Russia defence & technology updates

[Bahamut]

Big Day': Russia's Sberbank Successfully Tests Drone to Deliver Cash (PHOTO)
TECH
15:14 16.06.2017(updated 15:28 16.06.2017)Get short URL
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Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, has successfully tested technology allowing clients to have cash delivered by drones, the bank’s first deputy chairman Lev Khasis told Sputnik.
“This is a big day in the life of Sberbank’s cash delivery system. Today our special drone delivered cash from our cash handling center to a cash-in-transit van at a speed of about 180 kilometers an hour,” Khasis wrote on Facebook.

He added that the UAV had covered a distance of about 10 kilometers, and that more such tests will follow.

© PHOTO: YOUTUBE/ HOVERSURF OFFICIAL
Dial-a-Drone: Russian Startup Makes Flying Taxi Prototype
In late May, one of Sberbank’s deputy chairmen, Stanislav Kuznetsov, told reporters that, despite existing legal hurdles, experiments using drones to deliver cash to Sberbank branches could start this summer in Tatarstan.


In 2016, Sberbank’s President German Gref said the bank wanted to do away with plastic cards in the near future. In a couple of years, the bank wants to introduce ATMs using voice and image recognition.

Sberbank is Russia’s largest bank with 16,000 branches throughout the country located across 11 time zones and employs 260,000 people.



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[Bahamut]

NUST MISIS Creates Material for an "Eternal" Battery
TECH
11:50 16.06.2017(updated 11:53 16.06.2017)Get short URL
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Researchers at the Energy Efficiency Center of the National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS) have developed an economical and rapid method to make material for high-efficiency thermoelectric generators installed on spacecraft.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — This material can convert thermal energy directly into electricity. An article describing the research results was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

The thermoelectric effect was discovered by German physicist Thomas Johann Seebeck in 1821. But technologies for using the Seebeck effect on an industrial scale have yet to be perfected. Nevertheless, thermoelectric materials are widely used in the power industry and in solid state cooling systems; thermoelectric generators powered by the heat of radioactive decay have been used on well-known spacecraft, including Cassini and New Horizons.

© PHOTO: PIXABAY
Russian Scientist Patents Method to Create Atmosphere on Mars
The Mars vehicle, Curiosity, has an electric generator based on the same principle. But there are more earth-bound examples too: research is underway on thermoelectric generators capable of boosting the efficiency of various power stations; there are examples of electricity being produced by vehicle engine exhaust heat.


The thermoelectric materials synthesized by NUST MISIS combine two types of atoms – those rigidly fixed in crystalline grid points, something that ensures high electric conductivity, and freely vacillating atoms that dramatically reduce thermal conductivity owing to their weak connection to the crystalline scaffold, which results in effective heat dissipation.

This combination has been achieved by creating intermetallic compounds whose crystalline structure contains voids. By filling these with “guest” atoms, while not tampering with the crystalline grid, scientists can obtain the necessary combination of properties.

“We managed to solve this problem by using indium as filler and selecting an initial blend of metals that made it possible to synthesize the necessary thermoelectric compound in an induction furnace reactor,” Andrei Voronin of the Energy Efficiency Center said.

“Thanks to this approach, it took just two minutes to synthesize the material with the subsequent annealing of the resultant sample during five hours. The material and the synthesis specifics combined to accelerate the development process dozens of times over, which has also influenced the cost of these materials. The resultant thermoelectric efficiency, ZT = 1.5, is a record high for skutterudites with one type of “guest” atom.”

According to the researchers, earlier methods for producing thermoelectric materials were much costlier and more time consuming.



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[Bahamut]

Putin comments on plans to build bridge to Sakhalin Island
Business & Economy
June 15, 18:48UTC+3
The president says the price of the bridge to Sakhalin should be lower than for the bridge to Crimea
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Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, a city in Sakhalin island
© Yuri Smityuk/TASS
MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Plans to build a bridge from mainland Russia to the Sakhalin Island are revived but the decision has not yet been taken, President Vladimir Putin said during the annual televised question and answer session on Thursday.

"Such ideas [to construct a bridge to Sakhalin - TASS] were already in place long time ago, as far back as in 1950s... However, these plans have not been implemented. We are dealing with revival of these plans now and are thinking over this problem," Putin said.



READ ALSO
Envoy says Sakhalin may be linked to Russia’s mainland via tunnel and later to Japan


The price of the bridge to Sakhalin should be lower than for the bridge to Crimea, the head of state said. "About 286 bln rubles ($5 bln), according to preliminary estimates," Putin said. These funds will not be enough because a single bridge crossing is not sufficient, he added. "Approach ways are also needed there; an interchange of the whole road complex is required. By the way, ideas were in place to build a tunnel, rather than a bridge, which is also possible. The decision has not been taken yet but we are considering it," the Russian president said.

