“willow” versus “stinger”: the newest Russian man-portable air defense system has no analogues in the world. The troops receive a new Verba man-portable air defense system

Portable anti-aircraft missile systems They have long and firmly taken their place in the system of mobile air defense systems of the ground forces of many countries. New Russian MANPADS have unique abilities, which the military never had to think about before.

In all ranges

First, about the uniqueness of “Verba”. Despite the external similarity of this MANPADS with its predecessors - the same “pipe” as the “Igla”, the same sighting mechanism that helps the anti-aircraft gunner identify the target and fire a shot - this is a completely different weapon, with different characteristics. And they are that the Verba missile is capable of hitting not only traditional aircraft - airplanes and helicopters, but also cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles aircrafts, that is, the so-called “low-emitting targets”.

The missile of this complex is equipped with a unique three-spectral homing head operating in the ultraviolet, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. It is this difference in spectra that allows one to obtain more information about the target, which makes MANPADS a “selective” weapon. In addition, the Verba head also has significantly greater sensitivity compared to the Igla-S MANPADS. This makes it possible to fire at targets that emit little in the infrared wavelength range (for example, UAVs), and increases the range of capture of airborne objects. Also, the homing head automatically selects false thermal targets (thermal interference) and focuses on the object with the strongest thermal radiation.

As Valery Kashin, a representative of the company that developed this weapon, the general designer of the Research and Production Corporation "KBM Design Bureau" (OAO NPK "KBM"), emphasized, in terms of the totality of its characteristics, the "Verba" MANPADS surpasses all world analogues. And this is not some kind of bragging of the designer for his brainchild. The complex has actually significantly improved its performance in overcoming pyrotechnic interference (including the already mentioned heat traps), increased shooting accuracy, and optimized other indicators. For example, an automated control system detects air targets, including group targets, determines their flight parameters, and even distributes the detected objects among gunners in an anti-aircraft unit, taking into account the location of personnel on the ground.

"Stinger" nervously smokes on the side...

It’s not for nothing that MANPADS stands for “complex”. In addition to the missile in the guide tube, the Verba also includes a launcher, a ground-based radar interrogator “friend or foe” (to prevent unauthorized use on friendly aircraft), as well as a mobile control point, a small-sized radar detector, planning, reconnaissance and management. There is also a portable fire control module, which is supplied to troops in a brigade kit, and a built-in installation kit - for use as part of a divisional kit.

MANPADS "Stinger"

The Verba missile, in its characteristics, is more than optimal for portable anti-aircraft weapons on the battlefield. The new solid-fuel engine makes it possible to carry out a successful shot at an object located at a distance of over 6 kilometers from the shooter and flying at a speed of 500 meters per second. The mass of the missile is only one and a half kilograms, but the height of destruction varies from ten (!) to 4.5 thousand meters. The closest foreign competitor to the Russian MANPADS is American complex FIM-92 "Stinger" can only be used against air targets located at an altitude of 180 meters. That is, an enemy helicopter will be able to calmly shoot at American infantry positions from a height below this mark: it will simply be impossible to hit a hovering rotorcraft from a Stinger. The US MANPADS also have not the best performance in terms of other characteristics. Thus, the target height that the Stinger missile can reach cannot exceed 3.8 thousand meters, and the distance from the shooter’s location is 4.8 thousand.

Economical "Verba"

A new Russian MANPADS was presented within the framework of the International Military-Technical Forum ARMY-2015. As the manufacturers note, an important feature of the product is that the complex allows you to destroy air targets with fewer missiles, which saves the missiles of large anti-aircraft missile systems - very expensive weapons.

According to Valery Kashin, general designer of JSC NPK KBM, today the Russian Ministry of Defense has concluded contracts for the supply of Verba complexes to the troops in a complete version, that is, for arming immediately anti-aircraft units of brigades and divisions. Prior to this, the product passed the stage of practical testing in formations of the Airborne Forces and in brigades of the Eastern Military District. According to the military, the use of new MANPADS will provide reliable cover for military units from air attacks using modern means of countering air defense systems, and protect against massive strikes cruise missiles, create an effective close line of defense.

