Actually, the journalists mistakenly called the aircraft in the video the third Su-35S serial aircraft, but it is in fact the first Su-33M prototype, a modified version of the carrier-based Su-33 air defense fighter. Therefore, I will not translate what is stated in the video and will instead write about the Su-33, the Su-33M, and their rivalry with the Mig-29K.
The Volgodonsk stealth corvette, the second ship of the Project 21630 “Buyan” class, has just joined the Russian navy. The first ship of the Buyan class, the Astrakhan, was commissioned in 2006 and put into service with the Caspian fleet. The Volgodonsk is also due to join the Caspian fleet, and will be transferred there after the winter.
These ships are some of the newest corvettes in Russian service, and are designed to attack surface warships. They incorporate stealth features in their design to make them harder to detect by the enemy and have a full arsenal of weapons including two AK-630M2 twin-barreled 30 mm Gatling guns for use against incoming missiles and aircraft, the A-190 100 mm main-gun, the A-215 Grad-M 40-barreled MRLS system (naval version of the famous BM-21 Grad MRLS), the Igla-S short range air-defense missile system, and the SS-N-27 (Klub) multi-role supersonic missile.
The Buyan class has a displacement of about 600 tons, a 10 day endurance, a range of 1,500 miles, and is 62 meters in length. The corvette is equipped with the Pozitiv-ME1.2 phased array radar system, has a full EW (Electronic Warfare) suite, and has the Anapa-M dipping sonar. Russia currently has 5 modified Buyan-M corvettes on order, and is expected to have a total of seven such vessels operating in the Caspian fleet by 2015.
More info about the Su-35S here.
Photos of the unpainted Su-35S from knaapo.
Photos of the painted Su-35S from russianplanes.
The new AK-12 assault rifle was shown for the first time at the latest Izmash arms demonstration: the 12 in its name standing for the release date of 2012. By December, it will be handed over to the government commission for review. It is the 5th modernization of the Kalashnikov rifle in 65 years, and is the most advanced.
The legendary designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, examined the arms with great interest, but the military stated that they do not have an urgent need for procurement. At the factory’s firing range, it was requested that the weapons be fired in fully automatic mode to test the full capabilities of the weapons. While Dmitry Raguzin fired off over 12 different kinds of weapons, the spectators covered their ears and patiently waited.
Another novelty was a pistol called the “Strike”, which experts claim can be drawn and fired six times in just one and a half seconds. The “Strike” was developed particularly for use in tight quarters, with advice from the Alpha Spetsnaz unit.
On the same day, the guilty parties were identified and prosecuted in regards to a recent incident where a senior citizen who was expecting a box of logs found over 80 AK assault rifles inside the crate. It appears that the operators misplaced the load. The result was four people were fired, including the deputy of security for the Izmash arms factory.
Today, the 11th Training Center Of Air Defense demonstrated computer simulated tests of Russia’s latest surface-to-air missile technology to the public. The job of the instructors was to demonstrate to students how to operate examples of the latest technology, which are just beginning to be accepted into the Russian military. These systems can destroy not only all current aerial targets, but future ones, as well.
These men are at the controls of Russia’s most capable air defense system, the S-400 long range SAM system. Their assignment is to intercept 20 enemy targets, which include not only aircraft, but ballistic missiles, as well. The S-400 is capable of destroying targets flying at speeds of up to 5 km/ second. To increase kill probability, two missiles are guided at each target at once. In less than 10 minutes, no trace of enemy forces is left on radar, although in a real situation, it would’ve taken 8 minutes longer, which is how long it would have taken to get the systems battle-ready. The military declined to perform live-firing tests in front of the cameras.
Now, the Pantsyr S1 short range SAM system, on the other hand, is so new that it is not even well known in the Russian army at this time. The main draw of this system is its ability to engage targets at short ranges: as close as within 200 meters and at altitudes as low as 5 meters. In addition, the Pantsyr S1, with the aid of an advanced detection system, is able to surpass any electronic countermeasures that an enemy could possibly use. Therefore, almost all enemy targets are intercept-able at ranges of up to 20 km and at heights of up to 15 km. The only two tests conducted on the Pantsyr were both at this training center.
