combat aviation, it was necessary to create a special gun designed to fire at moving air targets.

In 1914, the Putilov Plant manufactured four 76 mm guns, which were intended to fight enemy aircraft. These guns were moved on special trucks. Despite this, before the start of the First World War, Russia was completely unprepared for combat with an air enemy. Already in the autumn of 1914, the command had to urgently form special artillery units, the main task of which was to fight enemy aircraft.

In the USSR, the first air defense units, consisting of searchlight companies and machine gun installations, took part for the first time in a military parade on May 1, 1929. By the parade of 1930, the air defense forces were replenished with anti-aircraft artillery, which moved in cars:

• Anti-aircraft guns of 76 mm caliber;
• Machine gun installations;
• Projector installations;
• Soundproof installations.

Air Defense Forces during World War II

The Second World War demonstrated how important aviation is. The ability to deliver swift air strikes has become one of the keys to the success of military operations. The state of the USSR air defense before the start of the Second World War was far from perfect and was completely unsuitable for repelling massive German air raids. Although before the start of the Second World War, the Soviet command devoted a lot of time and money to the development of air defense systems, these troops were completely unprepared to repel modern German aircraft.

The entire first half of the Second World War is characterized by huge losses of Soviet troops precisely because of enemy air raids. The ground forces of the USSR did not have the necessary air defense system at all. The defense of the corps from air attacks was carried out by the regular number of air defense systems, which were represented by the following fire weapons per 1 km of the front:

• 2 anti-aircraft guns;
• 1 heavy machine gun;
• 3 anti-aircraft quadruple installations.

In addition to the fact that these guns were clearly not enough, there was a huge need for fighter aircraft at the front. The air surveillance, warning and communications system was in its infancy, and did not cope with the tasks assigned to them at all. For a long time, the troops did not even have their own means of this type. To carry out these functions, it was planned to strengthen the army with VNOS radio companies. These companies did not at all correspond to the technical development of German aviation, since they could only detect enemy aircraft visually. Such detection was possible only at a distance of 10-12 km, and modern German aircraft covered such a distance in 1-2 minutes.

The domestic theory of the development of air defense troops before the start of the Second World War did not make any serious emphasis on the development of this group of troops. Based on the dogmas of this theory, the air defense forces, no matter how highly developed they are, are not able to provide full protection of the front from enemy air raids. In any case, small groups of the enemy will still be able to fly and destroy the target. That is why the command of the USSR did not pay serious attention to the air defense forces, and the construction of air defense was based on the fact that air defense systems would distract the enemy, enabling aviation to join the battle.

In any case, the fighter aviation of the USSR in the first years of the war was not able to give any serious rebuff to enemy aircraft, which is why German pilots in those years staged a real entertaining "hunt" for ground targets.

Realizing their mistakes, the Soviet command concentrated its efforts on the development of air defense systems, placing special emphasis on improving fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery.

The development of air defense after the end of the Second World War

In 1946, a new era began in the development of the air defense forces - a new department was created, whose task was to test anti-aircraft missiles. During the 1947-1950s, this department, which was located at the Kapustin Yar training ground, tested German anti-aircraft missiles, while supervising the development of Soviet-made anti-aircraft missiles. Until 1957, this committee was engaged in testing domestically developed anti-aircraft unguided missiles.

In 1951, tests of anti-aircraft missiles became so large-scale that it was necessary to create a special range for testing anti-aircraft missiles. This test site was formed on June 6, 1951. Rocket testers from all over the country were sent to this test site as personnel.

The first launch of a guided anti-aircraft missile took place at this test site in 1951. In 1955, the first in the USSR anti-aircraft missile system S-25 "Berkut" was adopted by the Air Defense Forces, which remained in service until the 90s.

In the period from 1957 to 1961, a new S-75 mobile anti-aircraft missile system was developed and put into service. This air defense system for 30 years remained the main weapon of the Soviet air defense forces. In the future, the S-75 air defense system received many modifications and was supplied as military assistance to friendly countries. It was the S-75 anti-aircraft missile system that shot down the American U-2 aircraft in 1960 near Sverdlovsk. During the Vietnam War, the S-75 air defense system, which was supplied as military aid to Vietnam, shot down many American aircraft. According to the most rough estimates, this air defense system destroyed more than 1,300 units of American aircraft of various systems.

In 1961, the new S-125 short-range anti-aircraft missile system was adopted. This air defense system proved to be so effective that it is still in service with Russian air defense. During the Arab-Israeli wars, the S-125 complex was able to destroy several dozen supersonic aircraft belonging to the United States and Israel.

