One-of-a-Kind' russian Guidance System of the 'Tornado-S' Missile is Based on Chips Acquired via AliExpress

[dBSPL]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1554906522500595712

Another "dismantling" of a genuine "one-of-a-kind" russian weapon, this time it’s the 9M544 precision missile for the "Tornado-S" system​

Under the conditions of sanctions, which since 2014 have been blocking access to modern Western electronics, russian military industry has been repeatedly trying to find workarounds.
There was a lot of talk around import substitution – in particular, in missile guidance technologies. However, previously analyzed control units of Kh-555 and Kh-101 missiles showed that they were based on the 1960s and 1970s technologies.

Read more: Russians Try to Find Substitutes For Aircraft Components – Ukrainian Intel

And now it’s time to look into the 9M544 guided missile for the Tornado-S multiple rocket launcher. The photos featuring the guidance system unit of this missile were published recently by the Conflict Armament Research organization, which analyzes weapons. In particular, its experts have made an astronomical amount of work identifying components and the origin of russian forces’ weapons in Ukraine since 2014.

"Dismantled" 9M544 missile / Photo credit: Conflict Armament Research
The fact is that when the cluster ammunition type of this missile is used, the head unit usually doesn’t shatter into pieces as it falls to the ground.

The head of a cluster munition container usually remains almost in relatively good condition after the landing / Photo credit: National Police of Ukraine
Interestingly, a detailed analysis of the guidance unit of the 9М544 missile was already made on russian sources. Though in an extremely strange manner: instead of boasting about the "best russian electronics" that were used in there, russians wrote frankly that the "one-of-its-kind" missile consists of microcircuits that can easily be bought en masse on AliExpress.
In other words, the entire electronics is based on microcircuits of the "commercial" class, that is, as quoted from the russians themselves, "for use in civil, household appliances". They also say, precisely because of this, the russian federation "is in the winners" and not afraid of any sanctions. The following photos of the satellite navigation unit were also added.

Images of the mass market electronics used in the russian missiles
According to the explanation, there are two microcircuits in a TSOP66 case, three microcircuits in an LQFP64 case, tantalum SMD capacitors, DB15 and SMA connectors – and all this can be purchased easily through AliExpress. As for the available analogs to the imported parts, the russian federation has only LQFP64 - К1986ВЕ92QI from the "Milandr" circuit manufacturer.
Although there is no analysis of the microcircuits in the fiber optic gyroscope unit and the rudder drive unit yet, most likely that similar commercial chips can be seen there.
In any case, the use of such household microcircuits is not an advantage, but actually the main drawback of russian arsenal. The thing is, the electronics of this class have low reliability and fault tolerance. This thereby affects the accuracy of the flight correction system and can even turn the rocket into a "boomerang" at all.
But, it should be noted that such shortcomings are compensated by quantities. And since russian invaders do not target specific objects, but populated settlements in general in order to terrorize the civilian population, the precision of such systems might be deemed even excessive.

'One-of-a-Kind' russian Guidance System of the 'Tornado-S' Missile is Based on Chips Acquired via AliExpress (Photo) | Defense Express

Another "dismantling" of a genuine "one-of-a-kind" russian weapon, this time it’s the 9M544 precision missile for the "Tornado-S" system

en.defence-ua.com

 

[jamahir]

In any case, the use of such household microcircuits is not an advantage, but actually the main drawback of russian arsenal. The thing is, the electronics of this class have low reliability and fault tolerance. This thereby affects the accuracy of the flight correction system and can even turn the rocket into a "boomerang" at all.
But, it should be noted that such shortcomings are compensated by quantities. And since russian invaders do not target specific objects, but populated settlements in general in order to terrorize the civilian population, the precision of such systems might be deemed even excessive.

The "Russian invaders" are doing the same that SpaceX is doing with its space rockets - what the Americans call The COTS Way ( Common Off The Shelf components ) so criticize SpaceX too which uses commercial microprocessors and the like.

 

[Ali_Baba]

It kind of explains why Russian weapon systems have so many launch failures, inaccurate targetting and shelf life issues aswell as reliability.

Consumer level COTS components are designed to have short shelf lives with failure rates appropriate to consumer level COTS components...