Besides conducting firing tests, the training center also conducts “test drives” of the systems that are operated there, and great care is put into detecting and fixing any defects. Demonstrations of Russia’s air defense power took an hour, during which time, the weapon systems employed had the capability to eliminate as many as one hundred targets. In addition, Vladimir Putin stated that all air defense regiments in Russia will receive the S-400 and Pantsyr S-1 systems by 2020.
The BUK M2 is the upgraded version of the well known BUK M1 mobile surface-to-air missile system. The original BUK system was developed in 1972, and has been constantly upgraded since. A Naval version had also been developed, dubbed the 3S90 Uragan. In 1983, an upgraded version called the BUK M1 (SA-17) was introduced. The BUK M1-2 was accepted into service in 1998 and carried a new missile which had improved performance over the missile used by the BUK and BUK M1. The new missile could intercept cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and ground targets, and had enhanced performance against aircraft. The even more advanced BUK M2 project was stalled due to the poor economic conditions in the 90′s, and was not to be seen or heard about until a completed model was displayed at the MAKS-2007 airshow. The unit shown in the photos is Russia’s first and last BUK M2 unit; all newer units will be composed of the even more advanced BUK M3.
A BUK unit consists of six launch vehicles, three reload vehicles, a target acquisition radar (which carries the 9S18M1 “Snow Drift” with an engagement range of 85 km and can engage low flying targets at shorter range), and a mobile command center (which can communicate with six launch vehicles at once. The battery can be battle readied in around 5 minutes and it can launch a missile missile at a target 22 seconds after identifying it on radar. The BUK M1-2 and BUK M-2 both use the GM-569 chassis. The launch vehicle has a turret with launchers for up to four missiles, as well as the “Fire Dome” fire control radar which can acquire up to six targets at once and launch up to three missiles against a single target. The reload vehicle also carries four missiles, but has a reloading crane instead of the radar. The BUK M2 carries the 9M38 medium range surface-to-air missile. The 9M38 has a speed of Mach-4 and is much more resistant to jamming/ECM (Electronic Counter Measures. The BUK M2 can acquire targets at a range of up to 50 km, and at an altitude of up to 25 km. Each BUK M2 launch vehicle has a crew of three and has full NBC protection. The reload vehicle can transfer missiles to the launch vehicle in 13 minutes, and can even launch the missiles itself with the aid of a launcher vehicle’s “Fire Dome” radar.
10 new aircraft (Su-27SM3 and Su-30M2) that arrived at the Krimsk airbase have began their flights. On the outside, the main difference between these aircraft and regular Su-27′s are the aeriel refueling probes, which will greatly increase their flight time. On the inside, however, they are totally different aircraft. All systems are fully digitized. These aircraft maintain contact via satellite and are able to operate day and night and in all weather conditions. The MOD announced that new weapon systems will be released soon for these aircraft, making these jets, often considered the best in their class, even more lethal. The new weapons will make these proven aircraft nearly unstoppable. The tests are going smoothly; the pilots had been trained to the point of automation. The pilots train in a special “electronic cockpit” system that mimics the pilot’s cabin. These aircraft are multi-role fighters: while before they could only handle aeriel targets, they can now engage ground targets, as well, without getting within range of the target’s radar. The Krimsk airbase is also getting upgraded as Russia’s air-force expands.
First shown to the public at the Russian Arms Expo 2009 in Nijniy Tagil, the E4320D-31 was one of a series of new armored trucks designed to enhance the survivability of Russian troops being transported into combat, especially against mines and IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices). Its future is not yet certain, especially considering competition from Kamaz’s new “Triumf“. The following are the technical specifications, available for the first time in English:
Max load: 2,250 kg
Gross weight: 16,550 kg
Max speed: 85 km/hr
Angle of ascent: 60%
Engine: model YM3-238M2
Engine power: 240 hp
Transmission: Manual, 5 speed
Fuel capacity: 300+60 liters
Endurance: 1,080 km
Cabin: Armored frame panel construction
Platform: All metal, equipped with locks to secure the body, hinged and removable,
internal dimensions 3900mm x 2462 mm x 600 mm. Fully armored.
