Russia Missile and Air Defence programs

The newest Russian glide bomb, Drel, has passed all tests. Serial production of the cluster bomb will start in 2024 at one of the Russian military factories. If you are interested in Russian bombs and missiles, as well as their use, links to the video are in the comments to the video. The PBK-500U SPBE-K glide bomb was developed by NPO Basalt and is designed to destroy armored vehicles, ground-based radar stations, control posts and enemy air defenses. It is expected that this aerial bomb will be almost impossible to recognize on radars; how the designers implemented this is not reported. The PBK-500U “Drill” air bomb glides towards the target and opens over it at the right moment. The bomb is guided using GLONASS. The bomb consists of 15 self-aiming combat elements. If the destructive element does not work on a given target, it self-destructs after a certain time. Each self-aiming combat element is a compact autonomous system capable of independently studying the ground situation, searching for targets and hitting them. The combat element contains a cumulative warhead capable of penetrating at least 70 mm of homogeneous armor, according to some sources, more than 100 mm. The ammunition can be used regardless of weather conditions and does not require the aircraft to enter the air defense zone. The mass of the bomb is 540 kg, length - 3100 mm, bomb release height up to 14 km, range of use up to 50 km. The maximum deviation from the target is less than five meters. The price of the bomb is unknown. Work on the Drill bomb continues; it will be produced in several modifications.

The head of the Russian Ministry of Defense checked how state defense orders are fulfilled at military enterprises. During a visit to the Tactical Missiles Corporation, a super-powerful Russian FAB-1500-M54 aerial bomb equipped with a planning module was noticed for the first time. As can be seen in the photo, the bomb received a streamlined cap that improves aerodynamic characteristics, which in turn increases the range and speed of the bomb’s flight to the target. An aircraft bomb with FAB-1500-M54 has a gliding range of up to 60 km; it is believed that it can be equipped with a pulse-jet engine, which increases the gliding range of the bomb to 150 km. The FAB-155-M54 aircraft bomb has a mass of 1550 kg, the mass of the warhead is 675.6 kg. When used, an aerial bomb leaves behind a crater up to 15 meters in diameter, and its radius of destruction by fragments and shock wave is about 500 meters. The maximum altitude for dropping an aerial bomb is 12 km; the initial gliding speed of the bomb depends on the carrier and usually reaches 1900 km/h. The UMPC module makes it one of Russia's longest-range bombs. Bombs can be carried by Su-34M and Su-35C aircraft. During a visit to the plant, the minister also instructed to transfer the line of conventional ammunition, the production of which has been established in sufficient quantities, to the category of precision-guided ammunition.

Footage of the launch of the Russian 9M723 missile and the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system has been published; the officially declared flight range of these missiles is up to 500 kilometers; it is believed that in reality the missiles fly further. In total, Russia has about 170 Iskander-M complexes.

The head of the Russian Ministry of Defense again inspected the plan for implementing state defense orders at Russian military enterprises. During a visit to the State Design Bureau "Raduga" enterprise, a new Russian cruise missile "Izdeliye-720" was noticed; there is still no technical data on it. Presumably the Izdeliye-720 missile was created on the basis of the Kh-69 missile; it has the same square body, but a different configuration of the air intake and seeker of the missile. The Izdeliye-720 missile lacks the electro-optical guidance terminal found on the Kh-69 missile and instead has a fairing similar to that of the Kh-35 missile. It is possible that the Izdeliye-720 missile is equipped with a radar used by the missile's guidance system. The missile's flight range is estimated to be from 300 to 500 kilometers, and its weight is about 450 kg. During a visit to the plant, the minister was shown the Russian X-58 anti-radar missile, which has a flight range of 250 kilometers, after which the minister said that the missile’s flight range should be increased to 300 kilometers.