Construction of the bridge between the Sakhalin Island and the mainland can be a breakthrough for the regional economy, governor of the Sakhalin Region Oleg Kozhemyako told TASS in a comment on bridge plans revival.


"We are delivering consumer goods, construction materials and foods by sea. These are extra costs. This is a burden for the price of goods and services," the governor said. Construction of the bridge will exert influence in economic terms and the delivery speed will influence on products quality, he added.

Sakhalin is the only island region in Russia, dynamically developing and requiring attention, the governor said. "The region neighbors on Japan. Connection of Sakhalin to the mainland can become the first part of the project on creation of an onshore route to Japan also. The Sakhalin Region is ready to take part in development of required infrastructure," Kozhemyako added.



More:
http://tass.com/economy/951646

 

[gadeshi]

Russia - Accend! New promo video:

 

[gadeshi]

ArMy-2017 Army game disciplines:
A Cup of the Sea:
Safe Environment:
Suvorov's Push:
Clear Sky:
Weapons Master:

 

[gadeshi]

Snipers Verge:
Artillery Masters:
Airborn Platoon:

 

[gadeshi]

Russian Military Ralley - Winner has revealed:
VDV troops from Rostov have tried out Arbalet-2 parachute systems:
Snipers on the verge:

 

[Bahamut]

New wax-based 3D printing technology developed in Siberia

19 Jun '17
Krasnoyarsk scientists have developed a new method of using wax in 3D printing. Products for metallurgy can now be made from ordinary candle grade paraffin, the local Reshetnev Siberian State Aerospace University (SibSAU) announced.

“Unlike classical technology that requires fairly costly materials such as silicone or ceramics, this technology enables the use of cheap expendables, for example, hard-melting wax used in foundries. We could even use ordinary paraffin to make candles with,” the university explained.

The Krasnoyarsk project is expected to cut the cost of casting processes while improving its quality. The technology is said to enable the manufacture of a casting pattern with an accuracy of 0.05mm, taking just a few hours to complete the process, not months as taken in conventional techniques.

“On a pattern made in a traditional 3D printing method, the borderline between layers is highly manifest. The new approach eliminates the “stripy” defect completely, leaving no ribbing on the surface and making it easy to shape the pattern on the inside as complexly as needed,” Maxim Kubikov, the project leader, was quoted as saying

 

[gadeshi]

Road Patrol - Military Police trials on ArMy-2017:

 

[gadeshi]

More military videos from Zvezda TV Channel:

 

[gadeshi]

The 80-th Anniversary of Chkalov's North Pole overflight to USA:

 

[gadeshi]

A batch of overhauled and MLU-updated T-72B-3M MBTs has bee ndelivered to The 1-St Guards Tank Army units in Western MD:
https://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/94769/

And a new batch of Msta-S2 self-propelled howitzers:
https://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/94752/

 

[gadeshi]

RosNeft has received new batch of KAMAZ-6522-RG based special purpose vehicles:
https://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/94756/

 

[gadeshi]

A new line of sports gear for disabled people from Serpukhov:
https://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/94748/

 

[Bahamut]

Russia completes trials of newest assault rifle for ‘soldier of the future’ combat gear
Military & Defense
June 20, 17:44UTC+3
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
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AK-12 assault rifle
© Kalashnikov group
MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The newest AK-12 assault rifle produced by the Kalashnikov small arms manufacturer for the Ratnik ‘soldier of the future’ combat gear has passed all the stages of its operational evaluation in the troops, Kalashnikov press office told TASS on Tuesday.

"It [the automatic rifle] has passed all the stages of its operational evaluation in troops," the press office said.



READ ALSO
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The AK-12 is expected to become operational in the Russian Army as the basic long-barrel firearm.

Kalashnikov Group Director for External Relations Sofiya Ivanova earlier told TASS that the operational evaluation of the AK-12 assault rifle for the Ratnik combat outfit will be completed in the Russian Army in the first half of this year.


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 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.

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/952393

 

[Bahamut]

Kalashnikov gunmaker launches new noiseless drone into serial production
Military & Defense
June 20, 13:41UTC+3
The new drone can fly continuously for four hours and can be launched by hand
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ZALA 421-16E2 drone
© Kalashnikov group
MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Kalashnikov Group, the producer of the famous AK-74 assault rifle, has launched the serial production of Russia’s most advanced ZALA 421-16E2 unmanned reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, the company reported on its website on Tuesday.

