The World of Weapons and Military Technology

Russian multirole fighter sukhoi Su 57E in flight. Su-57E is designed for a wide range of combat tasks against aerial, ground and surface targets day or night using guided and unguided weaponry. #su57 #russianairforce #sukhoi

Russian BMP-3M: tracked amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. Russian-made BMP-3M “Manul” is an upgraded version of the BMP-3 tracked amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. It features improved fire power and protection over its predecessor and can carry three crew members and up to seven troops. It’s combat weight is 22 tons. The turret is fitted with a 100-millimeter 2A70 semi-automatic gun, with a rate of fire- ten rounds per minute up to a range of 4,000 meters. BMP-3M is also equipped with a 30-millimeter 2A72 automatic gun, which has a rate of fire 300 rounds per minute and a range of 4,000 meters as well as with a 7.62 -millimeter PKTM machine gun with a maximum firing range of 2,000 meters. The BMP-3M is able to fire 100-millimeter laser-guided projectiles, 100-millimeter high-explosive fragmentation rounds and new 30-millimeter armour-piercing discarding sabot rounds. “Manul” can carry “Kornet” anti-tank guided missiles with a range of up to 8 kilometers, which can burn through 14 centimeters of homogeneous tank armor. The vehicle is fitted with explosive reactive armour. The hull and turret are constructed from aluminium alloy armour. The BMP-3M armour offers protection from 12.7-millimeter armour piercing bullets from a range of 50 meters. Arena-E defensive aid suite fitted to automatically detect and destroy anti-tank missiles and anti-tank grenades. The fire control system is automatic with manual override for both gunner and commander. The BMP-3M is powered by a 666-horsepower four-stroke, ten-cylinder UTD-32T turbocharged diesel engine. Maximum speed is 70 kilometers per hour on a road, 45 kilometers per hour off-road and 10 kilometers per hour on water. Maximum range is 600 kilometers. The vehicle can climb over a vertical obstacle of 0.8m and a trench of 2.5 meters BMP-3M can conduct combat missions under various climatic conditions in temperatures ranging from -50 up to +50°C On the IFV foreign market, the “Manul” competes with the US M2 “Bradley”. BMP-3M has better armament (Bradley is equipped with a 25-millimeter automatic cannon and an obsolete TOW anti-tank gun). The levels of protection are comparable. The Bradley in full body kit with dynamic armor weighs about 30 tons, which is much heavier than the “Manul”. #russianmilitary #bmp-3m #ukrainewar

Russian ILYUSHIN IL-76MD-90A cargo aircraft. Ilyushin IL-76MD-90A is a new military transport aircraft developed by Ilyushin Aviation Complex, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation to transport military equipment and personnel. It is a modernised version of the IL-76MD. The first IL-76MD-90A prototype performed its maiden flight in September 2012. The first serial IL-76MD-90A aircraft was delivered to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in April 2019. The aircraft is equipped with redesigned wings, new cockpit, modern avionics and new engines. The aircraft has a length of 46.6 meters, height of 14.42 meters, wingspan of 50.50 meters. The wing area is 300 square meters. The IL-76MD-90A has a maximum take-off weight of 210 tons and can carry a maximum payload of 60 tons. It can accommodate up to five crew members. The advanced, glass cockpit of the IL-76MD-90A has three intelligent control panels and an aircraft status master monitor display system with eight multifunctional liquid crystal displays. The glass cabin provides better view to the cabin crew. The aircraft avionics include a digital ACS-76 auto flight control system and a new Kupol-III-76M flight sight navigation system The cargo cabin dimensions: length-24.5 meters (with ramp), width-3.45 meters and height-3.4 meters. The cargo cabin offers an interior volume of 321 cubic meters. Il-76MD-90A can carry 126 parachutists or 145 troops in single deck arrangement and 225 troops in double-deck arrangement. It can also house special equipment to carry 114 injured persons. The aircraft has an aerial-delivery system for transporting containers and pallets. Parachutists and cargo can be dropped from an altitude of up to 8,000 meters at speeds of 220 kilometers per hour to 400 kilometers per hour. One of the main differences from the Il-76 previous models is the use of more powerful PS-90A-76 turbofan engines with 4:4 bypass ratios. These engines provide improved take-off and landing, cruising performance, increased payload, longer flight range and increased efficiency by reducing fuel consumption. Each engine develops a maximum continuous thrust of 14,500kgf. It consumes 12% lesser fuel and offers an increased flight range of 18%. The transport aircraft can cruise at a speed of 820-850 kilometers per hour. The maximum altitude is 12,000 meters. The maximum range of the aircraft is 8,500 kilometers. The aircraft requires 1,700 meters take-off distance on concrete runway. The life expectancy of the IL-76MD-90A military transport aircraft is 30 years. The aircraft can accumulate a maximum of 30,000 flying hours throughout its service life. #il-76md-90a #russianaircraft #eyesontheworld

