Robotic systems, exoskeletons and compact drones, including drums, will be integrated into the new generation of military equipment.
This was reported by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry.
Currently, by order of the Main Command of the Ground Forces, relevant research work is being carried out.
"Among these elements, in particular, combat and special exoskeletons, the integration of combat and support robotic systems, as well as reconnaissance and strike drones of mini and small class," - says the website of the military department.
The equipment of the soldier of the future will increase the situational awareness of the soldier and increase his physical capabilities.
Also, when creating ammunition of a new generation, modern trends in the development of weapons and technologies will be taken into account.
"Focus on ergonomics"
Currently, Russian military personnel are using the "Ratnik" equipment.
It includes a single combined arms body armor 6B45, a multi-layer 6B47 armor helmet, upgraded goggles, elbow pads and knee pads, a vest with ammunition compartments, a 50 liter backpack, a 10 liter backpack, and a multifunctional knife.
In addition, the "Warrior" kit includes many additional devices: a helmet-mounted monitor, a portable communications kit, autonomous heat sources, a water filter, an electric flashlight, an army watch, an infantry shovel, a headset with an active hearing protection system, a tent and a sleeping bag ...
The total weight of the standard set "Warrior" is 14 kg, full - 20 kg.
Servicemen in "Ratnik" outfit
© Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
A small tablet is provided for unit commanders, protected from mechanical damage, dust and water.
It allows you to track the location of all fighters on a satellite map, send text messages, receive a photo or video of the object, and indicate new targets on the map.
The carrier of the "Ratnik", as a rule, is armed with a 5.45 mm AK-12 assault rifle, which had previously won a competition from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The rival of the brainchild of the Kalashnikov concern was the AEK-971 (A-545) plant named after Degtyarev (Kovrov).
Now this weapon is included in the arsenal of the Special Operations Forces along with the AK-15 of 7.62 mm caliber.
The advantages of the AK-12 include improved ergonomics (ease of handling), increased accuracy and accuracy of fire, unpretentiousness, the ability to install a variety of additional devices, including optical and collimator sights.
Also, the new machine turned out to be relatively inexpensive due to the high (about 54%) unification with the predecessor AK-74M.
According to experts, "Ratnik" is a modern combat kit that is in no way inferior in functionality to foreign counterparts.
At the same time, analysts stressed the importance of further improving equipment due to the proliferation of new weapons and technical devices in the world.
In recent years, Russian engineers have been working on a new generation combat kit, which was named Sotnik.
Deliveries of this product to the army should begin in 2025.
As reported earlier in "Rostec", it is planned to include micro-unmanned aerial vehicles.
The drones will transmit the image to the visor of the helmet or goggles, on which it will also be possible to project control commands, terrain maps and other data.
The mass of the Sotnik is expected to be 20 kg, that is, more than the standard Ratnik.
In order to improve the physical capabilities of a soldier, a passive exoskeleton will be introduced into a new generation combat kit.
At the end of September, the company "Rostec - Trusted Platforms Robotic Complexes" (RT-DP RK) presented a sample that allows you to carry a load of up to 60 kg with a weight of 6 kg.
It does not hinder the actions of the fighter, while simultaneously increasing endurance by unloading the muscles.
“We place a serious emphasis on ergonomics - the exoskeleton should not hinder the movement of a soldier - and there are certain successes in this direction.
A serviceman equipped with our skeleton can sit down, run, lie down, roll into shelter, and so on without additional effort, ”said Maxim Skokov, deputy general director for special projects of RT-DP RK, in an interview with RIA Novosti.
Demonstration of samples of advanced army equipment
© rostec.ru
A passive exoskeleton is a lever-articulated mechanical device made of carbon fiber that mimics human joints.
It makes it easy to carry weapons, ammunition and various equipment.
In practice, the passive exoskeleton assists military personnel in rigging and sustaining extended marches.
True, its disadvantage is the need for addiction.
“A passive exoskeleton, unlike active ones, does not have power supplies, servos, electronics, or various sensors, which makes it more reliable, lightweight (from 4 to 8 kg, depending on the configuration), completely autonomous and easy to maintain.
Such an exoskeleton can be used not only during the battle, but also in the rear - for maintenance and repair of equipment, construction and other tasks, "Rostec explains.
In addition to the exoskeleton, the Centurion's novelty will be an electrically controlled material (electrochrome), which changes the color of equipment depending on the environment and the masked surface.
Also, if necessary, a soldier will be able to use an "anti-heat" suit that hides the soldier from the infrared sensors of opponents.
Another important element of the "Centurion" is a module for assessing the physical condition of a fighter, which, using sensors in real time, can collect and transmit data on pulse, respiration, heart rate and pressure.
The commander and sanitary brigade will receive information about the injury and trauma of the serviceman.
"To defeat individual targets"
In an interview with RT, the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev noted that domestic designers have chosen an adequate vector for improving the equipment of the future.
According to him, the robotic systems, which the Russian Ministry of Defense told about, will be placed on vehicles, and small-sized UAVs will be directly integrated into the equipment of the soldier of the future.
“Modern technologies make it possible to create miniature drones that fit in the palm of your hand, so they can easily fit in a backpack, a container, or can be attached to a soldier's shoulder.
Such devices simplify reconnaissance and increase situational awareness.
They can be used not only by commanders, but also by ordinary infantrymen, ”Kornev explained.
Attack drones for new generation equipment, as Kornev suggests, will be kamikaze drones operated by an operator.
Such devices will be able to hit the enemy's manpower (snipers, machine gunners, grenade launchers, crews of portable missile systems).
Earlier, the Russian industry presented several samples of airborne firefighters that can be used by both military personnel and robotic platforms.
“The second option is reusable drones capable of carrying submunitions: mini-bombs, mini-missiles.
But these are more complex and dimensional devices.
Of course, there are already experimental samples, but it's hard for me to say how effective they are in practice.
We need very serious tests and improvements, ”says Kornev.
In a commentary on RT, the editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, Viktor Murakhovsky, believes that drones in a new generation of equipment will be mainly used to survey premises.
The dimensions of such a drone will not exceed the size of a grenade for an underbarrel grenade launcher when folded.
“If we talk about shock UAVs, then we are talking about devices equipped with a small amount of explosives.
In the future, they will become the same consumable material as shells and cartridges.
Micro-drones will be used to destroy individual targets - an enemy fighter, a separate machine gun, ”says Murakhovsky.
The expert predicts that the wearer of the equipment of the soldier of the future will become more protected.
According to Murakhovsky, there are currently no materials in the world that can significantly reduce the weight of body armor, but in the coming years, Russian engineers will be able to achieve some progress in reducing the weight of protective structures.
“There are no materials in the world that can radically reduce the mass of protective elements, but work is underway, and since the war in Afghanistan, domestic body armor has become 50% lighter.
This is a very decent result.
It should be expected that the new outfit will widely use composite materials based on ceramics and metal alloys of the new generation, ”Murakhovsky emphasized.