Russian Air Defense - Prospects and Challenges. Modern and promising anti-aircraft missile systems of air defense of Russia Russian air defense systems

ZRS S-300VM "Antey-2500"

The only one in the world mobile system Air defense, which can intercept short and medium-range ballistic missiles (up to 2500 km). Another "Antey" can shoot down a modern aircraft, including the stealth Staelth. The Antey target can be hit simultaneously by four or two 9M83 (9M83M) missiles (depending on the launcher used). In addition to the Russian army, the Almaz-Antey concern supplies Antey to Venezuela; also signed a contract with Egypt. But Iran in 2015 abandoned it in favor of the S-300 air defense system.

ZRS S-300V

The S-Z00V military self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system carries two types of missiles. The first is 9M82 in order to shoot down ballistic Pershings and SRAM-type aircraft missiles, as well as far-flying aircraft. The second - 9M83, to destroy aircraft and ballistic missiles such as "Lance" and R-17 "Scud".

Autonomous air defense system "Tor"

Bearing the proud name of the Scandinavian deity, the Thor air defense system can cover not only infantry and equipment, but also buildings and industrial facilities. "Thor" protects, among other things, from high-precision weapons, guided bombs and enemy drones. At the same time, the system itself controls the designated airspace and independently shoots down all air targets that are not identified by the “friend or foe” system. Therefore, they call it autonomous.

Anti-aircraft missile system "Osa" and its modifications "Osa-AK" and "Osa-AKM"

Since the 60s of the XX century, the Osa has been in service with the Soviet, and later the Russian army and the armies of the CIS countries, as well as more than 25 foreign countries. It is capable of protecting ground forces from aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles enemy operating at extremely low, low and medium altitudes (up to 5 m at a distance of up to 10 km).

SAM MD-PS increased secrecy of functioning

The secrecy of the MD-PS is ensured through the use of optical means for detecting and guiding the missile by infrared radiation of the target in the 8-12 micron wavelength range. The detection system has an all-round view and can simultaneously find up to 50 targets and select the most dangerous ones. Guidance is carried out on the principle of "shot and forget" (missiles with homing heads that "see" the target).

"Tunguska"

The Tunguska anti-aircraft cannon missile system is a short-range air defense system. In combat, it covers infantry from helicopters and attack aircraft operating at low altitudes, and fires at lightly armored ground and floating equipment. She opens fire not only from a place, but also in motion - if only there was no fog and snowfall. In addition to the ZUR9M311 missiles, the Tunguska is equipped with 2A38 anti-aircraft guns, which can turn to the sky up to an angle of 85 degrees.

"Pine - RA"

The light mobile towed Sosna-RA anti-aircraft gun-missile system, like the Tunguska, is equipped with an anti-aircraft gun that hits targets at an altitude of up to 3 km. But the main advantage of Sosna-RA is hypersonic missile 9M337 "Pine-RA", which already shoots at targets at a height of up to 3500 meters. The range of destruction is from 1.3 to 8 km. "Pine-RA" - light complex; this means that it can be put on any platform that can withstand its weight - trucks Ural-4320, KamAZ-4310 and others.

New

Anti-aircraft missile system of long and medium range S-400 "Triumph"

The defeat of targets at long range in the Russian army is provided, among other things, by the S-400 Triumph air defense system. It is designed to destroy aerospace attack weapons, and is capable of intercepting a target at a distance of more than 200 kilometers and at an altitude of up to 30 kilometers. The Triumph has been in service with the Russian army since 2007.

"Pantsir-S1"

ZRPK "Pantsir-S1" was adopted in 2012. Its automatic cannons and radio-guided guided missiles with infrared and radar tracking can neutralize any target in the air, on land and on the water. Pantsir-S1 is armed with 2 anti-aircraft guns and 12 surface-to-air missiles.

SAM "Pine"

The Sosna short-range mobile anti-aircraft missile system is the latest Russian novelty; The complex will enter service only at the end of this year. It has two parts - armor-piercing and fragmentation-rod action, that is, it can hit armored vehicles, fortifications and ships, shoot down cruise missiles, drones and high-precision weapons. "Pine" is guided by a laser: the rocket flies along the beam.

1. Introduction

The purpose of this work is to study the history of the development of air defense forces in the USSR and Russia in the period from the 50s of the XX century to the present. The relevance of the topic is emphasized by the fact that as a result of modern scientific and technological progress, military science is increasingly paying attention to technologies related to air defense in order to reliably protect Russia's air borders and counter the "global" attack planned by NATO.

Unfortunately, along with brilliant ideas that make life easier for a person and give him new opportunities, there are ideas no less brilliant, but representing a destructive force and a threat to humanity. A number of states now have a multitude of space satellites, aircraft, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and nuclear warheads.

With the advent of new military technologies and formidable forces, forces opposing them always arise on their basis, as a result, new means of air defense (air defense) and anti-missile defense (ABM) appear.

We are interested in the development and experience of using the first air defense systems, starting from the s-25 (adopted into service in 1955), to new modern systems. Also of interest are the possibilities of other countries in the development and use of air defense systems, and the general prospects for the development of air defense systems. We set the main task in determining how Russia is protected from potential military threats from the air. Air superiority and long-range strikes have always been a focus opposing sides in any conflict, even potential. It is important for us to understand the capabilities of our country in ensuring air security, because the presence of powerful and modern air defense systems guarantees security not only for us, but for the whole world. The weapons of deterrence in the 21st century are by no means limited to the nuclear shield.