The Sukhoi Su-35 (Сухой Су-35, NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is an advanced multirole air superiority fighter developed from the Su-27. The aircraft can fly at a maximum speed of 2,390 km/h. #sukhoi #su-35 #eyesontheworld

F-15 engine test facilities at RAF Lakenheath's 48th Fighter Wing. ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- 48th Maintenance Group aerospace propulsion technicians test an F-15 aircraft engine at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Feb. 5, 2020. Technicians test and verify every engine to ensure each one is combat performance ready for the fighter squadrons at the Liberty Wing. #f-15 #aircraftenginetest

Russian Air Force in action. Helicopters and Su-34 fighter-bomber. The Sukhoi Su-34 is a Soviet-origin Russian twin-engine, twin-seat, all-weather supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber/strike aircraft. It first flew in 1990, intended for the Soviet Air Forces, and it entered service in 2014 with the Russian Air Force. Based on the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker air superiority fighter, the Su-34 has an armoured cockpit with side-by-side seating for its two pilots. a-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter operated by the Russian Air Force. Developed by Kamov Design Bureau (part of Russian Helicopters), Ka-52 is a twin-seat variant of the Ka-50 attack helicopter. #russianairforce #su-34 #eyesontheworld

Mi-35P “Phoenix” (NATO reporting name: Hind E) attack helicopter was designed on the base of the Mi-24 helicopter (NATO reporting name: Hind). Mi-35P inherits the best qualities of the Mi-24. First time Mi-35P was demonstrated at the International Military Forum ARMY-2020. Mi-35P was designed to increase infantry mobility and fire support. It can also be engaged in reconnaissance and search and rescue operations. Improved performance in combination with the improved flight and navigation systems allow Mi-35P to fly at any time of the day in simple or moderately difficult weather conditions, both under visual and instrument flying rules, in diverse geographical conditions. This helicopter is powered by two TV3-117VMA or VK-2500 engines. Each engine develops a maximum power output of 2,200 horsepower. The engines are designed to support high-altitude missions. The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour. Its operational altitude is 4,500 meters. The helicopter has a normal range of 450 kilometers and can reach a maximum distance of 1,000 kilometers with full fuel load. Maximum takeoff weight: 11,500 kilograms; Maximum payload: 2,400 kilograms. The Mi-35P has retractable landing gear, inherited from the Mi-24. From an aerodynamic point of view, this increases the speed of the helicopter. Mi-35P can carry up to 2.4 tons of cargo on an external hook. The aircraft is protected by an armored cabin with bulletproof glass. It has another passenger compartment that can accommodate up to 8 soldiers with full combat equipment. The range of weapons includes: eight Ataka-B anti-tank guided missiles, 80 S-8 unguided air-to-surface 80-millimeter missiles and 20 S-13 unguided 122-millimeter missiles. A double-barreled 23-millimeter cannon with ammunition from 450 to 470 rounds can be installed under the cockpit. The gun can fire from 3,400 to 3,600 rounds per minute. The upgraded enhanced Hind fit for use for no less than 40 years and 4,000 flight hours. The new digital autopilot provides much better stability compared to the legacy Mi-24 family, thus reducing the pilot workload. #mi35 #russianhelicopters #russia

Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" flight at Dubai Air Show 2023 The Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark", NATO reporting name Hokum A, is a Soviet/Russian single-seat attack helicopter with the distinctive coaxial rotor system of the Kamov design bureau. It was designed in the 1980s and adopted for service in the Russian army in 1995. The Ka-50 is manufactured by the Progress company in Arsenyev. It is used as a heavily armed scout helicopter, and is notable for having a rescue ejection system, rare for helicopters. #ka-52 #russianhelicopters #dubaiairshow2023

