The Ratnik equipment turned out to be too expensive for the army. Russian combat equipment "Ratnik" What is combat equipment "Ratnik"

Once upon a time, to control the actions of troops on the battlefield and on campaigns, commanders had to use drums, bugles, whistles and special flags. Today, coordination between individual combat units is achieved by fundamentally different methods and means, within the framework of the concept of the so-called “network-centric war.” It involves a constant active exchange of information flows, thanks to which each soldier has the opportunity to maximize efficiency own actions, while the command monitors the constantly changing situation in real time. As part of the practical implementation of this concept, the “Ratnik” combat equipment was created in Russia, which has already passed all the necessary tests and is supplied to various army units.

What is the “Ratnik” equipment?

Military equipment at all times consisted of many elements. They were most often produced and purchased separately and without any coordination, and the “matching” was carried out either by the fighter himself or by some department in the Ministry of Defense. Modern combat equipment is created according to a different principle - “Ratnik” is a set of elements that are not simply fitted to one another, but initially form a single whole.

No less important feature began to use the modular principle. In other words, “Ratnik” is a kind of construction set, from the parts of which you can create several equipment options. The included elements are grouped into several systems, each of which carries its own functional load:

1. Electricity supply facilities;
2. Control and intelligence modules;
3. Means of destruction;
4. Life supporting system;
5. Means of protection.

Similar kits are being developed today in many countries around the world as part of projects that have received the general name “soldier of the future.”

Purpose

The list of tasks for which combat equipment was created is as follows:

1. Maximizing the survivability of a soldier on the battlefield, providing him with reliable protection from bullets, shrapnel, edged weapons and accidental injuries;
2. Constant coordination of the actions of all fighters;
3. Free orientation on the ground, providing maximum complete information about the enemy;
4. Increasing the efficiency of using your own weapons.

Already today, the possibility of including a so-called exoskeleton in combat equipment is being considered, the task of which is to dramatically increase physical strength, speed of movement and supply of ammunition. However, achieving this goal is a matter of the future.

Equipment set

A general list of all the elements that make up Ratnik would be too long, so it makes sense to consider each of the systems included in it sequentially.

It’s best to start with protective equipment, since they account for the bulk of the equipment’s weight:

1. Jumpsuit that looks like a regular one field uniform. Sewn from fabric based on aramid threads, which stops fragments weighing up to 1 gram flying at a speed of 250 m/s. In addition, such clothing can withstand open flames for 10-15 seconds (up to 28 seconds in the version for drivers of armored vehicles). The overalls can be reinforced with additional panels to protect the hips;
2. Armored helmet. With its own weight of 1.04 kg, it is capable of stopping a bullet from an army pistol fired from a distance of 5 meters;
3. Protective glasses. Withstands direct hits from small (up to 6 mm in diameter) fragments if their speed does not exceed 350 m/s;
4. Body armor. The main element of protection. In the maximum (“assault”) configuration, its weight reaches 15 kg. Such a vest protects the fighter from the front, back, sides and bottom, and can withstand numerous hits from rifle bullets from close (up to 10 meters) distances. Weight in the minimum configuration – 8 kg;
5. Shields for knee and elbow joints (they are also called reinforcement screens). Effectively prevent injuries from falls and impacts, are able to stop bullets fired from a pistol, as well as small fragments;
6. Protective face shield. Made from reinforced aramid fabric. Stops fragments flying at speeds up to 550 m/s;
7. Anti-splinter gloves.

Together, all these elements form a real armored suit, covering at least 90% of the body surface.

It is possible to use additional means to protect the fighter from toxic substances, as well as the main types of non-lethal weapons. In addition, a special camouflage coat can be used that is impenetrable to infrared radiation and rendering thermal imaging sights useless.

The control and reconnaissance system included in the Ratnik kit consists of the following main elements:

1. Wireless headset (phone and microphone);
2. Communicator of the Glonass system. Allows you to determine the location of a soldier with maximum accuracy;
3. Soldier individual communication module;
4. Two control panels - operational and multifunctional. The first one is used tactilely, there is no screen provided. The second is capable of sending graphic and text messages. An additional feature is injury notification;
5. Module "Fara-VR". Designed to recognize, track and determine the coordinates of targets, representing a tactical reconnaissance tool. Range – up to 10 km;
6. Rangefinder and goniometer module. Measures distances to various objects, determines ballistic trajectories, gives coordinates of targets;
7. Personal tablet. Designed for the unit commander, who receives comprehensive information about each of his subordinates, down to the remaining ammunition in the “unloading”. Using the tablet, in addition, orders are given and graphic information is exchanged.