2. The history of the emergence of air defense forces

The phrase comes to mind: "A wise man prepares for war in peacetime" - Horace.

Everything in our world appears for some reason and with a specific purpose. The emergence of air defense forces is no exception. Their formation was due to the fact that in many countries the first aircraft began to appear and military aviation. At the same time, the development of weapons to combat the enemy in the air began.

In 1914, the very first air defense weapon, a submachine gun, was manufactured at the Putilov factory in St. Petersburg. It was used in the defense of Petrograd against German air raids during the First World War at the end of 1914.

Each state strives to win the war and Germany is no exception, its new JU 88 V-5 bombers from September 1939 began to fly at altitudes reaching 5000 meters, which brought them out of the reach of the first air defense guns, which required modernization of weapons and new ideas for its development.

It should be noted that the arms race in the 20th century was a powerful engine for the development of weapons systems and military equipment. During cold war the first anti-aircraft missile stations (ZRS) were developed and anti-aircraft missile systems(ZRK). In our country, a great contribution to the creation and development of new air defense systems was made by the design engineer Veniamin Pavlovich Efremov, who took part in the development radar systems S-25Yu, where he showed his talent. He took part in the development of the Tor, S-300V, Buk air defense systems and all their subsequent upgrades.

3. S-25 "Berkut"

3.1 History of creation

After the Second World War, military aviation switched to the use of jet engines, flight speeds and altitudes increased significantly, outdated anti-aircraft artillery could no longer provide reliable cover in the air, and their combat effectiveness was significantly reduced. So there was a need for new air defense systems.

On August 9, 1950, a resolution was adopted by the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the creation of an air defense missile system controlled by a radar network. Organizational work on this issue was entrusted to the Third Main Directorate under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, personally supervised by L.P. Beria.

The development of the Berkut system was carried out by KB-1 (design bureau), and now OJSC GSKB of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern, headed by K.M. .Beria, who was the chief designer together with P.N. Kuksenko. At the same time, V-300 missiles were developed for this complex.

According to the plan of the military strategists of the USSR, it was supposed to place two rings of radar detection around Moscow at a distance of 25-30 and 200-250 km from the city. The Kama stations were to become the main control stations. The B-200 stations were also developed to control missile launches.

It was planned to include in the Berkut complex not only a missile resource, but also interceptor aircraft based on Tu-4 bombers. This plan was not carried out. "Berkut" after rigorous testing was adopted on May 7, 1955.

The main performance characteristics (TTX) of this system:

1) hitting a target with a speed of up to 1500 km / h;

2) target height 5-20 km;

3) distance to the target up to 35 km;

4) the number of hit targets - 20;

5) the shelf life of missiles in the warehouse is 2.5 years, on the launcher 6 months.

For the 50s of the twentieth century, this system was the most advanced, designed using the most advanced technologies. It was a real breakthrough! Not a single anti-aircraft missile system of that time had such broad capabilities for detecting and hitting targets. Multi-channel radar stations were a novelty, because. Until the end of the 1960s, there were no analogues of such systems in the world. In developing radar stations participated Soviet scientist, designer Efremov Veniamin Pavlovich.

However, such a perfect air defense system of that time had a colossal cost and high maintenance costs. It was advisable to use it only to cover especially important objects; it was not possible to cover the entire territory with it. The air defense plan provided for covering the territory around Leningrad, but this project was not carried out due to its high cost.

Another disadvantage was that the Berkut had low mobility, which made it extremely vulnerable to an enemy nuclear strike. In addition, the system was designed to repel a large number of enemy bombers, and by that time the war strategy had changed and the bombers began to fly in small units, which significantly reduced the chances of their detection. It should also be noted that low-flying bombers and cruise missiles were able to bypass this defense system.

3.2 Goals, objectives and experience with the use of S-25

The S-25 complex was developed and put into service in order to protect strategically important objects from enemy aircraft and cruise missiles. According to the general plan, the ground elements of the complex were supposed to monitor the air target, process the received data and issue commands to the guided missile. It was supposed to start vertically and could hit a target at a distance of up to 70 meters from the place of its explosion (the error value of hitting the target).

At the end of July 1951, the first tests of the S-25 and the V-300 missile in particular began. Test runs consisted of several stages. The first 3 launches were to check the rocket at the start, check the characteristics, the time of dropping the gas rudders. The next 5 launches were carried out to test the missile control system. This time, only the second launch occurred without any failures. As a result, shortcomings in the rocket equipment and ground cables were revealed. The following months, until the end of 1951, test launches were carried out, which were crowned with some success, but the missiles still needed to be finalized.

In 1952, a series of launches were carried out aimed at testing various electronic equipment of the rocket. In 1953, after 10 series of launches, the rocket and other elements of the Berkut anti-aircraft missile system received a recommendation for mass production.

In the late spring of 1953, testing and measurement of the combat characteristics of the system began. The possibility of destroying Tu-4 and Il-28 aircraft was tested. The destruction of targets required from one to four missiles. The task was solved by two missiles, as it is established at the present time - 2 missiles are used simultaneously to completely destroy the target.