Taurus KEPD 350 Swedish-German air-launched cruise missile system Media reports emerged over the summer that Germany has been stalling the transfer of Taurus missiles out of fear they might be used to strike targets in Russian territory. The Taurus KEPD 350 is a Swedish-German air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by Taurus Systems and used by Germany, Spain, and South Korea. Taurus Systems GmbH is a partnership between MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Saab Bofors Dynamics. The advanced TAURUS KEPD 350 is a modular stand-off missile system. It is capable of precision strikes on stationary and semi-stationary targets, including bunkers and other hardened, deeply buried targets, as well as high-value point and area targets, such as large radar stations. KEPD stands for ‘Kinetic Energy Penetrator and Destroyer.’ The system is a Mobile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Category II weapon, designed to penetrate thick, hardened air defences via a very low-level terrain following flight. Day or night and in any weather, it neutralizes its targets through its highly effective 481-kilogram dual-stage warhead system, MEPHISTO which is equipped with two laser rangefinders. . TAURUS KEPD 350 combines outstanding penetration of hard and deeply buried targets, and blast and fragmentation of high-value point and area targets with exceptional bridge-and-runway-target kill capacity. With its dual-stage warhead system, the first part is designed to bust through hard or deeply buried targets, the second produces fragmentation damage at a specific level of a building or bunker, thanks to what the manufacturer says is the world's only multi-programmable fuse. The system remains the only stand-off missile programmable for effect at a specific pre-selected floor. This extraordinary feature is achieved by applying layer counting and void sensing technology. Each aluminum-skinned KEPD-350 Taurus measures 5.1 meters long and weighs just over 1.4 tons (3,100 pounds.) Once launched from an aircraft, foldable wings fold-out and along with X-shaped maneuvering tail fins and an American Textron P8300-15 turbofan engine allow the missile to cruise to target at the speed of 740 to 1110 kilometers per hour (460 to 690 miles per hour) to a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles). A laptop-based mission planning system programs a Taurus flight path of the missile and target reference images pre-mission, making it relatively easy to use it with Soviet Su-24M bombers Ukraine has already adapted to deliver Storm Shadow missiles. Upon being launched a Tri-tech navigation system of the missile uses multiple sensors and reference libraries to continually track its position and correct its course. Those include a ground-scanning infrared-imaging sensor, an on-board terrain map library for image-matching navigation, a laser-gyroscope built by Northrop-Grumman for inertial tracking, a radar altimeter for terrain-reference navigation, and a 12-channel jam-resistant GPS receiver. This allows Taurus strike with precision when GPS signals are jammed. On the final approach missile flies upward, giving the IR-imaging sensor in a nose of the Taurus a better vantage to search below for a structure matching a 3D model of its pre-assigned target. Once a target is identified, the missile dives at 90 degrees towards it. If the missile can’t find its target, it is programmed to crash somewhere it will not cause collateral damage. Moments before impact, the missile releases a ‘precursor’ shaped charge weighing 220 pounds that blasts a hole in a hardened structure or underground bunker. That allows the larger 7.5-foot-long penetrator to drop inside. Thanks to its PIMPF (programmable intelligent multipurpose fuse)–a void-sensing smart fuse, the penetrator itself can be programmed to explode after having pierced through, say, a certain number of floors in an underground facility. It can also use a two-way datalink to allow for remote control by an operator while it transmits back video imagery. That could enable the use of a missile against moving targets, such as ships or ground vehicle columns. Unit cost is $1.12 million. Taurus and Storm Shadow share many similar capabilities, including a stealthy radar cross-section. The biggest difference is range. The Taurus has more powerful and fuel-efficient turbofan engine. All three missiles—the British, French and German ones—are similar in size, payload and guidance. All three are subsonic. There are some minor differences in seekers and stealth qualities, but the big difference between the missiles is their respective engines. The Storm Shadow and SCALP have turbojets. The Taurus has a turbofan. In a turbojet, air travels into the engine, combusts then travels out of the engine. In a turbofan—a more modern engine type—there is a fan in the front of the engine that blows the air through the engine core, making it more efficient for a given weight and power #eyesontheworld #tauruskepd350 #ukrainewar