The energy supply system includes two main elements:

1. Charging station. Can be connected to a car generator, to the main types of armored vehicles, as well as to various types household sockets;
2. Accumulator battery. Made to special order, ensuring operability in any temperature condition. Ensures soldier autonomy for 14 hours with communication and information transmission systems always on.

The characteristics of rechargeable batteries today are considered not high enough: in the future, manufacturers promise to significantly improve them.

The life support system developed for the Ratnik combat equipment was created taking into account the experience accumulated by the army during various operations over the past decades.

It includes:

1. Universal backpack. Volume – 50 liters, which allows you to carry other elements necessary for life support during hikes;
2. Raid backpack. Volume - 10 liters (according to other sources - 18). Designed for use directly during combat “exits”;
3. Means for providing medical care and disinfection;
4. Insect protection net;
5. Water filter;
6. Tent and sleeping bag;
7. Small sapper shovel;
8. Thermal insulating mat for short stops;
9. Camouflage means that complement standard camouflage.

In the cold season, insulation elements are added to this list. There is also a “marine” version of the equipment, characterized in that the body armor included in it, if necessary, turns into a life-saving one. This suit allows you to stay on the surface of the water for quite a long time.

The main weapon that is supposed to be used as part of the “Ratnik” combat equipment is the AK-12 assault rifle. Its main difference from previous modifications of the Kalashnikov assault rifle is the presence of a Picatinny rail, which allows the installation of various types of additional equipment on the weapon.

To provide accurate shooting against the enemy, “Ratnik” is equipped with numerous options sighting systems, as well as a helmet-mounted video module, with which you can fire from behind cover, “from the hip,” without putting the weapon to the shoulder.

Ammunition, including grenades, is placed in the pockets of a special vest, the so-called “unloader”.

Advantages and disadvantages of "Ratnik"

Despite the fact that the new combat equipment has already been tested in the Russian army, including during the war in Syria, the accumulated experience is relatively small and allows us to talk about only a few main pros and cons of the equipment.

The advantages, in particular, include:

1. Light weight of electronic systems included in the equipment;
2. Convenience of wearing a bulletproof vest, including in the “maximum” configuration. The fighters especially liked the compatibility with parachutes during landing;
3. Light helmet weight high level protection. The previous helmet did not have such properties;
4. Easy “switching” of equipment from an AK-12 to a Pecheneg machine gun or a sniper rifle, including the T-5000, which was never adopted by the army.

The most obvious disadvantages were:

1. The size and ill-conceived shape of the heat-insulating mat are too large;
2. Inconvenience of aiming when firing at short distances;
3. “Cold” sleeping bag;
4. Unfinished interface in control panels;
5. Periodic equipment glitches.

In addition, it is not yet completely clear how various elements of Ratnik will behave in the face of the use of electronic countermeasures.

Equipment analogues

The United States was the first to begin the practical implementation of the concept of “network-centric warfare,” long before the Russian Federation. In this country, combat equipment was developed under the name Project Manager Soldier Warrior, abbreviated as PM SWAR. At the same time, from the very beginning it was planned to create separate equipment options for ground forces, Marine Corps And personnel aviation.

In general, both in purpose and in configuration, the PM SWAR equipment is quite close to the “Warrior”. Apparently, the operational and protective properties of the body armor and helmet of this equipment are somewhat inferior Russian analogues. At the same time, American equipment has some advantage in terms of the quantity and quality of sighting systems and reconnaissance equipment. However, the main advantage of PM SWAR is that it is very great experience its practical use.

Almost simultaneously with the Americans, the development of combat equipment began in Germany. The corresponding program received the designation IdZ (short for the full German name “infantryman of the future”), later – IdZ-ES. For various reasons, the implementation of this plan was delayed, and even today it is not fully completed. It should be noted that the creation of many elements of German equipment was entrusted to American companies. As a result, the characteristics of the IdZ-ES soldier’s equipment are in many ways inferior to both the PM SWAR and the Ratnik. In particular, the armor of this equipment corresponds only to the 4th protection class.

Work on the creation of new types of modern combat equipment is being carried out today in dozens of different countries, some of which have very limited opportunities financing of such high-tech projects. This circumstance directly indicates that the security of the state directly depends on the presence of “Ratnik” in the troops.

