Iskander-M/K (SS-26 Stone):

They mention the two cruise missile weapons, but claim they both have 480kg warheads, which sounds rather unlikely unless they have very fuel inefficient jet engines because cruise missiles that size and weight can normally fly rather a lot further than 500km.

My understanding was that the new cruise missile model had a 1 ton HE warhead replacing fuel with HE and limiting the range to 500km, but no mention of that in this article...

It seems that Iskander proved to be so much overkill for the western supplied AD assets, that Russkie started to produce a downgraded version of it.



It lacks the countermeasures dispensers.



OR the countermeasures were modified somehow ...

But received additional GLONASS receivers of the Kometa type, same as revealed in Gerans.

Downgraded or needed improvements in precision?

Its simple wartime optimizations and streamlining informed by actual battlefield experience. No point in the countermeasures if the Patriot's guidance algos struggle with the Iskander's end stage maneuvering. Saves a couple kilos that then buy you more kilos. Get it?

diabetus wrote:Downgraded or needed improvements in precision?

Improvements to the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system increased the accuracy of target engagement, said Oleg Ryazantsev, general director of the High-Precision Complexes holding company, Zvezda TV channel informed on April 7

In the program Military Acceptance, Oleg Ryazantsev, general director of the Rostec holding company High-Precision Complexes, said that the Iskander-M missile system was “very promptly modified” to meet the “relevant” realities of the special military operation in Ukraine.

He confirmed that the refinement had improved the accuracy of the 9M723 aeroballistic missile. He also said that the production volumes of such missiles had been significantly increased.

The Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system is designed to destroy enemy air defense and missile defense systems, as well as other protected objects. The complex uses two main types of missiles: the 9M723 quasi-ballistic missile and the R-500 cruise missile. According to some reports, earlier the hit accuracy (circular probable deviation) of the 9M723 missile reached 5-7 meters at a range of 480 km. The weight of the 9M723 missile’s warhead is up to 800 kg.

Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency

https://eu.eot.su/2024/04/08/russian-rostec-reports-about-improved-accuracy-of-iskander-m-systems/

Shoot and scoot Russian style

No MANPADs even in this critical area so the Su-25s look confident? Those Su-34 can't do everything Roll in the choppers next

A comment suggests those are Russkie.
So they are in some urbanized area in the vicinity of ChY, or the city itself already - it looks like urban area.

It seems that Iskander proved to be so much overkill for the western supplied AD assets, that Russkie started to produce a downgraded version of it.

We knew that western AD was not great but we didn't realise it was terrible and so easily overwhelmed.

A simplified cheaper model, and now that the INF treaty is gone they could extend its range probably quite easily to 800km plus without much real effort.

But received additional GLONASS receivers of the Kometa type, same as revealed in Gerans.

Likely newer and able to take advantage of improvements in GLONASS satellites and probably smaller and lighter and cheaper too... as well as more accurate.

Downgraded or needed improvements in precision?

Probably simplified and a modest range increase to make it cheaper and easier to mass produce.

Newer hardware probably makes it more accurate but targets that require 500kg plus warheads are never point targets and are often buildings or structures or SAM batteries rather than individual vehicles or people.

Its simple wartime optimizations and streamlining informed by actual battlefield experience. No point in the countermeasures if the Patriot's guidance algos struggle with the Iskander's end stage maneuvering. Saves a couple kilos that then buy you more kilos. Get it?

Removing expensive bits saves money but also reduces weight and should increase flight speed and range.

Upgrading the GLONASS sensor to a new one developed for drones should improve accuracy, but the accuracy of the Iskander is 5-7m which is good enough with a 600kg HE penetrating warhead.

In general, the shapes of these new missiles look a bit different, like a different production technology.
Take a look at the steering wings - not a flat sheet of metal anymore, but something looking like a 3D shape.
Maybe those are being made with different materials and 3D printers ?