The town of Peresvet outside Moscow is home to the testing area of an exotic type of non-lethal weapon – the aerostat. A decision on whether to include blimps into the state’s 2018-2025 armament program will be made following testing, to be completed by this autumn. Military analyst Vladimir Tuchkov comments on the prospects for the battle blimps.
In his analysis, published by the independent online newspaper Svobodnaya Pressa, Tuchkov explained that the project in question is the multi-purpose mobile aerostatic complex ‘Peresvet’, created by the Dolgoprudnenskoe Scientific Production Plant, part of the Vega Radio Engineering Corporation.
The blimp has a length of 32 meters, and a diameter of 13 meters, with a total envelope volume of 3,000 cubic meters. Peresvet is capable of lifting a 300 kg payload to an altitude of up to 3.5 km (the length of its support cable). At the same time, the blimp can be supplied with up to 4.5 kW-worth of electrical power on board to power its instruments.
Commenting on the aerial vehicle’s capabilities, Tuchkov pointed out that information on the types of devices used on board the aerostat has not been released. “But we do know that the Peresvet is capable of solving tasks including: a) providing long-range radio communications b) monitoring large areas c) reconnaissance, including visual, infrared, radio and radio-logical monitoring d) serving as a long-range radar, and e) electronic warfare.”
“Digressing from this particular model, high-altitude aerostats, according to Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern (KRET) deputy head Vladimir Mikheev, can be effectively used for missile defense. Doing so requires equipping the airship with a phased array antenna, which allows launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and their warheads’ flight paths, to be recorded.”
At present, Tuchkov noted, “this idea remains only a concept, but one entirely possible to implement. Before embarking on the creation of such ambitious programs, it will be necessary to convince the senior command of the Aerospace Defense Forces of the need to revive the country’s aerostat and airship building sectors.”