The chief designer of the scientific and technical direction of JSC NPK KBM for MANPADS, Alexander Smirnov, is confident that the adoption of the Verba into service will make it possible to achieve a gigantic lead from competitors and consolidate Russian leadership in this area by long years. The principle of complete delivery, when troops immediately receive all the components necessary to complete a combat mission, operation, inspection, Maintenance, education and training, makes it possible to ensure the full combat readiness of units, to develop and maintain among personnel the skills of using missile systems.

Arctic test

Verba has simplified maintenance: now there is no need to carry out periodic checks with cooling of the homing head with nitrogen. This made it possible to abandon additional equipment, nitrogen storage facilities, and save human resources. The commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment of the 98th Airborne Division, Colonel Andrei Musienko (Verba MANPADS were also tested as part of this formation), emphasizes that with the arrival of the new complex, the process of controlling air combat in airborne units has accelerated more than 10 times. Previously, more than 3-5 minutes passed from the moment the senior commander detected the target to the launch of the missile by the anti-aircraft gunner; now it takes just a few seconds. Such parameters, according to military officers, fully correspond to the needs of modern anti-aircraft combat - highly mobile and dynamic countermeasures of air attack, requiring the use modern weapons and operational management of it.

By the way, the Verba MANPADS, which includes elements of an automated control system, are fully compatible with the Andromeda-D automated control system used in the Airborne Forces. “Verba” performed well during one of the paratroopers’ exercises in Arctic zone. Even in abnormal conditions low temperatures There were no failures or failures in the use of these weapons and their control systems. And as Valery Kashin, general designer of JSC NPK KBM, noted, sea and helicopter versions of the Verba are currently in development.

The troops began to receive the latest man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS). The first to learn new things will be the servicemen of the anti-aircraft regiment of the Ivanovo formation. airborne troops. It was this unit that received the first production MANPADS of the new model 9K333 “Verba”. In the future, this anti-aircraft complex will be supplied to units of other regiments and divisions.

Last week, the Ministry of Defense announced the start of deliveries of the latest 9K333 Verba MANPADS to the troops. The new complex uses several original technical solutions, thanks to which ground forces fighters will be able to more effectively attack enemy aircraft and carry out air defense of units. As far as is known, the Verba anti-aircraft complex uses some ideas borrowed from previous domestic MANPADS, as well as new proposals designed to improve the performance of the system.

The first reports of the development of a new portable anti-aircraft missile system "Verba" appeared in 2008. By this time, the Kolomna Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, which traditionally deals with the development of such systems, completed the main design work and conducted a number of preliminary tests. Subsequently, information about the new missile system was published infrequently and was extremely scarce. It was stated that the Verba MANPADS could be put into service in 2008-2009, but later these dates were repeatedly shifted. Thus, in 2011, it became known about the conduct of military tests and the upcoming adoption of the system for service, as well as the planned purchases of serial MANPADS. However, until the end of 2011, the army did not accept the new complex into service. The Ministry of Defense announced the start of deliveries of Verba systems only at the end of May 2014.

Fragmentary information announced in last years, allows you to get a general idea of ​​the new anti-aircraft missile system. It is known that the 9M336 missile of the 9K333 complex is equipped with a new infrared homing head (GOS). To improve performance, the missile has a tri-band seeker. This means that the seeker contains three separate photodetectors operating in different ranges. Comparison of information from them allows the automation to determine the position of the enemy aircraft and weed out thermal signals of false targets. A similar operating algorithm is used by the homing heads of Igla MANPADS missiles, but they have only two channels.

As follows from the available data, the use of a three-band homing head provides greater resistance to interference in comparison with existing missiles equipped with a dual-band seeker. Thanks to this, the 9M336 missile should be less susceptible to various means optical-electronic countermeasures or pyrotechnic decoys.

According to some reports, the 9M336 rocket received a new solid fuel engine, which provides higher flight characteristics and combat capabilities in comparison with previous domestic portable ammunition anti-aircraft systems. According to some estimates from past years, the Verba MANPADS should have a greater range and height of engagement of targets than the existing systems of the Strela and Igla families. Thus, the firing range must exceed 6 km, and maximum height hitting the target to be more than 3.5-4 kilometers.

Together with new portable anti-aircraft systems airborne division received equipment for a new automated control system (ACS). It is claimed that the new automated control system for anti-aircraft units can reduce the time required to attack a target by up to ten times. The press service of the military department cites the words of the commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Ivanovo Airborne Forces A. Musienko, according to which until recently, up to 3-5 minutes could pass from the detection of a target by a senior commander to the launch of a missile by an anti-aircraft gunner. When using the new automated control system, this period is reduced by almost ten times.