The Swedish Ministry of Defense announced that 10 Stridsvagn 122 main battle tanks have been delivered to Ukraine. The Stridsvagn-122 is Sweden's adaptation of the German Leopard 2 tank, featuring a four-person crew and better armament. The Swedish Stridsvagn 122 is only slightly heavier (62.5 tons vs 62.3 tons) and slightly slower (68 kilometers per hour vs 72 kilometer per hour). The Stridsvagn 122 was designed to fight in Swedish conditions including heavily forested areas as well as urban terrain. It has reinforced armour to protect against man-portable anti-tank weapons and an advanced CBRN defence system for protection against chemical, biological, and radioactive weapons. It can wade through water up to 1.4 meters deep. The Stridsvagn 122 has the ability to discover, identify, and lock-on a target with the assistance of a laser rangefinder, thermographic camera and a speed/distance/accuracy calculator for maximum accuracy. It can lock-on to numerous targets simultaneously, enabling the tank to fight several enemy vehicles without having to manually re-aim the gun after every shot. Swedish tanks have a slightly different fire control system that allows for better accuracy while the tank is moving. In addition, the Stridsvagn 122 has the French GALIX smoke dispensers. The Stridsvagn 122 has a 120-millimeter Rheinmetal smoothbore gun with 42 rounds, two 7.62-millimeter machine guns with 4,750 rounds and two smoke grenade launchers. It is able to engage targets up to 4 kilometers away with its armor-piercing discarding sabot projectiles and high-explosive shells. The Stridsvagn 122 are equipped with 1,500 horsepower engines. The maximum range is 550 kilometers. Speed: 68 kilometers per hour The unit price is US$5.74 million #ukrainewar #stridsvagn122 #eyesontheworld

The submachine gun SR-2MP "Veresk" is a modernized version of the sub-machine gun SR-2. The SR-2MP Veresk fires 9×21 mm ammunition. This cartridge is also used by the SR-1 Vektor (Gyurza) pistol. SR-2MP fires SP-10 cartridge, which is an armour piercing bullet with hardened steel core, exposed at the tip of the projectile. It can penetrate up to 2.8 millimeters of titanium plate at the distance over 100 meters and a 4-millimeter steel plate at a distance of 70 meters. SR-2MP can also use SP-11 low-ricochet bullet. Muzzle velocity: 390 to 440 meters per second. Rate of fire: 900 rounds per minute. Length: foldable, 603 millimeters to 367 millimeters. Weight: 1.65 kilograms empty. This submachine gun features a gas-operated rotating bolt mechanism, typically found in assault rifles, to accommodate the powerful round. The SR-2 Veresk has two levers located on each side of the receiver, one of which serves as a safety switch and the other as a fire mode selector. The SR-2 Veresk has 20 and 30-round capacity magazines, which are housed within the pistol grip, similar to Uzi submachine gun. The collapsible stock folds upwards and over the weapon. Iron sights are adjustable for ranges of 100 and 200 meters. It also has a mount for optical sights. The muzzle brake was replaced with muzzle cap, protecting a hand of the shooter from a burn by expanding gases. SR-2MP has s a side-mounted accessory rails for tactical flashlight, or laser pointer. It can be fitted with a sound suppressor. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is armed with this weapon. #sr-2mp #submachinegun sr-2mpveresk

International Military-Technical Forum Army-2023 is held from 14th - 20th August, 2023 at Patriot Expo, Moscow, Russia. It is a major opportunity for defense companies to showcase their products and technologies to potential buyers. In recent years it has turned into one of the world's leading exhibitions of weapons and military equipment. Country's leading defense companies displayed some 1,500 of their products. Russia also shows off its "war trophies," Western-made equipment captured on the battlefields of Ukraine. Weapons from many countries are on display: AGM-88-Harm and Himars missiles, French AMX-10RC tank, BAIRAKTAR TB2 drone, HUMVEEs, RPGs, mines and many more. #eyesontheworld #ukrainewar #forumarmy23

