The most powerful air defense in the world. The best air defense and pro systems
Thanks to the huge profits from the sale of oil and gas, the large-scale modernization of the Russian armed forces goes full move, and as Vladimir Putin promises, military spending will be increased by $770 billion from 2014 to 2020.
At first glance, this is a huge amount, and it is true, the Russian military budget doubled from 2006 to 2009 from $25 billion to $50 billion, but this is only a tenth of the budget of the United States military, which is about $600 billion. in a year.
An interesting feature of Russian military production and possible cause its lagging behind the American is that it is more dependent on the conditions of capitalism and less supported by the state.
Private enterprises export weapons and enter into contracts with foreign powers to further improve the weapons program.
Thus, it is unlikely that Russia and the United States will enter a new cold war, as some experts suggest, but the modernization of the Russian military will remind America that it is not the only player in the military market, and, in the end, this is only for the best.
ZRK S-400 "Triumph"
So, the Russian S-400 can become the best complex air defense in the world.
The S-400 is a highly modernized version of the highly successful S-300 anti-aircraft missile system.
While the use of the S-400 is limited and its predecessor remains the leading Russian complex air defense.
A very successful S-300 air defense system
The S-400 has a detection range of 250 miles (about 600 km), which is at least twice that of the US Patriot MIM-104.
Three different missiles are used for different ranges, maximum speed exceeds the speed of sound twelve times. The radar can track 100 targets at the same time.
This complex poses a threat to even the most elite attack aircraft.
S-500 is the best air defense system in the world
The S-500 will definitely be the best air defense system in the world. The S-500 is a more advanced version of the S-400, designed to intercept ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles), among other uses.
It will be based on the S-400 but reduced in size. The radar systems have been improved over the S-400, and most of equipment will be borrowed from the S-300 series. It is assumed that this will be a highly mobile complex. All the details are not yet known, but it is already clear that the S-500 will be an important player in the global arms market.
Most interestingly, it is not designed to protect against US ballistic missile attack. Since China produces its own ICBMs, the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system is most likely designed to hedge against any deterioration in relations between Moscow and Beijing, or in case Chinese ICBMs are acquired by less predictable countries.
"Harpoon", "Tomahawk", "Caliber", "Onyx" or "Brahmos": who can compete with them for the title of the best cruise missile in the world?
IN Lately it was the cruise missile that became one of the most deadly and sought-after types of weapons. Get the enemy with a scalpel-point strike, eliminate him command bunker, sink a flagship, or conduct a massive attack on enemy positions - only cruise missiles are capable of performing all these tasks at once. Cheap, angry, effective, and, most importantly, without any participation of the pilot. It is for these reasons that all the leading world powers and countries of lower rank are trying to effectively develop their technologies aimed at building new models of this formidable weapon. But who among them went the farthest? Whose gunsmiths created the most advanced cruise missile in the world?
Answers to this question in a special roundup of the top ten cruise missiles in the world.
10th place: RGM-84 Harpoon Block II (USA).
Opens our top "American old man", the development of the middle of the last century, one of the most common cruise missiles in the world, a kind of anti-ship "harpoon" - RGM-84 of the latest modification of Block II. A reliable, proven system is truly universal and can be based both on land and in the air, on water and under water. But only naval targets are capable of hitting, and even then at a very short distance, only 130 kilometers and with a not very high maximum speed of 860 km / h, and it carries only a little more than 200 kilograms of combat load. Agree, very, very modestly.
With similar parameters, all sorts of target approach modes and small missile dimensions will not help to break through a modern enemy missile defense system and sink a serious ship like an aircraft carrier. Yes, and the rocket carrier will have to approach a dangerous distance. Therefore, Harpoon takes an honorable tenth place, for the sake of respect for the former glory of the "old man".
9th place: RBS-15 Mk. III (Sweden).
Another "old man" from our review, the Swedish arms concern Saab began to develop at the same time as the RGM-84, but the development, alas, dragged on and the first modification of the rocket was put into service only in 1985. But it turned out better than the American competitor. Versatility to launch from all possible carriers, twice the flight range, almost the same mass of the warhead and higher flight speed: the RBS-15, the third modification, is more deadly than the Harpoon, but also cannot be used against ground targets. Therefore, the Swedish development and confidently pushes the American "harpoon" in our rating.
