Russia mass-produces new generation "armor-piercing" missiles

From the S-8 armor-piercing missile, which seemed to have reached its peak power, Russia has created a new version with a longer range, a more powerful engine, and the ability to penetrate more targets...

Russia has begun mass production of an upgraded version of the S-8 missile. (Source: HJSC)

Russian weapons experts have a saying: "From one powerful weapon, we can create an even more powerful version." The new generation of armor-piercing missiles is a testament to this.

The S-8 OFP (OFP stands for "penetrating fragment") unguided missile, used for air-to-air attacks, has been in the Russian military's inventory for many years.

Most engineers and design experts (including air force specialists) believed that no better weapon could be created from this one, as its capabilities seemed to have been maximized. However, experts at the Tekhmash and Splav Research and Production Centers achieved the seemingly impossible.

Initially, Russian Ministry of Defense officials were skeptical of the assessments from the Tekhmash and Splav Centers. However, after confirming the results of the first batch of missiles, the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to mass-produce this upgraded version of the S-8 missile.

First, the missile's name changed when the new S-8 version was designated as an "armor-piercing" missile.

Essentially, the new S-8 version hasn't changed much from the old one, but it boasts superior new technical and tactical features.

Because the shape and size are identical to the older version, the new S-8 is a perfect match for the older version's launch system. This means that the old S-8's launch system does not need any modifications or additions, saving the Splav Center a significant amount of time and money.

Notably, many new details and solutions were introduced and implemented, resulting in significant increases in many of the basic parameters of the new S-8 armor-piercing missile.

Both the new and old S-8 missiles have a caliber of 80mm, a length of 1500mm, and an initial payload of 17kg. However, the warhead of the new S-8 version is a penetrating type, weighing 9kg and containing 2.5kg of explosive, while the explosive payload of the old S-8 version is 1kg.

The body of the new S-8 has a stronger structure, with an internal groove that helps disperse debris over a greater distance.

The fuse is designed in two modes: the first mode allows the warhead to detonate as soon as the missile approaches the target, and the second mode allows the warhead to detonate more slowly, after the missile has penetrated the target.

The engine of the new S-8 version runs on solid fuel, with higher energy efficiency ratings, so its range reaches 6km (the old S-8 version had a range of 3-4km).

Russian helicopter pilots, after testing the new generation S-8 missile, commented: "Because it has a longer range, when using the new armor-piercing missile to attack, it is not necessary to enter the enemy's air defense system, and thus the safety of the squadron will be higher."

The new missile's more powerful engine will overcome the limitations imposed by the missile's heavier weight and warhead compared to the older version. The new S-8 warhead can penetrate brick and concrete structures and destroy light armored vehicles. According to Russian pilots, these are essential features in the current military operation in Ukraine.

Another important advantage of the new S-8 is that it retains the same shape and size as the old S-8 OFP version, so the existing launch platforms on Russian Air Force fighter jets and attack helicopters are still fully compatible with the new S-8 armor-piercing missile.

Russian defense officials say the new S-8 armor-piercing missile will soon be supplied first to Su-25 attack aircraft and multi-role attack helicopters.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-san-xuat-hang-loat-ten-lua-xuyen-giap-the-he-moi-227882.html