The new automated control system for anti-aircraft gunners makes it possible to detect an air target, determine its speed, altitude and direction of flight, and then distribute the found targets among anti-aircraft gunners, taking into account their location. Thanks to this, the work of the anti-aircraft unit almost completely eliminates incidents related to human factor, including an attack by a friendly aircraft or helicopter. In addition, overall operating efficiency increases air defense and, as a result, ammunition consumption decreases.

The latest 9K333 Verba man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems and automated control systems for units armed with them have so far been delivered only to the anti-aircraft gunners of the Ivanovo Airborne Forces unit. In the future, new weapons and equipment will be supplied to other branches of the armed forces.

Based on materials from sites:
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/
http://ridus.ru/
http://arms-expo.ru/
http://periscope2.ru/
http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-544.html

In the coming year, as well as in the past, the Russian Armed Forces will receive the new generation Verba man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS). This unique product was developed by specialists from Kolomna JSC NPK Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, part of JSC NPO High-precision systems» state corporation "Rostec".

The new product primarily equips Ground Forces brigades (motorized rifle and tank), as well as Airborne Divisions.

The complex's equipment is supplied to the troops in kits, which include not only the MANPADS itself, maintenance equipment, training equipment, but also detection equipment with the Barnaul-T automated control system.

"Verba" was adopted by the Russian army in 2015. And it became a sensation at the first public demonstration during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2015” in Kubinka near Moscow. This MANPADS in its characteristics and capabilities surpasses all similar products in service with countries around the world.

And one warrior in the field

The man-portable anti-aircraft missile system as such is designed to be fired by one person. How can one not recall the textbook: “And there is only one warrior in the field.” To better understand the essence of this unique weapons- a little history.

MANPADS with guided missiles (and this is a fundamentally new step in arming the army) were first used in 1969 in the Arab-Israeli “war of attrition.” These were the Soviet Strela-2. In one day, they destroyed three Israeli A4 Skyhawk aircraft.

And with only three missiles. The result shocked military experts. In the same battle, two missiles were fired at Mirage III aircraft, but the targets were outside the kill zone.

A few years earlier, the American Red Eye complex appeared. And since those years, MANPADS have been actively used throughout the world.

Portable systems fit harmoniously into network-centric and hybrid wars. They were originally created to cover ground military formations and over the half-century of their existence they have more than proven that they are equal combat units of the modern army.

They are still idolized today for their simplicity and effectiveness. Over the history of their existence, Soviet and then Russian MANPADS shot down more than 700 aircraft. Used in Egypt, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia to protect military units in the Peruvian conflict.

The famous “Stinger” made its presence felt loudly in Afghanistan starting in 1986. These MANPADS shot down more than a hundred Soviet aircraft and helicopters. Our special forces groups were hunting for the Stinger. In a short time, several missiles were captured, which were subsequently taken to the USSR and used to create countermeasures systems.

Appearances are deceptive

The creators of the first domestic MANPADS were the brilliant designers Boris Shavyrin and Sergei Nepobedimy. I was lucky enough to be accompanied by KBM employees to Invincible’s apartment in a high-rise building on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment several years before the death of the master of the defense industry.

I remember the majestic figure, the sparkle of a fanatic in his eyes, his magnetism. And - an incredible amount of knowledge poured onto the interlocutor like a waterfall.

MANPADS are just one of almost three dozen brainchildren of Invincible, and therefore of KBM. Among them are the Oka operational-tactical missile system, which was replaced by the Iskander, the Arena active tank protection complex, the Khrizantema-S all-weather anti-tank missile system, and much more.

Today, the general designer of KBM is Valery Kashin, a student and follower of the Invincible. Under his leadership, Igla-S was created, the development of which became Verba.

Despite the external similarity of the new product to its predecessors, this is a completely different weapon, with new characteristics.

"Verba" is capable of successfully hitting not only traditional air targets - airplanes and helicopters, but also so-called low-emitting targets - cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Its differences from its predecessor are significant. For the first time in the world, a fundamentally new homing head is installed on a product - an optical three-band (or three-spectral) one: it operates in the ultraviolet, near-infrared and mid-infrared ranges. This allows you to obtain more information about the target, which makes the complex a “selective” weapon.

