MOSCOW, February 6 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. At the end of January, the Rostec state concern announced the dispatch of the first batch of the new Zubr air defense system to the troops. It is expected that these complexes will reliably cover the near rear from small high-speed UAVs. The range of FPV drones has increased significantly on both sides of the front. Therefore, the protection of the "small air" for the Russian army is one of the priorities. About how it is solved - in the material of RIA Novosti.
Automatic machine gun
So far, neither Russia nor Ukraine has been able to create effective protection against FPV drones. Electronic warfare systems cannot cope with fiber-optic UAVs. The radar stations of the "adult" air defense system "small fry" do not see, and it is expensive to hit it with anti-aircraft missiles. "Barbecues" on equipment do not always save. An experienced operator can easily find a hole in the web of neural networks that cover sections of frontline roads. And mobile firing groups on pickups with machine guns can't be everywhere at once.
Zubr Air Space Monitoring and Control Complex
Image source: © Photo : Rostec
The High-Precision Complexes holding decided to follow the path of automation of small-air air defense. The Zubr complex is designed to cover the critical rear infrastructure. The system detects aerial targets — including small unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as barrage munitions — at a distance of up to one and a half kilometers at any time of the day and takes them to escort. Determines the height, distance, and lead. The fighter can only press the button to open fire.
GSHG-7.62 machine gun
Image source: CC BY 3.0 / Atirador / GSHG-7.62
The combat module is a towed automatic turret with four PKT machine guns or a four—barrel GSHG-7.62. By the way, the Americans have long and successfully used multi-barreled "miniguns" as rapid-firing anti-aircraft guns. The manufacturers claim that the Bison has enough firepower and fire density to destroy even the most nimble drone. There can be up to four such firing installations in the complex.
Rostec reported that the first Bison had already begun protecting critical infrastructure facilities. If their effectiveness is confirmed in real anti-aircraft combat, the experience of their use will be scaled up. Such weapons will also be useful in the deep rear — to protect refineries. And in the SVO zone — to cover headquarters, ammunition depots, and large strongholds.
Mini rockets
In addition to the Bison machine-gun, the Russian army has other "fly swatters". In the summer and autumn of last year, the troops began receiving modified Pantsir-SMD anti-aircraft missile systems with multifunctional radar and electron-optical systems that monitor the air situation at a distance of up to 45 kilometers and detect even small targets.
Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system
Image source: © RIA Novosti / UAC Press Service
But the main difference is 48 small—sized TKB-1055 anti-aircraft missiles designed to combat small fast-flying targets. The firing range is up to seven kilometers, and the altitude is from 15 to 5,000 meters. The missile's speed is 840 meters per second, and the warhead is high—explosive. Last June, they launched the series.
Pantsir-SMD is mounted on wheeled and tracked chassis or permanently (for example, on the roof of a house). The main equipment of the SAM is mounted on a rotating turret. In the front part there is a fixed target tracking radar antenna. There is a rotating radar antenna on the roof at the stern. There are launchers on the sides.
X International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2024"
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Pelagia Tikhonova
In the SVO zone, the Pantsir-SMD is being tested as a means of close-range defense against drones. It covers command posts, longer-range air defense positions, and important industrial facilities. The large ammunition allows one battery to repel even a massive attack by attack drones.
"Two-caliber" air defense system
In addition, at the end of last year, the Kalashnikov concern announced its readiness to begin mass production of the Krona anti-aircraft missile system. This is a dual-band radar maneuverable and highly automated air defense system, with means of detection, control, and destruction. On a tracked or wheeled chassis (in particular, an APC).
The Krona air defense system
Image source: © Kalashnikov Concern JSC
The Krona is a symbiosis of two other short-range complexes, Strela-10M and Sosny, with different types of anti-aircraft missiles. Sosna got the 9M340, which is guided by teleorientation in a laser beam, which guarantees special accuracy. The missile reaches speeds of up to 900 meters per second and hits targets at an altitude of up to five and at a distance of up to ten kilometers.
The second type of ammunition, the 9M333 missile, is equipped with a homing head. The speed is up to 550 meters per second, the range is six kilometers. It operates in photocontrast, infrared, and interference modes.
In total, the Krona can simultaneously carry six 9M340S and four 9M333S. The first type of missile is effective at early detection of threats at long range. The second is in case of mass attacks from several directions. The ability to fire different missiles alternately makes this air defense system truly universal.
Over the years, the Russian defense industry has gained a high pace and is confidently creating weapons for the specific needs of the front. New means of combating the main striking force of the conflict of the 21st century, drones, are also emerging. There is no universal and ultimatum solution yet, but there is progress in this direction, and it is very serious.