8th place: SOM (Türkiye)
The Turkish armed forces, up to the present moment, did not have a cruise missile of their own production, but in 2012 they nevertheless adopted the latest development - the SOM missile. Created in Turkish design bureaus, SOM is a fairly compact universal cruise missile capable of hitting not only sea, but also ground targets. The latest electronics, various target engagement modes, firing range and maximum flight speed above the level of the legendary RGM-84 - all this was realized by the Turks in metal. But still, Turkey still lacks experience in the development of such weapons systems. Therefore, it was possible to surpass the Swedish and American analogues of SOM, but nothing more. Diagnosis: study and study again, development experience comes with time.
7th place: Naval Strike Missile (Norway)
The Norwegians, first of all, care about the protection of the maritime borders of their own state and, with their development in 2007, do not lag behind the world's leading manufacturers of cruise missiles. Naval Strike Missile puts Harpoon, RBS-15, and SOM in the belt. The missile flies further, almost reaches the speed of sound, is assembled from composite materials, destroys all targets and itself can actively interfere with the enemy. Therefore, such a “gift” is extremely difficult to intercept by the missile defense system.
But for now, the Naval Strike Missile can only be based on ships, and it carries only 125 kilograms of combat load. Not enough - the lowest indicator from our rating, therefore only 7th place.
6th place: BGM-109 Tomahawk Block IV (USA)
So, meet the legendary Tomahawk. Where without it... An ageless veteran and one of the most famous cruise missiles in the world opens the list of heavyweights in our ranking.
Longest range, richest story combat use, a very serious warhead mass of 450 kilograms - the American "tomahawk" is the most serious threat to the enemy. For an adversary who does not have the same modern air defense system, for example, third world countries. Subsonic speed, coupled with the inability to maneuver with large overloads, make the American “miracle weapon” an easy target for the latest enemy anti-aircraft missiles.
But still, the flight range of 1600 kilometers plays a significant role, so place number 6.
5th place: Storm Shadow/SCALP EG (France-Italy-Great Britain).
The joint development of the leading arms concerns of the European Union should have led to something, at least grandiose. Thus was born the unique, electronically crammed, stealth-based cruise missile Storm Shadow. Her warhead tandem type, weighing almost half a ton, allows you to penetrate the most serious armor, and a combined guidance system with a target recognition mode to hit the most hard-to-reach targets.
It would seem that Storm Shadow should be the leader of this rating, if not for one "but" ... maximum speed. The missile cannot overcome the supersonic barrier, which means that for the latest missile defense systems it remains a fairly easy victim.
4th place: R-800 Onyx/Yakhont (Russia)
The old man "of the Soviet development of the late 70s earned its place on the list thanks to one advantage - a supersonic flight speed of 3000 km / h. None of the above cruise missiles developed in the West has such a characteristic, which means that in a breakthrough modern systems ABM "Onyx" is practically unrivaled. And the complete unification of the main types of carriers (surface, underwater, ground) and the possibility of using against targets of any basing are sure to put Russian missile to 4th place.
3rd place: 3M-54 Caliber (Russia)
The latest Russian weapons system, developed at the turn of the century, recently shocked the whole world with its combat capabilities during the autumn missile launches at the positions of Daesh militants *. An amazing possibility of basing on all types of media, including in specially disguised containers. Amazing maximum flight speed, almost three times the speed of sound. Incredible targeting and hitting accuracy. One of the highest firing ranges and the largest mass of the warhead. "Caliber" certainly deserved the highest place in our rating!
But, alas, most of the data on the Russian cruise missile is classified and we can only be guided by approximate parameters. Therefore, bronze.
2nd place: YJ-18 (China)
In any rating there will always be a "dark horse", in ours - Chinese-made. Very little is known about the YJ-18 cruise missile: the Celestial Empire has always been able to keep its secrets, but, apparently, it is a serious modification of the Russian analogue 3M-54 Caliber, the technology of which went to the Chinese along with Project 636 submarines.
