Solomonov: Russia and Kazakhstan Considering Joint Air-Launched Space-Vehicle
May 19, 2006 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Russia and Kazakhstan are considering the development of a joint air-launched space vehicle, according to Yuri Solomonov, director and designer general of the Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering. At present, Orbital Sciences Corporation in the U.S. operates the world’s only aerospace system consisting of the L-1011 aircraft and the light-weight Pegasus-XL launch vehicle. However, Solomonov today stated that the Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering, along with Russia’s Aircraft Corporation MiG, could begin work on the Ishim air-launched space system by July 1, 2007.
As envisioned, the Ishim complex would include two MiG-31I aircraft, a three-stage launch vehicle, as well as an Ilyushin Il-76MD Midas surveillance plane. The MiG-31I would climb to an altitude of 15 to 18 km, fly 600 km toward a predetermined point, engage the launch vehicle, and attain a speed of 2,120-2,230 km/hour. The Ishim system would be able to place 160 kg payloads into 300 km circular orbits, and 60 kg payloads into 120 km orbits. Both MiG-31Is are currently deployed in Kazakhstan, which is financing the project.
The Ishim project is based on research and development conducted by the Soviet Union during the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of its “anti-SDI” program. Similar to the U.S. anti-satellite (ASAT) system for destroying enemy satellites, which used a number of air-launched missiles, the Soviet Mikoyan Design Bureau in 1987 converted two MiG-31 fighters into improvised missile carriers and designated them as MiG-31Ds. The second prototype MiG-31D was tested outside Moscow for several years, although the “anti-SDI” missile never progressed past the experimental stage. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia, Space-Based Systems
Belarus to Deploy Four Batteries of S-300PS Defenses in March
February 9, 2006 :: News
Russia will deploy four S-300PS surface-to-air missile batteries in Belarus this March, according to Aytech Bizhev, deputy commander of the Russian Air Force. The deployment will extend the effective range of Russia’s western air-defense by 150 km (90 miles) and the detection of air targets by 400 km (250 miles). On Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov referred to the S-300PS missile units as “purely defensive” in an attempt to reassure NATO that the deployment was not directed against the western alliance. Belarus shares borders with NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. (Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
Jane’s M&R on Russian Tests of Modular Missile Radar
February 6, 2006 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
Jane’s Missiles and Rockets reports that Russia has begun testing a next-generation early-warning radar. The new system, designated Voronezh-DM, features a modular design, meaning that it will not require major construction work at planned locations, and therefore can be rapidly deployed to deal with new threats. In contrast, Russia’s existing Daryal (Pechora) radar in Azerbaijan and two Dnepr (Hen House) radars in Ukrainian Sevastopol and Mukachevo are massive structures located at fixed sites. The prototype Voronezh-DM, which was developed by the Scientific Research Institute of Long-Range Radio Communication, has been installed at a site near St. Petersburg, where it will become part of the missile defense of northwest Russia. In addition, Russia plans to deploy additional modular radars along its southern frontiers to cover the sectors currently monitored by the radars in Azerbaijan and Ukraine. This will end Russia’s current dependence on sites that lie outside of its territory. (Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia, Detection and Tracking
Russian Missile Defense Radar in Azerbaijan
January 25, 2006 :: NTI :: News
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov recently affirmed Russia’s intention to continue operating its missile defense radar station located in Qabala, Azerbaijan. According to the Turan News Agency, the Qabala radar station, which Russia rents from Azerbaijan, is capable of detecting ballistic missiles launched from the south. Ivanov recently spoke with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev about Qabala, including the possibility of joint operations to ensure the station’s continued operation. (Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
Russia to Leave Baikonur
January 20, 2006 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Russia plans to withdraw its missile forces from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the oldest space launch facility in the world. According to Col.-Gen. Vladimir Popovkin, commander of the Russian Space Troops, the forces will move to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in northwestern Russia approximately 800 km northeast of St. Petersburg. Popovkin was quoted by RIA-Novosti as stating that maintaining Baikonur “has become a luxury that we cannot permit ourselves.” The planned withdrawal will take place in 2007-2008. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
» Missile system details for: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Russian Missile Radars in Ukraine Under Discussion