Currently, the army receives approximately 70 thousand sets of this equipment annually. At the same time, new, even more “advanced” versions of combat equipment are being created, which will appear over the next decade.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

At the end of 2017, during the combat use of the Russian second-generation Ratnik equipment, the enemy was never able to penetrate its defenses. For the first time this ammunition could be seen on " polite people"in Crimea, then it underwent extensive testing in Syria. Why don’t the troops want to take advantage of the new equipment? “Our Version” figured out what “Ratnik” is.

According to the developers, “Ratnik” has several unique qualities, which is true. Firstly, the protection area of ​​his body armor is one of the largest in the world, and the degree of protection is such that the plates are said to be able to withstand 10 hits from a Dragunov sniper rifle. Secondly, “Ratnik” uses a high-tech jumpsuit that hides almost the entire body from shrapnel damage. Thirdly, tests are already being carried out on special fabric that can protect soldiers from detection in infrared light. Special fibers will block the heat emitted by the body, making fighters much more difficult to detect using a thermal imager. In addition, the equipment is planned to be supplemented with protective glasses with information projected onto their glass, which will make it possible to hit targets “from around the corner.” The manufacturers also promise that in the future the Ratnik will be equipped with advanced computer equipment– in particular, sensors of medical and biological conditions and detectors of microwave radiation. One of the most anticipated pieces of equipment is mine-resistant shoes, which save you from anti-personnel mines. In the next, third, generation of “Ratnik”, manufacturers intend to solve its main problem - they plan to significantly reduce weight while maintaining protective properties by using new materials. According to experts, the equipment will be 25–30 percent lighter—it currently weighs 24 kilograms, and the goal is to reduce its weight to 20 kilograms.

All this is still in the future, but even in its current state, “Ratnik” has a lot of advantages. It would seem that here we should give him green light. However the newest complex gathering dust in warehouses.

Sagittarius needs advanced users

As it turns out, with all the undoubted advantages, “Ratnik” also has many disadvantages. The most valuable system of the "Warrior" is the reconnaissance, control and communications complex (KRUS) "Sagittarius" - a personal computer with peripherals distributed throughout the fighter's unloading vest. The developers claim that it guarantees the solution to all information problems that a soldier may encounter, making war for soldiers somewhat similar to computer game. Thus, information about each specific soldier is transmitted to the commander’s personal computer screen, and their location is displayed on a map of the area and updated in real time.

However, in fact, KRUS “Sagittarius” turned out to be a useful system, but at the same time very difficult to use, which is why not every serviceman is able to master it. The military says: in order to learn how to fully use it, you literally need to constantly have instructions before your eyes. In this regard, users ask developers to pay attention to the interface and make it intuitive. After all, if today top manufacturers of electronic devices strive to simplify the management of such systems as much as possible, in the case of “Warrior” there is no need to talk about this yet. In addition, it often crashes software. The developers are trying to correct the situation, but the changes are almost invisible. Therefore, only experienced soldiers and officers can use Sagittarius. There is hardly any hope that ordinary soldiers who have served in the army for only a year will be able to master the system.

The military is unhappy

But maybe, well, this computer system? After all, even without it, a protective suit is capable of fulfilling the main task - to protect a fighter on the battlefield and help him win... Alas, problems arise here too. There is still a problem with sights, including night vision. The standard night sight of the Ratnik is much inferior to its main foreign competitors. In addition, it does not have monoculars, red dot sights, thermal imagers - in general, all those devices that have long become a standard set for the best examples of foreign combat equipment. As a result, military personnel performing real combat missions still have to purchase some equipment at their own expense.

There are other annoying little things. For example, the helmet-mounted flashlight does not have an infrared mode, which makes it difficult to use the night sight in close combat conditions. There are also complaints about the armored helmet, which does not fit well on the head, and about backpacks that do not keep their shape. Knee pads, elbow pads and even a rest mat, which are not made of the highest quality materials, cause criticism.

Therefore, as paradoxical as it may sound, the troops do not want to receive and enjoy the benefits of the “Warrior” equipment. In addition, there is another reason. The fact is that this equipment itself is very expensive and responsibility for its safety falls entirely on unit commanders. In the event of loss or damage, it is possible to deduct something from a contract soldier who has lost property, perhaps only in theory, but from conscripts it is generally impossible. Therefore, the equipment never became an element of everyday equipment. The Ratnik is regularly used only by a limited group of fighters who represent the country in international exercises or participate in combat operations. But even when equipment is issued, fighters do not receive all the equipment. A typical example: the “Warrior” includes a universal multi-tool knife produced by the Kazan company “Milita” and mechanical wrist watches 6E4-1 and 6E4-2 from the “Vostok-Design” company. However, almost all fighters use their own knives, and regular watches are kept in the commander's safe to prevent their loss.