The Russian army successfully tested the S-500 Prometheus air defense system, testing the complex’s ability to shoot down hypersonic targets. Tests of the S-500 air defense system took place on February 22. The S-500 "Prometheus" air defense system hit the R-29RMU2 "Sineva" intercontinental ballistic missile launched by the submarine nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Tula" from the Laptev Sea at the "Chizha" training ground in the Arkhangelsk region. The S-500 air defense system confirmed all its characteristics, including the ability to hit hypersonic weapons. SAM 55Р6М "Triumfator-M" is a fifth-generation anti-aircraft system developed by the Almaz-Antey concern. A special feature of the complex is its ability to operate against a wide range of targets at altitudes up to 200 km and at a range of up to 600 km, target detection range up to 2000 km. The main task of the complex is to intercept cruise and ballistic missiles, but it can also hit low-orbit satellites. The S-500 air defense system must be covered by short- and medium-range air defense. It is also planned to develop a ship version of the promising S-500 air defense systems for Project 23000 Storm aircraft carriers. The complex includes: a combat control point 85Zh6-1, a long-range detection radar 60K6, an antenna post with a phased array radar operating in the X-band and optionally other systems. The air defense system uses 77N6-N, 77N6-N1 and 40N6 missiles. The S-500 air defense system is mounted on a BAZ-69096 chassis with a 10×8 wheel arrangement. The cost of one division of the S-500 air defense system is about 2 billion dollars, this is 4 times more expensive than the S-400 air defense system, but the complex is unique and better than the American THAAD missile defense system worth 3 billion dollars. It is known that the S-500 Prometheus complex will begin to enter the Russian armed forces in 2024, but the number of such systems has not been disclosed.

Impacts of RBK-500 SHOAB-0.5 cluster bombs in Ukraine. Footage of Russian Su-34 aircraft using RBK-500 SHOAB-0.5 cluster bombs in Ukraine. A cluster bomb was used southeast of Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye region. The aircraft bomb has a special fairing that improves its aerodynamic characteristics. The Russian RBK-500 SHOAB-0.5 aerial bomb was put into service in 1969 and is equipped with 570 SHOAB-0.5 ball fragmentation ammunition, weighing 417 grams each. Each Shoab-0.5 ammunition contains 304 steel balls with a diameter of 5.5 mm, that is, the explosion creates a cloud of 154 thousand steel balls; one Shoab-0.5 ammunition can be compared to a hand grenade. The RBK-500 SHOAB-0.5 cluster avionics bomb is used from altitudes from 500 to 20,000 meters, at flight speeds from 700 to 2300 km/h. The minimum opening height of the cassette is 300 meters, the optimal height is 300-400 meters. The affected area depends on the altitude of the bomb; when striking from a height of 1000 meters, the area of continuous destruction is up to 600 meters.

The Russian army has modernized the design of Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Ukrainian media reported this. According to materials published by the Ukrainian side, Russia has made changes to the design of 9M723 ballistic missiles. Apparently the developers considered that the missiles had sufficient characteristics to overcome air defense systems and increased the noise immunity and accuracy of the missiles. The published photos show that the decoy submunitions previously used in missiles, which were fired in flight to distract air defense systems, have been removed from the missile. To increase the noise immunity and accuracy of the missiles, additional GPS/GLONASS satellite navigation modules are installed, similar to the Comet satellite data reception module; each of them has four 4-beam antennas. The Iskander-M complex was put into service in 2006 and uses two types of missiles, the 9M723 ballistic missile, also called Iskander-M, and the 9M728 Iskander-K cruise missile.

Heavy-duty FAB-3000 bombs began to be made in Russia, review. The Russian Minister of Defense visited enterprises of the military-industrial complex in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where he got acquainted with the production process of the Russian heavy-duty bomb FAB-3000. In the video you can also see the production of Russian aerial bombs FAB-1500 and FAB-500T, we previously showed this plant, the video can be found in the “Russian Military Factories” playlist. The plant's management reported that it had restored the mass production of FAB-3000 aerial bombs, increased the production of FAB-500 aerial bombs many times over, and also doubled the production of FAB-1500-M54 bombs. Such results were achieved thanks to the reactivation of capacities, technical re-equipment and modernization of production lines; the plant also hired about 1000 more people.

