Russian Military Technology : Updates and Discussions

How the Russian armored personnel carrier BTR-82A was modernized, review. The modernized Russian BTR-82A was presented at the Army Exhibition 2023. Judging by the volume of upgrades, for this it would be worth assigning a new index to the machine. And so, the BTR-82A has changed better, now it has an engine located in front, and the landing is carried out from behind. Regarding the topic of landing behind an armored vehicle, there are still disputes on this topic, since when it hits the *censored*, the landing cannot leave the car, some believe that the landing on the sides of the car is safer. Also, the 20-ton armored personnel carrier differs from its predecessor in a modified layout. The front of the vehicle is reinforced with more resistant armor, the armored personnel carrier holds a charge of B-32 bullets of 12.7 mm caliber, and in some cases even on the territory of 23 mm. The anti-mine protection of the days has also been improved, it now has a V-shape. Additional blocks with a ceramic fastener can be hung on the body of the armored personnel carrier. The armament of the vehicle is a 30-mm 2A72 cannon, a thermal imaging channel has been added to the module at the terminals. On the armored personnel carrier, you can put another combat module. The armored personnel carrier was equipped with air conditioning and anti-mine seats for 8 troops. The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a diesel engine with a capacity of 330 horsepower and can accelerate on the highway up to 85 km / h. The price of the new armored personnel carrier and when it will be released is unknown.

 
Russian reconnaissance UAV Z-20 from the creators of the Lancet drone. Russian drone developer ZALA Aero Group, which produces Lancet drones, has unveiled a new long-range UAV Z-20. The Z-20 drone is equipped with an on-board computer that uses artificial intelligence algorithms, which makes it possible to use the drone more efficiently than analogues from other manufacturers. There are few details about the UAV, it is known that the new drone model has an increased payload, which allows you to install a different payload depending on the tasks, what exactly is set is unknown. Perhaps the new UAV will look for targets for Lancet drones. The UAV is equipped with an electric motor, flies for more than 6 hours and transmits HD video at a distance of more than 100 km. The UAV is designed for reconnaissance and observation of objects. The drone is launched from a catapult, landing by parachute. The Z-20 UAV is already in production, the price is unknown.

 
Russian protection of tanks from drones EW complex "Volnorez". Russian troops received a new set of electronic warfare "Volnorez" to protect tanks from drones. This complex was seen at the Army 2023 exhibition, it was installed on the T-80BVM tank. No information on the electronic warfare complex "Volnorez" could not be found at the moment. It is known that the complex was created by craftsmen and 40 sets of it have already entered the troops. Ukrainian media reported that this was supposedly a complex for equipping tanks with communications, but this is not so. The developers have already talked about the Breakwater electronic warfare, it has already passed preliminary tests, unfortunately they did not provide technical information. This complex should protect tanks from being hit by FPV drones.

 
Russian soldier spoke about the use of DJI drones. Quadcopters of the DJI brand are among the most widespread in the world, they are used by the Russian and Ukrainian military. The video talks about drones DJI Mavic Mini, DJI AIR 2S and DJI Mavic 3.

 
A detachment of warships of the Russian Northern Fleet conducted anti-submarine exercises in the northern regions of the Barents Sea. The anti-submarine ship "Vice-Admiral Kulakov" and the missile cruiser "Marshal Ustinov" were used in the exercises. The video shows the takeoff of the Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopter.

 
Russia intends to resume serial production of new T-80 tanks, said Alexander Potapov, general director of the Uralvagonzavod concern. This decision was made after analyzing the experience of using the T-80. The initial version of the T-80 was mass-produced in the USSR from 1976 to 1978 at factories in Omsk and Kharkov; more than 10 thousand vehicles were produced. Until now, Uralvagonzavod has modernized the Soviet-built T-80. The main distinguishing feature of the T-80 tanks is the presence of a gas turbine engine. Also, the tank can be refueled with any fuel, diesel, gasoline and kerosene, the tank is easy to start at low temperatures. The decision to produce T-80 tanks was made after analyzing application experience. In the future, Russian T-80 tanks will be equipped with Arena-M active protection systems. The tank is already equipped with protection from drones using the Volnorez electronic warfare system. Now all tanks available in Russia are being upgraded to the T-80BVM level. The tanks are equipped with a multi-channel gunner's sight, a 125-mm cannon, a modified gas turbine engine with a capacity of up to 1,250 horsepower, a weapon stabilizer and a driver's observation device. Examples of using the tank are in the links to the video in the comments to the video.

