Category: Militarnyi-usa my life

The Iranian Ashura Aerospace University of Science & Technology presented a new Shahed-238 jet loitering munition.

Footage of the new drone was released by official Iranian media.

The presentation of the developments took place during the visit of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the University in Tehran, where he was shown the latest achievements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.

The exhibition showed a jet modification of the Shahed-136, called the Shahed-238. It was presented in three versions with different guidance systems.

Iran’s Shahed-238 loitering munition in three versions, November 2023

In addition to the classic version with an autonomous inertial navigation system and GPS (in the middle), there were also presented versions with infrared/optical and, presumably, radar guidance systems.

The version with infrared/optical guidance system (on the right) can be used to hit heat-contrast targets, in particular, important military equipment in the rear of the enemy.

The latter drone, due to the radar homing head, may become an analog of anti-radiation missiles aimed at the radiation of search radars. Such a method can be useful for neutralizing and suppressing enemy air defense systems.

The fuselages of all three drones have a nontypical for Iranian UAVs black color, which may be due to the use of radio absorbing materials. However, there is currently no confirmation of this.

It is worth noting that the new drones have gained some changes in construction compared to the recently shown prototype, in which the optical sensor was mounted in the bow under the fuselage.

Updated Iranian Shahed-136 drone with optical guidance system. Freeze frame the Parchamdar documentary film

The technical characteristics of the Shahed-238 remain unknown. The jet engine should provide high speed, but be more expensive instead.

During the demonstration of the prototype, a launch from an accelerated car was shown. However, like the previous Shahed-136, the drone would have to retain the ability to launch from a stationary platform using a solid fuel booster.

Shown a week earlier, the prototype with the optical guidance system was manually operated by the operator, which imposed restrictions on the range and required the use of repeaters at the target. However, the presented versions of drones, thanks to their homing heads, seem to be able to aim the target autonomously.

Ukrainian troops hit two enemy radars in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine showed the video on the issue.

According to the published footage, the strikes on Russian radars were carried out by Ukrainian drones.

These radars were used by the Russian military to monitor the airspace, including over the eastern regions of Ukraine. Therefore, they are a legitimate target for strikes by the Ukrainian military.

Defeat of the Russian 55Zh6 Nebo radar in Kursk region, November 2023. Frame from the video of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the position of the invaders’ Air Surveillance Troops was discovered on November 18 near the village of Dmitriyev (probably the city of Dmitriyev-Lhovsky) in the Kursk region. After that, the Russian military facility was hit.

Footage from Ukrainian intelligence shows that the drones struck enemy radars at night, flying directly over the stations and dropping explosive munitions on them.

Defeat of a Russian radar, probably 64L6 Gamma-S1, in the Kursk region, November 2023. Frame from a video by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that two expensive Russian surveillance radars, the 55Zh6 Nebo radar and the Gamma-S1 radar, were damaged as a result of the successful strikes.

It is worth noting that this is not the first Ukrainian strike on Russian radars on the territory of the aggressor country.

In particular, in September of this year, soldiers of the SSU’s Special Group “Alpha” hit a Russian surveillance Nebo-U radar southwest of the city of Dmitriyev-Lgovsky in the Kursk region.

The Nebo-U radar. Photo from open sources

The Russian 55Zh6U Nebo-U VHF-Band transportable 3-D surveillance radar for detecting and tracking air objects, is a modernized version of the Soviet-era 55Zh6 Nebo radar. It was adopted by the army of the aggressor country in 1995.

The radar is designed to detect, determine the coordinates and track air targets of various classes: aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles and other small and stealthy aircraft at a range of up to 600 km and at an altitude of up to 70 km.

Gamma-S1 radar. Photo from open sources

The Russian 64L6 Gamma-S1 SHF-Band survey 3D-radar is designed to conduct a circular or sectoral survey of the airspace in the interests of air defense, airspace control, and civil air traffic. It provides a target detection range of up to 300 km, depending on the altitude of the aircraft.

British farmers have donated more than 35 off-road vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, posted this on Facebook.

British farmers and volunteers personally drove these off-road vehicles to Lviv, and then handed them over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Among the vehicles were such models as: Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux, Nissan X-Trail, Land Rover Defender, etc.