As reported, FAB-3000 bombs will also be equipped with flight planning and correction modules (UMPC). Most likely, the correction module will be equipped with an accelerator to avoid the aircraft entering the air defense zone. It is worth noting that the bomb can be carried by a Tu-22M3 bomber and theoretically by a Su-34 aircraft. The FAB-3000 air bomb was put into service in 1954 and is intended to destroy industrial and other large objects. You can see the bomb's structure on the screen. Typically, a bomb is dropped from a height of up to 16 thousand meters at a flight speed of up to 1200 km/h. The radius of complete destruction of the FAB-3000 bomb is about 46 meters, the fragmentation field when crushing the body and destroying the target is 260 meters. The enemy within a radius of up to 158 meters receives severe concussions. The total mass of the bomb is 3067 kg, it is loaded with 1387 kg of TNT and has 3 fuses.

MANPADS Verba of Russia review and design of the complex. A Russian serviceman showed how the fourth generation Verba MANPADS works, which will be shown below. The 9K333 Verba man-portable anti-aircraft missile system was developed by JSC Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau and entered service in 2015. The Verba MANPADS is a further development of the Igla-S MANPADS and is up to 1.5-2 times more effective than it. The 9K333 Verba complex includes a 9M336 high-explosive fragmentation anti-aircraft missile, a 9P521 launcher and a 1L229V ground radio interrogator. Additionally, a removable night vision sight 1PN97M "Mowgli-2M" and a small-sized radar 1L122 "Garmon" with a laptop can be used; the radar provides target detection at a range of up to 80 kilometers.

The Verba MANPADS almost does not respond to heat traps and other interference. This is achieved thanks to a particularly sensitive three-spectral missile homing head, operating in the ultraviolet and two infrared ranges. The Verba MANPADS can destroy not only helicopters and airplanes, but also UAVs and cruise missiles. The Verba MANPADS is superior not only to the Igla-S MANPADS, but also to the American FIM-92 Stinger. For comparison: the Igla-S MANPADS hits air targets at altitudes of up to 3.5 kilometers, the Stinger MANPADS up to 3.8, and the Verba MANPADS up to 4.5 kilometers. In addition, the lower limit of the target acquisition height for the Stinger MANPADS is 180 meters, and the Verba MANPADS begins to operate from ten meters. The Verba MANPADS is capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 6400 meters and target flight speeds of up to 500 m/s, the MANPADS reaction time is 8 seconds, and the weight is 17.25 kg. The cost of the Verba MANPADS is supposedly about 150 thousand dollars, and it is supplied only to Armenia.

Russia continues to modernize its missiles. The P-800 Oniks supersonic cruise missile, part of the Bastion coastal missile systems, has been modernized by Russia. The new version of the Onyx missile has received more technologically advanced homing heads that are capable of attacking enemy targets more effectively, striking with a minimal deflection angle. Work is also underway to ensure the invulnerability of Onyx missiles to electronic warfare. Reportedly, the new characteristics of the missiles have already been confirmed during their tests. P-800 Onyx missiles were originally intended to destroy enemy ships, but thanks to innovations they have become an effective means of attacking ground targets. The Onyx anti-ship missile was developed back in the 80s of the last century, but entered service only in 2002. One complex with four Bastion launchers is capable of defending a coastline over 600 km long. The missile's flight range is up to 600 kilometers; the modernized version of the Oniks-M missile is capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 800 kilometers. Onyx missiles are in service with surface ships and submarines of the Russian Navy, are used in Bastion coastal missile systems, and are also silo-based.