Victor MURAKHOVSKY, member of the Expert Council of the Collegium of the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation:

– The “Ratnik” equipment is perceived by most as a high-quality uniform, including an armored helmet and a bulletproof vest, but in essence it is a modular system that is constantly being improved. With the advent of new developments, some elements become a thing of the past, this can be clearly seen in the means of communication, which are beyond the limit a short time have become digital. "Warrior" - common name. This is a modular design, which, depending on the combat mission, is supplemented with personal armor protection, communications, control, life support and related weapons. These are several hundred items of weapons and supplies, life support communications equipment.

Some components of the Ratnik, such as communications, reconnaissance and control systems, are at a level that is already superior to their Western counterparts. For example, an armored helmet is superior in its protective properties to the best available in Western armies, including the USA and Israel. There are very original solutions that foreign armies have not thought of, for example, Russian body armor At the same time, it is also a swimming vest, helping to stay well on the water.

REFERENCE

Combat equipment serviceman "Ratnik" is one of the largest modernization projects of the Russian army, work on which has been ongoing since 2013. However, it might not have existed at all, since Anatoly Serdyukov initially intended to purchase Felin “soldier of the future” equipment from France. It is unknown how such a decision would have turned out - most likely this equipment would also have been subject to sanctions and its supplies would have been suspended.

Initially, "Ratnik" was considered as a comfortable uniform made from modern fabrics with light armor protection for all-season use. Subsequently, modern means of protection were introduced, including a lightweight multi-layer armored helmet made of composite materials, and a lightweight body armor made of a layer of ceramic tiles and a composite substrate. Now the equipment includes a universal shelter, a multifunctional knife, a flashlight, a watch, winter and summer double-sided camouflage kits, an autonomous heat source, a raid backpack, an individual water filter, a small infantry shovel, respiratory protection equipment, radiation and chemical control equipment, and special treatment and first aid. To date, 200 thousand sets have been delivered to the troops. It is planned to completely dress Russian soldiers in the new generation “Ratnik-2” equipment by 2020.

I present to your attention a review of a watch from the “Ratnik” military uniform set, called AMNC (Army Mechanical Wrist Watch). The army version (there is also a civilian version) of these watches is not sold in stores, but demobilized soldiers and cunning warehouse managers give us the opportunity to get acquainted with the domestic (Russian) novelty, which should help in the difficult life of a soldier or sailor...

Attention! there will be several spoilers, the information in them is not required reading, but perhaps it will broaden your horizons a little))))

So, let's start with a description of what it is...

Description taken from the manufacturer's website

Army mechanical wrist watches (AMNC) 6E4-1 and 6E4-2 “Ratnik” are a continuation of the glorious traditions of Soviet watchmakers. Since 1962, the equipment of domestic military pilots included wristwatches. Nowadays combat work in local conflicts and hot spots, they raised the question of developing and including reliable devices for determining time parameters in a fighter’s combat equipment.

Therefore, in 2014, the Ministry of Defense Russian Federation approved the inclusion of wristwatches produced by MFSC in the latest combat equipment - “Ratnik”. Thus, the Moscow Special Watch Factory has become the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of serial wristwatches to the RF Armed Forces.

The mechanical wristwatches developed by our team are the only ones that have passed all stages of preliminary and state testing and controlled military operation, incl. in combat conditions in Syria, and are supplied to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in two modifications:

6E4-1 with a self-winding movement 2616 VD in a brass case with anti-reflective coating and water resistance of 3 ATM;
- 6E4-2 with the same mechanism in a stainless steel case with anti-reflective coating or without coating, matte with magnetic tumbling and water resistance of 10 atm.
In 2017, the Moscow Special Watch Factory successfully updated army wristwatches in accordance with the request of the Russian Armed Forces. New model includes a number of design improvements, including increased swivel ring height and strap width. All changes have been made to improve ease of use and increase the service life of the device.

The Moscow Special Watch Factory produces military watches using Swiss technology with double reassembly and running-in of the mechanism, which minimizes the likelihood of product defects.

Wrist watch Moscow Factory of Special Watches is the only Russian mechanical watch for real men and in the Ground Forces, Airborne Forces, Marine Corps and troops special purpose it was greatly appreciated.