The company’s order book for ZALA 421-16E2 complexes has been formed for this year. The customers include government agencies and enterprises and also commercial structures.



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"There are no analogues of ZALA 421-16E2 systems either in Russia or in the world by their functionality, the simplicity and reliability of operation. Besides, the unmanned aerial vehicle has a noiseless flight mode, which is so important for defense and security agencies. The first machines have already been transferred to customers," Deputy CEO of ZALA AERO (part of the Kalashnikov Group) Nikita Zakharov said.

The Kalashnikov Group expects the new drone to undergo state trials in 2017.


As its specific feature, the ZALA 421-16E2 has a weight of 7.5 kilograms. A daytime 60x optical zoom camera and a thermal imaging module with a 10x optical zoom can be mounted on the drone. The unmanned aerial vehicle can transmit video information in complex weather conditions within a distance of no less than 30 km and the radius of its control is no less than 50 km.

The new drone can fly continuously for four hours and can be launched by hand. The ZALA 421-16E2 will be publicly demonstrated at the MAKS international air show outside Moscow in July and at the Army-2017 exhibition in August



More:
http://tass.com/defense/952305

 

[Bahamut]

Russia crafting line of ‘dragonfly’ drones
Military & Defense
September 29, 2016, 11:50UTC+3
The miniature copters the size of a dragonfly will be capable of detecting the enemy’s disguised equipment and manpower round-the-clock
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© Yevgeny Kurskov/TASS
MOSCOW, September 29. /TASS/. Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC, part of the state Rostec Corporation) is developing a line of miniature unmanned aircraft capable of detecting the enemy’s disguised equipment and manpower round-the-clock.



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"The miniature copters the size of a dragonfly fit in the palm of a human hand and are in fact pocket drones. They make almost no noise, they are easy to operate and maneuver well. Their operational range is not very wide but it is enough to fulfill the surveillance tasks concerning close combat, security protection and participation in anti-terrorist operations. These drones are relatively inexpensive so it is easy to replace them in case they are lost," a source in the corporation told TASS.

The small drones are equipped with thermal scopes, video and photocameras capable of transmitting HD quality data via remote control.

According to the source, the copters under development can be utilized at large industrial enterprises where there is a need to control the thermal state of various facilities. Firefighters and rescue services can also use these copters while searching for victims, detecting fire areas, assessing the situation and determining the ways of evacuation.


These miniature drones are the counterpart of the Norwegian 16-gram unmanned coptercraft dubbed the Black Hornet, that the British and the US special forces use



More:
http://tass.com/defense/902921

 

[Bahamut]

Rosatom to build wind farms abroad after gaining enough experience in Russia
Business & Economy
June 21, 2:20UTC+3
A licensing agreement with the Dutch company Lagerwey on the transfer of technologies fot manufacturing component parts of the windfarms makes it possible to use these technologies in Russia
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© Yelena Nagornykh/TASS
MOSCOW, June 21. /TASS/. Russia's state atomic energy corporation Rosatom, which is unfolding wind farm projects in Russia, plans taking them to the international market after accumulating enough experience on the domestic market, First Deputy Director of the corporation, Kirill Komarov told reporters on the sidelines of the Atomexpo 2017 conference.

"Yes, it's true, we plan to develop renewable energy sources in all parts of the world and not only in Russia but we'll start doing it after we accumulate enough expertise here," he said.

A licensing agreement with the Dutch company Lagerwey on the transfer of technologies fot manufacturing component parts of the windfarms makes it possible to use these technologies in Russia and, on top of that, across the whole world.

He feels confident that Rosatom has good chances for getting contracts for construction renewable energy facilities abroad.


"On the whole, we think our chances for working abroad are fair enough because whatever country we come to, we settle firmly there," he said.

At the bidding contests held in 2016 and 2017, Rosatom won bids for construction of wind farms in Russia with the overall output capacity of almost 1,000 megawatts.



More:
http://tass.com/economy/952511

 

[Bahamut]

Scientists learn how to date back objects found in Arctic's underground ice
Science & Space
June 07, 19:37UTC+3
Underground ice not only keeps the organics but also offers data on the ancient climate
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MOSCOW, June 7. /TASS/. Scientists of the Moscow State University offer new methods to date back more accurately than previously the objects frozen into underground ice in the Arctic. The University's Professor Yuri Vasilchuk told TASS the new methods would be helpful for archeologists, specialists in permafrost construction and paleo biologists, who study DNA's evolution.