A joint photo of volunteers and Armed Forces personnel during the off-road vehicles handover ceremony. Photo credits: Lviv Regional Military Administration

According to Maksym Kozytskyi, the vehicles were handed over to the Air Command “West” of the Air Force of Ukraine, the 24th Mechanized Brigade, the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 150th Brigade and other formations.

This is not the first such assistance from our British colleagues. Since March, the Pickups for Peace Foundation has provided more than 260 off-road vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The fund was organized by British farmer Mark Laird, who has been supporting the Ukrainian military since 2014.

These off-road vehicles will improve the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine units at the front and provide better mobility.

The ceremony of handing over off-road vehicles donated by the British to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Photo credits: Lviv Regional Military Administration

As Militarnyi previously reported, the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has handed Ukraine a winter aid package to equip military personnel with appropriate clothing for the cold weather.

This assistance is aimed at equipping the Ukrainian military with new uniforms on the eve of winter.

The published list of assistance includes:

• 82,000+ helmets;
• 25,000+ sets of winter clothing;
• 10,000+ sets of body armor;
• 70,000+ MREs.

In addition to military aid, the UK government is encouraging local defense companies to work more closely with Ukrainian arms manufacturers to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and increase the production of military equipment.

Ukraine has created a structure to comprehensively ensure the continuous integration of the F-16 multirole fighter jets.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said that the news structures of the project will be integrated into the common system of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

Recently, First Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk presented the concept of this integration at a conference in Copenhagen.

The program is expected to have two stages of deployment: “fast track”, designed until the end of 2024, and scaling up phase.

The main areas of work will include:

• support and development of airfield infrastructure (aviation bases);
• comprehensive protection of airfield infrastructure, including the air defense system;
• selection and training of flight crews and other aviation personnel;
• support of the aircraft life cycle and logistics support;
• international communication and other legal, financial, security, and administrative functions.

Conference in Copenhagen on Ukraine’s F-16. November 2023. Denmark. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The development of tactical aviation capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and, at the same time, the rearmament of aviation brigades are among the key priorities for Ukraine.

With the assistance of foreign experts, Ukraine continues to evaluate airfields for multi-role fighter jets.

The United States plans to provide spare parts for the fighter jets that will be transferred to Ukraine.

As previously reported, the first Ukrainian pilots and engineers are now continuing their training on the F-16, which began in August 2023.

Maintenance of the F-16 fighter jet. Photo credits: U.S. Air Force

The European Training Center for F-16 Fighter Pilots was recently opened in Romania.

The center was created as a result of cooperation between Romania and the Netherlands in partnership with Lockheed Martin and with the support of Denmark.

F-16 fighters of the Netherlands Air Force in Romania. November 2023. Freeze frame from the Valahia News video

At the beginning of November, Romanian journalists showed tail numbers of Dutch F-16 fighter jets that arrived in Romania for Ukrainian pilots’ training.

A new Russian RVV-MD2 short-range air-to-air missile was demonstrated during an air show in Dubai.

EDR online reported on this.

During an air show in Dubai, the Russian Rostec Corporation demonstrated a mass-dimensional mock-up of a RVV-MD2 air-to-air missile, which is positioned as an improved version of the R-73М missile.

The missile of this type was created for use in the aircraft armament system of the Su-57 fighter, which should carry it in the internal compartments.

The RVV-MD2 missile during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show. Photo from the open sources

In addition to the Su-57, the missile is available for other platforms, such as the Su-35 and Su-30. In addition, by installing additional equipment, the missile can be integrated into MiG-29, Su-27, and other foreign-developed aircraft.

The new missile received a combined guidance system, which consists of an inertial navigation system and a multi-element, two-channel infrared target seeker with increased resistance to countermeasures and interference, as well as a radio correction reception channel.

The missile has been deemed capable of being employed in a common battle system and of determining its position in space.

The new homing head can be driven in azimuth 180 degrees, which ensures the lock-on of targets during their maneuvering.

Characteristics of the missile during the exhibition. Photo from the open sources

RVV-MD2 is equipped with a single-stage, single-mode solid fuel motor with gas-dynamic control system spoilers, which allow the rocket to perform maneuvers with high over-G.