Well, what could be better and deadlier than the improved "Caliber"? That's right, practically nothing, which means - silver.
1st place: BRAHMOS (Russia-India).
Only mountains can be better than mountains, and only BRAHMOS is better than Caliber and the Chinese-modified Caliber. The latest Russian-Indian cruise missile, based on the R-800 Oniks, leads the ranking.
Maximum speed of 3700 km / h, a mixed flight profile that provides a completely unpredictable trajectory of approach to the target at ultra-low altitudes at supersonic speed, 300 kilograms of a warhead (penetrating, high-explosive fragmentation, cluster) and a launch range of 300 kilometers - save from BRAHMOS is unlikely to be able to any PRO. Well, if we add here the possibility of being based on any type of carriers and the possibility of hitting absolutely any targets, then it becomes clear why gold is behind the missile of Russian-Indian development.
Well, and finally - a short video with colorful launches of all the presented missiles.
* – The activity of the organization is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation by decision of the Supreme Court.
One and a half meter khaki tube, compact sighting mechanism and shoulder strap. This, at first glance, a simple device behind the back of an infantryman is fraught with a deadly threat to pilots of aircraft and helicopters operating at altitudes below 4.5 thousand meters. It is almost impossible to get away from the missile of the 9K333 Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) - it does not respond to heat traps and other tricks.
Pocket air defense
The first MANPADS appeared in the 1960s and immediately became enemy number one for pilots who adapted to take cover from long-range anti-aircraft missiles at low altitudes. It is almost impossible to notice a "man with a pipe" disguised in the folds of the terrain from the cockpit of an aircraft or helicopter, while, unlike machine guns and cannons, the only successful hit of a small rocket can "land" even a large aircraft in one fell swoop. In the case of MANPADS, there is no need to spend precious time deploying, loading and installing. Pointed, shot, forgot.
Particular success in the development of a fundamentally new at that time air defense weapons was achieved by Soviet designers. The command instructed in the shortest possible time to create the most inexpensive and compact complex, suitable for effective cover of ground units and subunits from the air without too much fuss. The task was not trivial: to make a system suitable for combating all types of air targets at altitudes up to 1.5 kilometers and at a distance of up to three. The missile was supposed to be guaranteed to hit aircraft towards and in pursuit. A prerequisite is the possibility of firing by one person, and from an unprepared position.
This is how the first Soviet MANPADS 9K32 "Strela-2" was born, which made a real revolution in the development of air defense systems. The complex, put into service in 1967, included a launch tube, a rocket with a duck glider and a propulsion system, a ground power unit, a portable passive radio direction finder and a ground radio interrogator, as well as maintenance equipment.
Shock, horror and complete incomprehension of what is happening - this is how you can characterize the emotions of Israeli pilots who were "lucky" to be the first to fall under the hail of Russian "Arrows" during the Arab-Israeli conflict. In the first air attack, 30 percent of the planes were shot down, after which the Israeli Air Force decided to suspend the raids for several days.
From Arrow to Willow
Then there was the improved and more noise-immune Strela-3, then the 9K38 Igla, which was also upgraded several times, and now it has been replaced by the Verba. Accurate, sensitive and resistant to interference, the complex clearly separates aircraft into "friends" and "foes" and strikes without a miss, not reacting to heat traps and other interference. With the help of "Verba", an infantryman can single-handedly "remove" a variety of aircraft from the sky, starting with attack helicopters and aircraft and ending with cruise missiles. The range of distances and heights is no longer the same as that of the first "Arrows", but is commensurate with the indicators of more serious military air defense systems.
The solid-propellant missile of the new MANPADS effortlessly reaches targets at altitudes up to 4.5 thousand meters and at a distance of up to 6.5 kilometers. In fact, this completely covers the high-altitude range of work front-line aviation- attack aircraft, tactical bombers and helicopters can be "laid" directly from the trench. In this sense, "Verba" is significantly superior not only to "Igloo-S", but also foreign analogues, including the famous American FIM-92 Stinger. For comparison: "Igla-S" takes air targets at altitudes up to 3.5 kilometers, and "Stinger" - up to 3.8. In addition, the lower limit of the target acquisition height for the Stinger is 180 meters, while the Verba starts working from ten. The kit comes with a compact radar that is resistant to interference. The station "sees" air targets at a distance of up to 80 kilometers.