Russian self-propelled howitzer "Koalitsiya-SV" ("Coalition-SV") will enter Ukraine war. Российская самоходная гаубица "Коалиция-СВ" вступит в войну на Украине. Production of the “Koalitsiya-SV” started in 2023 to meet urgent operational needs of the Russian Army. The testing of this new artillery system still continues. The 2S35 “Koalitsiya-SV” is a 152-millimeter self-propelled howitzer manufactured by UralTransMash. It is a successor to the 2S33 “Msta-SM.” The Russian Army, has so far, 12 units of this self-propelled howitzer. The 2S35 “Koalitsiya-SV” is mounted on a modified T-90 chassis. It is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, developing around 1,000 horse-power. The maximum speed is up to 70 kilometers per hour with a range of up to 500 kilometers. The howitzer is operated by three crew members: commander, driver and gunner. The howitzer has unmanned turret and is armed with a 2A88 152-millimeter gun. The ammunition capacity is up to 70 shells. It has a fully automated ammunition loading and handling system. An automatic loader allows the cannon to fire up to 16 rounds a minute. The system can automatically select a shell type appropriate for a task and the amount of charge required. It has an ammunition reloading system at the rear of the turret which allows to load ammunition directly from resupply trucks. Full reload takes about 15 minutes. The 2S35 “Koalitsiya-SV” is capable of firing standard and rocket assisted high explosive-fragmentation (HE-FRAG) shells, cluster shells, anti-tank submunitions, high-explosive precision-guided munitions and radio jamming shells. Range with standard HE-FRAG shell is around 30 kilometers, with rocket-assisted shell up to 40 kilometers. A new long-range precision-guided round has a maximum range of 70 kilometers. It can also fire 9K25 “Krasnopol” semi-automatic laser-guided projectile, which can reach up to 25 kilometers. A remote-controlled 12.7-millimeter “Kord” machine gun, is mounted on the top of the vehicle for self-defence against air and ground targets. The export variant features a 155-millimeter calibre self-propelled gun compatible with standard NATO ammunition. The “Koalitsiya-SV” has an automatic targeting and target selection system. The workstations of the gunner and commander of the " Koalitsiya-SV" are equipped with digital displays and integrated into a single automated tactical control system, which allows receiving target designations via a digital communication channel. The “Koalitsiya-SV” artillery system can fire autonomously or can be remotely operated using an integrated fire control system. The targeting and firing information are displayed on the command-and-control panel. Vehicle is also fitted with nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system and automatic fire suppression system. The vehicle has a built-in self-entrenching blade. This artillery system is supported by a reloading vehicle, based on 8 by 8 truck chassis. 2S35-1 Koalitsiya-SV KSh is a wheeled version, based on a KamAZ high mobility truck with 8 by 8 configuration. It is more mobile and less expensive than the tracked version. #ukrainewar #koalitsiyasv #russianarmy

Late in 2022 Rostec corporation started supplying Russian Army with a new state-of-the-art remote mine-laying system Zemledeliye (Agriculture). The system is a significant improvement in the field of mine-laying technology. The system includes combat vehicle, transport-loading vehicle mounted on a chassis of a KaMaz 6560 truck and launch pod containers loaded with various types of mines. The combat vehicle carries 50 rockets of 122-millimeter caliber (2 blocks of 25 pieces) loaded with mines. The transport-loading vehicle allows fast reloading. System reloading takes only a few minutes. The ISDM Zemledeliye can mine a large area within minutes from a distance of 5 to 15 kilometers. Its intelligent programming feature allows operators to configure the system for a certain type of target, area size and distance. The fire computer receives electronic map co-ordinates and area to be mined, and creates a program for mining that area, including the number of mines required. It is possible to create minefields of different sizes and shapes with a given density of ammunition. The combat vehicle of the ISDM Zemledeliye system is equipped with satellite navigation, a computerized fire control and a weather station. This allows operators to make real-time adjustments, which account for weather conditions. The truck is fitted with three smoke grenade launchers on each side of the control cabin for self-protection. Mines incorporate a self-distract mechanism as required by international convention. The development of the "friend or foe" system allows to distinguish enemy soldiers from friendly ones. Each friendly soldier will have a sensor, which will disactivate the mines at certain distance to friendly forces and then activate them again when sensors move away. Zemledeliye can lay anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. The POM-3 "Medallion" is a jumping fragmentation anti-personnel mine that weighs 1.3 kilogram. When dispersed from its container, the landmine lands using a parachute. It stands upright on six spring-loaded feet on a hard ground. If it lands on a soft ground, it buries itself into the ground to a depth of its body height. The mine is activated by a seismic proximity sensor forced into the ground. It has a catalogue of seismic signatures. The sensor detects approaching footsteps and compares them to the pre-programmed seismic signatures. If the vibrations match one in catalogue and have increasing amplitude (footsteps are approaching the mine and are within a lethal range of about 16 meters), the mine is triggered. A fragmentation charge is ejected to approximately 1–1.5 meters above the ground level and detonates, maximizing the kill area. The body of a POM-3 consists of several ‘toothed’ rings which are stacked in a slightly offset manner to produce high fragmentation effect. Self-destruct time can be set to 8-24 hours The anti-tank mine PTM-4M, developed for the "Zemledeliye " system, is a high-explosive, shaped-charge, magnetically influenced, anti-vehicle mine with a programmable fuse. The mine arming mechanism can be set for 40 to 80-second delay. Self-destruct time can be programmed for up to 120 days. It is equipped with a magnetic sensor that responds to a magnetic field disturbance coming from tanks and other armored vehicles. When commanded to self-destruct, the mines of "Agriculture" do not explode. a special chip simply deactivates mines and makes them harmless. Breaking news. Documentary.