Armata – Strategic Culture Foundation

Why Afghanit Active Protection System Could Make Russian T 14 Armata Tank Invincible?

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 09:00:01 +0000

The most important component of the tank is the Afghanit Active Protection System. It has now come out that the system could even be able to defeat Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds.

Army 2018 Exhibition Confirms Russia’s Role as Major Player in Global Defense Market

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 09:55:00 +0000

Alexander Mikheyev, the CEO of the Rosoboronexport state-owned arms seller, believes the Russian Federation is on track to dominate the global weapons trade, leaving the US behind. According to the 2018 SIPRI report, Russia is the world’s second-largest arms exporter, claiming 22% of all shipments sent abroad. The United States is still in the lead with 34% of all weapons sales, but Russia has an excellent chance of overtaking Washington to claim that top spot.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum, which was held Aug. 21-26, is an outstanding event that reflects the "huge potential" of Russia’s defense industry and promotes military cooperation with other countries. Held at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center in the town on Kubinka, outside Moscow, this largest tri-service arms show offers indoor and outdoor exhibits for participating companies. Separate, live demonstrations at the Alabino shooting range, Komsomolskoe Lake, and the Kubinka airfield show off flyovers by air force aerobatic squadrons and displays of the latest army weapons systems in action. The forum showcases over 600 units of armament and equipment, divided into army, air force, and navy categories. A total of 1,209 exhibitors take part, offering 18,000 exhibits for display. Almost 700,000 people are expected to visit the forum, including foreigners from 62 countries. Sixty-five official foreign military delegations, 78 defense firms, and holding companies from 14 countries are also taking part in the exhibition. Seven national pavilions represent Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Slovakia, and South Africa. A host of conferences are held throughout the days of the forum, covering 24 “thematic areas” or topics and convening 140 separate meetings.

Many systems displayed at the Army 2018 have been tested during the military campaign in Syria. The show features Russia's Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, the Kinzhal hypersonic weapon, the Armata main battle tank (MBT), and various types of drones.

Armored vehicles of all kinds, including the T-90A, T-80U, and T-72B3 tanks are being displayed at the Alabino shooting range. One can see Iskander ballistic missiles there as well.

The MiG-31K, Su-57, Su-30SM, MiG-29 combat aircraft, and Yak-130 trainer offer air shows of acrobatic flying at the Kubinka airfield. Army units equipped with the BMP-3, BMD-4A, and BTR-82A infantry fighting vehicles held amphibious exercises and conducted water-crossing activities at the Komsomolskoe Lake from Aug. 22-23. IntellTechExpo is being held for the first time to promote military R&D activities.

New systems are being unveiled. For instance, the 2S40 Floks self-propelled mortar (SPM) is armed with a 120mm gun-mortar mounted on the Ural-43206 mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) truck, which can fire high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) rounds or mortar shells at a rate of 8 and 10 rounds per minute, respectively. The system weighs about 20 tons. Its maximum operational range is 13 km. (artillery rounds), 10 km. (guided artillery projectiles), and 7.5 km. (mortar shells). It can carry 80 rounds of ammunition. The armament suite includes a 7.62mm. machine gun. The system is also equipped with an opto-electronic jamming system to counter high-precision threats.

Another SPM is the 82mm. 2S41 Drok mounted on the K-4386 Taifun-VDV 4×4 MRAP vehicle. It weighs 14 tons and is operated by a crew of four. It has an operational range of 100–6,000 m., with a continuous rate of fire of 12 rds/min. The system carries 40 mortar shells.

The 2S12A 120mm. vehicle-carried mortar that is currently undergoing trials is mounted on a protected Ural truck. It has a maximum range of 7,100 m. and a rate of fire of up to 15 rds/min.

All three SPMs are being presented by Russia’s Burevestnik Institute, a subsidiary of Rostec’s UralVagonZavod (UVZ) research and manufacturing corporation.