The automated control system takes into account the speed and direction of flight of aircraft or cruise missiles and distributes them among anti-aircraft gunners, the location of each of which on the ground is determined by GLONASS. Fighters have precise vectors for shooting. It is interesting that "Verba" through the tactical complex "Barnaul-T" is integrated into common system air defense and can receive information about air targets that are "guided" by large radars.
Picky Bride
The Verba rocket owes its high sensitivity and "selectivity" to the types of targets to the proprietary three-spectral homing head, the "vision" of which operates in the ultraviolet, near and mid-infrared ranges. A missile, even on approach, is able to distinguish an airplane or helicopter from a thermal "trap" fired by it and make the right choice.
Like many other similar air defense systems, "Verba" can not only work "from the shoulder", but is also installed on ships and attack helicopters as an auxiliary anti-aircraft weapon. An important innovation is that the complex is much easier to maintain than the Igla. It no longer needs to be "frozen" - the new design of the homing head does not require cooling it with nitrogen. Ready to fire takes a matter of seconds from the moment the target is detected.
"Verba" began to be delivered to the troops relatively recently, in kits and batches. So, just the other day, another brigade set the latest MANPADS entered the motorized rifle formation of the Central Military District (TsVO), stationed in the Altai Territory. According to the military, the new complexes will provide reliable cover military units not only from air attacks, but also from massive cruise missile attacks. In addition, now anti-aircraft squads, anti-aircraft missile platoons and batteries as part of anti-aircraft divisions, as well as other units of the Russian Armed Forces, are armed with thousands of complexes of the Igla family, among which there are both early modifications and advanced ones with the "C" index.
The most combat air defense system: S-75 air defense system
Country: USSR
Adopted: 1957
Rocket type: 13D
Maximum target engagement range: 29–34 km
Target speed: 1500 km/h
John McCain, who lost the last US presidential election to Barack Obama, is known as an active critic of Russian foreign and domestic policy. It is likely that one of the explanations for such an irreconcilable position of the senator lies in the achievements of Soviet designers half a century ago. On October 23, 1967, during the bombing of Hanoi, the plane of a young pilot, who came from the family of hereditary admirals John McCain, was shot down. His "Phantom" got anti-aircraft guided missile complex S-75. By that time, the Soviet anti-aircraft sword had already caused a lot of trouble for the Americans and their allies. The first "test of the pen" took place in China in 1959, when local air defense, with the help of "Soviet comrades", interrupted the flight of a Taiwanese high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft created on the basis of the British Canberra bomber. The hopes that the more advanced air reconnaissance aircraft, the Lockheed U-2, would be too tough for the red air defense system were also not destined to come true. One of them was shot down by S-75 over the Urals in 1961, and the other a year later over Cuba. On account of the legendary anti-aircraft missile, created at the Fakel Design Bureau, many other targets were hit in various conflicts from the Far and Middle East to the Caribbean, and the S-75 complex itself was destined for a long life in various modifications. We can safely say that this air defense system has gained fame as the most widespread of all air defense systems of this type in the world.
The most high-tech missile defense system: Aegis system ("Aegis")
SM-3 missile
Country: USA
first launch: 2001
Length: 6.55 m
Steps: 3
Range: 500 km
Height of the affected area: 250 km
The main element of this shipborne multifunctional combat information and control system is the AN / SPY radar with four flat headlamps with a power of 4 MW. The Aegis is armed with SM-2 and SM-3 missiles (the latter with the ability to intercept ballistic missiles) with a kinetic or fragmentation warhead. The SM-3 is constantly being modified, and the Block IIA model has already been announced, which will be capable of intercepting ICBMs. On February 21, 2008, an SM-3 missile was fired from the cruiser Lake Erie in the Pacific Ocean and hit the emergency reconnaissance satellite USA-193, located at an altitude of 247 kilometers, moving at a speed of 27,300 km / h.
