These are top ten defense technologies of Russia for 2011, according to National Defense magazine.
The RS-24 Yars, a thermonuclear intercontinental ballistic missile, takes the lead of the list. It was first tested on May 29, 2007 to replace the older R-36 and UR-100N that have been already used almost for 50 years. The RS-24 is a missile that is heavier than the current Topol-M (which can carry up to 10 independently targetable warheads).
The second place goes to the Sukhoi PAK FA which is a twin-engine jet fighter being developed by Sukhoi OKB for the Russian Air Force. The Sukhoi T-50 is the prototype for PAK FA. A fifth generation jet fighter, the T-50 performed its first flight 29 January 2010. The PAK FA has a reported maximum weapons load of 7,500 kg. It has an apparent provision for a cannon. It could possibly carry as many as two 30 mm cannons. It has two internal bays estimated at 4.6-4.7 meters by 1-1.1 meters.
The S-500 is a new generation surface-to-air missile system, designed for intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles and for defense against Airborne Early Warning and Control, Airborne Warning and Control System, and jamming aircraft. With a planned range of 600 km, the S-500 would be able to detect and simultaneously engage up to 10 ballistic supersonic targets flying at a speed of 7 km/s and will have a flight ceiling of 40 km.
The Yasen-class submarine, a new Russian nuclear multipurpose attack submarine class, takes the fourth place. The Yasen-class nuclear submarine is armed with cruise missiles, with several types suggested. It also has 8×650 mm and 2×533 mm tubes as well as mines and anti-ship missiles. This class is the first Russian submarine to be equipped with a spherical sonar, designated as Irytysh-Amfora. Yasen-class submarines will be the first Russian SSNs/SSGNs equipped with a fourth generation nuclear reactor.
The tank T-90AM is a modernized version of the T-90. It features a modernized machine gun, increased horse power, new transmission, separate section for ammunition, new safety system and panoramic view.
The 9K720 Iskander is a mobile ballistic missile system. The Iskander ballistic missile is superior to its predecessor, the Oka. The Iskander-M system is equipped with two solid-propellant single-stage guided missiles. Each one is controlled throughout the entire flight path and fitted with a nonseparable warhead. Each missile in the launch carrier vehicle can be independently targeted in a matter of seconds. The mobility of the Iskander launch platform makes a launch difficult to prevent. Targets can be located not only by satellite and aircraft but also by a conventional intelligence center, or by a soldier who directs artillery fire. Targets can also be located from aerial photos scanned into the computer. The missiles can be re-targeted during flight in the case of engaging mobile targets.
The Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ is another modification of the basic Ka-50 design. It features a two-seat side-by-side cockpit, and is designed to detect targets and redistribute them among supporting Ka-50s and Mi-28s. Equipment includes radar with two antennas—mast-mounted for aerial targets and nose-mounted for ground targets, and ‘Samshite’ day-and-night TV/thermal sighting system in two spherical turrets (one over the cockpit and the second under the nose). The Ka-52 retains the side-mounted cannon and six wing-mounted hardpoints of the original Ka-50.
The technical capabilities of the ORSIS-5000 rifle allow it to guarantee engagement of targets at any time of the day and night, without technical preparation or additional shots fired at range of up to 1.5 km. The rifle is produced in two calibers: .308 Winchester for short and medium ranges and .338 Lapua Magnum for medium and long ranges, and is intended for use by Russian counter-terrorist and special-operations units. According to their developers, the rifles stand out, first and foremost, for their high-class materials. Almost the entire rifle, and especially its main parts (the barrel and bolt/chamber group) are made from high-grade stainless steel, allowing for unbelievably high accuracy and range.
The Soobrazitelnyy (“Smart”) is the second ship of the latest class of corvettes of the Russian Navy, the Steregushchiy (“Guarding”) class. The ship is being built by the Severnaya (“North”) Verf shipyard in Saint Petersburg and was laid down in May 2003. It was launched in late March 2010 and is expected to join the Baltic Fleet in the beginning of 2011. The ship is the first of the class to be fitted with the Redut system intended to increase its anti-aircraft capabilities with respect to the Kashtan CIWS previously used.
The last one on the list is the RPG-32 Hashim is a Russian hand held anti-tank multipurpose grenade launcher. It consists of a short, reusable launcher tube with grips, firing controls and sight mount, detachable collimating sight and disposable ammunition containers, which are pre-loaded at the factory and attached to the rear end of the launcher before firing. The RPG-32 can be used to successfully engage and destroy a wide variety of battlefield targets, from modern main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers to bunkers, military equipment and troops in defilade or in the open.