They are also not designed to withstand the complex EW environment under which they are expected to operate...

Weapon systems need to be designed with components that are meant to have shelf lives of 30years so that they can be stockpiled for when they are needed for war.

A big reason to avoid all Russia weapons procurements... all you are doing is buying something that has had its brains lifted out of a Hotpoint washing machine and then reused in its guidance system .....

 

[jamahir]

It kind of explains why Russian weapon systems have so many launch failures, inaccurate targetting and shelf life issues aswell as reliability.

Consumer level COTS components are designed to have short shelf lives with failure rates appropriate to consumer level COTS components...

They are also not designed to withstand the complex EW environment under which they are expected to operate...

Weapon systems need to be designed with components that are meant to have shelf lives of 30years so that they can be stockpiled for when they are needed for war.

A big reason to avoid all Russia weapons procurements... all you are doing is buying something that has had its brains lifted out of a Hotpoint washing machine and then reused in its guidance system .....

Ali Baba, did you properly read my post ? SpaceX is using COTS components to ferry humans to the ISS. If you are criticizing Russia for using COTS in military stuff then criticize SpaceX too for using COTS in space rockets carrying humans. Stop listening to No. 10 Downing Street and listen to rational news sources. Zelensky is asking China to speak to Russia to stop because Russia is winning and here is you talking irrationally. Or stubbornly refusing to accept sense.

Before any Western bloc military put remote control weapons stations on armored vehicles I have seen a Libyan Jamahiriya vehicle have that in 2011. That picture must have been from 2011 or from before. Now most armored vehicle manufacturers include remote weapons station. Same way, I have seen the photo of an artillery gun on a truck in a SubSaharan country. Now that concept has been adopted everywhere.

It's not as if your hi-fi Western weapons and the great grand Bayraktar TB2 drones built with military-grade electronics have been immune to Russian EW.

 

[sha ah]

Source: Ukraine. Credibility: Zero. You do realize that if there's any truth to this article that it basically means that the pride your country, the Bayraktar, has been completely neutralized by Alibaba quality parts ? Is that what you're implying ? Maybe that's what a Ukrainian pilot recentlyk described the Bayraktar as "absolutely useless". I would post the article for your but I'm sure you can use Google.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1554906522500595712

Another "dismantling" of a genuine "one-of-a-kind" russian weapon, this time it’s the 9M544 precision missile for the "Tornado-S" system​

Under the conditions of sanctions, which since 2014 have been blocking access to modern Western electronics, russian military industry has been repeatedly trying to find workarounds.
There was a lot of talk around import substitution – in particular, in missile guidance technologies. However, previously analyzed control units of Kh-555 and Kh-101 missiles showed that they were based on the 1960s and 1970s technologies.


And now it’s time to look into the 9M544 guided missile for the Tornado-S multiple rocket launcher. The photos featuring the guidance system unit of this missile were published recently by the Conflict Armament Research organization, which analyzes weapons. In particular, its experts have made an astronomical amount of work identifying components and the origin of russian forces’ weapons in Ukraine since 2014.

"Dismantled" 9M544 missile / Photo credit: Conflict Armament Research
The fact is that when the cluster ammunition type of this missile is used, the head unit usually doesn’t shatter into pieces as it falls to the ground.

The head of a cluster munition container usually remains almost in relatively good condition after the landing / Photo credit: National Police of Ukraine
Interestingly, a detailed analysis of the guidance unit of the 9М544 missile was already made on russian sources. Though in an extremely strange manner: instead of boasting about the "best russian electronics" that were used in there, russians wrote frankly that the "one-of-its-kind" missile consists of microcircuits that can easily be bought en masse on AliExpress.
In other words, the entire electronics is based on microcircuits of the "commercial" class, that is, as quoted from the russians themselves, "for use in civil, household appliances". They also say, precisely because of this, the russian federation "is in the winners" and not afraid of any sanctions. The following photos of the satellite navigation unit were also added.