S-25 "Berkut" was used until the 60s of the twentieth century, after which it was modernized and became known as S-25M. New characteristics made it possible to destroy targets at a speed of 4200 km / h at altitudes from 1.5 to 30 km. The flight range was increased to 43 km, and the storage periods at the launcher and warehouse were increased to 5 and 15 years, respectively.

S-25M were in service with the USSR and protected the sky over Moscow and the Moscow region until the early 80s of the twentieth century. Subsequently, the missiles were replaced with more modern ones and decommissioned in 1988. The sky over our country, together with the S-25, was protected by the S-75 air defense systems, which were simpler, cheaper and had a sufficient degree of mobility.

3.3 Foreign analogues

In 1953, the United States adopted the MIM-3 Nike Ajax anti-aircraft missile system. The complex has been developed since 1946 as a means for the effective destruction of enemy aircraft. The radar system had one channel, unlike our multi-channel system, but was much cheaper and covered all cities and military bases. It consisted of two radars, one of which tracked the enemy target, and the second directed the missile at the target itself. The combat capabilities of the MIM-3 Nike Ajax and C-25 were approximately the same, although the American system was simpler and by the time the C-75 complexes appeared in our country, there were several hundred MIM-3 complexes in the USA.

4. C-75

4.1 History of creation and performance characteristics

On November 20, 1953, the design of a mobile anti-aircraft missile system began on the basis of the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 2838/1201 "On the creation of a mobile system of anti-aircraft guided missile weapons to combat enemy aircraft." At that time, tests of the S-25 complex were in full swing, but due to its enormous cost and low mobility, the S-25 could not protect all important facilities and places of concentration of troops. The development was entrusted to the management of KB-1 under the leadership of A.A. Raspletin. At the same time, the OKB-2 department began work under the leadership of P.D. Grushin, who was engaged in the design of the S-75 using the existing developments on the S-25 complex, including those that were not implemented. The missile created for this complex was called the B-750. It was equipped with two stages - starting and marching, which gave the rocket a high initial speed during an inclined start. The SM-63 launchers and the PR-11 transport-loading vehicle were specially developed for it.

The complex was put into service in 1957. The characteristics of the S-75 allowed it to compete with its analogues from other states.

In total there were 3 modifications "Dvina", "Desna" and "Volkhov".

In the Desna variant, the target engagement range was 34 km, and in the Volkhov variant, up to 43 km.

Initially, the range of target engagement heights was from 3 to 22 km, but then in Desna it changed to a range of 0.5-30 km, and in Volkhov it became 0.4-30 km. Max Speed target destruction reached 2300 km / h. In the future, these indicators were improved.

In the mid-70s, the complex began to be equipped with 9Sh33A television optical sights with an optical target tracking channel. This made it possible to lead the target and fire at it without using radar equipment SAM in radiation mode. And thanks to the "narrow" beam antennas, the minimum target engagement height was reduced to 100 meters, and the speed was increased to 3600 km / h.

Some of the missiles of the complex were equipped with a special nuclear warhead.

4.2 Goals, objectives and application experience.

The goals of creating the S-75 complex were to reduce the cost compared to the S-25, increase mobility so that it could protect the entire territory of our country. These goals have been achieved. In terms of its capabilities, the S-75 was not inferior to foreign counterparts and was supplied to many Warsaw Pact countries, to Algeria, Vietnam, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Cuba, China, Libya, Yugoslavia, Syria and many others.

On October 7, 1959, for the first time in the history of air defense, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, an American RB-57D aircraft belonging to the Taiwanese Air Force near Beijing, was shot down by an anti-aircraft guided missile of the S-75 complex. The reconnaissance flight altitude was 20,600 meters.

In the same year, on November 16, an S-75 shot down an American balloon near Stalingrad at an altitude of 28 km.

On May 1, 1960, an S-75 destroyed an American U-2 reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force over Sverdlovsk. However, on this day, a MiG-19 fighter of the USSR Air Force was also destroyed by mistake.

In the 60s, during the Caribbean crisis, a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft was also shot down. And then the Chinese Air Force shot down 5 US reconnaissance aircraft over its territory.

During the Vietnam War, according to the USSR Ministry of Defense, 1293 aircraft were destroyed by this complex, including 54 B-52 strategic bombers. But according to the Americans, the losses amounted to only 200 aircraft. In reality, the data of the USSR Ministry of Defense were somewhat overestimated, but in general the complex showed itself from the excellent side.

In addition, the S-75 complex participated in the 1969 Arab-Israeli conflict. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War in the Middle East. In these battles, the complex perfectly demonstrated that it is able to protect the territory and people from enemy attacks.

IN Persian Gulf in 1991, the S-75 was defeated and 38 units were destroyed by means of electronic warfare and cruise missiles. But the complex managed to shoot down a 4th generation F-15 fighter.

In the 21st century, many countries use this complex, for example, Azerbaijan, Angola, Armenia, Egypt, Iran, but it’s worth moving on to more modern ones, not forgetting to mention foreign counterparts.

4.3 Foreign analogues

To replace the MIM-3, the Americans adopted the MIM-14 Nike-Hercules in 1958.

It was the world's first long-range anti-aircraft missile system - up to 140 km with a strike height of 45 km. The missiles of the complex were designed not only to destroy enemy aircraft, but also to intercept ballistic missiles and destroy ground targets.

MIM-14 Nike-Hercules remained the most advanced until the advent of the Soviet S-200. The large radius of destruction and the presence of a nuclear warhead made it possible to hit all the planes and missiles on the planet at that time.