 
Footage from an exercise to evacuate a wounded soldier using the Russian self-made robotic complex BRG-1. The BRG-1 robot, weighing 250 kg, is controlled remotely and is capable of carrying a payload of up to 100 kg. The robot can reach speeds of up to 15 km/h over rough terrain and is powered by a 52-volt battery. Currently, the robot can work for up to 2 hours. A turret with the ability to rotate 180° is installed on the robotic platform. Vertical weapon pointing angles of the robot are up to ±45°. The robot can be equipped with PKM, PKT machine guns and grenade launchers.

 
New Russian maritime drone GRK-700 Vizir. The Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant is discussing with the Ministry of Defense the possibility of supplying unmanned GRK-700 Vizir boats to the Russian fleet. The Vizir 700 was based on the RK-700M boat of Project 03080. The Vizir 700 boat was created from composite materials using stealth technology. The boat can carry out operational hydrographic and search work, patrol the water area and other functions. The boat can be used as a naval drone, a drone liquidator, for delivering troops and cargo, and the boat is capable of returning to base on its own. The boat is equipped with a side-scan sonar and a single-beam echo sounder. As a power plant, the drone uses a 100 hp internal combustion engine and two electric motors with a total power of 8 kW. A water jet is used as propulsion. The basic version of the boat reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h. In hybrid operating mode, the boat is capable of moving for 60 hours at a range of up to 500 kilometers. The curb weight of the boat is 2400 kg, load capacity is 400 kg

 
The use of the Russian T-80BV tank as an artillery installation in Ukraine. As you know, there are practically no tank battles with each other in Ukraine; both sides use tanks as mobile artillery. The crew of the Russian T-80BV tank told how the tank works from closed firing positions, adjusting fire from a UAV.

 
Inspections of the Russian military-industrial complex continue. The Minister of Defense checked the implementation of the state defense order at the Progress helicopter plant in the Primorsky Territory, which produces Ka-52 helicopters. Now the Progress aircraft plant is producing a modernized Ka-52M helicopter, which has received new radar systems, an sighting system and weapons with significantly increased characteristics. LMUR guided missiles, also called “Product 305”, have already begun to be installed on the helicopter; we previously talked about them. According to the plant’s management, this year the volume of helicopter production has doubled compared to 2022, and helicopters are being produced ahead of schedule.” Now the Arsenyevsky Progress aircraft plant produces helicopters primarily for the Russian army. According to the minister, the combat capabilities of the Ka-52M helicopters need to be improved, and the security of pilots needs to be increased

 
Russia is working on weapons based on new physical principles, Vladimir Putin announced. Reportedly, the new weapon will ensure the security of any country in the near future. What exactly is being developed is still unknown. This type of weapon most often means the development of new, previously unused technologies. These include laser, infrasound, radio frequency and other types of weapons. Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said that the Russian Armed Forces are already using new generation laser weapons in Ukraine; they are necessary in order not to waste expensive missiles from the Pantsir air defense system and the Tora air defense system. Apparently this means the use of the Russian Peresvet laser air defense system. It is worth noting that there is no video of these complexes working yet.

 
The improved army tow truck BREM-1M was received by Russian troops. Uralvagonzavod sent the Ministry of Defense a batch of modernized armored repair and recovery vehicles BREM-1M based on the T-90 tank. Previously, we talked about the BREM-1 army tow truck. BREM-1M is a modernized version and entered service in 2013. The Russian modernized BREM-1M vehicle is equipped with a winch with a traction force increased to 35 tons, as well as a hydraulic crane with a lifting capacity increased to 20 tons. BREM-1M is a mandatory combat unit in armored units. The vehicle is designed to evacuate damaged tanks, armored vehicles and other objects. The BREM-1M armored vehicle reaches speeds of up to 60 km per hour and overcomes a rise of 30 degrees, a ditch up to 2.8 meters wide and a wall up to 85 centimeters high. The vehicle is equipped with a V-92S2 engine with a power of 1000 hp. produced by ChTZ-URALTRAK. The vehicle has a 12.7 mm machine gun, a vehicle crew, a driver, a commander and a rigger.

 
Testing Russian tank protection against electronic warfare drones Breakwater. Presenter Alexey Egorov showed a video of tests of a new Russian system for protecting tanks from drones, the Volnorez electronic warfare system. Previously, we talked about the electronic warfare "Breakfast"; it has already entered service with the troops, but technical information about it is still not provided. The tests are carried out on a DJI civilian quadcopter, which is most often used for surveillance and reconnaissance, but the developers and presenter say that the Volnorez electronic warfare system also protects tanks from FPV drones. As can be seen from the video, the complex is working and the drone loses contact with the operator.

