Ratnik combat gear

I'm curious what the optic systems the soldiers are getting with the Ratnik setup. I know there were various ones tested but I am not sure which one will be standard. On top of that, if they are going to go the route of having helmet mounted or some sort of google glass like system but with IR/night vision.

I seem to remember that the standard night vision optic for the Ratnik 1 kit was a II or III gen Image intensification monocular that could be mounted on the helmet (two would make binoculars) or hand held as a monocular, or fitted on the top rail of the new rifle in front of the iron sights or existing rifle scope to add night vision to the rifle.

Can't remember the designation of the sight but look on old ratnik pages on this sight I remember one of them mentioning the ratnik kit including the name of the night vision goggle.

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Assault Engineer suit with unpowered exoskeleton (legs)

In Emperor's name!!!   

Russia’s ‘soldier of the future’ combat outfit gets nuclear-blast resistant watch

The watch is equipped with a self-winding mechanism and continues working accurately in adverse climatic and operational conditions

MOSCOW, October 10. /TASS/. Russia’s Ratnik "soldier of the future" combat gear has got a shockproof watch, which is resistant to electromagnetic impacts and capable of working even after a nuclear blast, Rostec’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"The watch, which we have included in the Ratnik outfit, retains its properties upon the impact of radiation and electromagnetic impulses, for example, upon a nuclear blast," Chief Designer for the Life Support System of the Soldier Combat Outfit at the Central Scientific Research Institute for Precision Machine Engineering (TsNIITochMash, part of Rostec) Oleg Faustov was quoted by the press office as saying.

The watch is equipped with a self-winding mechanism and continues working accurately in adverse climatic and operational conditions, and also in daily routines and during combat operations. Besides, the watch can even be used when swimming under water.

Industrial Director for Rostec’s Armament Cluster Sergey Abramov said that the Ratnik combat gear was continuously upgraded and a modern soldier’s outfit was becoming ever more perfected.

"The level of technology and the reliability of the elements of servicemen’s outfit is growing. Correspondingly, the level of a soldier’s capabilities on the battlefield is increasing. This new development by Central Scientific Research Institute for Precision Machine Engineering is another step in this direction," he said.


More:
http://tass.com/defense/969833

A bit of PR...



and another longer video from 2016

Reconnaissance squads in east Russia give Ratnik combat gear the ‘deep freeze’ test

An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integral exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia’s Armed Forces

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Reconnaissance squads of a combined-arms army stationed in the Amur, Jewish Autonomous and Khabarovsk Regions in the Russian Far East have tested the Ratnik combat gear in winter conditions during a two-day reconnaissance raid, the Eastern Military District reported on Friday.

"The servicemen wearing the winter version of the Ratnik combat outfit acted autonomously for about 40 hours at one of the district’s training ranges, accomplishing the tasks of carrying out surveillance and gathering data on a notional enemy, and also setting ambushes," the Eastern Military District’s press office reported.

"While practicing combat training missions, the servicemen acted on the predominantly mountainous-woody and steppe terrain with air temperatures ranging from minus 23 degrees Celsius in the daytime to minus 35 degrees Celsius at night," the press office said.

The servicemen gave high marks to the combat gear in winter conditions, praising its functional camouflage abilities, the warming element, the heat-insulating mat and the footwear.

Following the tests, recommendations were worked out for using the combat gear in the conditions of the Far Eastern winter.

Over 1,000 Ratnik outfits arrived for military units and formations of the Eastern Military District in May.

The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communication equipment, weapons and ammunition. It comprises around 40 protective and life support elements and allows a soldier to get continuously updated information about the situation in the combat area. In addition, the Ratnik includes a self-contained heater, a backpack, an individual water filter, a gas mask and a medical kit.

The second-generation Ratnik combat gear has been arriving for Russia’s ground forces, the Airborne Force and marines since 2016.

An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integral exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia’s Armed Forces.


