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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 0011.PDF
might involve a desire for greater centralised control over weapons rather than the flexibility of the local commander in making certain decisions. "The Soviets have deployed a large number of strategic air defence systems with capabil ities against aircraft at medium and high altitudes. They are now in the midst of a major effort to improve their capabilities against aircraft and cruise missiles that oper ate at low levels. This effort includes upgrading their early warning and surveillance systems; deployment of more efficient data-transmission systems and development and initial deployment of new aircraft, air-to-air missiles, Sams, and AEW aircraft," says the DoD. There are now more than 150 MiG-31 Foxhounds deployed, and more than 300 MiG-29 Fulcrums are now in service with seven Regiments. One of these is in the south west Asia region and might be used in Afghanistan. Two Soviet Regiments in East Germany have converted to Fulcrum, as has a Soviet Regi ment in Hungary. The recent introduction into service of the Su-27 Flanker provides an entirely new escort force for attacks into Nato's rear area, and the DoD believes that ground-attack versions of Fulcrum and Flanker might be developed and deployed in the near future, and states: "The Soviets probably have at least one totally new fighter in design or development, and several variants of existing Soviet fighters—particularly the newer ones—can be 5 ""*«|pii!;" ' '^irst; Wm expected to enter production over the next several years." More than 80 SA-10 Grum ble surface-to-air-missile sites are now operational, and work is progressing on building at least another 20 sites. Nearly half of the SA-10 sites are in the Moscow area. The empha- isis on Moscow, plus the deployment patterns noted for the other Grumble sites, suggest a first priority on terminal defence of key indus trial and military complexes. SA-10 has significant advan tages over older strategic Sams, including multi-target handling, capability against small-radar-signature low fly ing targets, and the possible potential to intercept some types of strategic ballistic missiles. A new mobile variant of Grumble, the SA-10B, is being deployed to support Soviet theatre forces along with the tactical SA-12A Gladiator and its long-range, high-altitude complement, the SA-X-12B Giant, which is currently in the flight-test phase of its development. The highly mobile SA-11 Gadfly's deployment continues, as does that of the man-portable SA-14 Gremlin and SA-16; the latter, says the DoD, "is highly accurate". A new radar-directed twin 30mm self-propelled gun system, ZSU-X, is entering service to supplant and then replace the ZSU-23-4 quad 23mm AAA system. The older towed 57mm AAA systems are being replaced by SA-6 Gainful and SA-8 Gecko as the new missiles release them from front-line service. DEFENCE Two new attack helicop ters, the Kamov-designed Hokum and the Mil Mi-28 Havoc, are still in prototype testing, although the DoD thinks that both might become operational this year. It was previously believed that both were competing for one role, but Soviet Military Power suggests that Havoc is primarily an anti-tank helicopter with some anti- helicopter (particularly anti tank helicopter) capability. Hokum is a dedicated fighter helicopter with a primary role of engaging close-air-support aircraft, including anti-tank helicopters. Havoc is of conventional appearance and will be armed with up to 16 anti-tank missiles and a 23mm or 30mm cannon. Hokum has Kamov's "trade mark" co-axial rotor system (with swept rotor tips) and no tail rotor; a stream lined fuselage with a single- seat cockpit in a fighter-like nose, stub wings with ailerons and retractable landing gear. Hokum has no observable anti-tank hardware and is expected to be armed with air- to-air missiles and one or two fixed large-calibre cannon. Hokum will be extremely agile and the DoD estimates its top speed at 200kt. There is also evidence to suggest, says the DoD, that the Soviet Union is actively pursuing development of tilt- rotor aircraft, most likely for use as troop carriers to replace the Mi-8 Hip and Mi-24 Hind series in the 1990s. Although sea-based aircraft development is increasing the Soviet Naval Aviation will Left The ZSU-X with twin 30mm cannon will replace the quad-barrel 23mm ZSU-23-4. Below Seven Tupolev Blackjacks are now on flight-test, and the aircraft is expected to enter service next year •(ps5* f*mw.::£§Egl& | 1 1 L •SS8L. ~ • '"£#&, FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 4 April 1987
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