The three sensors constantly check each other, making it difficult for the aircraft targeted by the missile to mislead it by using decoys. The homing head automatically “selects” false thermal targets (interference) and focuses on the object, albeit not with the strongest thermal radiation, but precisely on the one that needs to be hit.

The sensitivity of the missile homing head has been increased eight (!) times. Accordingly, the zone for capturing and destroying air targets has also increased: compared to the previous generation Igla-S MANPADS - by 2.5 times. The complex is equipped with a Mowgli-2 night vision sight.

The automated control system allows you to detect air targets, including group ones, determine their flight parameters and even distribute targets between shooters.

The new rocket engine allows you to fire a shot at an object located at a distance of 6 km from the shooter. The height of the lesion is from 10 m to 3.5 km. Weight launcher with a power source and a missile inside in a firing position - only 17.25 kg.

In short, we are talking about a unique innovative technology. Rocket, according to general designer Valery Kashin’s KBM is “fully digital”, it is hermetically sealed, and materials that are insensitive to aggressive environments are used for its manufacture. During flight, the rocket is controlled autonomously.

The homing system is designed so that it can deceive the anti-missile systems of targets. The fighter is required to press start, and then the rocket will do everything itself. The friend-or-foe recognition system significantly reduces the risk of hitting friendly aircraft.

Competitors are years behind

Verba MANPADS can be used not only from the shoulder. In the future, it is possible to install turrets with the Verba missile on ships and helicopters. MANPADS "Igla-S" is used as part of shipborne installations "Gibka" and in sets of autonomous modules "Strelets" on combat helicopters.

“Verba” will go the same way,” Valery Kashin said the other day. Moreover, according to him, the Verba MANPADS from the very beginning was developed taking into account the possibility of using it, in addition to the one named, on “other movable military equipment.” Which one remains to be seen.

In terms of its characteristics, the Verba complex surpasses not only the Igla-1, Igla, Igla-S MANPADS in service with the Russian army, but also their foreign analogues- American “Stinger” Block I and Chinese QW-2. The American MANPADS significantly loses to the Verba in all respects.

The Russian government has allowed the new product to be sold abroad, and there is already a foreign buyer. Manufacturers, however, have not yet said who exactly. The US military called the new Russian MANPADS one of the most “disturbing” types of weapons, and its export as a “potentially threatening event.” Russia has created the most dangerous anti-aircraft system in history, writes the American publication Business Insider.

The Israelis were also concerned about the prospect of selling Verba. They say: “Verba” is capable of breaking the resistance of most defensive systems of Western armies. IN local conflicts the last three decades, the greatest danger to military aviation They represented man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

The Israeli government decided to equip the park aircraft DIRCM directed infrared countermeasures systems for protection against MANPADS. This system combines passive, optical missile detection detectors and directed, infrared countermeasures.

The developers of the system claim that the laser beam disrupts the attack of a missile fired at an aircraft and forces it to deviate from its course. Perhaps these threats apply to early-model MANPADS, but not to Verba, say Russian military experts with whom the author spoke.

Numerous exercises taking place Russian troops confirm: “Verba” confidently destroys targets simulating attack drones, helicopters and attack aircraft of a mock enemy. This MANPADS works to the limit maximum ranges and altitudes, on oncoming and catch-up courses.

The quality and reliability of the complex have been significantly improved, its operation, maintenance and training have been simplified. Gradually, "Verba" will replace all MANPADS of earlier types. This will make it possible to completely unify the arsenals of types and branches of troops for this type of weapon.

Nikolay Poroskov

DATA FOR 2018 (standard update)
Complex 9K333 "Verba", missile 9M336

Man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS). Developed by the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau (Kolomna) on the basis of the Igla-S MANPADS.

In 2007, the complex passed flight tests. State tests of the complex were planned to be carried out in 2009-2010. Military tests at the R&D stage began at the 726th training ground training center ground forces in Yeysk Krasnodar region June 9, 2011 During 2011, it was planned to complete the development work on the creation of the complex and purchase 250 MANPADS for the ground forces as part of the order for 2011. Qualification tests of MANPADS were successfully completed in the spring of 2014 ().