More:
http://tass.com/defense/982558

Nice article with comments from Murakhowsky about active exoskeletons like the ones to be included in Ratnik-3 and their possibilities:

http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5494

Nice article with comments from Murakhowsky about active exoskeletons like the ones to be included in Ratnik-3 and their possibilities:

http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5494

 According to the editor-in-chief of the journal Arsenal of the Fatherland Victor Murakhovsky, the exoskeleton will increase the mobility of soldiers and awareness on the battlefield

Sergey Fadeichev / TASS
MOSCOW, August 27.  / TASS /.  The active exoskeleton will increase several parameters of the combat effectiveness of the soldier: mobility, including in conditions of the Far North, awareness on the battlefield due to a multitude of sensors, accuracy of the use of weapons, will increase security in several times.  This was told TASS by the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Arsenal of the Fatherland" Victor Murakhovsky.
As previously reported in TSNIItomash, in Russia, a prototype of an active exoskeleton with installed electric motors and a battery was tested: the tester was able to accurately hit the targets while holding the machine gun with one hand.  It is planned that by 2025 such a modified exoskeleton will be included in the equipment of the third generation "Ratnik-3".

March on foot

According to the expert, first of all an active exoskeleton will increase the effectiveness of soldiers in the performance of marches and tactical maneuvers on the battlefield on foot.  "Especially when acting in the forest, in the mountains, in the Far North, in urban conditions, that is, where large energy costs are required, just to go to the designated area, make a maneuver to circumvent, cover the enemy," Murakhovsky explained.
He added that today the scope of movement during marches is limited not by the capabilities of technology, but by the physical capabilities of the fighters.  "We can say with confidence: when applying the exoskeleton, the existing standards of movement will be increased two to three times," the expert added.

In addition, the expert noted, a soldier in an exoskeleton with electric motors can take with him an increased ammunition, more water and food.  "We know from the experience of the military operations of our troops in Afghanistan that the fighters in the mountains had to carry an increased ammunition due to the reduction of the wearable food stock.It was quite an exhausting exercise.If such an exoskeleton existed, these questions would be lifted," says Glavred of Arsenal Fatherland, .

Firepower and security

According to Murakhovsky, the exoskeleton will significantly increase the combat capabilities of soldiers in terms of weapons.  "The high stability of the shooting, the more stable positions for the destruction of targets both from individual weapons, and from collective samples, such as machine guns," he noted.
In addition, the capabilities of an exoskeleton to lift weights and its source of energy "will enable the military to equip a large set of sighting systems," Murakhovsky notes.  "These complexes are also very energy-consuming, I mean thermal imagers, laser sights and range finders, opticolocation complexes, target designators, all of which can be built into the kit of each fighter's equipment," the expert said.
"Plus we will not forget that modern devices for integration into the command and control system - the same complex" Sagittarius "- also" eat "electricity is not small," he added.
At the same time, Murakhovsky believes that, despite its power capabilities, it is unlikely that exoskeletons will be used in hand-to-hand combat.  "In modern war, given its most powerful means of destruction, hand-to-hand combat can only take place as an exception," the expert explained.
Speaking about the individual defense of the soldier in the exoskeleton, he noted that today for one serviceman the maximum of the cargo carried without special loss of combat capability is 28-30 kilograms, including the means of protection.  "The exoskeleton will raise this limit to 70-80 kilograms, and this will allow several times to increase security through the use of more developed and heavier means of protection," Glavred noted.

The main problem is the battery

The expert noted that now the main problem in Russia and in other countries developing exoskeletons is the creation of small and capacious batteries.  "When talking about two or three hours of action on existing sources - it's about nothing." At least a day the battery should work with the full functionality of the exoskeleton, "Murakhovsky said.
The expert specified that, given the problematic nature of replacing such power sources in the field, it would be good to have a battery life guarantee for two days.  It is also necessary to have field sources of charging batteries or solar cells, but do not require an extra to carry a volumetric generator - this will only expend the energy of the exoskeleton.
Commenting on the possibility of charging exoskeletons from combat vehicles, Murakhovsky noted that "the exoskeleton is primarily intended for actions on foot in battle formation in isolation from the motorized forces."  "It makes no sense to use an exoskeleton in motorized rifle divisions operating in the area that is available for armored vehicles, where the exoskeleton can be used by support units for faster replacement of parts, units, assemblies, and field repairs," the expert said.

looking good.. from charly website



http://www.cniitm.ru/upload/iblock/6f5/2d3d2d4381d4ed2479ef7eb3e9e99114.jpg

Rostec is working on the equipment of the "Warrior" of the fourth and subsequent generations

They will use active exoskeleton, micro-drones and systems with artificial intelligence, said a representative of the state corporation Sergey Abramov


MOSCOW, February 26. / TASS /. Rostec develops the fourth and subsequent generations combat equipment of the “Warrior”, in which active exoskeletons, micro aerial pilots, systems with artificial intelligence will be used. About this TASS reported the industrial director of a cluster of conventional weapons, ammunition and special chemistry of the state corporation Sergey Abramov.