The MIM-14 is superior to the C-75 in some respects, but in terms of mobility, the MIM-14 Nike-Hercules inherited the low mobility ailment of the MIM-3, which is inferior to the C-75.

5. S-125 "Neva"

5.1 History of creation and performance characteristics

The first anti-aircraft missile systems, such as S-25, S-75, their foreign counterparts coped well with their task - the destruction of high-speed high-flying targets that are inaccessible to cannon anti-aircraft artillery and difficult to destroy for fighters.

Due to the fact that previous anti-aircraft missile systems have shown that they are capable of carrying out combat duty and participating in hostilities, it is natural that it was decided to extend this type of weapon to the entire range of heights and speeds of potential threats.

At that time, the minimum height for hitting targets with the S-25 and S-75 complexes was 1-3 km, which fully met the requirements of the early 50s of the twentieth century. But given this trend, it was to be expected that aviation would soon switch to a new method of warfare - combat at low altitudes. realizing given fact, KB-1 and its head A.A. Raspletin were tasked with creating a low-altitude air defense system. Work began in the autumn of 1955. The latest system was supposed to serve to intercept low-flying targets at altitudes from 100 to 5000 meters at speeds up to 1500 km / h. The range of hitting targets was relatively small - only 12 km. But the main requirement was the full mobility of the complex with all its missiles, radar stations for tracking, control, reconnaissance and communications. The developments were carried out taking into account transportation on an automobile basis, but transportation by rail, sea and air was also envisaged.

As with the S-75, the development of the S-125 used the experience of previous projects. The methods of searching, scanning and tracking the target were completely borrowed from the S-25 and S-75.

The big problem was the reflection of the antenna signal from the surface of the earth and its landscape. It was decided to place the antennas of the guidance stations at an angle, which gave a gradual increase in interference from reflection when tracking the target.

An innovation was the decision to create an automated missile launch system APP-125, which itself determined the boundary of the affected area and fired a missile due to the short time of enemy aircraft approaching.

In the course of research and development, a special V-600P rocket was also developed - the first rocket designed according to the "duck" scheme, which provided the rocket with great maneuverability.

In the event of a miss, the rocket automatically went up and self-destructed.

The anti-aircraft missile regiments of the air defense of the USSR Armed Forces were equipped with SNR-125 guidance stations, guided missiles, transport-loading vehicles and interface cabins in 1961.

5.2

The S-125 "Neva" complex was designed to destroy low-flying enemy targets (100 - 5000 meters). Target recognition was provided at a distance of up to 110 km. The Neva had an automatic launch system. It is important to note that during the tests it was revealed that the probability of hitting a target without interference was 0.8-0.9, and the probability of hitting in passive interference was 0.49-0.88.

A large number of S-125s were sold abroad. The buyers were Egypt, Syria, Libya, Myanmar, Vietnam, Venezuela, Turkmenistan. The total cost of deliveries amounted to about $250 million. US dollars.

There were also various modifications of the S-125 for air defense (Neva), for the Navy (Volna) and Export (Pechora).

If we talk about the combat use of the complex, then in 1970 in Egypt, Soviet divisions destroyed 9 Israeli and 1 Egyptian aircraft with 35 missiles.

During the Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Israel, 21 aircraft were shot down by 174 rockets. And Syria shot down 33 aircraft with 131 missiles.

The real sensation was the moment when, on March 27, 1999, a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth tactical strike aircraft was shot down over Yugoslavia for the first time.

5.3 Foreign analogues

In 1960, the MIM-23 Hawk was adopted by the Americans. Initially, the complex was developed to destroy enemy aircraft, but was later upgraded to destroy missiles.

It was slightly better than our S-125 system in terms of its characteristics, as it could hit targets at altitudes from 60 to 11,000 meters at a distance of 2 to 25 km in its very first modifications. In the future, it was modernized many times until 1995. The Americans themselves did not use this complex in hostilities, but foreign states actively used it.

But, the practice is not so different. For example, during the October War of 1973, Israel fired 57 missiles from this complex, but none of them hit the target.

6. Z RK S-200

6.1 History of creation and performance characteristics

In the mid-50s, in the context of the rapid development of supersonic aviation and thermonuclear weapons, it became the necessary creation long-range mobile anti-aircraft missile system, which could solve the problem of intercepting a high-flying target. Given that the systems available at that time had a short range, it was very expensive to deploy them throughout the country for reliable protection against air strikes. Especially important was the organization of the protection of the northern territories, where there was the shortest flight distance. American missiles and bombers. And if we take into account the fact that the northern regions of our country are poorly equipped with road infrastructure and the population density is extremely low, then a completely new air defense system was required.

According to the Government Decree of March 19, 1956 and May 8, 1957 No. 501 and No. 250, a large number of enterprises and workshops to develop a new long-range air defense system. The general designer of the system, as before, was A.A. Raspletin and P.D. Grushin.

First sketch new rocket The B-860 was introduced at the end of December 1959. Particular attention was paid to the protection of the internal structural elements of the rocket, since as a result of the flight of the rocket at hypersonic speed, the structures were heated.

The initial characteristics of the missile were far from those of foreign counterparts already in service, such as the MIM-14 Nike-Hercules. It was decided to increase the radius of destruction of supersonic targets up to 110-120 km, and subsonic - up to 160-180 km.

