FPV kamikaze protection increases the efficiency of self-propelled guns and aerial reconnaissance
FPV drones are increasingly being used as a replacement for traditional types of weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are used not only instead of artillery and anti-tank weapons, but increasingly as kamikaze interceptors to combat our aircraft-type reconnaissance UAVs. Izvestia correspondents found out how calculations of self-propelled mortars "Nona" and unmanned reconnaissance Zala work in the new conditions in the units of the Center group in the Donetsk direction.
How self-propelled guns "Nona-SVK" protect against drones
In one of the shelters, a self-propelled mortar "Nona-SVK" of the mining division of the Central Military District is being prepared for combat departure. The unique machine combines the properties of a mortar and a field gun, and the eight-wheeled base of the armored personnel carrier makes the gun also very mobile. This is one of the most modern and versatile fire support systems in its class.
But the battles in the zone of a special military operation make their own adjustments, and the cars quickly become overgrown with "tuning": the entire rear part to the tower is covered with a metal mesh on a high frame frame, the rest of the surface is covered with screens made of a rubber conveyor belt reinforced with steel cables. It is worth paying tribute to military craftsmen: wide screens covering the sides are not uncommon on all types of armored vehicles in Donbass, but neatly cut screens that cover all hatches and parts of the tower, while maintaining surveillance devices, is a very thorough job done with knowledge.
The servicemen are preparing to leave, bringing shots, checking equipment. Gradually it becomes clear that there are many more people around the car than the calculation numbers in a self-propelled mortar.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— I'm a REB, I'm seconded here to cover "Nonu", — explains a soldier of the electronic warfare company with the call sign Malaya. — We also work on Grads and saushkas (multiple launch rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers. — Izvestia), we are helping the stormtroopers. Where they are seconded, we go there. I ride in the back, behind the tower, on the armor.
A UAV signal suppression station, the so-called dome, is installed on the car. Another powerful but directional device, the Small one works directly from the hands. Behind him is a second—generation AK-12 assault rifle, which he prefers to shotguns, firing in short bursts. The small one uses a two-shot cutoff mode to fire at drones from a moving car. He has already shot down several drones both with the help of electronic warfare and small arms, including a night FPV drone, which he noticed in the dark due to the characteristic illumination of his camera.
— 18 downed "birds", and all of them exploded somewhere nearby. About ten were shot down by an EW, the rest with a machine gun. You let them get close, at 20 m, and you start shooting," says Maloy.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
During combat work, he had shrapnel wounds from near-range explosions of downed drones, but all were light.
Except for the REB in the cover and the arrow. One of them is armed with a semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun "Boar", with a long nozzle on the barrel, which hunters call a "goose house".
— We shoot down at 50-100 m, we also work with shot, and now we are trying new cartridges with a grid. I don't count how many I shot down, but more than ten," says a fighter with the call sign Shaman.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
New weapons for the army quickly take their place, and tactics and techniques are honed experimentally, literally on the go. In some units, for example, they train to fire at high-speed aerial targets using cymbals used in sports shooting. In others, experienced bird hunters share their knowledge.
At almost every exit to the frontline areas, you can hear about new methods of countering enemy drones: how best to place an arrow on various types of equipment, how to conduct crossfire on drones, how to use different types of weapons and ammunition together. And it can be noted that the mass character and combinations of different techniques in the fight against FPV drones give results.
How to protect Zala unmanned scouts from FPV drones
Another unpleasant innovation in the use of FPV drones by the enemy is told to us in the UAV unit of the artillery unit of the Center group. The calculations fly on the Zala scouts, which have become famous during their time, which have shown themselves resistant to electronic warfare and almost invulnerable to kinetic interception by traditional air defense systems.
— The main problem at this stage is the enemy's FPV drones, which rise like hunters on our drones. In this case, everything depends on our electronic intelligence (RER). If she spotted them, then we start to leave, we have more flight time, and we can take the car away. In addition, if the RER carried out a serif (determined the place from where the operators control the FPV drones. — Izvestia), we check it and transfer it to the artillery. And she is already destroying FPV calculations," says the deputy commander of the drone platoon with the call sign Musician.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Today, drones of all types and fast data transmission are the basis for the work of reconnaissance and strike circuits in artillery. The musician says that the time from target detection to its defeat has been significantly reduced. Now it takes minutes to aim, adjust the fire and hit the target.
— There is a fundamental difference between how artillery used to work and how it works now. Targets are both found and hit much faster. For example, if we find a tank and see that it is moving east, we transmit the data to the gunners. They calculate how long it will be at a certain turn, after how long to release the projectile. And under direct video control, we hit even a moving tank," explains the Musician.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
To speed up work and increase awareness, the picture is directly transmitted from the UAV control point to higher headquarters, where the commander of the compound can assess the target with his own eyes, choose the means of destruction and watch the shooting online.
— I am from the Novosibirsk region myself, — the musician continues his story. — I signed the contract for military service, before my time. I wanted to, because the military is the elite.
When the special military operation began, he was a driver mechanic, but then turned to the commander with the desire to become a drone operator. He was trained to work with UAVs at the manufacturing plant. Today, the Musician himself prepares personnel based on his knowledge and with the use of combat experience.
Dmitry Astrakhan