The newest Russian ZRPK: ZRPK "Shell S-1"
Country Russia
adopted: 2008
Radar: 1RS1-1E and 1RS2 based on HEADLIGHTS
Range: 18 km
Ammunition: 12 missiles 57E6-E
Artillery armament: 30-mm twin anti-aircraft gun
The complex is designed for close protection of civilian and military facilities (including long-range air defense systems) from all modern and advanced air attack weapons. It can also protect the defended object from ground and surface threats. Air targets include all targets with a minimum reflective surface at speeds up to 1000 m/s, maximum range 20000m and up to 15000m altitude, including helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and precision bombs.
The most nuclear anti-missile: 51T6 "Azov" transatmospheric interceptor
Country: USSR-Russia
First launch: 1979
Length: 19.8 m
Steps: 2
Starting weight: 45 t
Firing range: 350–500 km
Warhead power: 0.55 Mt
The second-generation (A-135) anti-missile 51T6 (“Azov”), which was part of the missile defense system around Moscow, was developed at the Fakel Design Bureau in 1971–1990. Its tasks included the transatmospheric interception of enemy warheads with the help of an oncoming nuclear explosion. Serial production and deployment of "Azov" was carried out already in the 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR. The missile has now been decommissioned.
The most effective portable air defense system: Igla-S MANPADS
Country Russia
designed: 2002
MANPADS "Igla-S"
Destruction range: 6000 m
Defeat altitude: 3500 m
Target speed: 400 m/s
Weight in combat position: 19 kg
According to many experts, the Russian anti-aircraft system, designed to destroy low-flying air targets various types in conditions of natural (background) and artificial thermal interference, surpasses all analogues existing in the world.
Closest to our borders: SAM Patriot PAC-3
Country: USA
first launch: 1994
Rocket length: 4.826 m
Rocket weight: 316 kg
Warhead weight: 24 kg
Target engagement height: up to 20 km
Created in the 1990s, a modification of the Patriot PAC-3 air defense system is designed to deal with missiles with a range of up to 1000 km. During the test on March 15, 1999, a target missile was destroyed by a direct hit, which was the 2nd and 3rd stages of the Minuteman-2 ICBM. After the rejection of the idea of the Third position area of the American strategic missile defense system in Europe, Patriot PAC-3 batteries are deployed in Eastern Europe.
Most common anti-aircraft gun: Oerlicon 20 mm anti-aircraft gun
Country: Germany - Switzerland
Designed: 1914
Caliber: 20 mm
Rate of fire: 300-450 rds / min
Range: 3–4 km
The 20 mm Oerlikon automatic anti-aircraft gun, also known as the Becker gun, is the story of one extremely successful design that has spread throughout the world and is still used to this day, despite the fact that the first example of this was created by the German designer Reinhold Becker during the First World War. The high rate of fire was achieved due to the original mechanism, in which the impact ignition of the primer was carried out even before the end of the chambering of the cartridge. Due to the fact that the rights to German invention passed to SEMAG from neutral Switzerland, both the Axis countries and the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition produced their versions of the Oerlikons during World War II.
The best anti-aircraft gun of World War II: Anti-aircraft gun 8.8 cm Flugabwehrkanone (FlAK)
Country: Germany
Year: 1918/1936/1937
Caliber: 88 mm
Rate of fire:
15–20 rds/min
Barrel length: 4.98 m
Maximum effective ceiling: 8000 m
Projectile weight: 9.24 kg
One of the best anti-aircraft guns in history, better known as the "eight-eight", was in service from 1933 to 1945. It turned out to be so successful that it became the basis for a whole family of artillery systems, including anti-tank and field ones. In addition, the anti-aircraft gun served as a prototype for the guns of the Tiger tank.
The most promising air defense-missile defense system: the S-400 Triumph air defense system
Country Russia
Designed: 1999
Target detection range: 600 km
Number of simultaneously tracked target tracks: up to 300 km
Damage range:
Aerodynamic targets - 5–60 km
Ballistic targets - 3-240 km
Height of defeat: 10 m - 27 km
Designed to destroy aircraft - jammers, radar detection and control aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical, operational-tactical ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles, hypersonic targets and other modern and advanced air attack weapons.