The new generation firing complex included: a command post, a radar for clarifying the situation, a digital computer and up to five firing channels. Shooting channel firing complex included a half-light target radar, a starting position with six launchers, power supply facilities.

This complex was put into service in 1967 and is currently in service.

The S-200 was produced in various modifications both for our country and for export to foreign countries.

The S-200 Angara was put into service in 1967. The maximum speed of the hit targets reached 1100 km/h, the number of simultaneously fired targets was 6. The height of the hit was from 0.5 to 20 km. Range of defeat from 17 to 180 km. The probability of hitting targets is 0.45-0.98.

S-200V "Vega" was put into service in 1970. The maximum speed of the hit targets reached 2300 km / h, the number of simultaneously fired targets was 6. The height of the hit was from 0.3 to 35 km. Range of defeat from 17 to 240 km. The probability of hitting targets is 0.66-0.99.

S-200D "Dubna" was put into service in 1975. The maximum speed of the hit targets reached 2300 km / h, the number of simultaneously fired targets was 6. The height of the hit was from 0.3 to 40 km. Range of defeat from 17 to 300 km. The probability of hitting targets is 0.72-0.99.

For a greater probability of hitting targets, the S-200 complex was combined with low-altitude S-125, from where the formations of anti-aircraft brigades of mixed composition came from.

By that time, long-range air defense systems were already well known in the West. US space intelligence facilities continuously recorded all stages of its deployment. According to American data, in 1970 the number launchers S-200 was 1100, in 1975 - 1600, in 1980 -1900. The deployment of this system reached its peak in the mid-1980s, when the number of launchers amounted to 2030 units.

6.2 Goals, objectives and application experience

The S-200 was created as a long-range complex, its task was to cover the country's territory from enemy air strikes. A big plus was the increased range of the system, which made it economically possible to deploy it throughout the country.

It is worth noting that the S-200 was the first air defense system that was capable of the specific purpose of the Lockheed SR-71. For this reason, US reconnaissance aircraft have always flown only along the borders of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries.

The S-200 is also known for the tragic incident on October 4, 2001, when a civilian Tu-154 aircraft of Siberia Airlines was mistakenly shot down during exercises in Ukraine. Then 78 people died.

Speaking about the combat use of the complex, on December 6, 1983, the Syrian S-200 complex shot down two Israeli MQM-74 drones.

On March 24, 1986, the Libyan S-200 complex is believed to have shot down American attack aircraft, 2 of which were A-6Es.

The complexes were also in service in Libya in the recent conflict of 2011, but nothing is known about their use in it, except that after an air strike they were completely destroyed on the territory of Libya.

6.3 Foreign analogues

An interesting project was the Boeing CIM-10 Bomarc. This complex was developed from 1949 to 1957. It was put into service in 1959. Currently, it is considered the most long-range air defense system. The range of destruction of Bomarc-A was 450 km, and the modification of 1961 Bomarc-B was up to 800 km with a missile speed of almost 4000 km/h.

But, given that the USSR quickly grew its arsenal of strategic missiles, and this system could only hit aircraft and bombers, then in 1972 the system was withdrawn from service.

7. ZRK S-300

7.1 History of creation and performance characteristics

By the end of the 60s, the experience of using air defense systems in the wars in Vietnam and the Middle East showed that it was necessary to create a complex with the greatest mobility and a short transition time from marching and duty to combat and vice versa. The need is due to the rapid change of position before the arrival of enemy aircraft.

In the USSR at that time, the S-25, S-75, S-125 and S-200 were already in service. Progress did not stand still and it took a new weapon, more modern and versatile. Design work on the S-300 began in 1969. It was decided to create air defense for the ground forces S-300V ("Military"), S-300F ("Navy"), S-300P ("air defense of the country").

The chief designer of the S-300 was Veniamin Pavlovich Efremov. The system was developed taking into account the possibility of hitting ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The task of simultaneously tracking 6 targets and aiming 12 missiles at them was set and solved. For the first time, a system of full automation of the work of the complex was implemented. They included the tasks of detection, tracking, target distribution, target designation, target acquisition, its destruction and evaluation of the result. The crew (combat crew) was tasked with assessing the operation of the system and monitoring the launch of missiles. It was also assumed the possibility of manual intervention in the course of the combat system.

Serial production of the complex and testing began in 1975. By 1978, tests of the complex were completed. In 1979, the S-300P took up combat duty to protect the air borders of the USSR.

Important features are that the complex is capable of operating in various combinations within one modification, operating as part of a battery with various other combat units and systems.

In addition, it is possible to use various means disguises such as impersonators electromagnetic radiation in infrared and radio bands, camouflage nets.

The S-300 systems were widely used in the class of modifications. Separate modifications were developed for sale abroad. As can be seen in Figure No. 19, the S-300 was supplied abroad only for the fleet and air defense, as a means of protection. ground forces the complex remained only for our country. ​

All modifications are distinguished by various missiles, the ability to protect against electronic warfare, range and the ability to deal with short-range ballistic missiles or low-flying targets.

7.2 Main tasks, application and foreign analogues

The S-300 is designed to defend large industrial and administrative facilities, command posts, and military bases from attacks by enemy aerospace weapons.

According to official figures, the S-300 has never taken part in real hostilities. But, training launches are conducted in many countries.

Their results showed the high combat capability of the S-300.