As of 2008, it was planned to put MANPADS into service by the end of the year. In 2012, the enterprises of cooperation for the production of MANPADS began re-equipping production for the production of 9K333 complexes. In particular, the re-equipment work was carried out in the mechanical engineering design bureau in terms of the production of automated test stands (). In 2012, production of 9M336 missiles began at production No. 21 of the Degtyarev plant (Kovrov,), where production of 9K333 MANPADS is probably underway.

In 2013, a supply contract was signed with the Russian Ministry of Defense during 2014-2015. four brigade sets of MANPADS for the ground forces and four divisional sets for the Airborne Forces (). The first production batch of 9M336 missiles was released in May 2014 (). At the beginning of June 2014, information appeared in the media about the first deliveries of Verba MANPADS to the anti-aircraft regiment of the 98th Airborne Division of the Russian Armed Forces ( Ivanovo region), which took place at the end of May 2014. At the end of November 2015, the 2013 contract was completed in full.

Layouts of MANPADS (top to bottom) 9K333 "Weba" (presumably), "Igla-S", "Igla" and "Igla-1" as part of the exhibition at the conference "Problems of theory and practice in the development of air defense forces in the North modern conditions", Smolensk, June 2013 ().

Composition of the PZKR:
Combat means of MANPADS 9K333 "Verba":
- 9M336 anti-aircraft missile in a tube;
- starting mechanism 9P521;
- ground radio interrogator 1L229V.

Launcher 9P521 with a 9M336 missile MANPADS 9K333 "Verba" (https://www.kbm.ru).

Maintenance Tools:
- mobile control point 9B681;
- control and testing equipment for bases and arsenals 9B682.

Educational and training means are represented by a single complex of educational and training means 9F879 consisting of:
- equipment for a computer training class for MANPADS 9F877;
- a unified simulator for training anti-aircraft gunners of the Igla type MANPADS, class 9F874;
- universal complex simulator 9F859;
- tactical field training kit 9F663M;
- a modernized field simulator for training and training anti-aircraft gunners of the Igla family of MANPADS, index 9F635M1;
- a set of overall dimensions and mass mock-ups of MANPADS combat vehicles 9K333, 9K333-MAKET.

To increase the effectiveness of combat use, the Verba MANPADS can be equipped with detection, recognition, fire control and target designation equipment.

Control system and guidance- the missile is equipped with a new optical tri-band seeker of increased sensitivity. Firing zone for targets with low level thermal radiation increased by 2.5 times.

Engine- Solid propellant rocket engine

TTX MANPADS:
Warhead weight - 1.5 kg

Range - 500-6400 m
Altitude - 10-4500 m
Target speed - up to 500 m/s

MANPADS reaction time - up to 8 s

Status: Russia
- 2011 June 9 - start of state tests of MANPADS at the test site in Yeisk.

2011 June 26 - July 9 - during the State tests of the 9K333 complex in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense, an E95M aerial target was hit by means of the complex. The target environment was ensured at the test site of the Federal State Institution 3 Central Research Institute in the period from 06/26/07/09/2011. During the work, 2 flights were carried out ().

2012 - start of serial production of missiles and MANPADS.

2014 end of May - the first Verba MANPADS were delivered to the anti-aircraft regiment of the 98th Airborne Division of the Russian Armed Forces (Ivanovo region) -.

June 6, 2014 - An An-26 aircraft was shot down near the city of Slavyansk (Ukraine), which, according to some sources, was adjusting the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to conduct a counter-terrorist operation in the city of Slavyansk. On June 7, the Ukrainian information group issued the following statement: “According to operational data from the Information Resistance group, the An-26 plane, shot down by terrorists yesterday over Slavyansk, was hit from the latest Russian MANPADS 9K333 Verba. The plane was hit at an altitude of 4,500 m by a missile 9M336, fired from the specified MANPADS. this moment fragments of the rocket are being examined by Ukrainian specialists. This MANPADS only at the end of May of this year (almost just a week ago) began to arrive in units of the Russian army. At the beginning of June, the first samples arrived at the units of the anti-aircraft regiment of the 98th Airborne Division (Ivanovo region). Other divisions and units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation do not currently have this MANPADS. The 9K333 Verba MANPADS was not exported." There is no confirmation of this information as of the end of July 2014.

2014 - half of the Verba MANPADS purchased under the 2013 contract were delivered to the Russian Armed Forces - two brigade sets for the ground forces and two divisional sets for the Airborne Forces. This was reported in a press statement dated November 27, 2015.