The most versatile anti-missile defense system: S-300VM "Antey-2500"
Country: USSR
Designed: 1988
Damage range:
Aerodynamic targets - 200 km
Ballistic targets - up to 40 km
Height of defeat: 25m - 30 km
The mobile universal anti-missile and anti-aircraft system S-300VM "Antey-2500" belongs to a new generation of anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense systems (PRO-PSO). Antey-2500 is the world's only universal missile defense and air defense system capable of effectively fighting both ballistic missiles with a launch range of up to 2,500 km and all types of aerodynamic and aeroballistic targets. The Antey-2500 system is capable of firing simultaneously at 24 aerodynamic targets, including subtle objects, or 16 ballistic missiles flying at speeds up to 4500 m/s.
System S-300 "Favorite".
Photo courtesy of Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern
In early February, Air Power Australia, a well-known analytical center in expert circles, presented an in-depth study on the combat capabilities of modern military aviation and current air defense systems. Based on the American "air sword" and the Russian "shield".
ETERNAL COMPETITION
The choice of hypothetical opponents seems to be non-random. The United States has the highest potential of the air force and, in addition, holds the lead in the supply of aviation military equipment abroad. Russia is the leader in the production and export of air defense equipment. Suffice it to say that only one of its air defense concerns, Almaz-Antey, supplies products manufactured at its enterprises to more than fifty countries of the world (see map).
The arms market itself suggests who is the leader in what area. There is no need for experts who, for various reasons, are inclined to subjective assessments. For in the market they vote with funds from budgetary appropriations. Thousands and thousands of specialists, officials, and high-ranking military personnel are involved in operations to determine the best and most advantageous "cost-effectiveness" ratio of a particular type of weapon. Subjectivism is kept to a minimum.
In fact, Russian funds Air defense is classified as premium. This assessment of researchers from Air Power Australia is supported by their high combat reliability, destruction efficiency and relatively low price by the standards of the arms market. For example, Americans of this class have systems that are much more expensive, despite the fact that the same reliability, efficiency and combat capabilities their products are significantly lower than Russian ones.
The conclusion of foreign experts is interesting: modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and radar systems have reached a level that virtually eliminates the possibility of US combat aircraft surviving in the event of a military confrontation.
According to an Australian study, not only american planes F-15, F-16 and F / A-18, but even promising multirole fighter fifth generation Joint Strike Fighter, also known as the F-35 Lightning II. And in order to achieve superiority, which military aviation United States had at the time of graduation cold war The Pentagon needs at least 400 more F-22 Raptor aircraft to enter service. Otherwise american aviation will finally lose its strategic superiority over Russian air defense.
According to analysts, this circumstance may also affect the position of the United States in the world. Countries such as China, Iran and Venezuela will be well aware that the Americans will not go to an open military confrontation, realizing that as a result of this, the US Air Force and Navy will lose hundreds of combat aircraft and pilots. That is, the United States military is at risk of unacceptable damage. Of course, unacceptable, from the point of view of American politicians, whose career in such a development of events will end in national disgrace.
Air Power Australia recalls that its expert Dr. Carlo Call, who defended his thesis in the field of radar engineering, compared the capabilities of modern Russian anti-aircraft missile systems and American F-35 fighters and concluded that these aircraft would be easy targets. The manufacturer of the latest winged vehicles, the American corporation Lockheed Martin, has never tried to publicly challenge the expert's statement.
The researchers also came to the conclusion that since the end of the Cold War, Russian designers have managed to achieve significant results in the modernization of air defense systems. Moreover, the opportunity to comprehensively and objectively assess the potential of a potential adversary for Russian engineers and scientists appeared due to military conflicts in Iran in 1991 and in Serbia in 1999. This process, as noted in the report, is in many ways reminiscent of a chess game. As a result, the Russians were able to figure out how to checkmate American combat aircraft.