Oh how... it turns out that somewhere there is such a “Moscow Special Watch Factory”. It's funny. As far as I know, there is only one full-cycle plant left in Russia - Vostok. All the rest have either sunk into oblivion, or are trying to assemble something from Chinese components, or even order production in China and make their own nameplate. Yes, I know about the Petrodvorets Watch Factory (Raketa) and I know about the Zlatoust Watch Factory. There is little information on Rocket; where, what and how they collect is not clear. And whether they have production or are clearing out the remains of warehouses is also not clear. One thing is known - the plant was sold to the bourgeoisie.
Now about Chrysostom. They have ruined their production of mechanisms; they use Vostok movements as the base ones; they make the cases and dials themselves. Horse price tag. It looks like their bodies are made of silver. self made... Well, a watch made of roughly processed stainless steel cannot cost more than six hundred bucks.

price from 01/01/2017

But these are all maxims, let’s carefully read the description - oh my god! Yes, it uses the 2616 mechanism.
We google about it using the query “mechanism 2616”... and... we get links to “Flight 2616”, a mechanism from a long-dead plant.
But that doesn't happen! The factory cannot just rise from the ashes and start producing watches again.

Those times... they screwed up all the polymers? is it really that bad?.. Not at all.

Thoughtful reading of the forum led to the following conclusions:
1. The “Ratnik” watch comes in two models - 6E4-1 and 6E4-2. The models differ in their water resistance, 6E4-1 - 20m, 6E4-2 - 100m.
2. Model 6E4-1 watches come in two types - with a brown case and with a matte gray case.
3. All watches of the 6E4-1 model, which were opened by members of the forum, had a stable repeatability of the installation of mechanisms - the brown 6E4-1 models were equipped with the Vostok-2416 mechanism, and the gray 6E4-1 models were equipped with the Chinese DG2813 movement (Dixmont-Guangzhou 2813), which is marked 2616.
4. All watches of model 6E4-2 have a gray steel case and Vostok-2416B mechanism
5. Visually, the AMNC building resembles the Vostokov one.
6. The Chinese mechanism is not a death sentence. This, to use the slang of the nineties, is “factory China,” that is, not a basement, it is not Grandfather Liao’s grandchildren who assemble these watches from shit and rejection sticks during labor lessons at school. This is a quite good Chinese factory with its own quality control.

But! Let's return to the actual subject of the review.
Armed with the necessary information, I found exactly what I wanted - model 6E4-2, with a water resistance of 100m, i.e. in fact almost an amphibian.
Let's take a closer look at it.


The first thing that catches your eye is that everything is out of place. Well, that's all. The crown (the crown of the hands) is on the left. the date window is also on the left (at nine o'clock, instead of the usual three)... But after a short examination, everything falls into place - yes, they just took a production model and turned it 180 degrees. Reprinted the dial and calendar disc... and voila...

The autopsy showed that the opinion of people from the watch.ru forum should be trusted - my watch turned out to have a Vostok 2416B movement, with a calendar and self-winding.






Upon opening, it was discovered that there was no anti-magnetic insert - on the back cover there is double-sided tape where the anti-magnetic insert should have been attached... but it is not there. I believe the seller who said that the watch has not been repaired or opened, because... I'm not the only one who discovered this fact.

There is also an opinion that all buildings gray are made of stainless steel and the brown ones are made of brass alloy. I don’t have anything to check the body on, I don’t want to cut it, in fact, time will tell...

I received the watch without a box or passport. The soldier from whom I bought this watch simply threw it away (the box with the passport:) as unnecessary.
IN standard The watch has a mediocre-looking leather strap, with a butterfly clasp and a special camouflage sleeve, which is designed to hide the watch from enemies (probably so that enemy snipers cannot see what time it is? Because the anti-glare in the watch is very good), and the watch itself.




The strap is ordinary, the same ones that come with Komandirskie straps. The butterfly clasp is also ordinary, Chinese. It does not unfasten itself, there are no complaints about the work.

The camouflage muff is made of dense fabric, the holes in it are simply cut, and at a short distance from the cut they are processed with a “zigzag”. Moderately shaggy.


In the summer, the hand sweats under the muff, and wearing it is not comfortable.








The photo shows scratches on the acrylic glass of the watch - the watch was bought used, due to this I got it a little cheaper.