"Work on future generations of equipment is underway, we have enough scientific and technical groundwork for this ... There will probably be some kind of robotic complexes, not only with the integration of artificial intelligence, but still with human participation. The possibility of using active exoskeletons is being studied , micro ammunition systems, new weapons, "said Abramov.

He noted that very often science fiction writers anticipate technological development. According to the industrial director of the cluster, a conceptual view of the “Warrior-4” can be obtained from their works.

To date, TsNIITOCHMASH (part of Rostec) has completed research work on Ratnik-3 and forwarded its results to the Ministry of Defense in order to receive recommendations and an order to conduct development work.

"Warrior-3" is the equipment of a fundamentally new level for all component systems - protection, destruction, life support, control and energy supply. Earlier it was reported that the option of equipment will be the same for the Airborne and Land Forces of Russia.

Electronic "visor" "Warrior-3" will direct personal weapons at the target on the laser beam. Equipment can get into its composition an active exoskeleton, which increases the capabilities of the fighter's musculoskeletal system.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/6157867

Is the 2nd generation Ratnik equipment already supplied in large numbers to the Russian army? I mean they can talk about 4th, 5th, etc Generation of Ratnik equipment but if its not in use in meaningful numbers in the Russian armed forces then its not really that helpful.

An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integral exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia’s Armed Forces.

Electronic "visor" "Warrior-3" will direct personal weapons at the target on the laser beam.

These quotes suggest the personal weapon is 'directed' by the ratnik system... or perhaps do they mean a floating crosshair cursor visible in the visor so the soldier knows when they fire their weapon where their rounds will hit... like in Half Life or other computer game?

Or do they just mean the visor can see in IR and UV frequencies and there is an IR laser attached to their rifle so when the push the button they can see the laser beam and spot but no one else with normal vision can see it...

Note I have a Russian laser with two lasers with a clamp mount you can attach to a rifle and it has a push button to activate it and a switch to change between the lasers... one is visible red and the other is infra red and can only be seen in digital video googles or night vision equipment.

Suited up for battle: Russia’s army, navy get outfitted with Ratnik combat gear



MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Ground Forces and the Navy’s coastal brigades are practically fully equipped with the Ratnik combat gear, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Defense Committee on Monday.

"Almost all Ground Forces units, as well as the Navy’s motorized rifle brigades and marine brigades - 35 units in total - have been provided with the Ratnik-2 modern combat gear," Shoigu said.
The serial deliveries of the second generation "soldier of the future" Ratnik gear to the Russian Armed Forces began in 2017. It includes modern small arms, efficient protection package, reconnaissance and communication means, and is designed to operate in various weather conditions on a 24-hour basis.

Research is currently underway to create the third generation (Ratnik-3) combat gear, which will include a helmet with an integrated control system, a combat exoskeleton, anti-mine shoes and some other elements.

More:
http://tass.com/defense/1048117

First look at the passive exoskeleton for Ratnik (at the 20:35 mark):



They say it was tested successfully by Sappers/Engineering troops in Syria. Apparently it increases carry weight by 30 kilos.

magnumcromagnon wrote:First look at the passive exoskeleton for Ratnik (at the 20:35 mark):

JmixLsvrQ9o

They say it was tested successfully by Sappers/Engineering troops in Syria. Apparently it increases carry weight by 30 kilos.

I think the main advantage of this equipment is that it removes fatigue. You can sleep standing up in it. The sapper units in Syria
had to take breaks every three hours since they had heavy equipment in front and on the back. With this exoskeleton they managed
to work all day with a lunch break.

Powered exoskeleton units are not being deployed because there is no battery technology available that stores enough power and
lasts long enough.

kvs wrote:

magnumcromagnon wrote:First look at the passive exoskeleton for Ratnik (at the 20:35 mark):

JmixLsvrQ9o

They say it was tested successfully by Sappers/Engineering troops in Syria. Apparently it increases carry weight by 30 kilos.