The main tests of the complex were aimed at countering ballistic missiles. Aircraft were destroyed with just one missile, and two shots were enough to destroy missiles.

In 1995, a P-17 missile was shot down at the Kapustin Yar range during demonstration firing at the range. The training ground was attended by delegations from 11 countries. All targets were completely destroyed.

Speaking of foreign analogues, it is worth pointing out the famous American MIM-104 Patriot complex. It has been created since 1963. Its main task is to intercept enemy ballistic missiles, defeat aircraft at medium altitudes. It was put into service in 1982. This complex could not surpass the S-300. There were Patriot, Patriot PAC-1, Patriot PAC-2 complexes, which were put into service in 1982, 1986, 1987, respectively. Considering the performance characteristics of the Patriot PAC-2, we note that it could hit aerodynamic targets at ranges from 3 to 160 km, ballistic targets up to 20 km, altitude range from 60 meters to 24 km. The maximum target speed is 2200 m/s.

8. Modern complexes air defense

8.1 Standing in service with the Russian Federation

The main topic of our work was the consideration of air defense systems of the "C" family, and we should start with the most modern S-400 in service with the RF Armed Forces.

S-400 "Triumph" - long-range and medium-range air defense systems. It is designed to destroy the enemy's means of aerospace attack, such as reconnaissance aircraft, ballistic missiles, hypersonic. This system was put into service relatively recently - on April 28, 2007. The latest air defense system is capable of hitting aerodynamic targets at ranges up to 400 km and up to 60 km - ballistic targets, the speed of which does not exceed 4.8 km/s. The target itself is detected even earlier, at a distance of 600 km. The difference from the "Patriot" and other complexes is that the minimum target engagement height is only 5 m, which gives this complex a huge advantage over others, making it universal. The number of simultaneously fired targets is 36 with 72 guided missiles. The deployment time of the complex is 5-10 minutes, and the time to bring it to combat readiness- 3 minutes.

The Russian government agreed to sell this complex to China, but not earlier than 2016, when our country will be fully equipped with them.

It is believed that the S-400 has no analogues in the world.

The following complexes that we would like to consider in the framework of this work are TOR M-1 and TOR M-2. These are complexes designed to solve air defense and missile defense tasks at the divisional level. In 1991, the first TOR was put into service as a complex for protecting important administrative facilities and ground forces from all types of enemy air attacks. The complex is a short-range system - from 1 to 12 km, at altitudes from 10 meters to 10 km. The maximum speed of targets hit is 700 m / s.

TOR M-1 is an excellent complex. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation refused China a license to produce it, and as you know, there is no concept of copyright in China, so they created their own copy of the Hongqi-17 TOP.

Since 2003, the Tunguska-M1 anti-aircraft gun-missile system has also been in service. It is designed to provide air defense for tank and motorized rifle units. Tunguska is capable of destroying helicopters, airplanes, cruise missiles, drones, tactical aircraft. It is also distinguished by the fact that both missile and cannon weapons are combined. Cannon armament- two 30-mm anti-aircraft double-barreled guns, the rate of fire of which is 5000 rounds per minute. It is capable of hitting targets at an altitude of up to 3.5 km, a range of 2.5 to 8 km for missiles, 3 km and from 200 meters to 4 km for anti-aircraft guns.

The next means of combating the enemy in the air, we would note the BUK-M2. This is a multifunctional, highly mobile medium-range air defense system. It is designed to destroy aircraft, tactical and strategic aviation, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles. BUK is used to protect military facilities and troops in general, throughout the country to protect industrial and administrative facilities.

It is very interesting to consider another air defense and missile defense weapon of our time, Pantsir-S1. It can be called an improved Tunguska model. This is also a self-propelled anti-aircraft rocket-gun complex. It is designed to cover civilian and military facilities, including long-range air defense systems, from all modern air attack weapons. It can also perform military operations against ground, surface objects.

It was put into service quite recently - November 16, 2012. The missile unit is capable of hitting targets at altitudes from 15 m to 15 km and a range of 1.2-20 km. The target speed is not more than 1 km/s.

Cannon armament - two 30-mm anti-aircraft double-barreled guns used in the Tunguska-M1 complex.

Up to 6 machines can work simultaneously and together via a digital communication network.

It is known from the Russian media that in 2014 the Shells were used in the Crimea and hit Ukrainian drones.

8.2 Foreign analogues

Let's start with the well-known MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3. This is the latest modification currently in service with the US Army. Its main task is to intercept warheads of tactical ballistic and cruise missiles. modern world. It uses highly maneuverable missiles direct hit. A feature of the PAC-3 is that it has a short range of hitting targets - up to 20 km for ballistic and 40-60 for aerodynamic targets. It is striking that the sale of the missile stock includes PAC-2 missiles. Modernization work was carried out, but this did not give the Patriot complex an advantage over the S-400.

Another object of consideration will be the M1097 Avenger. This is a short-range air defense system. Designed to destroy air targets at altitudes from 0.5 to 3.8 km with a range of 0.5 to 5.5 km. He, like the Patriot, is part of the National Guard, and after September 11, 12 Avenger combat units appeared in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe Congress and the White House.

The last complex that we will consider is the NASAMS air defense system. This is a Norwegian mobile anti-aircraft missile system, which is designed to destroy air targets at low and medium altitudes. It was developed by Norway together with the American company "Raytheon Company System". The range of hitting targets is from 2.4 to 40 km, the height is from 30 meters to 16 km. The maximum speed of the hit target is 1000 m/s, and the probability of hitting it with one missile is 0.85.