There is luminescence, and the numbers on the dial do not glow at all, the dots on the dial glow dimly, and the hands glow brightest. I didn’t time the glow time - after lighting LED flashlight luminescence was observed until two in the morning. Of course it’s not as bright as when exposed to light, and then I fell asleep)))
However, the value of luminescence is questionable - after all, the watch will be covered with a camouflage sleeve, where and when should it activate the luminescence?

To summarize - AMNCH (GRAU 6E4-2) “Ratnik” is an ordinary Vostok, but for some reason simplified Amphibian, adapted for the army. AMNCH (GRAU 6E4-1) “Ratnik” is already, if we draw analogies with existing lines, a simplified version of Komandirsky.
I think that many have noticed that there is no point on the bezel that would be the starting point. Those. the bezel loses its main function of measuring periods of time and turns into a sham, which, in my opinion, is simply unacceptable in a military watch. Also, to be fair, it should be noted that the bezel rotates too freely. It's not as if it wasn't spring-loaded, but a light touch can move it out of place. And this is also unacceptable.
I don’t know how to remove the bezel without scratching the case. The classic method - driving a thin knife blade between the bezel and the case does not work - the gap between the bezel and the case is too narrow... and somehow you don’t want to drive it in with force)))

Also, in the wake of the “exclusivity” of AMNC, various offices (or maybe this is even the initiative of the “manufacturer”) began to slap various designs of dials - “bearded man”, “WARRIOR inscription”, “large numbers 02,03,04”, etc.
WITH various types The design of these items can be found, for example, on the website
Also, one of characteristic differences"civilian" options from the army ones is the presence of a wooden box for watches, stylized as army-style.

I am not advocating to buy or not to buy the AMNC - the watch turned out to be quite controversial, the price (in my opinion) is quite high, but “exclusivity” allows you to raise the price tag. I made my choice and I have the watch in question in my collection. But, it seems to me, I won’t wear them often and definitely not on a belt with a camouflage sleeve)))

The regular Amphibian, in my opinion, looks better in terms of usability and price.

The serial Vostokov mechanism is a reliable machine that will serve for decades. It, of course, is not decorated with “Geneva waves” and is generally produced by the factory without treating the bridges, but it is time-tested. Yes, I know about the unstable quality of the mechanisms, but I hope that these are temporary difficulties at the plant.

The Chinese mechanism is little studied by me personally. I have one watch with a similar movement (as far as I remember, it is a Seiko clone) that works flawlessly.

Well, now bonuses - several videos. The moped is not mine, I just posted an ad.

Very soon the Russian army will receive completely new combat equipment of the latest generation. Currently, the “Ratnik” equipment is already undergoing a series military tests in a variety of climatic zones Russia. According to available information, the “Ratnik” combat equipment should be adopted by the Russian army in the summer of 2014.

Let's take a closer look at it...

Photo 2.

Those times when a motorized rifleman went into battle, at best having only a bulletproof vest, and at worst without any protection at all, are a thing of the past. The equipment of modern military personnel increasingly makes them look like characters from science fiction films. A modern soldier is not an ordinary shooter, but a full-fledged combat unit that has modern means of protection and individual system management. Combat equipment modern warfare includes structurally and functionally interconnected elements of 5 main systems: means of destruction, means of protection, means of reconnaissance and control, life support and even energy supply.

Photo 3.

"Ratnik" is a second generation combat equipment system. As part of the development work on this project more than 50 domestic industrial enterprises worked together, as well as more than 10 testing grounds and military units Ministry of Defense. Especially for the “Warrior,” 21 elements of military equipment were newly created, and another 17 elements were modernized. Thanks to the work done, it was possible to increase the efficiency of military personnel in performing combat missions by 1.5 times compared to the use of equipment of the previous generation. The general designer of the “Ratnik” equipment is Vladimir Nikolaevich Lepin.

Photo 4.

In my own way appearance The new Russian combat equipment is quite aesthetic, it is no worse, and in some ways even prettier than modern American equipment. "Ratnik" is distinguished by differentiated and combined protection of the serviceman. All vital organs of a soldier are covered either with metal-ceramics, or special armor, or protective fabrics such as Kevlar - depending on the assigned tasks. Synthetic protection is widely used in new equipment. The familiar helmet has been replaced by helmets of various configurations, which also vary depending on challenges. Helmets can also be made from a variety of materials: steel, composites, titanium. They are able to save a soldier’s head in situations where the old helmet definitely broke through.

“Ratnik” introduced such an innovation as an instant reset of all equipment when a soldier gets into the water. That is, equipment with considerable weight will not drag a soldier to the bottom. And the body armor created for the Navy is generally know-how. Russian specialists managed to combine both body armor and a life jacket. In the event that a sailor who is on watch suddenly finds himself overboard the ship, he will not drown, but will remain floating on the surface thanks to such body armor.