I think the main advantage of this equipment is that it removes fatigue.  You can sleep standing up in it.   The sapper units in Syria
had to take breaks every three hours since they had heavy equipment in front and on the back.   With this exoskeleton they managed
to work all day with a lunch break.  

Powered exoskeleton units are not being deployed because there is no battery technology available that stores enough power and
lasts long enough.

 

From my understanding MOD requires a minimum 48 (2 day) battery charge for a powered skeleton, so a passive a exoskeleton is the only option for now. I wonder if a hybrid solution could be found?

There was a report that the next step will be a exoskeleton with external energy source (engine or battery of a truck or an APU), intended for engineer and supply troops.

There was a report that the next step will be a exoskeleton with external energy source (engine or battery of a truck or an APU), intended for engineer and supply troops.

The problem could be that the new exoskeleton allows the soldiers to carry an extra 30kgs, but weighs 80kgs with big industrial batteries that last 2 days.

Powered exoskeleton units are not being deployed because there is no battery technology available that stores enough power and
lasts long enough.

Those nuclear batteries they are working on are starting to look rather good... I suspect the nuke troopers in Age of Empires use nuke batteries.

AFAIK the idea of exoskeletons is to allow troops to operate separately from vehicles, but certainly a passive suit could have a powered booster system included with it... I fact I have seen suggestions that a fully articulated flexible suit could generate electricity as the person wearing it moves, so for instance a suit for a jogger could power his phone and music device and tablet while they are jogging or just walking... like some mechanical watches self wound themselves during movement while walking etc...

Should be interesting because even without a powered exosuit they are going to need power for comms and NV and navigation and other things like temperature control... heating and cooling... anyway... I remember a while back they were working on a ballistic gel that would go solid with a rapid impact, but could be used as a battery normally. It also helped stop the wearer overheating during activities because it acted like a bit of a heat sink... and I guess in warmer climates it could be heated to keep the user warm.

The powered exoskeleton will be able to lift a few hundred kilos. Like a small forklift you wear.

But the first generation ones will be crap.

It seems Ratnik 3 has been renamed Sotnik and will replace in service Ratnik 2 kits by 2025 if all goes to plan.

Interesting news... of course the biggest thing was Ratnik 1, previously everything was developed on its own and thoughts were rarely about integration and multi function components.

With Ratnik designs they have taken infantry gear to new levels and treated it like a system rather than separate unrelated components.

The successor program to Ratnik is called 'Centurion' which should be introduced mid-2020's (circa 2024-25), which should have an improved version of the aforementioned exoskeleton. There was a passive exoskeleton some 4 years ago which looked bare-bones and fragile, which is no surprise MOD originally rejected it. I'm curious to see what potential features that will be featured in Centurion.

From a offensive POV, I'm just thinking about the possibilities of applying the passive exoskeleton, and if it were ubiquitous among the ground forces. An additional 30 kilos carrying capacity imo allows some interesting options as far as potential sidearms. MOD has been trying for years to get a PPK and a Stenchkin replacement, I think ground forces could have SR-2 'Veresk' as their side arm to accompany their AK-12's and AEK-545's. The 9x21mm cartridge that it fires has about double the power of a 9x19mm NATO round (essentially a modern more aerodynamic equivalent of the .357mm magnum round), with an effective range (using the SR-2) of 200 meters, and has rounds that combine soft-skin fragmentation and armor piercing lethality. The exoskeleton could have some heavy duty springs built in to the arms with bracing to allow significant dampening recoil mitigation; the skies the limit when firing 'hot-loaded' P+ rounds.

From a defensive POV, a feature I would like to see in Centurion is an integrated system to close open wounds immediately after impact from bullets/shrapnel. Seems futuristic and far-fetched I know, but the way I would go about it would be innovative and practical. I would have the inner layer of the centurion gear hugged to the body be lined with a thin layer of segmented rectangular (12.7mm wide, 3mm high, and 6.3mm thick segment) packets of fast acting liquid gel stitches, with mild anti-bacterial properties that would work in the first 4-5 minutes to prevent infection but won't hamper long-term cellular regeneration. Wounds being closed immediately would improve the survivability of wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

GarryB wrote:But the first generation ones will be crap.

I think we are already seeing enough of a revolution. No need to teleport into sci-fi utopia overnight.