Consider what our neighbors, China, have? It should be noted right away that their developments in many areas, both in air defense and missile defense, are mostly borrowed. Many of their air defense systems are copies of our types of weapons. For example, take the Chinese HQ-9 - a long-range anti-aircraft missile system, is the most effective tool Air defense of China. The complex was developed back in the 80s, but work on it was completed after the purchase of the S-300PMU-1 air defense system from Russia in 1993.

Designed to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, ballistic missiles. The maximum range is 200 km, the height of the defeat is from 500 meters to 30 km. The interception range of ballistic missiles is 30 km.

9. Prospects for the development of air defense and future projects

Russia has the most modern means of combating enemy missiles and aircraft, but there are already defense projects 15-20 years ahead of time, when the place of air combat will be not only the sky, but also near outer space.

Such a complex is the S-500. This type of weapon has not yet been adopted for service, but is being tested. It is assumed that it will be capable of destroying medium-range ballistic missiles with a launch range of 3500 km and intercontinental ballistic missiles. This complex will be able to destroy targets within a radius of 600 km, the speed of which reaches 7 km / s. The detection range is supposed to be increased by 150-200 km compared to the S-400.

The BUK-M3 is also under development and should soon be put into service.

Thus, we note that soon the air defense and missile defense forces will have to defend and fight not only close to the ground, but also in the nearest space. This shows that development will go in the direction of combating enemy aircraft, missiles and satellites in near space.

10. Conclusion

In our work, we examined the development of the air defense system of our country and the United States in the period from the 50s of the twentieth century to today partly looking into the future. It should be noted that the development of the air defense system was not easy for our country, it was a real breakthrough through a number of difficulties. There was a time when we tried to catch up with world military technology. Now everything is different, Russia occupies a leading position in the field of combating enemy aircraft and missiles. We can really consider that we are under reliable protection.

As we have already noted, at first 60 years ago they fought with low-flying bombers at subsonic speeds, and now the battle arena is gradually being transferred to near space and hypersonic speeds. Progress does not stand still, so you should think about the prospects for the development of your Armed Forces and predict the actions and development of technologies and tactics of the enemy.

We hope that all the military technology now available will not be needed for combat use. In our time, weapons of deterrence are not only nuclear weapons, but also any other types of weapons, including air defense and missile defense.

List of used literature

1) Anti-aircraft missile forces in the wars in Vietnam and the Middle East (in the period 1965-1973). Under the general editorship of Colonel-General of Artillery I.M. Gurinov. Military publishing house of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, Moscow 1980

2) General information about anti-aircraft missile system S-200 and the device of the 5V21A rocket. Tutorial. Military publishing house of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, Moscow - 1972

3) Berkut. Technical project. Section 1. general characteristics air defense system Berkut. 1951

4) Tactics of anti-aircraft missile troops. Textbook. Military publishing house of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, Moscow - 1969

5) http://www.arms-expo.ru/ "Arms of Russia" - federal directory

6) http://militaryrussia.ru/ - domestic military equipment (after 1945)

7) http://topwar.ru/ - military review

Http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/ - rocket technology

9) https://ru.wikipedia.org - free encyclopedia

To write this article, I was largely inspired by the excessive jingoistic moods of a significant part of the visitors to the site I respect " Military review”, as well as the cunning of the domestic media, which regularly publishes materials about the strengthening of our country, unprecedented since Soviet times. military power, 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."

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

“The duty forces of two divisions of air defense took 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 included in the area of ​​​​responsibility of the Central Military District.

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 the 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 family of "three hundredth" S-300PM was delivered to 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. Taking into account the upcoming mass write-off of military equipment that has exhausted its resource, 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, one 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).

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 bases of the Northern Fleet 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

IN Lately there was an increase in 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.

central District our country, in terms of air defense cover, resembles a “patchwork quilt”, in which there are more holes than patches. One S-300PS regiment is available in 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 huge Far Eastern federal district protect: 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 of the deployment points of Russian strategic nuclear forces provokes “potential partners” to attempt a “disarming strike” with high-precision means of destroying non-nuclear equipment.

In addition, they themselves anti-aircraft systems long range need protection. They need to be covered from the air with short-range air defense systems. Today, regiments with S-400s receive Pantsir-S air defense systems for this (2 per division), but 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 the radio engineering troops, their functional duty is to issue in advance 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 noted that a significant part of the park Russian fighters is listed in the Air Force only nominally. 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 reconstituted 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 a contract dated August 2009 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 command of the Russian Air Force and Air Defense 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 aircraft AWACS 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 tasks not only for air defense and tactical missile defense, but also for 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

air defense. Problems and successes of Russia. "Stealth" lose their meaning?