Comparing the capabilities of modern air defense systems and aircraft, analysts also note that the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system, produced by the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey air defense concern and already put into service Russian army, today actually has no analogues in the world. The technical capabilities of the Triumph are significantly higher than those of the American Patriot, and are twice as superior in terms of combat performance as the well-known predecessor of the S-400, the S-300 Favorit system, which was supplied to China, Slovakia, Vietnam and Cyprus. In the future, "Triumph" may become a pivotal project in the military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with the Arab countries, in particular with the Arab Emirates.
And what is characteristic, the study emphasizes, is that Russia is building a deeply echeloned air defense system. If the S-300 and S-400 complexes are long-range, then they tenaciously interact with short-range and medium-range complexes. They complement each other and at the same time insure, creating an insurmountable and solid wall for the air aggressor. Anti-aircraft missile systems small and medium ranges such as "Tor", "Buk", "Tunguska" were supplied, in particular, to China, Iran, India, Greece, Syria, Egypt, Finland, Morocco.
In addition to traditional customers of Russian military products, countries such as Singapore and Brazil, which have purchased man-portable air defense systems, are also interested in domestic air defense systems.
Russia's position in the market of anti-aircraft missile systems is also very strong. sea-based. For example, air defense systems "Shtil", "Reef", "Blade" are successfully operated on warships.
FROM AIR DEFENSE TO PRO
Anti-aircraft missile systems of the S-300 family are considered one of the most powerful air defense systems in the world. The development of this system began in the 1960s, when the USSR Armed Forces demanded the creation of a mobile multi-channel medium-range air defense system capable of protecting the country's sky from massive air raids. modern aviation using guided weapons.
Tests of the future S-300 took place in the 1970s. In order to misinform a potential enemy according to documents new air defense system passed as S-75M6 - another modernization of the “veteran” complex, widely known by that time all over the world, which had taken up combat duty in the late 1950s. The terms of reference provided for the development of three versions of the air defense system - S-300P for air defense, S-300V - for ground forces and S-300F - a ship-based complex for the Navy.
Systems for the air defense forces and for the fleet were mainly focused on the destruction of aircraft and cruise missiles, the military complex had to have greater capabilities to intercept ballistic targets in order to ensure missile defense. Now the S-300 systems form the basis of the air defense of our country and Russian ground forces and are also successfully sold on the world market.
On the basis of the S-300 air defense system, a latest system S-400, capable of firing both new missiles and using the ammunition of its predecessor. The S-400 air defense system has the combat capabilities, mobility and noise immunity of the latest versions of the S-300 complex, combined with a longer firing range.
The S-400 system is designed to destroy all types of aircraft aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. Important difference S-400 from S-300 - new anti-aircraft missiles with active homing heads and increased firing range. "Triumph" is capable of destroying a target at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of 30 km. These indicators make it possible to consider the complex not only as an air defense weapon, but also partially as an anti-missile weapon.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Colonel General Alexander Zelin, reveals the secrets of the S-400 Triumph complex: it can hit "a super-maneuverable small target with an effective reflective surface, which a five-ruble coin has." He is able to cope with air targets that are made using stealth technology, that is, stealth aircraft with a low effective reflective surface.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force is extremely proud that the anti-aircraft missile system The new generation S-400 is supposed to be used to ensure the safety of participants and guests of the 2014 Winter Olympics. “Builders will build facilities in Sochi for the Olympics, and we will prepare an air defense system that will ensure reliable conduct Olympic Games“, the general said in a recent interview.
Of course, reliable protection of both the people who arrived at the Olympics and the people of Sochi themselves is the most important thing, no one is going to argue about the need for this. And the margin of safety here does not hurt. Moreover, in the immediate vicinity is Georgia, against which Russian troops not so long ago fighting. And the frenzy of anti-Russian sentiments has not yet disappeared there.
However, life does not stand still. Two years ago, the Military-Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation set the task, in particular, for the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern to develop a promising fifth-generation air defense and anti-missile defense weapon. His distinguishing feature will consist in the fact that fire, information and command systems and complexes.
This is the next step in the fight for clear and peaceful skies. The Russian backlog is high, but the closest competitor - the United States - also does not want to see itself as an outsider. The competition between technical schools and simply military potentials is intensifying.