Images of the mass market electronics used in the russian missiles
According to the explanation, there are two microcircuits in a TSOP66 case, three microcircuits in an LQFP64 case, tantalum SMD capacitors, DB15 and SMA connectors – and all this can be purchased easily through AliExpress. As for the available analogs to the imported parts, the russian federation has only LQFP64 - К1986ВЕ92QI from the "Milandr" circuit manufacturer.
Although there is no analysis of the microcircuits in the fiber optic gyroscope unit and the rudder drive unit yet, most likely that similar commercial chips can be seen there.
In any case, the use of such household microcircuits is not an advantage, but actually the main drawback of russian arsenal. The thing is, the electronics of this class have low reliability and fault tolerance. This thereby affects the accuracy of the flight correction system and can even turn the rocket into a "boomerang" at all.
But, it should be noted that such shortcomings are compensated by quantities. And since russian invaders do not target specific objects, but populated settlements in general in order to terrorize the civilian population, the precision of such systems might be deemed even excessive.

'One-of-a-Kind' russian Guidance System of the 'Tornado-S' Missile is Based on Chips Acquired via AliExpress (Photo) | Defense Express

Another "dismantling" of a genuine "one-of-a-kind" russian weapon, this time it’s the 9M544 precision missile for the "Tornado-S" system

en.defence-ua.com

 

[dBSPL]

@sha ah
In 2020 alone, German companies exported military usable goods to Russia with a total value of €366 million. Italy, Austria, Czech Republic and even French companies have exported extensively to Russia in the past years. With the Ukraine war, these supply channels were closed. Russia started to use alternative channels in the supply of intermediate goods to support military production.

Here is a report on the subject: https://www.welt.de/politik/deutsch...litaerisch-nutzbare-Gueter-fuer-Russland.html

The use of dual-use products, the black market, the recycling of scrap, are areas where countries such as Iran are very experienced, but Russia is experiencing this deeply for the first time. In addition, it has studies on alternative procurement and cooperation areas.

*

As for the TB-2, this tactical UAV is too niche and tactical-level product to be a national pride.

The tactical level of operational success by tactical armed UAV concept and the resulting of this, number of users exceeding 20 countries, there are countless military-academic articles published in different languages on this subject, we share very few of them here. In troll threads that make imaginary, unrealized sales like to have happened, while members of some countries masturbate freely here, these contents that we occasionally share about 'real and realized situations' should not be exaggerated.

Its success in Ukraine is also evident. The kill list with visual proof of TB'-2 systems in Ukraine is at a level that even many so-called drone-power country cant imagine. I don't think I need to share photos of the wreckage of hundreds of vehicles and systems here. The situation that bothers Zelensky (more precisely, the forces that govern him) is related to the fact that Turkiye does not directly identify Russia as an enemy in this war. Just two days before this, Zelensky was saying that Turkiye must now choose a side. lol

Just 2 days ago, the leaders of the two countries held a meeting over 4 hours and decided on the issues that have been going on for about a year between the delegations. Relations between Turkiye and Russia are at their best in history and this is just the beginning.

 

[jamahir]

As for the TB-2, this tactical UAV is too niche and tactical-level product to be a national pride.

Really ? But Erdo Turks on PDF were celebrating how some citizens in certain East European countries were crowdfunding the supa dupa Bayraktar TB2 destined for the brave, defiant, magnificient, fantabulous Azov bois and gals :

 

[Beny Karachun]

Ali Baba, did you properly read my post ? SpaceX is using COTS components to ferry humans to the ISS. If you are criticizing Russia for using COTS in military stuff then criticize SpaceX too for using COTS in space rockets carrying humans. Stop listening to No. 10 Downing Street and listen to rational news sources. Zelensky is asking China to speak to Russia to stop because Russia is winning and here is you talking irrationally. Or stubbornly refusing to accept sense.

Before any Western bloc military put remote control weapons stations on armored vehicles I have seen a Libyan Jamahiriya vehicle have that in 2011. That picture must have been from 2011 or from before. Now most armored vehicle manufacturers include remote weapons station. Same way, I have seen the photo of an artillery gun on a truck in a SubSaharan country. Now that concept has been adopted everywhere.

It's not as if your hi-fi Western weapons and the great grand Bayraktar TB2 drones built with military-grade electronics have been immune to Russian EW.