Pictures with the 40N6E anti-aircraft missile appeared on the Army-2018 forum. And this is increasingly leading to confidence that a significant announcement will finally be made that it will be adopted. And the S-400 complex will finally become universal, as it was originally intended. Moreover, another event may also indicate that he finally covers all ranges- short to long range. And coupled with interesting information about the development of new radar systems. it may turn out that "stealth" is already on the verge of losing its meaning. In principle, they were not "invisible" anyway, just most of the radars in the world (which, by the way, are far from new) saw them simply at a shorter range than conventional aircraft - that is, there was no talk of invisibility as such. Therefore, "stealth" could build their flight on avoiding radars that could detect them. And now it may turn out that as a signal of a radar capture and an indication of the approach of a missile, it may turn out to be an extremely unpleasant surprise for the pilots of "stealth" aircraft, especially Western ones. More on this and more below:

It seems to be a marker of the readiness of this missile, which TASS infographics lists as being in service since 1999, are two other air defense systems - the naval "Polyment-Redut" and the intermediate "sharpened" for the tasks of the missile defense system "Vityaz". Moreover, it was called that it was problems with the air defense system that kept the fleet of the lead frigate of the series "Admiral of the Fleet of the USSR Gorshkov", moreover, for several years. However, the situation with the Vityaz air defense system is no better - they promised to complete the tests at the beginning of 2015 and even begin production. It would seem that add detection and guidance means to the missile that has been around for a long time and have a "profit". But nevertheless, almost three years have passed since the demonstration of the assembled air defense system to Putin at the plant (the air defense system itself was shown at MAKS-2013), but the result of state tests has not been documented, nor was the demonstration of the assembled complex at the Army 2018 forum. On the other hand, the frigate was finally handed over to the fleet in July 2018, which suggests that the complex is more combat-ready than not. And I would venture to say that we will finally see the 9M96 as part of the S-400. Why do I consider this an important factor? If only because the 9M96 missile is optimal for hitting cruise missiles and is much larger than the more expensive and bulky (almost two tons in weight or almost five times more than 9M96) 48N6. In other words, destroying a cruise missile with the help of 48N6 is like destroying a tank by throwing another tank on top of it, or at least an infantry fighting vehicle. Therefore, the concept of the Vityaz air defense system (S-350) appeared, which should provide missile defense of important areas - rather industrial, but as an IMHO option and areas of concentration of troops in the depths of the territory. However, there is a good article that expresses doubts about the readiness of new air defense systems at the moment. What to decide in view of the existing lack of information about the state of de is already up to everyone. I am for optimism.

Launcher S-350.

Stealth. Or not?

Now about "stealth". The fact is that in Russia, China and the United States, work is in full swing to create a new type of radar stations based on radio photonics. And the real results of the theories that the new radars will become many times more compact and powerful are already quite expected. And the recent focus for the Chinese radar that detected the F-22 "stealth" is important over Korea (we are talking at least 300 km.) With a maximum detection range of 500 km. it may turn out to be quite an everyday routine, when "any dog" with a new radar, and not only with such a large one as in the picture below, will be able to consider the "stealth" as an ordinary aircraft and aim missiles at it.

Therefore, against the background of the intelligence received about the work on the new generation of radars abroad, as well as the calculations of our scientists, a decision may be made on the fate of the Su-57, especially since we did not have time to get involved in a "stealth" race for real- that is, to get serial combat vehicles. And therefore it is our happiness that we have the opportunity to decide whether to build the Su-57 or not. In any case, we will have 10-15 years before the moment when new types of radars begin to become too common for "stealth" to use its qualities for its intended purpose. And then the risks will increase. Therefore, I would not be surprised that the suspension of the order for the Su-57 is connected not so much with money, but also with the factor determining the role of the Su-57 in the Aerospace Forces, which, in connection with with a possible increase in the ability of the enemy to detect it will transform and decline. How things are with radio-photon radar in the USA can be clarified by comrades fluent in English who can find articles on the topic.

In general, there was a good interview on Aftershock about radio photonics.

Last month, the RTI concern reported on serious progress in the construction of new radar stations. Thus, not only KRET is working on the topic! By the way, we are talking not only about compact radars for aircraft and UAVs - but obviously many more compact radar seekers (homing heads) of both air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles, as well as about a new generation of cruise missiles for strikes along the surface.

I also recommend this article on the topic. A good mixture of sober assessments and exciting prospects.

It is pointless to count on a quick breakthrough. Although I would like the state to realize the prospects of the topic and, if this is not a fraud, would invest real money in this topic. After all, if the research can still be brought to life, then this can turn the Yankee "overcome" with hundreds of expensive (and even maintenance!) "stealths" built into ordinary aircraft, moreover, less useful than "non-stealths". Estimate the magnitude of a possible "bummer" of epic proportions for one country from the other hemisphere of the planet!

Zvezda correspondent filmed simultaneous launch of 12 S-400 missiles

F-117 stealth aircraft. Scanner. How stealth was shot down over Yugoslavia.

Russian air defense systems in action

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 ...

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 navy. Air defense missiles, which are armed shipborne 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 Balloons and aerostats. 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 troops were replenished anti-aircraft artillery who traveled by car:

• 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 any necessary system air defense. 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 planes covered a similar 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 aid friendly countries. It was the S-75 anti-aircraft missile system that shot down the American U-2 aircraft in 1960 near Sverdlovsk. During 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 for development modern troops air defense 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 a new generation of weapons and military equipment that will be able to fight not only existing means of air attack, but also 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 to carry out planned developments latest models Air defense, modernization of older models and complete replacement of obsolete air defense systems. Generally, modern system Air defense is developing in accordance with the words of the famous Marshal Zhukov, who said that only powerful system military air defense is capable of repelling 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. New system 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 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 air force enemy. 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. Newest Russian systems SAMs have no analogues in the world, and are capable of providing complete protection against sudden air attacks.