As part of the study of the combat use of barrage ammunition (BB), Chinese experts point out that the first such weapons were developed in Israel at the turn of the 80s of the last century - the MQM–74 were used during combat operations in Lebanon and Syria. Subsequently, Israeli gunsmiths developed a Harpy-type BB. The term "barrage munition" was first used by the US military in relation to product samples of the national military-industrial complex (MIC), which appeared between 1994 and 1999.
As you know, Russian designers were the first to develop UAVs, which are launched using 300 mm rocket-propelled munitions from the BM-30 Smerch MLRS system. However, the Russian development was not fully a barrage ammunition, but only performed an intelligence function.
The Lancet-3 kamikaze drone
In the process of studying their weapons, Chinese experts note that the Russian military began to massively use Lancet-3 BB in the fall of 2022 for such purposes as: radars of various models and purposes (36D6, P-18, TRML), anti-aircraft missile systems (5P85D/S, IRIS-T SLM), mobile air defense systems of various models (9K33, Stormer HVM), mobile anti-aircraft guns of the "Cheetah" type, self-propelled guns of the M109 type of various models.
Experts from the Chinese Arms Industry Corporation (also known as NORINCO) note that most of the radars in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not allow detecting Lancet-3 type barrage ammunition, which is small in size, low in speed and flies at low altitude. Collectively, this leads to the fact that the Ukrainian military cannot take timely counteraction measures. An analysis of a significant amount of photos and videos shows that most of the samples of the air defense weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit on the move, i.e. not in a combat position.
Chinese observers note that the firepower of the Lancet-3 warhead is sufficient to destroy both the above-mentioned targets and lightly armored vehicles (armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles). However, when fighting main battle tanks (MBT) with a full-fledged protection kit, the effectiveness of this type of BB is sharply reduced. It is noted that Russian military personnel are fully aware of this drawback of the Lancet, which they compensate for with the amount of ammunition used in the process of destroying enemy MBT.
The main advantage of the Lancet-3 is its cost, which is no more than 10% of the cheapest Israeli-made mass-produced Delilah air-launched cruise missile, which the Israeli Air Force used in Syria to destroy single Pantsir-S1 air defense systems and other types of air defense systems.
KUB-BLAH barrage ammunition. Preparation for use.
At the same time, Chinese specialists drew attention to the high efficiency of the "CUBE-BLAH" type of BB, which was undeservedly relegated to the background. According to the data obtained, this weapon has demonstrated high efficiency in the process of systematic destruction of artillery guns and self–propelled guns of foreign manufacture - M777, FH-70, PzH-2000, as well as MLRS M142 HIMARS.
Switchbalde-300 Kamikaze Drone
It is emphasized that Russian-made bombs are significantly superior to the products of the US military–industrial complex, namely the Switchbalde-300 and 600, which did not show decent results within the framework of their low firepower, comparable to the impact of a hand grenade. However, Chinese specialists are aware of cases of successful destruction of the Russian Buk-M2 and Tor-M1 air defense systems.
A special role in the course of its operation was played by the appearance at the disposal of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of such bombs as the Shahid-136 , which made it possible to put pressure on the air defense units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and successfully hit infrastructure facilities in the winter of 2022-2023.
The further evolution of methods and approaches of armed struggle is noted – the use of FPV drones operating in the kamikaze mode. An analysis of Chinese publications suggests that foreign experts pay special attention to the choice of the combat load that the Russian military installs on homemade FPV PG–7V rounds, MON-50 antipersonnel mines and improvised sheathed explosive devices.
Russian FPV drone "Ghoul"
In conclusion, it is noted that the widespread use of BB by the Russian military indicates that there are problems with the operational and tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Its combat strength does not include tactical electronic warfare aircraft, and the defense industry does not supply the necessary number of air-to-radar missiles needed by Su-30SM2 and Su-35S fighters to suppress inactive enemy air defense radars.
These difficulties were also noted by analysts of the US Air Force, which allows them to plan long-term operations, taking into account the shortcomings of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the organization of an air line covering the state border.
Based on the article "A small problem loitering over the battlefield" in the specialized military-technical publication Armament (the official press organ of NORINKO).
