Russian 9M544 Smerch missiles uses modified chips purchased from AliExpress. The 9M544 Smerch rocket has a diameter of 300mm and is utilized by multiple launch rocket systems [MLRS]. Tornado-S This missile is intended to strike armored vehicles.
The Center for Advanced Defense Studies [C4ADS] evaluated a used 300mm 9M544 Smerch rocket. This center’s team is working on discovered imported components utilized in Russian weapons. That is, they are looking for signs of Russian sanctions violations. This think tank is located in Washington, DC, USA.
C4ADS discovered the following items in the control unit of an already used rocket in the 9M544 Smerch rocket: microcontrollers in a TSOP66 package; SMD capacitors; SMA and DB15 connectors; and microcontrollers in a LQF64 package. All of these parts are designed for usage in civil and domestic appliances. They do not meet military specifications. Russia can avoid Western sanctions by purchasing such components from AliExpress.
US-made chips in the Kh-101 stealth missile
In the navigation systems of Russian missiles, non-Russian microcircuits and chips are not a recent development. Militarycognizance.com reported in May that the Kh-101 stealth cruise missile contained 35 US-made microchip. Instead of C4ADS, Ukrainian intelligence studied a missile that had already been fired before making this discovery.
The Texas Instruments, Atmel Corp., Rochester Electronics, Cypress Semiconductor, Maxim Integrated, XILINX, Infineon Technologies, Intel, Onsemi, and Micron Technology chips were discovered in the Russian Kh-101 missile. The Pentagon has received a comprehensive list of all repurposed American microchips.
The Russian army’s 9S932-1 command post’s radar system contained the same number of chips [35] as well. Similar radar technology has been incorporated by Russia into two different helicopter models and air defense systems. Therefore, Russia employs 70 chips made in the US in just two weapons systems.