The Army 2018 Exhibit includes a demonstration of the new systems being offered for sale that are transforming Russia into the world’s leading arms exporter: the Karakurt class Project 22800 corvette, the Sprut-SDM1 2S25M 125mm self-propelled anti-tank gun on an armored tracked chassis, the BUK M3 Viking medium-range air-defense missile system, the Tor-E2 medium-range air-defense system, and the recent modification of the TOS multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Yury Borisov reported that Russia is working on a vertical and/or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. The order to develop it was given by President Putin last year. Serial production is to begin within a time frame of 7-10 years.

The Russian Helicopter Corporation displayed its upgraded Mi-28 NE gunship armed with anti-tank guided missiles and Ataka-B air-to-ground missiles. The upgraded helicopter now has new features: the ability to guide drones and drop 500kg. bombs.

The BMP-1AM “Basurmanin” modernized infantry-fighting vehicle is also a brand-new system. It has the same armament suite as the BTR-82A, which includes a 30mm. dual-feed automatic cannon, a 7.62mm. PKTM coaxial machine gun, and a Metis-M anti-tank missile system. The turret incorporates two-axis stabilization and new sighting channels.

Rostec Corporation demonstrated its “stealth camouflage” technology for ground forces, which is capable of changing its appearance. It can alter its color and pattern depending on the soldier’s background environment. According to Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov, the technology, “can reflect color changes and imitate graphical depictions as complex as the image of leaves fluttering in the wind.” It allows a soldier to carry a 50kg. load. Rostec reported that the exoskeleton has been tested under combat conditions.

But one system truly stole the show. The Kalashnikov Corporation displayed its robot Igorek – a walking soldier that weighs 4.5 tons and can fire weapons it holds in its claws. It can be operated from inside, with its pilots protected from bullets behind its armored glass and metal encasement. An operator can guide it with the help of the exoskeleton and special glasses. The robot can discern objects and answer questions.

The Igorek on display at the Army 2018 is only a prototype. It is still under development and some of its features have yet to be revealed. The robot's capabilities are still limited, but an improved version is likely to be displayed at the Army 2020 Forum. Igorek has a competitor – Feodor. Hopefully, the spirit of fair competition between them will spur progress in the robotization of the Russian military. The Kalashnikov Company also exhibited its Zala 421-16E5V2 unmanned aerial vehicle that is able to fly for a distance of 1,200 km.

Russia’s Kronshtadt Techologies Group, a leading high-tech company, demonstrated the Orion-E unmanned aerial vehicle — a one-ton class surveillance drone that is undergoing flight testing. It is capable of automatic takeoffs and landings and can fly continuously for 24 hours, carrying a surveillance payload of up to 200 kg.

The Army 2018 Exhibition has once again confirmed that Moscow’s ongoing rearmament program has made Russia the world leader in military technology, able to offer the best of the best on the global arms market. It has demonstrated that the export capabilities of the Russian defense industry have soared to new heights.

Syria’s Experience: the Russian TOS-1A Heavy Flamethrower Is Unique and Indispensable

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 08:45:00 +0000

Syrian government forces are making advances in Idlib province – the last bastion held by the anti-government terrorist groups. The Syrian army had some tough resistance to overcome, but success was at hand once Syria’s Russian-made TOS-1A Solntsepyok thermobaric heavy flamethrower systems were transported to the province and joined the fight. This formidable weapon had been used by Iraqi forces against the Islamic State militants in the battle of Mosul. It proved very effective supporting the infantry during the operation launched by Syrian government forces to free the city of Palmyra from Islamic State terrorists in 2017. TOS-1A systems also guard the Russian military base at Hmeimim, Syria. It is a very effective tool when conducting anti-ambush missions, which makes it a perfect weapon to use against terrorists.

The Solntsepyok uses the BM-1 combat vehicle, which is fitted with a rotating launch system that can fire 24 rockets. It boasts a cutting-edge fire-control system, with a laser rangefinder and an enhanced, sophisticated ballistic computer. The required angle of elevation can be determined if the deviation does not exceed 10 m. All operations can be conducted from inside the vehicle in order to protect the crew from enemy fire. The flamethrower can be fired at night. If a target is detected within the range of visibility, it can be engaged in just 90 seconds. The flamethrower is protected by a 902G four-barreled smoke-grenade launcher.

