The Soviet MILES systems - "Zorkiy" and 1K77 "Radar" and their successors

The MILES, standing for "Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System" is a Western training system made first by Xerox Electro-Optical Systems in the US Army's Engineering Development program, first entering service in 1979.

Surely this could not be the only one?

And that is right. The USSR had also developed a similar system starting 1986, in the "Tochpribor" Design Bureau (ЦКБ «Точприбор») which specialised in sighting systems and optical instruments for the Army.

This development was intended to provide the Soviet Army with three systems for two types of units; the regular infantry and the armoured corps.

The regular infantry received the 9F824 "Besstrashiye", or "Fearlessness". For heavy armoured fighting vehicles like tanks and for IFVs, they received two systems - the 1K77 "Radar" and the "Zorkiy" respectively.

A BMP-1 mounting the "Zorkiy" system, seen atop its main gun, whilst the infantry beside it bears AK-74 rifles with the 9F824 system.

Alike other countries with significant or considerable military strength, many possessed first generation laser-based training weaponry, either developed domestically or borrowed/distributed from larger "leader" nations. As such, the creation of the first generation of training devices for equipping small arms and military equipment began in the USSR. They were intended to practice combat tactics, train personnel to resist and perform in simulated combat conditions, and train aimed firing from standard-issue weaponry without the use of live and lethal ammunition.

The 1K77 and Zorkiy functioned similarly to the 9F824 and the MILES. A transceiver device placed over the main gun would form laser pulses. The laser pulses were powered via a power supply unit. The vehicle mounted would be plastered in photodetectors to pick up simulated hits and would use pyrotechnics or light to imitate defeat (a hit on the target vehicle). With the assistance of a control system, selected shells in the simulator fired in the same ballistic arc and exhibited the same ballistic behaviour as the selected type of ammunition fired from the selected weapon.

1K77 "Radar" set on a T-72

The "Zorkiy" was used mainly and may have been restricted only to the BMP-1 and BMP-2's 2A28 "Grom" and ATGM armaments. The same went for the 1K77 "Radar", with the exception being that this module was used and possibly limited only to T-55, T-62, T-72 and T-80 tanks, however the 1K77 could have been compatible with further developments of the 2A46 (2A46M).

The maximum range of firing for the main gun systems of the 1K77 and "Zorkiy" were 300 to 3000 m, meanwhile the simulation hit range for ATGMs/GLATGMs was 2500 to 4000 m.

Operation system set for the 1K77 "Radar"

The trio were used extensively, however, in the late 1990s, a "second-generation" of laser based training simulators arose in the form of the 9F838 "Tselik" as a standard infantry platoon set.

9F838 "Tselik" set mounted on an AK rifle. The words "9F838" are visible on the device

Following the success of the 9F838 "Tselik" system ("Tselik" was tested in the Novosibirsk and Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command Schooland proved to have a 15 - 20% increase in weapon handlng skills) and after several past attempts, in 2008, the "Barelef-SV" («Барельеф-СВ») training system was accepted for service in the Russian Army.

The new system was actually part of an integrated automated training system made for the Russian Army. The new kit is built similarly to the 1K77 kit, however it is widely improved on and several more systems mounted on a tank can be used in training exercises, including coaxial machine-guns, automatic cannons, roof-mounted high-calibre machine-guns and the likes.

However, the ATGM simulator system for tank-mounted ATGMs like the 9M133 "Konkurs" were replaced by the 9F856 kit was used instead.

The "Barelef-SV" system for armoured fighting vehicles also used more sensory equipment now. Sensory equipment were mounted on all 4 sides of a tank's armour and was required to cover all angles.

T-80BV tank mounts the "Barelef-SV" system. The laser pulse unit, photodetectors and light for hit indication is seen

The ammunition chosen and fired (and most importantly, one that hit its intended target) was paired with an individual code, just like the 9F824 "Besstrashiye" system, but now the feature was available for tanks. This code was able to be picked up by the photodetector and hit system to allow penetration possibility and inflicted damage to be calculated. 

A laser pulse hitting the sensor of a target's photodetector unit would be recognized by an individual code by an electronics unit, and if its characteristics correspond to an ammunition type capable of defeating an the armour behind the point of impact, the emitter of the weapon of the combat vehicle is blocked to simulate a combat kill (the target vehicle would not be able to fire). At the same time, a bright orange indicator light for hit indication turns on and a smoke grenades are launched, simulating a combat knockout. The smoke grenades would presumably be launched on top or under the "knocked-out" vehicle, and not in front of to simulate a burning vehicle.

With the advent of top-attack missiles, photodetector units also began to be mounted on the roofs of armoured fighting vehicles with the advent of the "Barelef-SV" system.

"Barelef-SV" system mounted on the end of the roof-mounted NSVT heavy machine-gun found on T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks.

As part of the integrated automated combat system the "Barelef-SV" system offered, the system was able to be linked to up to 900 combat infantry units and 180 armoured vehicles. Statistics and activity of each combat unit is transmitted to monitors screens in the headquarters in real-time. 

Data of the ongoing simulation is transmitted onto a detailed digital map of the combat simulation area and would allow for battalion commanders to wisely order their units.

At the end of the simulation, all data of the simulated battle is then recorded and the data is used for testing and data collection.

Sources: otvaga2004 used several sources written on the bottom of the page, Wikipedia article on the MILES (NATO)