"Since the underground ice and layers form gradually, one layer may keep frozen organic samples of the time difference of 5-10 thousand years. In order to learn how to calculate most precisely the radio-carbon date, we have offered the following method: we compared all the organic samples - branches, bones, grass, moss - inside one permafrost layer. In the thick layer, which had formed for 25,000 years, we found samples with the ages of 20, 30, 40 thousand years. Our suggestion was that most close to the truth would be the youngest date, so we had them compared at various depths, and they fit rather well in the chronology order," the professor said.



READ ALSO
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"In order to check the method" the scientists had to "split every organic sample into micro samples - seeds of one color, branches only with bark and only without bark, only grass, - and calculated their ages," he continued.

Usually, specialists fear to give a younger age to the samples - if any parts of modern organics get into the sample, the age becomes much less. This is also what happens with the underground ice - the organics also gets mixed there, though within thousands of years, and this complicates the task to quote the age.


More precise dating of the organics, frozen in the Arctic ice, would be helpful for many sciences, the professor said. "The improved methods would be useful for archeologists, studying sites of ancient people in the North, for paleo biologists to research DNA's evolution, and for those who build houses in permafrost - in order to forecast more accurately spread of the ice," he said.

Underground storage of climate data
Underground ice not only keeps the organics - it also offers data on the ancient climate, the professor said.

"Oxygen isotopes in the ancient iced channels remain stable for hundreds thousand years. I have managed to see a dependence between the air temperature and oxygen isotopes in the ice channels. The number of heavy isotopes equaled the average winter temperature in the region," the scientist said. "In order to check the supposition, I travelled the North and was searching insistently for traces of the channels - this became almost a kind of sports for me."



READ ALSO
Russian scientists track 200-year timeline of changes in black soil


Ice channels emerge from cracks in the soil because of low temperatures, and they may go down developing to the width of 3-4 meters. Many-layered channels in frozen soils may be as high as 50 meters, he continued. Geography of the biggest channels is vast - Duvannyi Yar and Zelenyi Mys in Yakutia, Seyakha on Yamal, the valley of the Main River in Chukotka.

The common features of most layers filled with the channels is the same time frame of their formation.

"The layers of mighty ice with channels, like the ones in Yamal, and like those on the Gydanskyi Peninsula (Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District - TASS), in Taimyr (Krasnoyarsk Territory - TASS), in the northern and central regions of Yakutia, in the Magadan region and in Chukotka, formed over 40 to 10 thousand years," the scientist said. "This is a common feature for all those regions."

The research results are published in the GeoResJ international magazine.



More:
http://tass.com/science/950390

 

[Bahamut]

Russia’s first driverless truck to be tested in August
Science & Space
June 07, 8:00UTC+3
The test will involve the existing prototypes of UGV, loaded with real commercial cargo
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MOSCOW, June 7. /TASS/. The first commercial cargo shipment by a driverless truck in Russia will be carried out in August on a highway linking Russia’s two biggest cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, the head of the Traft shipping company told TASS.

"We don’t know exactly who the client will be, we are in talks on the issue at the moment. But it will be a totally commercial cargo shipment," said Artur Muradyan, whose company Traft will become the first official contractor for a cargo shipment by an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).

The test will involve the existing prototypes of UGV by either Kamaz and or GAZ, loaded with real commercial cargo. The Russian Highways State Company (Avtodor) will provide for a testing ground and infrastructure. The test will be carried out in cooperation with the traffic police, the transport ministry and other state bodies.

In order to complete the delivery, a 30-kilometer stretch of the M-11 federal highway will be closed for traffic during the test. The driverless truck will be accompanied by a convoy of an ordinary truck and two vehicles with Avtodor experts. An emergency operator, who will have the right to interfere if anything goes wrong, will be on duty in the UGV’s cabin.


The test will be completed once an automated system notifies the head office of Traft of a successful delivery to a client in St. Petersburg.

Russia’s first prototype of a driverless vehicle was built in 2015 on the basis of the Kamaz-5350 truck. The vehicle can follow the designated route without human control. Its artificial intelligence system is able read road markings and traffic signs and identify other drivers and pedestrians.

Kamaz chief Sergei Kokogin earlier said that about 7 billion rubles are to be invested by the state and private companies into UGV projects this year. Russian-made driverless vehicles expected to appear on the global market by 2025.

Kamaz expects to invest about 400 million rubles in the project in 2017.

According to a survey conducted by Cognitive Technologies, about 56% of Russians and 68% of US citizens are ready to use UGV technologies. The survey was conducted among 33,000 respondents in Russia and 7,000 in the United States



More:
http://tass.com/science/950220