The launcher is fitted onto the chassis of a T-72A tank with an 840 HP diesel engine. The TOS-1A is used in conjunction with the TZM-T all-terrain reloading vehicle, which is equipped with a crane and carries a full set of 24 rockets for reloading.

The Solntsepyok is designed to attack infantry, fortifications (including bunker busting and light armor dug-in positions in mountains), secured caves, rural strongholds, urban areas, and other enclosed spaces. The system is different from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) in that it uses different types of munitions: 220mm rockets with thermobaric or fuel-air explosives. They are almost as devastating as tactical nukes. A gaseous cloud of chemicals is dispersed into the air. Then a vacuum explosive detonates it to release a high-pressure shock wave with great destructive force. The air is sucked out of confined areas, creating a partial vacuum. The cloud penetrates buildings, caves, and trenches, and the vacuum ruptures the lungs.

A single explosion can destroy several city blocks. A round containing a mixture weighing about 3.2 kg can obliterate everything within an area of eighty cubic meters. A full salvo of one battery consisting of five TOS-1As can clear an area of 40,000 square meters if fired at maximum range. The weapon can be used effectively for mine-clearing missions.

The American GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) known as the Mother of all Bombs – the largest non-nuclear munition ever dropped on a battlefield – produces the same effects on a smaller scale. Incendiary rounds can also be used. Russia’s arsenal includes the Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power (ATBIP), but it has never been used in combat.

The flamethrower’s maximum firing range is 6 km, which exceeds the ranges of most anti-tank missile systems. The minimum range is 400 m. It takes no more than 0.5 seconds to launch a single rocket or to “ripple fire” two in tandem. The entire payload of 24 ninety-kilogram rockets could be fired in either 12 or 6 seconds, respectively.

This is a unique weapon that other armies lack. But, not content to rest on her laurels, Russia is also developing a new generation heavy flame-throwing system. The Tosochka heavy flamethrower (sometimes erroneously called the TOS-2) with the Russian Army in accordance with Russia's 2018-2025 state armaments program. It can be mounted on the tracked vehicle platform of the Armata main battle tank. The system will be installed on a wheeled chassis so that it can operate effectively in the desert. It will be an attractive option for potential buyers from the Middle East. It’s also important to note that these weapons are not banned and thus their use is not a breach of international law.

Russia’s T-14 Armata MBT: Generational Leap in Armored Vehicle Warfare

Wed, 04 May 2016 09:43:58 +0000

Russia’s brand new T-14 Armata main battle tank (MBT) made its first public appearance a year ago during the May 2015 Victory Day Parade. Unlike now, the vehicle was just a prototype shrouded in secrecy.

It has become known recently that Uralvagonzavod is set to deliver the first batch of 100 operational T-14 Armata main battle tanks to the Russian Ground Forces between 2017 and 2018.

The Russian army plans to acquire 2,300 T-14s before 2020. Sergei Chemezov, chief executive officer of the Rostec state corporation, told the Wall Street Journal that the tank was in serial production.

The vehicle is expected to be seen in public at the 2016 Moscow Victory Day Parade.

The new tank weighs 48 tons and could achieve speeds of more than 50 miles per hour.

3D printing has been used since 2015 to produce prototype parts – a real technological breakthrough!

Currently, the tank is armed with the standard 125-mm cannon able to fire multiple types of munitions. The turret is unmanned, there is no fume extractor. The firing rate is 10–12 rounds per minute. The maximum effective-penetration range is up to 8 km. The detection range of the tank's optical sensors is more than 5 km for tank-sized targets at day and at least 3.5 km at night through the thermal imaging channel. The laser rangefinder has a theoretical maximum range of 7.5 km. These systems are duplicated; in addition, there is a weaker third system which can fire on the move. The vehicle could easily be outfitted with a much more powerful 152-mm gun in the future.

