How to win the missile race

[Groove]

An interesting interview about future of russian conventional weapon systems:

 

http://igorrgroup.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-win-in-missiles-race-part-1.html

 

small part:

 

Q - How your new missiles stay in comparison with the American analogs, in arsenal of F -22 and F -35. Who 'wins' in this comparison?

 

 

A – In average we keep the parity with the USA. The American F -22 and F -35 aircrafts are armed with AIM-9X sidewinder short distance air-to-air missiles , different modifications of medium distance AMRAAM AIM-120 . Our new missiles RVV-MD and RVV-SD, with small and medium range respectively, are nowhere inferior to them, but even exceed them in some characteristics. For example, the combat range of RVV-MD exceeds AIM-9X almost twice. The Russian missile is equipped with upgraded heat-seeking head. It is identical to American one in its sensitivity, and very comparable in area of jamming protection. This missile is intended not only for the fighters and the attack aircraft, but also for the combat helicopters. As far as the weapon of medium distance is concerned, our missiles have approximately 10 percent higher combat distance . In other respects Russian missiles of this type have practically the same characteristics as the American. Therefore I am completely confident, that we will not lose.

 

 

Q - And in the “air-surface” class?...

 

 

A - Here the Americans have the basic antiradar missile - AGM-88 HARM, which is capable to strike targets at a distance up to 80 kilometers, in almost 3 Machs (three speeds of sound. - “Expert”). If comparing it with our new antiradar missile X -31PD, then with other equal combat capabilities the Russian missile exceeds the American analog three times in the term of range. It was possible to reach this due to the new ramjet engine. In the field of energy consumption it two and half times more economical than its predecessor. This makes it possible not only to increase the combat distance, but also to realize the more sophisticated trajectory of flight. Particularly X -31PD used to be able to win a duel combat with the air defense systems 'patriot'.

 

 

Furthermore, in the “air-surface” class we have two additional missiles - X -38ME and X -58UShKE. The first of them is of modular type. I consider that this is an unique multipurpose missile. It can be equipped with the combined guidance systems - laser, thermal-vision, radar type or satellite navigation. But the second missile (X -58UShKe) is equipped (as X -31PD) with broadband passive homing heads, which ensure the capture of all kind of radar targets that it is also very important. Until now there were only the so-called selective heads on our missiles, each of them could capture only one type of targets (along the frequency spectrum). It created some inconveniences, since it was necessary to hang three or four sister missiles under the wing, if it was intended to act against several types of targets.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Groove

[GGTharos]

So they're comparing their non-yet-existant missiles to in-service missiles, instead of say, JDRADM :)

Same goes for the ARM as well ... not to mention they don't bother mentioning METEOR ;)

[Groove]

Try to read what they will bring on the market next years. We all know that the rest of the world won't stop their developments.

 

No flamewars in here.

[Boberro]

Nice article, thanks. IMHO new missiles introduction is a bit too optimistic but good to know they are still trying to develop new weapons.

[Aliboy]

I always thought BrahMos Cruise missile was a huge success its the best in its class at least that's what Indian Media sources tell us and Its already operational on navy ships and Ground mobile launchers for the Army also the Su-30 are being sent back to Russia to be fitted with the capability to launch this missile from the Air its stated that tests will be carried out in 2011 and operational by 2012.

[topol-m]

Nice article, thanks. IMHO new missiles introduction is a bit too optimistic but good to know they are still trying to develop new weapons.

 

They are not trying they are developing new weapons ;)

[Pilotasso]

The new heat seeker will definitively augment helicopters defense...but what scenarios? :)

 

As far it is concerned fighters, the word is, if you dont need extreme off boresight agility just send an AMRAAM. Its also excellent WVR weapon. Its twice the range of any heat seeker and it tends to be overlooked in this way. :)

 

Dont know about current RVVAE's

Edited May 12, 2010 by Pilotasso

[Boberro]

They are not trying they are developing new weapons ;)

 

Yeah they're I said they're trying cause it takes ages till there is new missile ;)

[topol-m]

Yeah they're I said they're trying cause it takes ages till there is new missile ;)

 

Increase their military budget several times and you`ll see new missiles more often :)

[jaeger_101]

I always thought BrahMos Cruise missile was a huge success its the best in its class at least that's what Indian Media sources tell us and Its already operational on navy ships and Ground mobile launchers for the Army also the Su-30 are being sent back to Russia to be fitted with the capability to launch this missile from the Air its stated that tests will be carried out in 2011 and operational by 2012.

 

i often wonder about the magic of a PR department to let lead shine like gold :music_whistling: .

Being a professional liar is an art too :P

 

Jaeger

[Erdem]

Increase their military budget several times and you`ll see new missiles more often :)

 

Well that's quite obvious, but they don't have the budget their rivals has.

[Pilotasso]

Im officialy quitting this discussion :)

[topol-m]

^^^ Me too :P