Russian Navy aviation upgrades Tu-142 antisubmarine aircraft.

The Russian Navy aviation began to upgrade antisubmarine Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft. It received high precision guidance system Gefest SVP-24 which ensured exceptional precision of missile and bomb strikes in the counterterrorist operation in Syria, the Defense Ministry told the Izvestia daily.

Tupolev Tu-142 antisubmarine aircraft (Picture source: Wikipedia)

Gefest comprises guidance, navigation and control devices. The equipment automatically calculates bomb trajectory to the target and takes into consideration the speed, altitude and weather conditions. SVP-24 provides comparable results to the engagement of precision weapons.

Gefest increases the effectiveness of antisubmarine torpedoes, depth and ordinary air bombs. The torpedo release does not need maximum accuracy, as the homing warhead will find adversary submarines both surfaced and submerged. If necessary, Gefest can place acoustic buoys at sea to search for adversary submarines. The guidance device receives information from aircraft and warships.

The long-range Tu-142 was designed to search for and destroy submarines. It is often engaged in electronic intelligence. The combat radius exceeds 5 thousand km and the aircraft can fly for hours in patrol areas of nuclear submarines. The aircraft is engaged in visual and electronic intelligence in green waters.

The Defense Ministry is testing new aircraft. In particular, Mi-28NM helicopter gunships operated this year in Syrian mountains and desert. It can hit targets in any weather day and night. The helicopter differs from Mi-28N predecessor by an above-rotor radar, new engines and controls, and a modern set to counter adversary air defense.

Due to successful trials the Aerospace Forces will receive hundreds of the helicopters by 2028, the Izvestia said.

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