KOLOMNA, Moscow Region, February 20 (AVN) - Tests of the Iskander-E theatre missile system will be completed in 2001, Nikolai Gushchin, chief designer of the design bureau of engineering, told the Military News Agency on Tuesday.
According to Gushchin, the system performed excellent during the tests showing high degree of accuracy when hitting targets.
The Iskander-E system can solve all combat tasks placed on this type of armament by means of conventional weapons. Introduction of the system into the inventory will considerably increase combat capabilities of the Armed Forces.
The system can engage two targets by two missiles within a 1 minute period. Its design complies with all the requirements placed on medium- and short-range missiles by appropriate treaties, as well as with those set forth in the non-proliferation treaty, which limit Russia's export volume of missiles with the range of over 300km and payload over 500kg.
The missile range is 50-280km, launching weight is 3,800kg, payload is 480kg. The missile is guided along the whole path that can hardly be predicted by the enemy. First, at the initial stage guidance is ensured by gas/dynamic control vanes. Later, when the speed is high enough, aerodynamic surfaces come into action. Immediately after the launch and when close to the target, the missile starts manoeuvring vigorously changing, among other things, attack plane, which makes it particularly hard to monitor it from space. The trajectory of the stealth-type missile, which also boasts small reflecting surface, runs mainly at an altitude of 50km, thus making it a difficult target both for ground and space weapons.
Depending on the type of the trajectory, overload ranges from 20 to 30g. In order to intercept the missile, its opposite number has to be able to stand overload two to three times as big.
According to Gushchin, the system will be aggressively promoted in the world market. a full-scale model of the system will be shown at one of the coming defence exhibitions, and, probably, at the MAKS 2001 international airshow to be held in Moscow.
Specialists say the system can successfully compete with foreign rivals for at least next 30 years. Some South-East Asian and Middle East countries have taken interest in Iskander-E.