History

    The history of Engineering Design Bureau JSC (Konstruktorskoie bureau mashinostroeniya) started in 1882, when series production of torpedoes (primarily Whitehead’s mobile mines) was launched in St. Petersburg at Lassner’s machine-building and casting plant that had won a tender of the Navy Office of Russia.
     The revolution of 1917 brought about dramatic changes in society and economy. The enterprise was transformed into Plant named after Karl Marx and at the beginning of the 1920s it mastered series production of torpedo tubes.
     In 1926, to fulfill the programme of fleet building, a naval department was set up and given a task to design torpedo tubes for surface ships, boats and submarines. 
     In 1932 Plant No.103 was set up at the former premises of Plant named after Karl Marx, which included a number of production shops and a design department.
     In 1942, during the Great Patriotic War, the plant was evacuated to Moscow where it continued manufacturing products for the Navy.
     In 1946 the design bureau of the plant was given a name of Special-purpose Design Bureau No. 709 (SKB-709), involved in development of new types of torpedo tubes.
     Following Decree of the USSR Soviet of Ministers No. 820 of April 18, 1957, SKB-709 was granted the status of an independent organization under the name of Engineering Design Bureau (Konstruktorskoie Bureau Mashinostroeniya), entrusted with the task of designing deck launchers for shipborne missile systems.
     Successful development of the design bureau resulted from harmonious merging of design and production personnel. Its first general director was Nickolai K. Tsikunov, an energetic and talented man, who played an outstanding role in the history of the enterprise.
     By that time the specialists of the design bureau had accumulated vast experience in development of torpedo tubes of different types. Later they mastered automated pre-launch torpedo preparation systems, automated ship control systems, hardware for coastal missile units and naval aviation. Deck launchers for anti-ship, anti-submarine missile systems (Termit, Progress, Rastrub, Malakhit, Metel, Moskit, Uran) were the projects of utmost importance.
     For instance, Engineering Design Bureau developed deck launchers KT-152E and KT-190ME within the framework of the Moskit project. Their effective mass and dimensions characteristics facilitate the Moskit deployment onboard fleet destroyers, light missile ships, airfoil boats and hovering crafts. In 1984 the Moskit shipborne missile system with 3M-80E missiles and KT-190 launcher was adopted for service with the Navy. According to Russian and foreign experts, reliability and serviceability make the system one of the world leaders in its class.
     In 1970 development of the Rubezh mobile missile system armed with the Termit (P-15M) tactical anti-ship missilea began. The specialists of the enterprise designed a launch container (designated KT-161) of a very compact size. Two containers, a control equipment module and the Garpun radar were accommodated on the MAZ-543 chassis. On October 22, 1978, the Rubezh missile system with the Termit-P updated missile was introduced into the inventory, and it is still in service with Russian and seven foreign Navies.
    The PK-10 passive jamming system in service since 1984 is installed on the majority of Russian warships and some ships of foreign fleets. At present the work is under way to upgrade the system as well as develop a new one.
     The Uran-E missile system with the efficient Kh-35E missile (developed by Tactical Missiles Corporation) is one of the latest achievements adopted for service in 2005.
In 2004 the Bal-E coastal missile system successfully passed the tests having proved its conformity to the stringent requirements of Customer  – Russian Navy. This missile system of a new generation for engagement of surface ships, boats and seagoing transports at the ranges of up to 130 km is to replace the Rubezh system.
    Under the presidential decree (No. 591 of May 9, 2004) Engineering Design Bureau became a subsidiary of Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC.
   Over 120 armament types have seen the light of day for 50 years of enterprise operation. Most of Russian surface ships are armed with the weapon systems developed there. The enterprise is a prime developer and manufacturer of torpedo tubes for surface ships, boats, submarines. It is a recognized leader in development and manufacture of deck launchers for shipborne missile systems in Russia.