The Great Patriotic War showed that air defense systems have great prospects. The development of air defense in the second half of the 20th century was carried out in the right direction, which was repeatedly proved in the course of numerous Arab-Israeli conflicts. The tactics of using air defense systems were now based on completely different principles. New air defense systems had the following characteristics:

• Mobility of anti-aircraft missile systems;
• The suddenness of their use, for which they carefully disguised themselves;
• General survivability and maintainability of air defense systems.

To date, the basis of anti-aircraft weapons of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation are the following complexes and systems:

• S-300V. This system is capable of effectively protecting troops not only from enemy aircraft, but also from ballistic missiles. This system could fire two types of missiles, one of which was ground-to-ground;
• "Buk-M1". This complex was developed in the 90s, and it was put into service in 1998;
• "Tor-M1". This system is able to independently control the designated airspace;
• OSA-AKM. This SAM system is very mobile;
• "Tunguska-M1", which was put into service in 2003.

All these systems are developments of well-known Russian designers and not only incorporate all the best qualities of their predecessors, but are also equipped with modern electronics. These complexes effectively protect troops from all types of air attacks, thereby providing reliable cover for the army.

At various military exhibitions, domestic anti-aircraft missile systems not only are not inferior to foreign counterparts, but also surpass them in a number of parameters, ranging from range to power.

The main prospects for the modern development of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces

The main areas in which the development of modern air defense forces is directed are:

• Change and reorganization of all structures, one way or another connected with air defense. The main task of the reorganization is the maximum use of all the resources and combat power of the missile weapons that are now entering service. Another task of paramount importance is to establish the maximum interaction of the air defense forces with other groups of troops of the Russian army;
• Development of weapons and military equipment of a new generation, which will be able to fight not only with existing means of air attack, but also with the latest developments in the field of hypersonic technologies;
• Change and improvement of the personnel training system. Particular attention should be paid to changing the training program, because it has not changed for many years, although new air defense systems have long been adopted.

The priority is still the planned development of the latest air defense models, the modernization of older models and the complete replacement of obsolete air defense systems. In general, the modern air defense system is developing in accordance with the words of the famous Marshal Zhukov, who said that only a powerful military air defense system is able to repel sudden enemy attacks, thereby enabling the Armed Forces to engage in a full-scale battle.

Modern air defense systems and air defense systems in the Russian air defense forces

One of the main air defense systems that are in service with the air defense forces is the S-300V system. This system is capable of hitting air targets at a distance of up to 100 km. Already in 2014, the S-300V air defense systems began to be gradually replaced by a new system, which was called the S-300V4. The new system has been improved in all respects, it is an improved modification of the S-300V, differing from it in an increased range, a more reliable design, which is distinguished by improved protection against radio interference. The new system is able to deal more effectively with all types of air targets that appear within its range.

The next most popular complex is the Buk air defense system. Since 2008, a modification of the complex, called the Buk-M2, has been in service with the air defense forces. This air defense system can simultaneously hit up to 24 targets, and the range of hitting targets reaches 200 km. Since 2016, the Buk-M3 complex has been adopted, which is a model made on the basis of the Buk-M2 and seriously modified.

Another popular air defense system is the TOR complex. In 2011, a new modification of the air defense system, called the TOR-M2U, began to enter service. This modification has the following differences from the base model:

• She can conduct reconnaissance on the move;
• Fire at 4 air targets at once, thereby providing an all-round defeat.

The latest modification is called "Tor-2". Unlike previous models of the TOR family, this modification has a 2-fold increase in ammunition and is capable of firing on the move, ensuring the complete safety of troops on the march.

In addition, Russian air defense systems also have man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems. The ease of training and use of this type of weapon makes it a serious problem for enemy air forces. Since 2014, new MANPADS "Verba" began to enter the air defense units of the Ground Forces. Their use is justified when you have to operate in conditions of powerful optical interference, which hinder the operation of powerful automatic air defense systems.

At present, the share of modern air defense systems in the air defense forces is about 40 percent. The latest Russian air defense systems have no analogues in the world, and are capable of providing complete protection against sudden air attacks.

The S-500 air defense system will solve the entire range of air defense and missile defense tasks

In early February, the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern was transformed into the Aerospace Defense Concern by decree of the President of the Russian Federation. The Concern's general designer spoke about what new prospects are opening up for the Concern in connection with this event, how the subject matter of the developed air defense and missile defense systems will change, what capabilities the fifth-generation S-500 anti-aircraft missile system will have. Pavel Sozinov.

- Pavel Alekseevich, now your Concern has another important direction - space. Do you already know which companies will deal with this topic?

- As for the space component, we had it before, since the concern's enterprises performed and continue to play the leading role in integrating ballistic missile launch detection tools, including the space echelon. Traditionally, MAK Vympel was responsible for this direction in our concern. Radars of the ground-based early warning missile system, as you know, are mainly dealt with by RTI OJSC, space facilities and systems by the Kometa Central Research Institute, and now the Kometa Corporation, which, in accordance with the President's decree, is transferred to the VKO concern. Our enterprises act as integrators of space and ground echelons at command posts for the corresponding purpose. This concerns the early warning system, the space control system and some other specific tasks that arise in this area of ​​activity.

