The Cold War may be over, but the United States and other countries are again beginning to look at Russia with skepticism. That’s especially true as Russia, improving economically because of oil reserves, puts more money into its military. Just what is the United States scared of? Here’re the top 10 secret weapons that Russia is developing.
10. Armata T-14 Tank The Armata unveiled in 2014, features improved armor including underneath to protect it from land mines. Its high-tech shield may include sensors that can detect incoming rounds and automatically fire at them to knock them off target. The crew can man the tank’s main turret by remote control as they sit inside an armored pod, separate from the ammunition store and the turret. The outer armor is meant to explode outwards to help protect the crew. The tank is believed to be far ahead of other countries’ tank technology.
9. Naval Proton Gun The AK-130 is a fully automatic, dual-purpose weapon based on a 1967 design but with updated features like a laser designator, a system for selecting moving targets, and low light TV. Its barrels are liquid cooled. The gun shoots 10-40 130mm rounds per minute per gun. It can correct its targeting by analyzing the splashes and automatically tracking shells.
8. Reconnaissance Ship Russia is expected to launch its Ivan Khurs communications ship in 2016. The ship’s duties will include monitoring the United States’ missile defense systems as well as provide communications, gather intelligence, and support radio-electronic warfare.
7. Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier Russia plans to launch a multipurpose aircraft carrier about the size of the U.S. Navy Nimitz carriers. The carrier would carry 80 to 90 aircraft and a crew of 4,000 to 5,000. Catapults and ski jumps enable it to launch more than one aircraft including air defense fighters and strike aircraft.
6. Air Defense System The S-500 long-range air defense and anti-ballistic missile system are being designed to intercept ballistic missiles. There are claims that this system will be able to track five to 20 ballistic targets and intercept up to five to 10 ballistic targets at once. The S-500 is said to detect missiles as far as 1,242 miles away. It may even be able to target low-orbital satellites.
5. Laser Program Russia isn’t saying much about its laser programs except to say they are being developed at the same level as other countries developing them. Both the United States and USSR started looking at using optical quantum generator-lasers in the 1960s. If it is similar to today’s U.S. laser weapons systems, that includes its 30-kilowatt weapon that uses a solid-state laser and can hit small flying objects at short and medium distances.
4. Strategic Bomber It may be seven years before it’s completed, but Russia is working on a next-generation strategic bomber. It’s expected to be a subsonic strategic bomber with a range of about 7,500 miles and ability to carry a 30-ton payload. There will also be new missiles. For now, Russia’s using the Tupolev Tu-160M2 long-range supersonic strategic bomber.
3. Hypersonic Missiles Russia’s developing a hypersonic weapon, the Yu-71 vehicle, may be a threat to U.S. missile defenses. Hypersonic vehicles are able to move unpredictably at speeds up to 7,000 miles per hour. Russia’s may also have the ability to carry nuclear warheads. The Yu-71 is getting less attention than China’s WU-14.
2. Mobile Electronic Warfare System The Krasuha-4, when developed, will be mounted on warships and jets. It will be able to suppress cruise missiles’ guidance systems and “turn off” foreign satellites and enemy weapons. The concern is that it will be able to turn off airborne early warning and control systems, unmanned aerial vehicles like combat drones and aircraft radar. Low-orbit satellites may also be affected.
The 7 most impressive weapons Russia is developing right now
1. Drone Nuclear Submarine One of the biggest concerns is that Russia’s developing a drone submarine that could carry a nuclear torpedo system past NATO radars and defense systems. Allegedly a Russian-owned TV station aired information about this secret weapon that, if fired at targets, could leave them not capable of carrying on economic activity for quite awhile. This could be especially harmful to the United States’ coastal cities by causing radioactive wastelands.
New nuclear submarines
Russian submarine
A current Russian submarine.Wiki Commons
In addition to building more of their brand new, fourth-generation submarines, Russia is already planning a fifth-generation sub. Details on the fifth-generation are slowly being fleshed out, but Russia wants the subs to network with each other and underwater drones, use onboard robotics for certain tasks, and feature a new nuclear reactor.
2. Hyper sonic missiles
brahmos ii india russia hypersonic missile
A model of the BrahMos II, Russian-Indian hypersonic missile under joint development.Shiv Aroor via Wikimedia Commons
Russia’s hypersonic missile program has been plagued by failed tests, but it still has potential. The Yu-71 would be able to fly unpredictable patterns to its targets at speeds of 7,000 miles per hour, piercing air defenses. While the U.S. also has a hypersonic program, the U.S. missiles are designed for conventional warheads while Russia’s call for nuclear capabilities.
Russia is also jointly-developing the BrahMos II hypersonic cruise missile with India.
3. A stealthy, heavy-lift strategic bomber
Sukhoi_T 50_Beltyukov
Russia’s new bomber will borrow technology from its new fighter, the Sukhoi T-50.Wikimedia Commons
The PAK-DA is expected to be subsonic with a range of 7,500 miles and capable of carrying a payload of about 30 tons. It’s a huge step down from Russia’s original plans for a hypersonic bomber, but it may be stealthy enough to get cruise missiles into range against carriers and other targets.
4. An “off switch” for enemy communications and weapons guidance
off switch
Nicholas Liby/Flickr Creative Commons
An electronic warfare system in development supposedly allows Russia to shut off any approaching threats, everything from NATO ships to missiles to future hypersonic weapons. If successfully launched on planes and ships, it could also be used to shut down enemy defenses during a Russian attack.
5. New air defense missiles
s-400 s 400 russia russian military missile defense system kremlin army
Russian S-400 Triumph medium-range and long-range surface-to-air missile systems drive during the Victory Day parade at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015.REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
While the S-300 is in the news right now, the S-500 would be two generations beyond it. The S-500 is expected to be capable of engaging five to ten ballistic missiles at once and even hitting low-orbit satellites. It will be able to move between engagements, avoiding counter attacks.
6. Lasers
laws laser weapon navy
USS Ponce conducts an operational demonstration of the Office of Naval Research-sponsored Laser Weapon System, LaWS, while deployed to the Arabian Gulf.US Navy Photo
Russia claims its laser program is on the same level as the U.S., but the system is fully classified. If accurate, it would mean that Russia’s lasers are capable or nearly capable of taking out enemy vehicles, drones, and boats, all weapons systems America relies on.
7. Aircraft carriers
Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier russia navy
Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.Mil.ru via Wikimedia Commons
Russia’s carrier prospects are dicey, but if the ship makes it to the sea it will be much better than their current carrier. Roughly the same size as a U.S. Nimitz carrier, it would have 4 launching positions and an air wing of 80-90 aircraft.
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