The secondary armament consists of a 12.7 mm Kord (GRAU 6P49) machine gun with 300 rounds and a 7.62 mm PKTM (6P7К) machine gun with 1,000 rounds. All guns are remotely controlled. In addition, another 1,000 rounds can be stored separately. A 12.7 mm machine gun is installed above the turret roof-mounted commander's sight, which avoids visual obstructions, while the turret front has a slit supposedly intended for the coaxial 7.62 mm machinegun.

A digital control system directs the tank's movement, tracks targets and activates its defense systems, allowing the crew to focus on key combat functions. The tank is fitted with GLONASS and NAVSTAR GPS.

«Armata is far better than its best foreign analogs due to integrated protection systems», noted the expert at the Tractor Plants subsidiary. «No foreign tank fully embodies layered protection principles. Russia's does», said Mikhail Alexeyev, research director and chief designer of the Steel Research Institute.

Another specific feature is Afghanit active protection system (APS).

This system includes a millimeter-wavelength radar to detect, track and intercept and disrupt the guidance of incoming anti-tank munitions, both kinetic energy penetrators and tandem-charges.

The vehicle is also equipped with a countermeasure suite to jam enemy laser guidance systems. It can use interceptor rounds for the APS, which are fitted with explosively formed penetrators. Should an incoming round make it through the APS, the vehicle is protected by dual-layered Malachit explosive reactive armor in addition to robust passive armor. Slat armor is used to protect certain areas that would otherwise be vulnerable to rocket propelled grenades. The tank's crew of three is protected by an internal armored capsule. Both the chassis and the turret are equipped with explosive reactor armor from the front, sides and the top. The turret's shape is designed to decrease its radio and thermal signatures. The T-14 uses the integrated computerized control system which monitors the state and functions of all tank modules. In battle, the software can analyze threats and then either suggest or automatically take the actions to eliminate them. It can detect and rectify crew errors.

The T-14 is powered by electronically controlled ChTZ 12Н360 (A-85-3A) diesel engine delivering up to 1,500 hp. Operational range is over 500 km.

The tank stands out for its strategic mobility at the speed of 90km/h. Its moderate mass of 48 tons allows it to be easily rail- and trailer-transported, conserving its engine and transmission's service life, and it can navigate most of the solidly built bridges. Two tanks with their crews and all attending equipment can be easily airlifted by the heavy An-124 transport plane.

The tank is equipped with a 26.5–40 GHz radar that has a range of 100 km, which is mainly used by the ac tive protection system. Up to 40 airborne or 25 ground targets up from 0.3 m in size can be tracked simultaneously. The tracking system provides an automatic firing solution to the destruction of the target, which can be then transferred to either the APS or the main gun control computers. The tank is able to give target designation for artillery and serve in air defence and reconnaissance functions. The T-14 uses highly protected communication channels that connect a group of T-14s and the command post.

Summing it all up, one should point out that the vehicle has a number of unique features to make it stand out against other tanks in the world. It has a modern armor system, an unmanned turret, and a crew compartment protected from the most common types of enemy fire.

The Armata Universal Combat Platform consists of the T-14 main battle tank, the T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle and the T-16 armored recovery vehicle, among a host of other vehicles. The flexibility of the Armata platform gives it a good chance on the export market. The T-14 has unlimited potential for modernization, which together with a reasonable production cost, significantly increases its export possibilities. Armata can meet different needs of potential customers, operating across the combat spectrum.

One more important advantage – the tank will cost a mere 250 million rubles ($3.75 million) when it enters serial production, putting the battle tank in strong position to compete with US and European rivals on the global export market.

Competitors to Armata, such as the German Leopard 2, the US M1 Abrams, and the British Challenger 2 are estimated to cost anywhere from $6.8 to $8.6 million.

Egypt, China, India and Iraq are among the potential buyers.

No doubt, Armata has great future. After all, it is the world leader – the newest and most radical tank design seen in many years. And there is hardly any rival in sight.