Rostec is accelerating the first serial deliveries of the newest anti-aircraft artillery system "Derivation-PVO" to the troops, industrial director of the State Corporation Bekhan Ozdoev announced on April 8. The self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was created by Uralvagonzavod specialists on the basis of the BMP-3, and is a fusion of the combat capabilities of well-known ZAK "Pantsir-S" and "Tunguska". In the West, the complex was called a "hellish thresher". ZAK "Derivation-PVO" is the only anti-aircraft system in the world that hits air targets with 57-mm cannons and is equipped with artillery fire control equipment. For the first time, the complex was introduced in 2018. The Derivation-PVO anti-aircraft complex is capable of firing ammunition with controlled detonation for the most effective combat against air targets. It is known that in the head part of such a projectile there is a “steering mechanism” and folding rudders. In the aft part there is a laser radiation receiver and a folding stabilizer. The central part of the ammunition body is filled with explosive material, about 400 g. A guided projectile weighing about 2 kg is controlled by a laser beam. The 2S38 complex is primarily designed to combat UAVs, cruise missiles and aircraft weapons in the near zone; it is equipped with a passive reconnaissance and targeting system. The detection range of air targets is up to 10 thousand meters. The automatic cannon of the uninhabited combat module "Baikal" is capable of firing several types of ammunition, remotely detonated and controlled - at a distance of up to 9000 meters and an altitude of up to 4500 meters. The maximum range of destruction of ground targets and surface targets is 14,500 meters. Rate of fire – 120 rounds per minute. The complex is capable of operating in conditions of optical and electronic countermeasures from the enemy. "Derivation-PVO" can automatically "select" ammunition for a specific object, work autonomously and according to target designations from a remote command post. ZAK "Derivatsiya-PVO" reaches a speed of up to 70 km/h and has a range of up to 600 km, the crew of the complex is 2 people.

Russian troops will include mobile groups to combat enemy drones. Mobile teams to combat UAVs will be armed with ZU-23-2 automatic cannons mounted on truck chassis, as well as pickup trucks equipped with heavy machine guns. The new units will also include electronic warfare equipment and smoke production vehicles. The vehicles will cover objects with a smoke screen that is impenetrable to both optical-electronic systems and UAV thermal imagers. It is worth noting that such mobile groups have been operating within the Ukrainian army for quite a long time; they are used to cover various objects.

As part of this year's state defense order, guided ammunition for the Pantsir-S air defense system is being delivered to Russian troops ahead of schedule. Rostec reported this today; the supply is carried out by the Shipunov KBP. Earlier, a Russian ship armed with a naval version of the Pantsir-M air defense system confirmed its combat characteristics. Currently, more than 50 Pantsir air defense systems are used to cover objects on Russian territory from drone attacks; according to experts, this is still not enough. The Pantsir air defense system is designed for close-in defense of civilian and military targets, as well as for covering long-range air defense systems

Footage of exercises of the missile division of the Russian Baltic Fleet in the Kaliningrad region. The video shows the firing of the Russian coastal missile system "Bal" with an Kh-35 anti-ship missile. The "Bal" missile system was put into service in 2008, the flight range of the modernized missiles of the "Bal" complex is about 500 kilometers, the model of the missiles is not reported. The probability of hitting a target at a range of up to 120 km is about 92%.

Footage of the Russian crew of the 220-mm Uragan MLRS. The 9K57 Uragan MLRS was put into service in 1975; this installation, as seen in the video, also has partial protection against drones. The firing range of the Uragan MLRS is up to 35 km, the installation is located on the ZIL-135LM chassis. Currently, the 9K57 Uragan MLRS is in service with the Russian army, there are 200 units in service and 700 units in storage. The Uragan MLRS is also used by the Kazakh, Belarusian, Ukrainian and other armies; in total, 9 countries use them.