SpaceX has quality control lol, they aren't using some cheap AliExpress products. They're working with high quality components with reputable manufacturers.

 

[jamahir]

SpaceX has quality control lol, they aren't using some cheap AliExpress products. They're working with high quality components with reputable manufacturers.

So the Russian military doesn't have quality control ? It doesn't source from "reputable manufacturers" even if procured from AliExpress ?

 

[Beny Karachun]

So the Russian military doesn't have quality control ? It doesn't source from "reputable manufacturers" even if procured from AliExpress ?

Considering so much of their equipment fails... apparently, no

 

[jamahir]

Considering so much of their equipment fails... apparently, no

Right, considering that Russia's "failed" equipment is winning the war and Zelensky is asking China to talk to Russia to stop the war. And we have the supa dupa Bayraktar TB2s being called useless by Ukrainians. Why even supa dupa TB2, even some American drones are not being sent to Ukraine to avoid getting into the Russian custody :

In fact, for two months now, the Ukrainian TB2s have hardly been talked about, except in guiding strikes against Russian ships, in particular for the destruction of the Moskva cruiser. According to the Ukrainian operators themselves, TB2s are no longer useful in the Donbass, these being unable to penetrate the defensive anti-aircraft glacis deployed by the Russian forces, and relying on a triple layer of systems; the long range S-400 and S-300 for medium and high altitude theater defense, the Buk M2/M3 for medium and low altitude divisional defense, and the TOR M1/M2 for short range defense for low and very low altitude, in addition to SHORAD systems such as Tunguska, Sosna and MANPADS. This impressive defensive capability is further supported by a large concentration of electronic warfare means making the control of light drones very risky. The situation is so frozen that Ukrainian drone operators come to recommend to the United States not to deliver the 4 MALE MQ-1C Gray Eagle systems promised by Washington, for fear that these systems will be immediately neutralized by the Russian DCA , and their valuable on-board technologies from falling into enemy hands.

 

[Beny Karachun]

Right, considering that Russia's "failed" equipment is winning the war and Zelensky is asking China to talk to Russia to stop the war. And we have the supa dupa Bayraktar TB2s being called useless by Ukrainians. Why even supa dupa TB2, even some American drones are not being sent to Ukraine to avoid getting into the Russian custody :

lol, autonomous drones are being destroyed, for the price of Russian manned tanks, APCs and SPGs.
Russia is losing, not winning. Russian ground forces were humiliated. Russia still can't control the airspace of Ukraine. Russia can't do shit against HIMARS. Russian weapon stockpiles are blown up every day. This is just a joke honestly, I don't know how they plan to compete with NATO conventionally.

 

[jamahir]

lol, autonomous drones are being destroyed

What autonomous drones ? You should have read the quoting clearly :

The situation is so frozen that Ukrainian drone operators come to recommend to the United States not to deliver the 4 MALE MQ-1C Gray Eagle systems promised by Washington, for fear that these systems will be immediately neutralized by the Russian DCA , and their valuable on-board technologies from falling into enemy hands.

 

[Beny Karachun]

What autonomous drones ? You should have read the quoting clearly :

Who is being destroyed, the drones or the drone operators?
TB-2 drones destroyed a bunch of Russian tanks, IFVs, supply lines and air defenses, they were a huge role in the destruction of the Moskva missile cruiser from what I understood, they more than paid their worth, they are designed to be expendable, this is the nature of drones. They are supposed to be sent into suicide operations, instead of humans.

 

[jamahir]

Who is being destroyed, the drones or the drone operators?
TB-2 drones destroyed a bunch of Russian tanks, IFVs, supply lines and air defenses, they were a huge role in the destruction of the Moskva missile cruiser from what I understood, they more than paid their worth, they are designed to be expendable, this is the nature of drones. They are supposed to be sent into suicide operations, instead of humans.

1. You are speaking with forked tongue. But do you know for certain how many Ukro drone operators are not being tracked by Russian systems and then eliminated ? Below photo is from the Wikipedia page for TB2. The photo is of TB2's mobile ground control station :

These must have been tracked by Russians and eliminated. They will have people in them.

2. Let us see USA military send its drones to Ukraine. The article says such an idea is being discouraged.