KOVROV, Vladimir Region. June 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The Falanga-M target system will be commissioned by the Russian Armed Forces before the end of the year, chief engineer of the Kovrov mechanical plant Valery Prikhodko said on Saturday.
"After successful range tests of the system that confirmed its advanced specifications, we can say for sure that it will be commissioned this year," Prikhodko told Interfax-Military News Agency.
Two modifications of the system have been designed, the first is used in firing at the approaching target and the second in firing at the receding target. Both are intended for the use with the Strela and Igla air defense missile systems.
At the same time, the work is underway to complete the parachute variety of the Falanga-M system, including with the parachute reflecting radio waves, which will make it possible to use the target for the majority of Russian air defense missile systems of both short and medium range.
Falanga-M is taking service tests successfully. Over the past two years, about 200 missiles of the Igla, Strela-10M3 and Tunguska missile systems have been fired at the Falanga target, including at night.
The asset is designed by the Nudelman precise machine- building design bureau and mass-produced by the Kovrov mechanical plant. It is intended for the practice of combat crews of Land Forces air defense.
According to experts, Falanga-M allows air defense missile system operators to gain the skills in tracking aerial targets in horizontal and vertical flights against the jamming background, as well as when the target is not illuminated. The system is useful for firing air defense missiles at night at receding targets.
The system comprises an aerial target mock-up, a launcher and launch equipment. The combat crew consists of two people.
The new asset allows crews of Land Forces air defense to master destruction of aerial targets, including cruise missiles and warplanes, within a short period of time.