Controlled rocket "Whirlwind-1": tactical and technical characteristics. OJSC "Concern" Kalashnikov "»

Tanks, as soon as they appeared for the first time on the battlefield, had a colossal influence on the whole military thought of that time. Instantly appeared anti-tank rifles, special ammunition, the second birth experienced the regimental artillery.

Today, "tank fear" is no longer manifested in such a vivid form, because the troops have at their disposal a lot of effective means that help effectively combat armored vehicles of the enemy. For example, the guided missile Vikhr-1 belongs to such.

Basic information

The development of the rocket began in the early 80-ies of the last century. Initially, it was intended for equipping the Ka-50 helicopters, as well as the Su-25T. The latter was a modification of the famous "Grach", designed specifically to combat the heavy armored vehicles of a potential enemy.

Complexities of layout

The developers immediately faced a tight restriction on the diameter, since on the Ka-50 pylons it was necessary to place at least 12, and on the Su-25T suspension - at least 16 missiles. It is because of this that the Vikhr-1 guided missile is distinguished by a record elongated hull. This not only allowed to "squeeze" into the desired diameter, but also ensured the maximum possible range and speed of flight, since the aerodynamic characteristics of such a scheme are maximally optimal.

The rocket was made according to the constructive scheme "duck", its wings in the marching position are stacked. To ensure the most stable course stability, the designers "awarded" its ability to longitudinal rotation in flight.

Design features

In the front part of the hull is traditionally located a compartment with a tandem warhead, as well as hidden in the niches "wings", that is stabilizers of the road-holding stability. In addition, there is also a non-contact fuse, which was used in the design to improve the effectiveness of the missile for its possible use on the air targets of the enemy. The entire middle part is occupied by a simple fragmentation-tandem warhead.

The rest of the volume is occupied by a solid-propellant propulsion engine with two cone-shaped nozzles slightly deflected to the sides. At the very end of the tail section is located various equipment, which serves to guide the missile on the target.

Storing in the marching position

As we said, stabilizers, located in the bow, are responsible for stability. There are four of them, they form an X-shaped projection. To ensure longitudinal rotation in flight, the designers gave them a slight twisting in a clockwise direction. The guided missile Vikhr-1 can be stored only in a transport container. Guarantee - no more than ten years, subject to all conditions.

Adoption and first tests

The adoption of these weapons was carried out relatively recently, in 1985. For the first time, tests in conditions close to combat were conducted in 1986, when the "Vortices" fired from the Mi-28 helicopter and the Su-25T attack aircraft. Especially high efficiency was shown by ground-attack planes, which showed the ability to overcome the echeloned air defense of a conventional enemy.

Simply put, it was proved that the Rooks can successfully attack the tank columns of the conventional enemy on the march, causing them serious damage. What are the main characteristics of Vortex-1? TTX missiles are as follows:

• The length is 2.75 m.
• The case diameter is 152 mm.
• The weight of the rocket (together with the shipping container) is 59 kg.
• The maximum speed is 610 m / s.
• The height of the launch is from 4 to 4000 meters.
• The launch range ranges from 400 meters to 10 kilometers.
• The maximum flight time to the target is up to 28 seconds.

Further development of the concept

In 1990, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union, a guided missile Vikhr-1 M, with impressive versatility, was adopted. It was intended to be used not only by ground, but also by air, surface, and other types of targets, including concentrations of enemy manpower. Unlike its predecessor, the rocket was made completely autonomous, using the most sophisticated and sophisticated electronic stuffing.

Due to this, helicopters and ground-attack aircraft equipped with this type of weapon can effectively and in the shortest possible time perform a very wide range of tasks. Because of this, the "anti-tank" missile "Vikhr-1" is, in fact, broad-profile and completely universal. Today OJSC "Concern" Kalashnikov "is responsible for development and production", located in the city of Izhevsk, Udmurtia.

Important features of the Vikhr family

Distinctive features of missiles of the last generations are the following features:

• The long range of flight, combined with excellent aerodynamics and hypersonic speed, provides a high probability of combat survivability even in conditions of overcoming the echeloned air defense of the conventional enemy.
• Supersonic flight speed also allows you to simultaneously attack multiple targets, providing increased survivability of the aircraft or helicopter carrier. Simply put, the enemy is not up to them.
• Automatic laser beam guidance system allows you to guarantee even small-size targets with a guarantee.
• Excellent protection from EW stations of a probable enemy, which again increases the likelihood of successfully overcoming the echeloned air defense.
• The widest range of targets, including large surface ships and even submarines in the surface position.

The order of combat use of the missile

The pilot, approaching the place of probable dislocation of the enemy (approximately 10-15 kilometers before it) should activate the system of scanning the area "Shkval-M". In the case where the coordinates of the probable target location were entered in advance, the system is activated automatically, without human intervention.

Once the target is detected, the pilot must identify it using visual and technical means of identification. He needs to combine the marks of the target and the sight in such a way that the first occupies at least ¾ of the control display. After that, the automation itself goes into the mode of tracking the intended goal. The rocket can be launched only if the pilot has reached the maximum possible range of damage.

In addition, the pilot is working to prevent a strong deviation of the target from the azimuth captured by the automatic tracking equipment, since, otherwise, it is impossible to guarantee a successful launch.

Features of combat use

However, do not think that the local automation is "stupid". The specialists of JSC "Concern" Kalashnikov "" have significantly revised it. The equipment is fully capable of leading the target for a time even after it lost sight of it (an object appeared between the stormtrooper and the tank). If nevertheless there was a failure of automatic tracking, the pilot had to repeatedly capture it in manual mode.

As we have already said, the launch of the missile was made only after reaching the normal range, and also with a confident holding of the object by the automatic rocket. In new varieties, the Vikhr-1 complex is capable of simultaneously holding and escorting up to four targets with firing missiles on them for about 30 seconds. It is believed that the probability of destruction of even a small-sized object is not less than 0.8.

To expand the nomenclature of combat use, in the present days, rockets with a thermobaric and high-explosive warhead were developed, designed specifically to work on large clusters of enemy manpower and equipment. Due to this, the supersonic Vikhr-1 rocket becomes even more universal.

Assault "specialization"

Despite the fact that during the whole period of the operation of the missile many attempts were made to adapt it to ground-based missile systems, the practice proved that the most justified way of using them was the launching of combat helicopters and ground-attack aircraft.

However, today still exist and even operate complexes designed for installation on lightly armored vehicles and even jeeps. Their creation is the merit of OJSC Concern "Kalashnikov" ". In the arsenal of our army, there is nothing like this, according to military experts, since the Cornet complex is doing much better with similar goals.

Prospects for the complex

Due to the fact that this type of weapon can be used for ground, surface and air targets, the speed of which does not exceed 800 km / h, and taking into account the existing developments in unification with ground-based missile systems, the prospects of supplying the "Vortex" In those countries, the relief of which favors the use of the complex as air defense.

In addition, ATGM "Vikhr-1" enjoys stable popularity in the Arab states, as they are interested in buying multifunctional and reliable weapons.