 
The work of the Russian electronic warfare "Krasukha 4" in Ukraine, the operator's story. The crew of the Russian electronic warfare complex “Krasukha-4” spoke about their work in Ukraine. The complex was put into service in 2012, the exact data on it is still secret. In an interview, the serviceman stated the operating range of the complex; most likely it is underestimated.

 
The Russian BMP-3 Manul may become a production vehicle. The Russian Ground Forces have become interested in the new Manul infantry fighting vehicle; the combat vehicle was created on the basis of the Dragoon BMP-3M in 2020. This became known from Roman Khromov, Deputy Executive Director for State Defense Orders and Military-Trade Cooperation at Kurganmashzavod. Why again we are not talking about the newest infantry fighting vehicles in Russia, the fact is that the production of the Manul infantry fighting vehicle does not require a radical restructuring of the production of Kurganmashzavod. The Manul BMP has the same chassis, transmission, and electrical equipment as the BMP-3. The Manul BMP is an easy transition to the next generation of combat vehicles. A unified technical base and unification of components with the BMP-3 also reduces the cost of servicing the vehicle. The designers of the BMP-3 initially manufactured the combat vehicle in such a way that it could be easily modified. The Manul infantry fighting vehicle can now be equipped with a 57-mm automatic cannon, which is installed in the Epoch uninhabited combat module; the firing range of this weapon is up to 14.5 kilometers, with a rate of fire of up to 80 rounds per minute. The previously uninhabited module had a 30-mm automatic cannon. The vehicle also has a 7.62 mm machine gun with a supply of 2,000 rounds of ammunition. To protect against tanks, the Manul BMP is armed with an ATGM with a tandem warhead. The BMP is equipped with a UTD-32 engine with a power of 660 horsepower, which is located in the front of the combat vehicle, which is done for better crew survivability. The BMP reaches speeds of up to 70 km/h, the vehicle has a crew of 3 people and 8 landing personnel. The price of the Manul infantry fighting vehicle is unknown, but they say that it is very affordable.

 
Russian kamikaze drones BAS-80 entered the army. The Russian NPO "Android Technology", which is engaged in the development of various robotic equipment, transferred the BAS-80 kamikaze drones to the troops for testing. At the moment, there is little information on the BAS-80 drone. Kamikaze drones with folding wings "BAS-80" "Assembled from composite materials and launched from a special tube, similar to a disposable grenade launcher, the starting acceleration of the drone is provided by a powder charge. According to the developers, thanks to this design, it was possible to achieve maximum lightness and compactness of the drone. The weight of the BASE-80 drone is 1.7 kg, useful load 500 grams, with the possibility of increasing to 2 kg. Tests have confirmed that the drone is capable of flying at speeds of up to 130 km/h, with a flight altitude of up to 200 meters and a range of up to 30 km.

 
Exercises of the Russian fleet "Finval 2023", firing of anti-ship missiles. The Finval-2023 exercises of Russian troops and the Pacific Fleet are taking place in the waters of the Chukotka and Bering Seas, as well as on the Chukotka Peninsula. The purpose of the exercise is to protect the Northern Sea Route. The first episode of the exercise was the execution of exercises to defeat a group of ships in the Bering Sea. The targets were hit by the Varyag missile cruiser, Project 1164, firing a P-1000 Vulcan anti-ship missile. Nuclear submarine missile cruiser "Tomsk", project 949A "Antey", firing a P-700 "Granit" anti-ship missile. As well as the Bastion coastal missile system, firing the P-800 Oniks anti-ship missile.

 
Checking Russian T-55 tanks removed from storage. Footage of the process of calibrating and zeroing the guns of Russian T-55A tanks at one of the training grounds has been published. T-55A tanks have been removed from storage and belong to the 1430th Motorized Rifle Regiment. Externally and internally, the vehicles are in good condition; the tanks have undergone a major overhaul. Judging by the video, the tanks do not have any additional protection; apparently they will be used as mobile artillery and operate from closed firing positions. It can also be used as a quickly deployed block post. The T-55A tank is a modernization of the T-55 tank, which was designed on the basis of the T-54 tank. In 1958, mass production of T-55 tanks and its modifications was launched in the Soviet Union; in total, 14 thousand tanks of various modifications were produced in the USSR. The T-55A tank is equipped with a 100 mm D-10T2S cannon.