January 18, 2006 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
Colonel-General Vladimir Popovkin, commander of the Russian Space Troops, stated on Wednesday that radar stations located at Sevastopol and Mukachevo in Ukraine remained firmly under Russian control. Speaking to journalists, Popovkin emphasized that Russia did not want “political battles” to affect its missile attack early warning system, and that prior agreements remained in place. In December, however, news sources had reported that Ukraine was considering retaliation against Russia, which had raised the price of its natural gas exports to Ukraine considerably. This move angered Ukraine, which threatened to host U.S. missile defense assets at Sevastopol and Mukachevo. The issue was reportedly discussed in Kiev by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
Russia Shipping Four S-300P Complexes to Belarus in 2006
November 1, 2005 :: News
The Belarusian news agency Belapan quotes Colonel Igor Azarenok, the commander of Belarusian Western Operational Command, as saying that the first S-300 PS missile complexes will be delivered to the 115th air defence missile brigade stationed in Brest in March 2006, and that all four will have been shipped by the autumn. A contract for the S-300 was reportedly concluded on September 10. (Article, Link)
» Belpan report on S-300P contract
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
Russia-Belarus Air Defense to be Integrated as One
October 20, 2005 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov announced that his department would be submitting a document to the government for the creation of a single regional air defense system between Russia and Belarus Union, reported RIA-Novosti on October 19. “The document, which specifies how the system will function, is passing through bureaucratic procedures,” said Ivanov, adding that Russia would soon be supplying Belarus with S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to build up the common regional air defense system.
On October 13, the Belarusian Defense Ministry told Interfax that the Belarusian military already receives data from the Russian radar situated in Hantsavichy in Brest Region, information sharing which is critical to the launch of interceptors against an aircraft or missile attack:
“The radar is designed to provide a missile attack early warning and monitor missile launches, possibly threatening Belarus. That is why data fed by the Russian radar is of paramount importance to Belarus,” an official said.
According to him, information support is one of the conditions for Russian military facilities’ presence in Belarus.
Among other conditions, Belarusian air defense units have been granted the right to conduct live firing exercises at Russian firing ranges. Belarusian units conduct such exercises on a regular basis at the Ashuluk firing range in Astrakhan Region, and other Russian proving grounds. Up to 10 battalions conduct live firing exercises on an annual basis. The Russian side provides systems, firing ranges and targets to this end.
At the present time Belarus accommodates the Uzel Baranavichy early warning radar in Hantsavichy, and the Russian navy command and control post, situated near the town of Vileyka.
(Article, Link)
» Interfax on Belarus-Russian Data sharing for joint air defenses
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
Profile of Ukranian Air Defense Interceptors
July 15, 2005 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
Ukraine’s air defense interceptors have become obsolete, according to Ukrainian military expert Serhiy Honcharov. In an article posted on the Ukrainian web site Defense Express, Honcharov states that Ukraine is currently incapable of providing an effective defense against modern aircraft. He cites as an example the insignificance of Iraq’s multitude of old Russian-made SAMs during the 2003 Iraq War: “A large quantity of anti-aircraft weapons no longer ensures that their tasks are effectively accomplished, even when the most active use is made of them and high tactical and fire densities are created within the air defense system.” In addition, he notes that Ukraine has insufficient resources to buy newly developed air defense weapons or even more existing ones. Honcharov concludes that Ukraine must upgrade its best SAMs and withdraw the rest from use. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics
Head of Rosoboronexport on Arms Cooperation
June 2, 2005 :: BBC Worldwide Monitoring :: News
Military cooperation between Russia and Belarus is growing rapidly, reports the Belarusian daily Zvyazda. The article quotes Sergey Chemezov, director-general of Russia’s Rosoboronexport arms company, as claiming that Russian-Belarusian interaction accounts for one third of manufacturing and research facilities in the former Soviet Union, and 30-35 percent of jointly developed weaponry. This includes the S-300P and S-300V missile defense systems, which are exported worldwide. Russia has also signed military cooperation agreements with Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Zvyazda notes that Chemezov is pursuing a single pricing policy in order to boost revenues. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Industry, Russia
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)
 |
| Total Records: 29 |
«
1
[2]
3
»
|
