The Kalashnikov Concern has begun supplying the Russian Aerospace Forces with modernized multi-purpose 9M127-1 Vikhr-1 tactical missiles with an updated guidance system. They are used by Ka-52 Alligator and Mi-28N Night Hunter combat helicopters.
Military analyst Evgeny Damantsev explained that the SHM may be represented not only by a semi-automatic laser-beam control system with a laser photodetector in the tail section of the missile, but also by an optoelectronic self-homing head, which provides Vikhr-1M missiles with a much larger range of realizable approach trajectories.
In addition, the missiles may become independent of the GOES-451M and OPS-28M optoelectronic sighting systems. The latter option can be achieved by equipping them with thermal imaging television self-homing heads, similar to those used in Kh-39 LMUR "Product-305" missiles.
If information about equipping with a thermal imaging television SHM with a command-telemetric channel is confirmed, then navigator-operators will be able to use the Vikhr-1M in the "fire-and-forget" mode immediately after detecting targets with optoelectronic modules and issuing target designation to the inertial navigation systems of the missile.
Also, the Vikhr-1M missile will be able to fly along a grazing or ballistic trajectory with an increase in effective range from 10 to 20 km.
There will be a technical possibility to fire at heat and optically contrasting targets from low-altitude firing positions and in difficult weather conditions, for which the Rezets airborne active phased array radars can be used, providing high-precision target designation to the new Vikhr-1M ATGM.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that the Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine with hypersonic Kalibr and Onyx missiles will join the Navy in December.
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