November 3, 2015 - Media reports that more than 50 sets of Verba MANPADS entered service with the motorized rifle brigade of the Western Military District in Leningrad region ().

MANPADS "Verba" is the latest Russian portable anti-aircraft missile system, which was developed by specialists from the Mashinostroeniya Design Bureau (Kolomna) and put into service in 2014. Its main task is to combat low-flying air targets, including enemy cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Currently, “Verba” is just beginning to enter service with the troops; it is known that soldiers of the 98th Airborne Division have already received this complex. Serial production of MANPADS is carried out by the Kovrov plant named after. Degtyarev, it started back in 2012.

According to their own tactical and technical characteristics(TTX) Russian MANPADS "Verba" significantly surpasses existing foreign analogues, so it can safely be called a new generation anti-aircraft complex. The range of altitudes and distances at which Verba is capable of operating is quite comparable to the characteristics of more serious army air defense systems. The complex confidently covers the main altitude ranges of operation army aviation, in addition, the missile's homing head is capable of distinguishing real targets from heat traps and confidently hitting them. And this moment is called the main “highlight” of “Verba”.

The complex was first demonstrated to the general public at the international exhibition Defexpo India, which took place in 2016. After this, the American publication Business Insider called Verba “the most terrible portable anti-aircraft system in history.”

The complex, in addition to the launcher itself and the anti-aircraft missile, also includes a mobile small-sized radar and an automated fire control system (AFS), which is capable of not only determining target parameters, but also giving target designations to the launchers. It was also developed by specialists from KB Mashinostroeniya.

India has already become interested in the new Russian complex; negotiations are currently underway with Algeria, Egypt and a number of other countries. It is known that the Verba MANPADS have already been delivered to the Armenian armed forces. There is information that this complex is now being tested in Syria; moreover, information has appeared in the media about the successful use of MANPADS against Islamist drones.

History of creation

The emergence of powerful and long-range anti-aircraft missile systems forced combat aviation pilots to descend from sky-high heights and seek protection in close proximity to the ground. However, already in the early 60s ground troops portable air defense systems began to be adopted, which very soon became one of the main enemies of the pilots. Mobile, simple, almost invisible from the air, man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems have proven to be very effective weapons. A fighter armed with a MANPADS could easily destroy a large and expensive fighter or attack aircraft with one missile. For the first time, MANPADS were used en masse in the Arab-Israeli war of 1969. These were the Soviet Strela-2 complexes. The effectiveness of their use amazed specialists.

Around the same time, American portable systems"Red Eye". And in the early 80s, the American army received the famous FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, which spoiled a lot of blood for our pilots in Afghanistan. At the time of its creation, it was an excellent MANPADS, in many ways superior to foreign analogues, including Soviet systems. But if we talk about today, then we must admit that the Stinger is already obsolete. In terms of its main characteristics, it is inferior not only to the newest Verba, but also to many later modifications of the Needle.

Portable anti-aircraft systems quickly found their place and after completion Cold War, this weapon remains in great demand in our era of hybrid wars and local conflicts.

It should be noted that in the USSR this type of weapon was always given Special attention, domestic designers have achieved significant success in the field of developing MANPADS. "Strela-2" was replaced by the more advanced "Strela-3", and in the early 80s it was put into service Soviet army the Igla complex was adopted, which is still in use Russian army. It is believed that Soviet and then Russian MANPADS have shot down about 700 different aircraft throughout their history. The main center for the development of domestic MANPADS is the Kolomna Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, which is rightfully considered the world leader in the creation of these weapons.

The Verba MANPADS, in fact, became a further development of the Igla-S complex, which was put into service at the beginning of the 2000s. The first information about Verba appeared around 2008, but for obvious reasons it was very vague and fragmentary. True, it was stated that the new MANPADS would be ready by 2009. However, this did not happen; the completion date of the complex was constantly postponed. Only in 2011 did military trials begin, which lasted for several years. The Verba MANPADS was put into service in 2014. The units of the Airborne Forces were the first to receive it.