Photo 5.

The "Ratnik" combat equipment is literally crammed with a variety of electronics. Electronic terrain maps, satellite positioning, individual communications for each soldier, night vision systems and lighting devices, and much more will make the Russian soldier integral part a unified combat system that will be controlled by the most modern network-centric technologies.

Specially for "Warrior" is being developed and weapon new generations. A thermal imaging targeting system has already been developed, which has no analogues in the world, as well as a special video module that allows you to fire from around a corner or from behind suitable cover. In this case, the transmission of information from the weapon sight to the soldier’s eyecup screen occurs wirelessly. Currently, in many foreign analogues of the “soldier of the future” combat equipment, data transfer from the small arms sight to the eye indicator is implemented in wired mode.

Photo 6.

In addition to the equipment that is being created in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense, samples of equipment that is already being produced for fighters and employees of anti-terrorist special forces were demonstrated. These are “Gladiator”, “Legionnaire”, “Centurion”, “Sherpa”. According to the creators of this equipment, they are significantly better than those used by foreign special forces.

Photo 7.

The Ratnik equipment is currently being tested in motorized rifle troops. State tests of the “Ratnik” kits, which are intended for military personnel of various specialties of the Ground Forces (GF), are carried out on the basis of a separate motorized rifle brigade of the Western Military District (ZVO) under the leadership of the Main Command of the Ground Forces. In February 2014, at the Alabino training ground in the Moscow region, military personnel of the brigade’s reconnaissance unit began intensive use of “Ratnik” equipment sets during combat training.

Photo 8.

The basis of the “Ratnik” kits consists of body armor, body armor, combat overalls, goggles, a headset with an active hearing protection system, a set of protection for the fighter’s elbow and knee joints, machine guns, sniper rifles, a grenade launcher, ammunition for them, a new combat knife, as well as daytime night sighting system, all-day reconnaissance devices, unified optical and thermal imaging sights, small-sized binoculars and other samples. In total, the “Ratnik” combat equipment sets include 59 elements of equipment for military personnel: a shooter, a driver, a reconnaissance officer and soldiers of other specialties. All of them are conventionally divided into elements of the destruction system, protection, life support, energy supply and control, communications and reconnaissance systems.

Photo 10.

In addition, the “Ratnik” combat equipment set includes a multifunctional knife, a watch, a flashlight, a universal shelter, an autonomous heat source, double-sided camouflage kits, a raid backpack, a small infantry blade, an individual water filter, respiratory protection equipment, and equipment intended for chemical and radiation control, special treatment and first aid equipment, filter clothing. As part of ongoing testing and modification of equipment, it was possible to achieve a reduction total mass set up to 24 kg, which allows the soldier to remain mobile when solving combat missions. At the same time, the level of protection was increased, the accuracy and accuracy of fire was improved, the target detection range was increased both at night and in rather difficult weather conditions, and the overall ergonomics of the kit was improved.

The main goal of developing the “Ratnik” combat equipment is to increase the efficiency of soldiers’ performance of assigned combat missions while reducing the number of losses among unit personnel. The Ratnik should be put into service in the summer of 2014. According to available information, this year 5-7 units will switch to the new set of combat equipment; over the next 5 years, all other units will have to switch to “Ratnik”.

Photo 11.


As part of the work on the “Ratnik” combat equipment set, more than 100 different elements of equipment were tested during a series of preliminary tests. Only the best of the created samples were admitted to state tests. The state defense order for 2014 involves the supply of several tens of thousands of sets of “Ratnik” combat equipment to the ground forces, naval marine units and airborne troops.

The average warranty period for the Ratnik kit is 5 years. In this case, this kit will be transferred from one serviceman to another until it falls under the decommissioning procedure. For example, if only one soldier will wear a T-shirt with flaps, then the summer uniform is designed for two, and the winter uniform will have more wearers. Body armor, helmets, knives and small arms will last much longer.

Photo 12.

The deadlines for testing and delivery of “Ratnik” equipment are strictly met,” explained Colonel Romanyuta. - All of them are observed according to the contract. In 2014, 5–7 formations will switch to the new combat kit, and over the next five years, all the others will be changed as well.

While working on “Ratnik”, as part of preliminary tests, more than 100 individual elements equipment, including helmets, body armor and various protective equipment. The best in their own way tactical and technical characteristics 40 samples were admitted to state tests.

