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Air Forces to deter space-based strikes on Russia
Published: 13 August, 2009, 10:10
Edited: 17 October, 2009, 06:36
By 2030, some nations, namely the USA, will have space-based weapon systems capable of delivering a strike anywhere in Russia, predicts Russian Air Forces Commander Aleksandr Zelin.
In 20 years, technologically advanced countries will have a new generation of military aircraft and spacecraft, the Colonel General told the media on Tuesday. They will be unmanned, capable of flying at hypersonic speeds and probably be armed with weapons working on different physical principles as compared to weapons used now.
The new armed forces will be able “to deliver synchronous precision strikes on a global scale almost at any target in Russia’s territory,” Zelin is cited as saying by Interfax news agency.
The senior officer says Russia will need a range of new weapon systems to deter this potential threat. The country’s plan for defense from space and aerial attacks is expected to be shaped out by 2020, he announced.
One weapon Zelin named specifically is the S-500, a long-range air defense system now in development, which will be able to hit targets in space as well as in the atmosphere. Hypersonic-speed missiles and aircraft will also be legitimate targets for the future system.
Another project hinted at by the top military is a strike drone with a cruise speed of about Mach-6, or 6 times the speed of sound. He said that “while there are no concrete orders for it, we have theoretical research in this area.”
Later, the Defense Ministry’s press service told ITAR-TASS that Zelin was referring to research into pulse detonation engines (PDE) as possible technology for a future Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It’s a kind of jet engine where fuel is detonated in rapid pulses rather than simply burnt. This allows greater efficiency but poses a great challenge in controlling the vibration from detonation, which engineers are trying to solve by increasing the frequency of detonations. Current working prototypes have a frequency of dozens to a couple of hundred detonations per second, while for smooth operation, a pulse detonation engine will need to make thousands of detonations per second.
Russia is lagging behind in UAV technology, and has recently bought several drones from Israel to “test their tactical capabilities”, and as Zelin said, may purchase more. The Air Forces see UAVs as one of the prime areas of investment. Earlier in August, General Zelin said he expected up to 40% of Russia’s military fleet to unmanned craft in a matter of a decade.
Speaking on closer plans, the senior officer said Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet will see its maiden flight later this year, “in November, or probably in December.” So far three prototypes of the PAK FA have been built for land tests, and a machine for aerial tests is on its way. PAK FA is a multipurpose super maneuverable stealth aircraft designed by Sukhoi.
12.08.2009, 20:26
5 comments
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As an American, I don't see the US and NATO being the big bullies that others do, but especially after Kosovo I realized that we've earned some of that perception in recent history. Watching American politics fragment the country during this young Obama administration, the world needs the technological counterbalance that Russia represents. Bully or not, partisan politics have caused the US to have a schizophrenic public international persona. The UN is a cruel joke for international peace, so Russia needs to stay ready to defend Russia. Amazingly, Americans who so strongly opposed Russia in the past are supporters today and today America's left, former allies of communism, may be something Russia needs to warily watch.
Yes there is a natural tragedy in the world, it called the Wall street cronies in charge of the US administration, and yes, haven't they been so generous in giving out orange suits, concentration camps, illegal invasions, torture and rape. The people were so glad to receive the 'gifts'. Here is a concept, if you don't stand up to a bully, you will be bullied. Living under US oppression is no peace at all! and the world knows it!
Cool stuff. I suspect that Count Cash is right about a good offense being your best defense, at least when it comes to great powers. It just isn't that easy, or indeed practical or possible, to take down in time a flying object that takes perhaps a few minutes to reach its target. Its much better to convince the other side never to set loose such a beast to begin with by having your own secured arsenal of similar monsters. Albeit, its also a very dangerous proposition to be capable of destroying the world.