You can shoot from the Verba not only from the shoulder, but also install this complex on warships, helicopters or various ground platforms. The Russian military believes that the new complex will allow them not only to more effectively counter the already familiar threats - enemy planes and helicopters - but also to successfully combat enemy cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Last year, information appeared in a number of domestic media about the destruction of an unmanned aerial vehicle near the Syrian capital using Verba MANPADS. With its help, the rebels adjusted artillery fire. However, information about this incident has not been officially confirmed.

Description of "Willow"

Externally, the Verba MANPADS is not too different from its famous predecessors - the Igla and Strela anti-aircraft systems. However, in fact, this is a weapon with completely different characteristics and capabilities. New complex capable of hitting targets at altitudes up to 4.5 km and at a distance of up to 6 km, both on oncoming and catch-up courses. This the most important characteristics for any MANPADS and for them, the Verba is superior to the French Mistral, the American Stinger, and even the more modern British Starstreak. The designers managed to achieve an increase in the range and altitude of hitting targets by using more efficient rocket fuel.

U Russian complex there is one more advantage - this is the lower limit of the affected area, which is only 10 meters. For comparison, the Stinger can lock onto targets flying at an altitude of at least 180 meters.

The Verba portable anti-aircraft complex (index 9K333) includes the following elements:

• launcher 9P521;
• anti-aircraft guided missile;
• 1L122 surveillance radar, which is capable of detecting targets at ranges from 40 to 80 km;
• “friend or foe” recognition system;
• fire control system;
• mobile gearbox 9V861;
• installation kit 9С933−1;
• automation kit 9С935;
• means intended for training and education of personnel.

The most important part of any MANPADS is anti-aircraft missile. The combat capabilities of the complex largely depend on its characteristics. The 9M336 missile is equipped with a homing head that operates in three different ranges at once, including ultraviolet. She also received a new instrument compartment. Thanks to this tri-band design, the missile homing head is capable of distinguishing real air targets from heat traps - usual means self-defense of modern combat aircraft and helicopters from MANPADS. The missile’s three sensors constantly complement each other’s data, which makes attempts to mislead it and “slip” a false target instead of a combat one practically futile.

In addition, it should be noted the highest sensitivity of the missile's seeker; compared to existing analogues, it has increased eight times. Thanks to this, the probability of MANPADS hitting so-called low-emitting targets - drones and cruise missiles - has significantly increased, as well as the effectiveness of using MANPADS at long distances.

We can also add that the creators of the complex took care of the proper level of protection of the missile's seeker from laser jamming systems, which are only just being adopted by the leading military powers. That is, in this case, the creators of “Verba” worked proactively.

It should be noted that the use of several photodetectors for different spectral ranges is not some kind of special “know-how”; a similar principle is used on most seekers of modern portable anti-aircraft systems. But only Verba has three independent channels for receiving information.

According to the developers, the 9M336 missile is completely digital, it is insensitive to aggressive environments and is completely sealed.

The weight of the missile warhead is 1.5 kg. It is equipped with a proximity fuse that initiates detonation at a certain distance from the object. This scheme is considered more effective, and it does not require a direct missile hit on the object.

Another advantage of the Verba MANPADS compared to its competitors is the presence of a radar and fire control system in the complex. Untimely target detection is one of the main disadvantages of portable anti-aircraft systems. As a rule, a fighter begins to prepare to fire only after visually detecting an enemy aircraft or helicopter. To make life even more difficult for air defense crews, pilots typically use low or high altitudes.

The radar, which is part of the Verba complex, can detect enemy aircraft at distances of up to 80 km, and the fire control system through the GLONASS system determines the exact location of the crews and gives a warning to those who are most effectively able to hit the target. Soldiers receive a sound signal, as well as information about the main characteristics of approaching objects.

MANPADS "Verba" is part of tactical complex Air defense "Barnaul-T", so anti-aircraft crews can also receive information about targets from higher-level detection systems.

The total weight of the launcher with the missile and power supplies is 17.25 kg. “Verba” is equipped with a “Mowgli-2” night sight, which allows it to be used at any time of the day.

Another advantage of the new complex is its ease of maintenance. Unlike previous generations of MANPADS, the missile's homing system does not require regular cooling with liquid nitrogen. This allows you to significantly reduce the cost of its operation.

As mentioned above, the Verba MANPADS can be used not only for shooting from the shoulder. "Needles" are part of the ship's air defense systems "Gibka", and are also used on combat helicopters in the "Strelets" complexes. They plan to use Verba in a similar way.