The 2014 state defense order plans to supply several tens of thousands of sets of combat equipment for military personnel of the Ground Forces, Airborne Forces and Marine Corps of the Navy.

Photo 13.

The average warranty period for using the “Ratnik” is five years; the kit will be transferred from one serviceman to another until it is written off. And let’s say, if only one soldier wears a T-shirt with flaps, then the summer uniform is designed for two. Winter uniforms will have more owners; helmets, body armor, small arms and knives will last longer.

Existing now field uniform clothing is noticeably different from the “Warrior” uniform in color, cut and structure of materials. According to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, by 2015 Russian army will switch to a new one unified form clothing intended for everyday wear. To use the combat kit, military personnel will not need to change into “ratnik” clothing - it will be the same for everyone.

When creating a new uniform, we did without fashion designers and couturiers,” says Colonel Romanyuta, hinting at Yudashkin’s uniform, which was not liked in the army. - We managed on our own, which did not stop her from becoming much better than many foreign analogues in appearance and ease of use.

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“Ratnik” is a complex of combat equipment for a serviceman, consisting of systems for destruction, protection, control, life and energy support. The first pre-production Ratnik kits began to arrive in the Russian Armed Forces in 2014, and in May last year, Russian troops received mass-produced equipment.

The complex is an expanded set of uniforms, supplemented with elements and accessories designed to protect the soldier and increase his combat effectiveness. The kit includes a body armor of 5–6 protection class, a protective helmet, transport vests for ammunition and accessories, special shoes, knee pads, elbow pads, a backpack, a cape, a sleeping bag and other elements. In addition, the equipment includes the serviceman’s personal weapons (cold steel and firearms), as well as a set of compact technical devices reconnaissance, communications and navigation, optical, infrared and laser devices, video devices, friend-or-foe identification system and much more. The equipment has several versions for various military specialties.

The new equipment was developed by the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (JSC TsNIITOCHMASH), and more than fifty enterprises and organizations took part in its creation. The program to create new equipment has become one of the most large-scale modernization projects of the Russian army.

The photo collection contains photographs of equipment supplied to ground units of the Russian Armed Forces.

Infographics about “Ratnik” combat equipment
aif.ru

Russian soldiers in "Ratnik" outfit
Defense.ru

The AK-12 assault rifle is the main weapon of Ratnik. The A-545 assault rifle, developed at the plant named after. Dyagtereva. Now the new machines are undergoing comparative tests
Defense.ru

Unlike its predecessors, the AK-12 is equipped with a telescopic butt and an ergonomic pistol grip.
Defense.ru

Automatic A-545 (AEK-971) – the main competitor of the AK-12
lenta.ru

Universal helmet for all branches and types of troops
Defense.ru

The design of the helmet allows for the attachment of additional devices
popmech.ru

The body armor weighs 7.5 kg and “resists” a direct hit from an SVD rifle with a bullet with an armor-piercing core from ten meters. Its assault version provides protection for the shoulders and groin area
Defense.ru

Universal pouch with MOLLE fastening system
Defense.ru

Anti-fragmentation safety glasses
Defense.ru

Transport modular vest. This option is designed for marksmen and has pockets for under-barrel and hand grenades
Defense.ru

Patrol backpack with a volume of 40 l
Defense.ru

Knee-elbow joint protection kit
Defense.ru

Double-sided demi-season camouflage kit in spring and autumn colors
Defense.ru

Shelter. Can be used as a tent, awning or stretcher for transporting the wounded
Defense.ru

Individual filter for water purification. Resource – 15 l
Defense.ru

Helmet light with several operating modes
Defense.ru

Shooting headphones with active noise reduction system
Defense.ru

Wristwatch with self-winding function. They exist in two versions: for “regular” units and for marines. They are distinguished by their water resistance: “regular” ones “hold” a depth of up to 20 m, the version for the Marine Corps – up to 100 m
Defense.ru

Multifunctional knife. It contains saws for wood and metal, a screwdriver, pliers and an awl
Defense.ru

Another version of a multifunctional folding knife, which can be included in the “Ratnik” combat equipment
vpk.name

The control systems of the Ratnik equipment include the Strelets reconnaissance, control and communications complex
Defense.ru

Energy supply systems (batteries, wires, etc.) are distributed among various elements of equipment
Defense.ru

Commander's personal tablet computer designed to solve problems of control and orientation of the tactical level of the command staff
vitalykuzmin.net