In general, the space direction is very interesting, it is represented in the concern not only by Kometa. Let our enterprises participate in the manufacture of certain samples or components of equipment, in particular, using the GLONASS system, not as the lead, but as co-executors of other Roscosmos enterprises. There are components that are developed and produced by our enterprises, primarily the Russian Institute of Radio Navigation and Time, which is located in St. Petersburg.

GLONASS, as you know, has both a ground part and an onboard part. This is a very important component, since modern systems rely heavily on the navigation signal for highly accurate positioning and time synchronization.

As for the formation of the VKO concern, there are two points that need to be implemented. On the one hand, technically and organizationally, by and large, nothing changes for us, since we have been connected with the Roscosmos enterprises involved in aerospace defense issues for decades of joint work. "Kometa", for example, came out of KB-1, later transformed into the Almaz Central Design Bureau (now Almaz-Antey State Design Bureau named after Academician Raspletin). Academician Anatoly Ivanovich Savin, who headed the Comet for many years, now works in our concern as a scientific supervisor.

Another question: how, when joining the concern, to implement new plans, including the development of aerospace defense systems? This applies not only to those systems that Kometa is engaged in under existing contracts, but also to some promising projects, for which we hatch ideas as part of the work of the Joint Council of Chief Designers for Aerospace Defense Systems. This council has been operating for two years already, it includes the leading enterprises of almost all concerns that today are related to the aerospace defense system. This applies not only to the space echelon, but also to electronic warfare, which is one of the concerns of the state corporation Rostec.

- In addition to the main topic, your concern, as you know, is also engaged in the aviation and naval component of air and missile defense. Tell us about this line of work.

– This direction is also quite serious. If we talk about fighter aviation, I would like to note that within the framework of the council we have closely organized work with the structures of the United Aircraft Corporation. First of all, with the design bureaus of the Sukhoi Design Bureau and the RAC "MIG", since we directly make control systems for fighter aircraft. In addition, our systems are used to solve the problems of joint operation of fighter aircraft in the areas of action of anti-aircraft missile forces. Airborne radar equipment for combat aircraft of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, including for the fifth-generation fighter, is also being developed by our enterprises, in particular, the Tikhomirov Research and Development Institute, which is also part of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern.

In this case, integration takes place at the technical and organizational levels, we have no legal relations with aircraft manufacturing companies, except for contractual ones.

The same goes for the shipbuilding industry. The ship-based missile and air defense component is also being developed. There are serious plans to develop completely new products to solve the problems of air defense and missile defense of ships of a heavier class, in particular, the destroyer class and above. Such work is carried out jointly with the main designer - the Northern Design Bureau, which is part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation.

The ship topic itself is extremely interesting, since a huge number of our enterprises are involved in the development of air defense and missile defense equipment adapted to ship deployment conditions. They differ significantly from those options that were in the previous generation, where in the 80s and 90s the unification of missiles was actually one hundred percent. Now, for sea-based complexes, special products are being created, among other things.

The air defense radars on the ships were largely borrowed from the S-300 systems, the Buk, Tor systems, etc. with some specifics of their placement on the ship. Fundamentally new technical solutions are now being applied that make it possible to reduce the visibility of the ship, increase the noise immunity of the radar system, ensure electromagnetic compatibility, and solve a number of other issues.

This is a rather complex project. In this part, the Americans have a large number of technical solutions and projects that optimally accommodate a multifunctional weapon control system, where all location, radio and electronic means, electronic warfare equipment and, of course, missile systems, both air defense-missile defense and strike systems are integrated. We are following approximately the same path, especially since, along with air defense and missile defense systems for ships, we are also developing strike systems based on cruise missiles. This, in particular, is done by OKB Novator.

I would like to note that the currently operating ship systems are in demand abroad. Russian enterprises have carried out and are carrying out relevant contracts for the supply of ships with our weapons to the People's Republic of China, India, and a number of other countries. In recent history, there are precedents when foreign weapons were installed on our ships and vice versa, when our weapons are installed on foreign projects.

- How are things going with the creation of the new S-500 anti-aircraft missile system. When can her trials begin? What is the fundamental difference between this air defense system and the existing ones?

- Information on this system is largely confidential and we prefer not to talk about this topic. But some points can be mentioned without disclosing the performance characteristics.

Air defense system S-500 "Prometheus"

More detailed and a variety of information about the events taking place in Russia, Ukraine and other countries of our beautiful planet, can be obtained on Internet conferences, constantly held on the website "Keys of Knowledge". All Conferences are open and completely free. We invite all waking up and interested ...