Rare footage of the launch of the Russian X-32 cruise missile from a Tu-22M3 aircraft. The Kh-32 missile is made in the body of the Kh-22 missile and was put into service in 2016, developed by the Raduga ICB. The Kh-22 missile is designed to destroy ships, but the new Kh-32 can also hit ground targets. The Kh-32 missile rises to a height of up to 40 kilometers and at the final stage dives vertically onto the target, which makes it difficult to hit by air defense systems. The X-32 missile received a new liquid engine, digital equipment and an active-passive radar and electronic warfare systems protected from interference. The missile uses anti-aircraft maneuvers, sees the terrain and thereby determines its location. The radar acquisition range of the missile seeker is up to 300 km, the flight range is up to 1000 km at a speed of up to 5400 km/h. The probability of hitting the target is about 82%. The weight of the warhead of the Kh-22 missile is 960 kg, the weight of the warhead of the Kh-32 missile has not been officially reported, approximately 500 kilograms. The cost of the Kh-32 and Kh-22 missiles is supposedly about 500 thousand dollars.

Homemade Russian air defense with 3 PKT machine guns. Russian military personnel showed homemade anti-aircraft guns designed to combat drones and work on ground targets. One of the installations consists of three 7.62-mm PKT machine guns and is equipped with an electric trigger; each machine gun has 350 rounds of ammunition. The second installation is equipped with four Ak-47 assault rifles, 7.62 mm caliber. A homemade air defense installation is being tested; it is planned to equip the installations with thermal imagers and night vision devices.

Preparation of Iskander and Kinzhal missiles, the first stage of Russian missile exercises 2024. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the first stage of the exercise has started in the Southern Military District in order to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces. The use of the Iskander and Kinzhal complexes is being practiced. As part of this stage of the exercises, missile formations are practicing the task of obtaining special ammunition for the Iskander missile system, equipping missiles with them and covertly moving into the designated launch area. The video shows the loading of the 9K728 cruise missile of the Iskander-K complex and the 9M723 ballistic missile of the Iskander-M complex. At the same time, the Russian Air Force will practice equipping missiles with special warheads, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and sorties to patrol areas.

Against the backdrop of the latest news about the S-300 and S-400 air defense systems, this can also be said about the MIM-104 Patriot air defense system; we are publishing data on the effectiveness of these systems in defeating ballistic missiles. Let's start with the fact that 100% air defense is not yet in the world; it is wrong to judge the effectiveness of air defense systems by the effectiveness of intercepting ballistic missiles. The main function of the S-300, S-400 and Patriot air defense systems is to defeat aerodynamic targets flying horizontally, such as airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles and large UAVs. It is worth noting that in order to intercept cruise missiles, the air defense system must have a radar to detect low-flying targets; in practice, this is not always the case. The defeat of ballistic missiles is a secondary function of these and air defense systems of this class developed in other countries. A ballistic missile is a difficult target; the Russian Iskander ballistic missile reaches speeds of up to 7,300 km/h in the final phase of its flight, and the American ATACMS missile reaches 3,700 km/h. The difficulty of defeating ballistic missiles is that the missiles develop high speed and approach the target from above, air defense crews do not always have time to detect them, and there is little time left to hit the target. It is also worth noting that the radars of modern air defense systems do not work all the time, since they have their own resource. There is little data on hitting ballistic targets, but it is known. The probability of intercepting a ballistic missile from the Patriot PAC-3 air defense system is from 60 to 80%, provided that there is no interference and the target is not maneuvering. The S-300 air defense system is capable of hitting a ballistic missile with a probability of 50 to 65%. The S-400 air defense system is capable of hitting a ballistic missile with a probability of no higher than 80%, also in ideal conditions. Thus, it is incorrect to judge the effectiveness of current air defense systems based on their capabilities.

Russia has deployed the first battery of the new S-500 Prometheus air defense system in the Krasnodar region. It is worth noting that the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence department, Kirill Budanov, said that the S-500 air defense system was deployed in Crimea, in the Kerch Strait area. According to media reports, the S-500 air defense system will protect the Crimean Bridge. The S-500 air defense system is specially designed to combat ballistic missiles; it is quite difficult to hit them, and the previous generation air defense systems cope worse with this. The last stage of testing of the S-500 complex took place on February 22, when the Prometheus air defense system hit the R-29RMU2 Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile.