MANPADS "Verba" is the newest Russian portable anti-aircraft missile system, put into service in 2014. This weapon just beginning to enter combat units, the first to receive this MANPADS were anti-aircraft gunners of the 98th guards division Airborne Forces (Ivanovo).
Potential foreign customers anti-aircraft complex was presented at Defexpo India in 2018. Rosoboronexport expects that not only the Indian military, but also the defense departments of Algeria, Egypt and a number of other countries will show interest in the Verba complex.
MANPADS "Verba" is designed to destroy low-flying air targets (both on a collision course and on a catch-up course) in conditions of enemy opposition and the use of false heat targets. This anti-aircraft missile system is especially effective for destroying stealthy targets: unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.
Several new and original technical solutions have been used in the new anti-aircraft complex, which allows it to hit with greater efficiency aircrafts enemy and carry out air defense. During the development of "Verba" the rich experience of development and application was taken into account. domestic weapons of a similar class. Very often, the "Verba" MANPADS is called a new generation weapon, which surpasses not only Soviet and Russian developments("Igla-1", "Igla", "Igla-S"), but also the best foreign analogues: American Stinger-Block-I and Chinese QW-2.
History of creation
The first information about the "Verba" MANPADS appeared back in 2008. However, the reports were rather sparse and vague. It was argued that "Verba" would be put into service in 2009, but these terms were constantly postponed. In 2011 began military trials new complex, but its adoption was delayed until 2014.
The complex was developed by the Kolomna "Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering" - one of the world leaders in the creation of such weapons.
Currently, the new MANPADS entered service with the Ivanovo airborne division. It is planned that in the coming years "Verba" will be supplied to other units of the Russian army and will replace the obsolete anti-aircraft missile systems.
Description
MANPADS "Verba" is designed to destroy low-flying air targets (aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles) on catch-up and collision courses. The firing range of MANPADS is 6 km, and the target destruction height is 4 km. The complex includes a missile with an infrared homing head (GOS), the guidance of which is carried out in three ranges at once, which significantly increases its characteristics and efficiency of use. A similar principle is implemented on most modern MANPADS (for example, the GOS MANPADS "Igla" has two channels), but only "Verba" uses three separate photodetectors, each of which operates in its own range. In this respect, it is really possible to say that "Verba" is really a new generation MANPADS.
In addition, the missile seeker is protected from laser jamming systems that are installed on modern combat aircraft and helicopters.
Another feature of the complex is the presence of an automated control system (ACS), which detects aerial objects, conducts the determination of the parameters of their flight, and also distributes targets between anti-aircraft gunners in one unit.
A common problem when using MANPADS is untimely detection of flying objects. Previously, MANPADS calculations tried to visually detect the target, but this is not always an easy task.
To further complicate the work of anti-aircraft gunners, pilots often fly at low or ultra-low altitudes. In this case, the enemy aircraft appears in the field of view suddenly, moves at high speed, so it is difficult for the fighter to react in time and prepare for firing.
The automated control system for the "Verba" MANPADS includes a small and anti-jamming radar station that can detect an air target at distances of up to 80 km. After that, the anti-aircraft gunners are given a sound signal about the presence of the enemy, the ACS using the GLONASS system determines the location of the shooter and gives him an azimuth for firing.
Anti-aircraft complex "Verba" is part of tactical complex air defense Barnaul-T, it is integrated into common system Air defense and can receive information about air targets from their higher level detection systems.
The MANPADS "Verba" includes the following components:
- trigger mechanism 9P521;
- surveillance radar 1L122 with a target detection range of 40-80 km;
- guided missile 9М336;
- system for determining "friend or foe";
- mobile checkpoint 9В861;
- reconnaissance and control, planning and fire control module;
- mounting kit 9S933-1 (for the division);
- anti-aircraft gunner automation kit 9S935;
- means for education and training of personnel.
The 9M336 missile has a new solid-propellant engine with higher performance compared to the MANPADS currently in service with the Russian army. The rocket has an increased warhead, and also it is equipped with an adaptive contact-non-contact fuse. The complex also includes a Mowgli-2M night vision sight, which allows you to fire at night and in conditions of limited visibility.
Another undoubted advantage of "Willow" is the simplification of its Maintenance... Now the seeker does not need to be regularly cooled with liquid nitrogen. This allows you to refuse additional equipment, refrigerant containers, save time and effort.
Commander anti-aircraft regiment The 98th Airborne Division, which has already entered service with the Verba MANPADS, said that the new systems would significantly reduce the deployment time of calculations. Previously, it could take up to five minutes from detecting a target to opening fire, but now this period has decreased by almost ten times.
"Willow"(GRAU index - 9K333, rocket - 9M336) is a Russian portable anti-aircraft missile system designed to destroy low-flying air targets on a head-on and catch-up course under conditions of false thermal interference. With the outward similarity of this MANPADS with its predecessors - the same "pipe" as the "Needle", the same sighting mechanism that helps the anti-aircraft gunner to determine the target and fire a shot - this is a completely different weapon with different characteristics. And they are that the missile is capable of striking not only traditional aircraft, but also the so-called "low-radiation targets" - cruise missiles and UAVs. Rocket 9M336 complex 9K333 equipped with an infrared tri-band homing head, a solid-fuel engine capable of hitting air targets at a distance of over 6 km and at an altitude of over 4 km.
The complex includes automated system management(ACS), which detects air targets, including group targets, determines their flight parameters, as well as the distribution of found targets between anti-aircraft gunners, taking into account their location.
The Verba MANPADS includes:
- Rocket 9M336
- Trigger mechanism 9P521
- Ground-based radar interrogator "Our - a stranger" 1L229V
- Mobile checkpoint 9В861
- Small size radar detector 1L122
- Planning module 9S931
- Intelligence and control module 9S932-1
- Portable fire control module 9S933(brigade kit), built-in mounting kit 9S933-1(in a divisional kit)
- Anti-aircraft gunner automation kit 9S935
- Educational and training means
The advantages of MANPADS "Verba" over their predecessors:
- The quality has improved significantly: now
there is no need to carry out periodic checks with the cooling of the homing head with nitrogen. This makes it possible to abandon additional equipment, nitrogen storage facilities, save human resources - Improved the reliability of the complex
- At the same time, a high continuity with previous MANPADS has been preserved in terms of combat work, operation, maintenance and training.
Kolomenskoye KBM signed a long-term contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for the supply "Willows" and launched mass production of a new MANPADS.
The performance characteristics of MANPADS "Verba"
Rocket MANPADS "Verba"
The missile of this complex is equipped with a unique three-spectrum homing head operating in the ultraviolet, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. It is this difference in the spectra that allows one to obtain more information about the target, which makes MANPADS"Selective" weapon. In addition, the head "Willows" possesses and much more in comparison with MANPADS "Igla-S" sensitivity. This increases the capture range of airborne objects. Also, the seeker automatically selects false thermal targets (thermal interference) and focuses on the object with the strongest thermal radiation.
In terms of its characteristics, the missile is more than optimal for portable anti-aircraft weapons on the battlefield. The new solid-propellant engine makes it possible to perform a successful shot at an object located at a distance of over six kilometers from the shooter and flying at a speed of 500 meters per second. The mass of the rocket is only one and a half kilograms, but the height of the defeat varies from ten (!) To 4.5 thousand meters. The closest foreign competitor of the Russian MANPADS — American complex FIM-92 "Stinger" can only be used against air targets located at an altitude of 180 meters. That is, the enemy helicopter will be able to calmly shoot the positions of the American infantry from a height below this mark: hit a hovering rotorcraft from "Stinger" it will be simply impossible. Not the most worthy indicators for the US MANPADS and other characteristics. So, the height of the target that the rocket can reach "Stinger", cannot exceed 3.8 thousand meters, and the distance from the location of the shooter is 4.8 thousand.
Trial by the Arctic
The commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment of the 98th airborne division, Colonel Andrei Musienko (as part of this unit, they also underwent approbation MANPADS "Verba") emphasizes that with the arrival of the new complex, the anti-aircraft combat control process in airborne units accelerated more than 10 times. Previously, it took more than three to five minutes from the moment the senior commander detected the target until the missile was launched by the anti-aircraft gunner, now - only a few seconds. Such parameters, according to the officers of the military level, fully correspond to the needs of modern anti-aircraft combat - highly mobile and dynamic counteraction to air attack weapons requiring the use of modern weapons and operational management.
By the way, MANPADS "Verba", which includes elements of an automated control system, fully interfaced with the Andromeda-D automated control system used in the Airborne Forces. The "Verba" proved to be quite good and during one of the paratroopers' exercises in Arctic zone... Even under abnormal conditions low temperatures no failures or refusals in the use of these weapons and control systems have occurred. Valery Kashin, general designer of NPK KBM, OJSC, noted that at the moment the sea and helicopter versions of the Verba are under development.
Portable anti-aircraft missile systems have long and firmly taken their place in the system of mobile air defense systems of the ground forces of many countries. New Russian MANPADS have unique abilities, which the military did not even have to think about before.
In all ranges
First, about the uniqueness of "Willow". Despite the external similarity of this MANPADS with its predecessors - the same "pipe" as the "Needle", the same sighting mechanism that helps the anti-aircraft gunner to determine the target and fire a shot - this is a completely different weapon with different characteristics. And they are that the Verba missile is capable of striking not only traditional aircraft - planes and helicopters, but also cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, that is, the so-called "low-radiation targets".
The missile of this complex is equipped with a unique three-spectrum homing head operating in the ultraviolet, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. It is this difference in the spectra that allows you to get more information about the target, which makes MANPADS a "selective" weapon. In addition, the "Verba" head has a significantly higher sensitivity in comparison with the "Igla-S" MANPADS. This makes it possible to fire at targets that emit little in the infrared wavelength range (for example, UAVs), and increases the capture range of airborne objects. Also, the seeker automatically selects false thermal targets (thermal interference) and focuses on the object with the strongest thermal radiation.
Valery Kashin, a representative of the enterprise that developed these weapons, general designer of the Scientific and Production Corporation "Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering" (OJSC "NPK KBM"), said that the Verba MANPADS surpasses all world analogues in terms of the aggregate characteristics. And this is not some kind of bragging of the designer for his brainchild. The complex actually has significantly improved characteristics for overcoming pyrotechnic interference (including the already mentioned heat traps), increased firing accuracy, and optimized other indicators. For example, an automated control system detects air targets, including group targets, determines the parameters of their flight and even distributes the found objects between the shooters in an anti-aircraft unit, taking into account the location of personnel on the ground.
"Stinger" nervously smokes on the sidelines ...
MANPADS is not in vain stands for "complex". In addition to the rocket in the guiding tube, the Verba also includes a launching mechanism, a friend-or-foe ground radar interrogator (to prevent unauthorized use on its aircraft), as well as a mobile checkpoint, a small-sized radar detector, planning, reconnaissance and management. There is also a portable fire control module, which is supplied to the troops in a brigade kit, and an integrated mounting kit - for use as part of a divisional kit.
MANPADS "Stinger"
Rocket "Verba" in its characteristics is more than optimal for portable anti-aircraft weapons on the battlefield. The new solid-propellant engine makes it possible to perform a successful shot at an object located at a distance of over 6 kilometers from the shooter and flying at a speed of 500 meters per second. The mass of the rocket is only one and a half kilograms, but the height of the defeat varies from ten (!) To 4.5 thousand meters. The closest foreign competitor of the Russian MANPADS, the American FIM-92 "Stinger" complex, can only be used against air targets located at an altitude of 180 meters. That is, the enemy helicopter will be able to calmly shoot at the positions of the American infantry from a height below this mark: it will be simply impossible to hit the hovering rotorcraft from the Stinger. Not the most worthy indicators for the US MANPADS and for other characteristics. So, the height of the target that the Stinger missile can reach cannot exceed 3.8 thousand meters, and the distance from the shooter's location is 4.8 thousand.
Economical "Verba"
The new Russian MANPADS was presented at the ARMY-2015 International Military-Technical Forum. As noted by the manufacturers, important feature products also in the fact that the complex allows you to destroy air targets with a smaller number of missiles, which saves the missiles of large anti-aircraft missile systems - a very expensive weapon.
According to the general designer of OJSC NPK KBM Valery Kashin, today the Russian Ministry of Defense has signed contracts for the supply of the Verba complexes to the troops already in a complete version, that is, for immediately arming anti-aircraft units of brigades and divisions. Prior to this, the product passed the stage of practical testing in connections Airborne troops and in the brigades of the Eastern Military District. According to the military, the use of new MANPADS will provide reliable cover for military units from attacks air means using modern facilities countering air defense systems, defend against massive attacks cruise missiles, create an effective short-range defense line.
Aleksandr Smirnov, chief designer of the scientific and technical direction of JSC NPK KBM for MANPADS, is confident that the adoption of the Verba into service will make it possible to achieve a giant gap from competitors and consolidate Russian leadership in this area by long years... The principle of complete delivery, when troops immediately receive all the components necessary to perform a combat mission, operation, inspection, maintenance, education and training, makes it possible to ensure the full combat readiness of subunits, to form and maintain skills in the use of missile systems in personnel.
Trial by the Arctic
The "Verba" has simplified maintenance: now there is no need to carry out periodic checks with the cooling of the homing head with nitrogen. This made it possible to abandon additional equipment, nitrogen storage facilities, and save human resources. The commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment of the 98th airborne division, Colonel Andrei Musienko (this unit also tested the Verba MANPADS) emphasizes that with the arrival of the new complex, the process of controlling the air combat in the Airborne Forces units has accelerated more than 10 times. Previously, it took more than 3-5 minutes from the moment the senior commander detected the target until the missile was launched by the anti-aircraft gunner, now - only a few seconds. Such parameters, according to the officers of the military level, fully correspond to the needs of modern anti-aircraft combat - highly mobile and dynamic counteraction to air attack weapons, requiring the use of modern weapons and their operational control.
By the way, the "Verba" MANPADS, which includes elements of an automated control system, are fully compatible with the Andromeda-D automated control system used in the Airborne Forces. The "Verba" also showed itself well during one of the paratroopers' exercises in the Arctic zone. Even in conditions of abnormally low temperatures, no failures or failures in the use of this weapon and its control systems occurred. And as Valery Kashin, general designer of NPK KBM, OJSC noted, at the moment, the sea and helicopter versions of the Verba are under development.
This year, as well as last year, the Russian Armed Forces will receive a new generation of portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) "Verba". This unique product was developed by specialists of the Kolomna JSC NPK Machine-Building Design Bureau, which is a part of NPO JSC High-precision complexes"State corporation" Rostec ".
The novelty is primarily used for arming brigades of the Ground Forces (motorized rifle and tank), as well as airborne divisions.
The means of the complex are supplied to the troops in sets, which include not only the MANPADS itself, maintenance equipment, training equipment, but also detection equipment with an automated control system "Barnaul-T".
"Verba" was adopted by the Russian army in 2015. And it became a sensation already at the first public demonstration during the Army-2015 International Military-Technical Forum in Kubinka, Moscow Region. This MANPADS, in terms of its characteristics and capabilities, surpasses all similar products in service with the countries of the world.
And one warrior in the field
The portable anti-aircraft missile system, as such, is designed to fire one person. How not to recall the textbook: "And there is one warrior in the field." For a better understanding of the essence of this unique weapon - a little history.
MANPADS with guided missiles(and this is a fundamentally new step in arming the army) were first used in 1969 in the Arab-Israeli "war of attrition". These were the Soviet Strela-2. In one day, they destroyed three Israeli A4 Skyhawks.
And with only three missiles. The result shocked military specialists. In the same battle, two missiles were fired at Mirage III aircraft, but the targets were outside the affected area.
A few years earlier, the American Red Eye complex had appeared. And since those years MANPADS have been actively used all over the world.
Portable complexes harmoniously fit into network-centric and hybrid wars. They were originally created to cover ground military units and over half a century of their existence have more than proven that they are equal combat units of the modern army.
They are still idolized today for their simplicity and effectiveness. Over the course of its existence, Soviet and then Russian MANPADS shot down more than 700 aircraft. Used in Egypt, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia to protect military units in the Peruvian conflict.
The famous "Stinger" has made itself felt loudly in Afghanistan since 1986. These MANPADS shot down more than a hundred Soviet planes and helicopters. Groups of our special forces were hunting for the Stinger. V short time several missiles were captured, which were subsequently taken to the USSR and used to create countermeasures.
Appearances are deceptive
The creators of the first domestic MANPADS were the ingenious designers Boris Shavyrin and Sergey Invincible. I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by KBM employees in the apartment of the Invincible in a skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya embankment a few years before the death of the defense master.
I remember the majestic figure, the shine of a fanatic in the eyes, magnetism. And - an incredible amount of knowledge poured out on the interlocutor by a waterfall.
MANPADS - only one of nearly three dozen brainchildren of the Invincible, and hence the KBM. Among them - the operational-tactical missile system "Oka", which was replaced by "Iskander", the complex active protection tanks "Arena", all-weather anti-tank missile system "Chrysanthemum-S" and much more.
Today the general designer of KBM is Valery Kashin, a disciple and follower of Invincible. Under his leadership, Igla-S was created, the development of which was Verba.
With the outward similarity of the novelty with its predecessors, this is a completely different weapon, with new characteristics.
"Verba" is capable of successfully hitting not only traditional air targets - aircraft and helicopters, but also the so-called low-radiation targets - cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Its differences from its predecessor are significant. For the first time in the world, a fundamentally new seeker is installed on a product - an optical tri-band (or three-spectral): it works in the ultraviolet, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. This allows you to get more information about the target, which makes the complex a "selective" weapon.
The three sensors constantly double-check each other, making it difficult for the aircraft against which the missile is directed to mislead it using false targets. The homing head automatically selects false thermal targets (interference) and focuses on the object, if not with the strongest thermal radiation, but precisely on the one that needs to be hit.
The sensitivity of the missile seeker has been increased eight (!) Times. Accordingly, the zone of capture and destruction of air targets has also grown: in comparison with the MANPADS of the previous generation "Igla-S" - by 2.5 times. The complex is equipped with a Mowgli-2 night vision sight.
The automated control system makes it possible to detect air targets, including group targets, determine the parameters of their flight, and even distribute targets between the shooters.
The new rocket engine allows you to shoot at an object located at a distance of 6 km from the shooter. The height of the lesion is from 10 m to 3.5 km. Weight launcher with a power source and a rocket inside in a combat position - only 17.25 kg.
In a word, it comes about a unique innovative technology. The missile, according to the general designer of KBM Valery Kashin, is "completely digital", it is hermetically sealed, materials that are insensitive to aggressive media were used for its manufacture. In flight, the rocket is controlled autonomously.
The homing system is designed to deceive anti-missile systems goals. The fighter is required to press the launch, and then the rocket will do everything by itself. The "friend or foe" recognition system significantly reduces the risk of hitting friendly air vehicles.
Competitors are years behind
MANPADS "Verba" can be used not only from the shoulder. In the future, it is possible to install Verba missile turrets on ships and helicopters. MANPADS "Igla-S" is used as part of shipboard installations "Gibka" and in sets of autonomous modules "Strelets" on combat helicopters.
“Verba” will go the same way, ”Valery Kashin said the other day. Moreover, according to him, the "Verba" MANPADS from the very beginning was developed taking into account the possibility of using it, in addition to the named, and on "other movable military equipment." Which one is anyone's guess.
In terms of its characteristics, the Verba complex surpasses not only the Igla-1, Igla, Igla-S MANPADS in service with the Russian army, but also their foreign counterparts - the American Stinger Block I and the Chinese QW-2. American MANPADS significantly loses to "Verba" in all respects.
The Russian government allowed to sell the new product abroad, already has foreign buyer... The manufacturers, however, have not yet said who exactly. The US military called the new Russian MANPADS one of the most "alarming" types of weapons, and its export - "a potentially threatening event." Russia has created the most dangerous anti-aircraft system in history, writes the American edition of Business Insider.
The Israelis are also worried about the prospect of selling "Verba". They say: "Verba" is capable of breaking the opposition of most of the defensive systems of the Western armies. In local conflicts of the past three decades greatest danger for military aviation represented precisely portable anti-aircraft missile systems.
The Israeli government has decided to equip the park aircraft systems of directional infrared countermeasures DIRCM for protection against MANPADS. This system combines passive, optical missile detectors and directional, infrared countermeasures.
The developers of the system claim that the laser beam disrupts the attack of the missile fired at the aircraft and forces it to deviate from the course. Perhaps these threats extend to early-model MANPADS, but not to Verba, say Russian military experts with whom the author spoke.
Undergoing numerous exercises Russian troops confirm: "Verba" confidently destroys targets imitating attack drones, helicopters and ground attack aircraft conditional enemy. This MANPADS operates at an extremely maximum ranges and heights, on head-on and catch-up courses.
The quality and reliability of the complex has been significantly improved, its operation, maintenance and training have been simplified. Gradually "Verba" will replace all MANPADS of earlier types. This will make it possible to completely unify the arsenals of the types and arms of the troops for this kind weapons.
Nikolay Poroskov
MANPADS "Verba" is the latest Russian anti-aircraft missile system, which was developed by specialists of the "Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering" (Kolomna) and put into service in 2014. Its main task is to combat low-flying air targets, including cruise missiles and unmanned vehicles(UAV) enemy. Currently, "Verba" is just beginning to enter the troops, it is known that this complex has already been received by the soldiers of the 98th Airborne Division. Serial production of MANPADS is carried out by the Kovrov plant named after. Degtyarev, it started back in 2012.
According to their tactical and technical characteristics(TTX) Russian MANPADS "Verba" significantly surpasses the existing foreign counterparts, so it can be safely called a new generation anti-aircraft complex. The range of heights and distances at which the "Verba" is capable of operating is quite comparable to the characteristics of more serious army systems Air defense. The complex confidently covers the main high-altitude ranges of work army aviation In addition, the missile seeker is capable of distinguishing real targets from heat traps and confidently hitting them. And this moment is called the main "highlight" of "Willow".
The complex was first demonstrated to the general public at the international exhibition Defexpo India, which took place in 2016. After that, the American edition of Business Insider called "Verba" "the most terrible portable anti-aircraft system in history."
The complex, in addition to the launcher itself and the anti-aircraft missile, also includes a mobile small-sized radar and an automated fire control system (ACS), which is able not only to determine the parameters of targets, but also to give target designation to launchers. It was also developed by the specialists of KB Mashinostroeniya.
India has already become interested in the new Russian complex, and negotiations are currently underway with Algeria, Egypt and a number of other countries. It is known that the "Verba" MANPADS has already been supplied to the armed forces of Armenia. There is information that this complex is now being "tested" in Syria, moreover, information appeared in the media about the successful use of MANPADS against Islamist drones.
History of creation
The emergence of powerful and long-range anti-aircraft missile systems forced the pilots of combat aircraft to descend from sky-high heights and seek protection in close proximity to the ground. However, already in the early 60s ground troops began to receive portable air defense systems, which very soon became one of the main enemies of the pilots. Mobile, simple, portable anti-aircraft missile systems almost invisible from the air have proven to be very effective weapons. A fighter armed with MANPADS could easily destroy a large and expensive fighter or attack aircraft with one missile. For the first time, MANPADS were massively used in the 1969 Arab-Israeli war. These were the Soviet Strela-2 complexes. The effectiveness of their use amazed specialists.
Around the same time, American portable complexes Red Eye. And in the early 80s on american army received the famous FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, which spoiled a lot of blood for our pilots in Afghanistan. At the time of its creation, it was an excellent MANPADS, in many ways superior to foreign counterparts, including Soviet complexes. But if we talk about today, it should be admitted that "Stinger" is already morally outdated. In terms of its main characteristics, it is inferior not only to the newest "Verba", but also to many later modifications of the "Needle".
Portable anti-aircraft systems quickly found their place after the end Cold war, this weapon remains in high demand in our era of hybrid wars and local conflicts.
It should be noted that in the USSR this type of weapon has always been given special attention, domestic designers in the field of developing MANPADS have managed to achieve significant success. "Strela-2" was replaced by the more advanced "Strela-3", and at the beginning of the 80s into service Soviet army the complex "Igla" was adopted, which is still in use Russian army... It is believed that about 700 different aircraft were shot down by Soviet and then Russian MANPADS in their entire history. The main center for the development of domestic MANPADS is the Kolomna "Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering", which is rightfully considered the world leader in the creation of these weapons.
MANPADS "Verba", in fact, became a further development of the "Igla-S" complex, which was adopted at the beginning of the 2000s. The first information about "Verba" appeared around 2008, but for obvious reasons it was very vague and cut off. True, it was argued that the new MANPADS would be ready by 2009. However, this did not happen, the deadlines for the commissioning of the complex were constantly postponed. Only in 2011, military trials began, which lasted several years. The Verba MANPADS was adopted in 2014. The first units of the Airborne Forces began to receive it.
You can shoot from the "Willow" not only from the shoulder, but also install this complex on warships, helicopters or various ground platforms. The Russian military believes that the new complex will allow them not only to more effectively resist the already familiar threats - enemy aircraft and helicopters - but also successfully fight against enemy cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Last year, a number of domestic media reported about the destruction of an unmanned aerial vehicle near the Syrian capital with the help of Verba MANPADS. With his help, the rebels adjusted artillery fire. True, the information about this incident has not been officially confirmed.
Description of "Willow"
Externally, the Verba MANPADS is not too different from its famous predecessors - the Igla and Strela anti-aircraft systems. However, in fact, this is a weapon with completely different characteristics and capabilities. New complex capable of hitting targets at altitudes up to 4.5 km and at a distance of up to 6 km, both on a head-on and on a catch-up course. it essential characteristics for any MANPADS and in terms of them, "Verba" surpasses the French "Mistral" and the American "Stinger", and even the more modern British "Starstrick". The designers managed to achieve an increase in the range and altitude of hitting targets due to the use of more efficient rocket fuel.
Have Russian complex there is one more advantage - this is the lower limit of the affected area, which is only 10 meters. For comparison, the Stinger can capture targets flying at an altitude of at least 180 meters.
The portable anti-aircraft complex "Verba" (index 9K333) includes the following elements:
- launcher 9P521;
- anti-aircraft guided missile;
- surveillance radar 1L122, which is capable of detecting targets at a distance of 40 to 80 km;
- recognition system "friend or foe";
- fire control system;
- mobile CP 9V861;
- mounting kit 9С933-1;
- 9S935 automation kit;
- means intended for the training and education of personnel.
The most important part of any MANPADS is anti-aircraft missile... It is on its characteristics that largely depend combat capabilities complex. The 9M336 missile is equipped with a seeker that operates in three different ranges at once, including ultraviolet. She also received a new instrument compartment. Thanks to such a three-band design, the missile homing head is able to distinguish real air targets from heat traps - the usual means of self-defense of modern combat aircraft and helicopters from MANPADS. Three missile sensors are constantly complementing each other's data, which makes attempts to mislead it and "slip" a false target instead of a combat one practically futile.
In addition, it should be noted the highest sensitivity of the missile seeker, compared with existing analogues it has grown eightfold. Thanks to this, the likelihood of MANPADS hitting so-called low-emitting targets - drones and cruise missiles, has significantly increased, as well as the effectiveness of the use of MANPADS at long distances.
It can also be added that the creators of the complex took care of the proper level of protection of the missile's seeker from laser jamming systems, which are still being adopted by the leading military powers. That is, in this case, the creators of "Verba" worked in advance.
It should be noted that the use of several photodetectors for different spectral ranges is not some kind of special "know-how", a similar principle is used on most GOS modern portable anti-aircraft systems. But only "Verba" has three independent channels for receiving information at once.
According to the developers, the 9M336 rocket is completely digital, it is insensitive to aggressive environments and is completely sealed.
The weight of the missile warhead is 1.5 kg. It is equipped with a proximity fuse, which initiates detonation at a certain distance from the object. Such a scheme is considered to be more effective, and it does not require a direct hit of the missile into the object.
Another advantage of the "Verba" MANPADS in comparison with competitors is the presence of radar complex and fire control systems. Untimely target detection is one of the main disadvantages of portable anti-aircraft systems. As a rule, a fighter begins to prepare for firing only after visual detection of an enemy aircraft or helicopter. To make life even more difficult for air defense calculations, pilots usually use low or super-low altitudes.
The radar, which is part of the Verba complex, can detect enemy aircraft at distances of up to 80 km, and the fire control system through the GLONASS system determines the exact location of the crews and warns those of them who are most effectively able to hit the target. Soldiers receive a sound signal, as well as information about the main characteristics of approaching objects.
MANPADS "Verba" is part of the tactical air defense complex "Barnaul-T", therefore, information about the targets of the anti-aircraft gunners can receive from the detection systems of a higher level.
The total weight of the launcher with the rocket and power supplies is 17.25 kg. "Verba" is equipped with a "Mowgli-2" night sight, which allows it to be used at any time of the day.
Another advantage of the new complex is its ease of maintenance. Unlike MANPADS of previous generations, the GOS rocket does not need regular cooling with liquid nitrogen. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of its operation.
As mentioned above, the Verba MANPADS can be used not only for shoulder firing. "Needles" are part of the shipboard installations of the "Gibka" air defense system, and are also used on combat helicopters in the "Strelets" complexes. They plan to use Verba in the same way.
Loading...
