Russia unveils new missile with Western, Chinese components
Russia has introduced the new S8000 Banderol cruise missile into service. It contains Western components similar to the analysis of the wreckage of other Russian weapons. Here’s what it is and what it conceals.
According to the Militarnyj portal, Russia has started using the new S8000 Banderol missile, which includes a significant number of foreign components. As reported by the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), the missile incorporates parts from China, Japan, the USA, and South Korea.
Commercial electronics in Russian weaponry
The "Banderol" missile utilizes Japanese Murata batteries and an Australian RF Design telemetry module. The core of its propulsion system is a South Korean Dynamixel servomechanism, with a microcontroller from the Swiss company STMicroelectronics.
It's noteworthy, however, that the proportion of Chinese components is increasing. For example, the DC/DC converters are sourced from China, whereas in previous instances, they were from Western companies. Unfortunately, Western components are still present in the form of, for example, NE555 timing modules from Texas Instruments.
The most intriguing discovery, however, is that the Russians are using the Chinese SW800Pro-A95 turbojet engine in the "Banderol" missile, which is available for purchase to interested hobbyists.
The Russian defense industry employs intermediaries to circumvent sanctions. Companies from Hungary, Cyprus, Turkey, China, and Kazakhstan, among others, supply the necessary components, allowing the continuation of advanced military equipment production based on commercial electronics used in products like household appliances.
The Russian industry has adapted to operating under a sanctions environment, similar to Iran. Ultimately, the cruise missile’s software could operate on a system based on components repurposed from a washing machine controller, provided it meets the minimum requirements. Of course, such a missile would be much less reliable than dedicated solutions, but some of them could still complete the task.
S8000 Banderol — a cruise missile for drones and helicopters
The cruise missile developed by JSC Kronstadt is designed to be launched from "Orion" drones and, in the longer term, from Mi-28N helicopters. As demonstrated by the war in Ukraine, attack helicopters are vulnerable to man-portable air defense systems, and the key to their survival is long-range weaponry.
Moreover, the Russian aircraft fleet capable of carrying glide bombs and cruise missiles is dwindling, so developing unmanned platforms carrying cruise missiles is a logical step.
The answer to these needs is the S8000 Banderol missile, which weighs about 200 kilograms. Its warhead weighs 114 kilograms, with 50 kilograms as explosive material, and the fuel reserve is between 50 and 65 kilograms. As far as is known, the missile measures 4.9 metres in length, and the wingspan is 2.1 metres.
The Ukrainians indicate that its cruising speed is a relatively low 515 km/h, but they have not disclosed the guidance method. It is most likely based on a combination of INS and GPS navigation, possibly supported by some form of precision guidance in the final phase of flight. It is possible that a television head was borrowed from the Kh-59 or something more advanced based on thermal imaging.
