In addition to writing for Aviation Week Network, Maxim holds a key position at Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine (www.ato.ru). In the past he was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications and earlier worked for the Moscow-based CAST defense think-tank.
Maxim has a degree on international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia, and for several years worked at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
ST Engineering Ltd. of Singapore has developed a concept vehicle that’s designed to maximize the use of network-centric capabilities, unmanned reconnaissance vehicles and soldiers in urban combat. Called “Mothership,” it is based on the Terrex 8 X 8 armored infantry fighting vehicle.
The Russian army will receive a new weapon this year, the tank- support combat vehicle, known by its acronym BMPT (Boevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov). The vehicle is primarily designed to protect tank formations from anti-armor weapons, a mission that has been carried out by motorized infantry units. It also will be tasked with suppressing artillery positions, light armored vehicles and infantry.
Although the Russian air force has only recently taken delivery of the first Mil Mi-28N (Havoc) attack helicopters, Mil designers have already developed a modernization package for the rotorcraft and announced plans for future combat helicopters. The Mi-28N, for which the air force has been waiting more than a decade, has all-weather, day and night capabilities. It will likely replace Russia’s aging Mi-24 Hind fleet.