The problem with all the sci-fi exoskeleton concepts is that they have contradictory features. Wrapping a tank around
a soldier makes no sense. No amount of armor is going to save soldiers lives since increasing firepower will be used to
counteract it. Even if they are powered, these sci-fi exoskeletons are cumbersome and where armor and firepower are
needed, tanks (of all flavors), MLRS and artillery are available. If carrying loads is important, then we already have trucks
of all types.

The only feature that is useful from some of the sci-fi concepts is jet packs that greatly increase mobility in urban and
rough terrain locations. But jet packs are like spaceship hyperdrives, mystical nonsense since no soldier is going to
carry around huge amounts of propellant. When we develop magical high energy plasma propulsion driven by portable
nuclear fusion generators, then we can start thinking about such tech.

The non-powered design that is about to be deployed in the Russian army is a revolution. The level of fatigue removal
is spectacular. This directly translates into a multi-fold increase in soldier effectiveness. During wars, soldiers basically
do not sleep. This kills their utility substantially. Imagine if they could catch even sporadic sleep while standing up
in trenches. They can also fall asleep easier with reduced fatigue. Fatigue prevents normal sleep to begin with.

Do not judge this tech using sci-fi BS. This is not some primitive tech that needs to mature into sci-fi fantasy. It is
a distinct tech that already achieves what it sets out to do.

I think we are already seeing enough of a revolution. No need to teleport into sci-fi utopia overnight.

You are right, we do need to be sensible about it...

What can we practically expect from these pieces of equipment.

My understanding is that it is not to create a heavy weapons operator... ie a man carrying a hand held 50 cal HMG or 40mm auto grenade launcher.

Wrapping a tank around
a soldier makes no sense. No amount of armor is going to save soldiers lives since increasing firepower will be used to
counteract it.

Well yes and no... wrapping 70 tons of armour around them makes no sense, but various types of body armour that make him less vulnerable to damage or more able to survive injury are certainly things to aim for... comments about exoskeletons carrying 30kgs... well the latest model Ratnik designs are supposed to take weight down from 24kgs to 20kgs, which is weapons and body armour and communications and kit, so this exoskeleton should allow 10kgs of extra ammo... maybe a disposable rocket launcher and an extra 500 rounds of 5.45mm ammo...

If carrying loads is important, then we already have trucks
of all types.

Up mountains and swamps and rough ground or through the rubble of a destroyed city... having extra ammo and water and food supplies on you could be useful.... especially if your job is not infantryman... the hikers secret is to not get a huge backpack because you will fill it and then you have the carry the damn thing... a small pack means you only take essentials... there are lots of things that might be useful but if they are not this time you still have to carry them there and back and they get heavier and heavier...

For certain jobs these exoskeletons might be brilliant... loader in an artillery unit using an exoskeleton to handle a 203mm shell on their own... 120kgs...

That is what I weigh... sort of...

The only feature that is useful from some of the sci-fi concepts is jet packs that greatly increase mobility in urban and
rough terrain locations. But jet packs are like spaceship hyperdrives, mystical nonsense since no soldier is going to
carry around huge amounts of propellant.

I remember a while back... 70s or 80s the US was experimenting with platforms soldiers could stand on and fly around the battlefield... problem was they were noisy and made you a very easy target... and if the bullets didn't kill you the crash probably would... Jet packs are not a great idea for combat... might work for exploration but would be fuel intensive...

Do not judge this tech using sci-fi BS. This is not some primitive tech that needs to mature into sci-fi fantasy. It is
a distinct tech that already achieves what it sets out to do.

As I mentioned the first gen will be crap... and it was mentioned above they rejected it... the new stuff seems rather interesting and useful without being over the top... I trust them to make sensible decisions and to use technology where it is most useful...

Can anyone explain me for a simple man who served in infantry all life. Why in the fuck soldiers who are in the field will need exoskeleton- another vector of failure- sophisticated mechanism that would in my opinion won't bring anything positive for anyone apart from minor improvements in logistics and engineering. Towed artillery men would love that but where else could it be implemented? Navy perhaps. Other than that it's wunderwaffe and I bet by 2025 ratnik 1 will be completed, maybe upgraded due to feedback of users and ratnik 2 will be dusted. Futuristic soldier concept is so tyresome.. seen it for 30 years.
Leg braces and spine supporters are actually very good, but this is shouldn't be ratnik.