The mass of the missile is 117 kg, which is more than that of Western models. The mass of the warhead is 8 kg, the maximum flight range is up to 50 km, and the maximum acceleration is up to 12 G.

As Militarnyi reported previously, the Italian Air Force began a program to study the integration of Meteor medium-range missiles into the EF-2000A Typhoon aircraft fleet. The country’s air forces began their respective tests in the United Kingdom.

The Ukrainian new Backfire strike drone made at least 50 successful missions.

This was announced by Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology—Minister for Digital Transformation.

The Ukrainian-developed Backfire loitering munition is part of the Brave1 defensive cluster.

The strike drone ranges up to 35 kilometers behind enemy lines and helps to hit Russian artillery, logistics hubs, depots and command posts.

Thanks to a GPS antenna that is almost impossible to jam, the drone is very resistant to electronic warfare systems.

The Ukrainian Backfire drone drops two explosive devices. 2023. Ukraine. Freeze frame from the Militarnyi`s video

“Also, due to the complete autonomy of the drone, the Russians cannot detect its coordinates and ground command. This protects operators,” said Mykhailo Fedorov.

Backfire is now performing well on the frontlines.

“In the past two months, the military has carried out at least 50 successful missions,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.

The developers cooperate with the joint detachment “Evil Birds” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which helps improve UAVs.

The Backfire drone drops two explosive devices. 2023. Ukraine. Freeze frame from the Militarnyi`s video

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that this drone is capable of carrying up to 4 kg of payload (two 2 kg bombs).

Backfire has already passed the commission of the Ministry of Defense and is awaiting an order for admission to operation. This means that the state will officially be able to purchase these drones. The development team is already preparing for the mass production of UAVs.

Recall that recently it became known that the Ukrainian military will receive Morok long-range strike drones, which will hit targets in the deep rear of Russia.

British intelligence found out about Russia’s plans to reactivate the Soviet M-55 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

The British Defense Ministry said that there is a possibility that М-55 would be involved in the war with Ukraine.

The Soviets were developing the М-55 stratospheric reconnaissance aircraft. It was supposed that due to the high altitude of the flight, it would be unreachable for the vast majority of ground weapons.

In total, from 2 to 5 aircraft of this type were built.

The photos, which recently appeared on the web, showed one of these aircraft, equipped with a UKR-RT pod developed by Kaluga Research Radio Engineering Institute, which is usually used with Su-34 tactical bombers in electronic reconnaissance missions.

M-55 aircraft with a UKR-RT universal intelligence pod, equipped with SIGINT devices. Russia. 2023. Photo credits: @AndreiBtvt

In this regard, there was an assumption that the М-55 could return to service and be engaged in target designation over the territory of Ukraine or even outside it.

The British Ministry of Defense, in its report, suggests such a scenario.

“Russia is likely considering bringing the Soviet-era M-55 MYSTIC B high altitude reconnaissance aircraft back into service. With an operating ceiling of over 70,000 feet, the aircraft has been recently employed as an earth-sciences research platform. However, it has been observed carrying a military reconnaissance pod, developed for employment on Russian fighter aircraft,” British intelligence said.

According to the British military, the involvement of the М-55 in combat operations can be explained by difficulties in “adequate Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.”

The M-55 aircraft in flyable storage. Russia. Photo credits: opex360.com

“There is a realistic possibility that the M-55 will return to frontline service to bolster Russia’s limited ISTAR capabilities over Ukraine. Operating at high altitudes enables the sensors to work at considerable stand-off range,” the intelligence said.

Characteristics of the М-55:

• М-55 is equipped with two engines PS-30V-12 with thrust at takeoff of 4500 kg each.
• Gross weight – 24,500 kg.
• V-speeds – 740 km/h at 20,000 m.
• The maximum range is 5,000 km at 17,000 m.
• Service ceiling – 21 550 m.
• Endurance at an altitude of 21,000 m – one hour.

As reported, due to sanctions, Russian А-100 airborne early warning and control aircraft have to replace Western electronics with domestic ones.

The pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received mine clearance equipment from Japan.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine shared that the Japanese International Cooperation Agency JICA and Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd.2 provided the aid.

A total of 40 special vehicles, 50 hand-held mine detectors, along with containers and fire extinguishing liquid, were handed over to the rescuers.

The equipment will help accelerate the demining process and make it safer for the pyrotechnic units.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine thanked the Government of Japan and Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, for their assistance to the rescuers.

Equipment and mine detectors from Japan for Ukrainian rescuers. November 2023, Ukraine. Photo credits: Ministry of Internal Affairs

“Our faithful partner, Japan, continues to help our country, including in supporting the humanitarian demining of Ukraine’s territories,” Ihor Klymenko, Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, noted.

In his turn, Kiyoto Tsuji, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan, emphasized that they would continue to actively cooperate with Ukraine in the area of demining.

“Ukraine and Japan share common values, so our country will continue to support Ukraine and those who are fighting for its future by making every effort,” said Kiyoto Tsuji, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan.

Japan’s assistance

On September 9, 2023, the Japan International Cooperation Agency handed over 24 trucks with ISUZU cranes to the Ukrainian SES.

A mine clearance vehicle during a test run by Ukrainian experts from the State Emergency Service. Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture. Photo credits: Toya Wakii

In July, 14 Toyota Hilux Double Cabin pickups were transferred to Ukrainian rescuers.

In turn, the Ministry of Defense of Japan handed Ukraine 100 cars and 30,000 ready-made food rations for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Representatives of Ukraine and Japan in front of Type 73 II SUVs. May 2023, Japan. Photo credits: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Japan will also strengthen Ukraine with drone detection systems, which should help in the fight against Russian drones.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrives in Ukraine with an unannounced visit.

Deutsche Welle (DW) reported on this.

He arrived in Kyiv by train early in the morning on Tuesday, November 21.

In particular, the purpose of the German Minister’s visit is to meet with representatives of the Ukrainian authorities.

The main topics of discussion will be the training of Ukrainian soldiers and military assistance to Kyiv.

Boris Pistorius, Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Germany

The German Defense Minister is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umierov.

These meetings are scheduled for the afternoon.

In addition to political talks, the program of the visit includes a visit to a Ukrainian military training center.

The German Defense Ministry noted that Boris Pistorius wanted to reaffirm Germany’s support for Ukraine with his visit.

This is the second visit of Pistorius to Kyiv as Minister of Defense. He previously visited Ukraine in February.

Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. 2023. Photo credits: Joint Forces Command

As previously reported, the German federal budget for 2024 will include an additional €4 billion for military aid to Ukraine.

Thus, next year, the total amount of aid for military assistance for Ukraine will amount to €8 billion.

Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are nearing an agreement to create a joint force to clear mines drifting into their parts of the Black Sea as part of the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bloomberg reports on this with reference to individuals familiar with the matter.

The parties are close to concluding an agreement on the formation of joint minesweeping forces.

Details of the agreement will be discussed at a meeting of the three countries’ Deputy Defense Ministers in Ankara on Wednesday, November 22.

However, it’s unclear whether a final accord will be signed after the two-day meeting.

A sea mine in the Black Sea. Photo credits: Ministry of National Defence of Romania

So far, the defense ministries of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria have not commented on the discussions.

The meeting comes a few days after Turkish Navy Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu commented against the presence of naval forces from other NATO allies, including the United States, in the Black Sea.

According to him, the presence of ships from non-Black Sea countries could further increase tensions in the region.

Disarming a drifting sea mine in the Black Sea March 28, 2022. Photo credits: Romanian Navy

If approved, the joint minesweeping force of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria would not be considered a NATO operation but would be the first major joint action by the Black Sea allies since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Negotiations between the countries on joint activities in the Black Sea started in October this year.

As previously reported, on October 5, a Turkish-flagged cargo ship hit a mine in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania. It is noted that the cargo ship sustained minor damage.

Tsibar (32) minelayer of the Bulgarian Navy. Photo from open sources

And on October 19, the minesweeping group of the Bulgarian and Romanian navies started trawling the Black Sea off the coast of Bulgaria along the route of the new Ukrainian sea corridor.