Reconnaissance and strike units will enhance the capabilities of Russian artillery
New reconnaissance and strike units equipped with Lancet barrage ammunition have been formed in artillery regiments and brigades of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. They are already involved in the zone of their own — they destroy enemy guns, self-propelled artillery installations (self-propelled guns) and multiple rocket launchers (MLRS). Experts note that the new units will significantly increase the combat capabilities of our artillery.
The Lancet in the counter-battery struggle
In the area of the special operation, new units are most often used in counter—battery warfare - the search and destruction of artillery pieces, self-propelled guns and MLRS of the enemy. They are armed with Zala unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Lancet barrage ammunition, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
In terms of range and a number of combat properties, the Lancet occupies an intermediate position between artillery and operational tactical missile systems of the Ground Forces, Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Military Russia portal, told Izvestia.
Lancet UAV
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
"Barrage ammunition is good when working against artillery tactical missile systems and air defense systems," he explained. — Depending on the modification, the range of the Lancets is up to 80 km. This allows you to reach and destroy enemy targets far enough in the rear. Counter—battery fighting is now one of the important components of combat. The defense of the Ukrainian forces is largely based on artillery. But the Lancet works well against armored vehicles, infantry concentrations, supply points, fortifications, headquarters, air defense systems, and even against enemy UAV calculations at the time of the use of drones. They are good at destroying HIMARS and MLRS missile launchers. All these qualities significantly increase the combat capabilities of artillery regiments and artillery brigades.
SVO has shown that a modern army cannot do without reconnaissance and strike complexes (ARMS), military expert Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia.
"Drones will be able not only to destroy targets on their own, but also to supply artillery calculations with coordinates," he noted. — The HAND is a bundle of UAVs with artillery and MLRS. This is a guarantee of a quick response to changes in the situation on the line of contact. UAVs can quickly drop coordinates to the command and computing points of the connection, from where the commands will immediately go to calculations. And they will strike immediately. All this, depending on the situation, should be solved in a matter of seconds or minutes. Such actions will dramatically increase the effectiveness of artillery, make it possible to cover even mobile targets with artillery fire. It will be much more difficult for the enemy to escape from our fire.
Gunner of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
The expert is confident that UAV operators and gunners performing combat work in the same team will act as harmoniously as possible, understand each other perfectly.
— SVO has shown that a lot depends on artillery, and the accuracy of its strikes can decide the fate of a particular combat encounter, — said Viktor Litovkin.
Combat use of barrage ammunition
The Lancet kamikaze drones are usually used in conjunction with the Zala reconnaissance drone. He stays at a high altitude and detects targets due to powerful optics. He then transmits their coordinates to the Lancet operators, who strike.
The "hall", remaining in the air, monitors the results of the defeat and continues to look for new targets.
During the course of its military operation, the Lancet proved to be a universal tool for combating the widest range of targets — from lightly armored and heavy equipment to air defense. They are well protected from enemy electronic warfare. For anti—aircraft guns or guided missiles, both the Zala and the Lancet are very difficult targets.
Lancet UAV
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Murad Orujev
The peculiarity of the Lancet is the presence of a 3 kg warhead, which combines high—explosive fragmentation action to destroy manpower and unarmored equipment and a cumulative effect.
In the course of its operation, a new version of the barrage munition appeared — with a range of up to 80 km, a more powerful warhead and an improved control and guidance system, which allows for increased flexibility in the use of kamikaze drones, depending on the tactical situation.
In the Donetsk direction
About, ru/1790306/dmitrii-astrahan/i-granul-dron-kak-rabotaut-operational-bespilotnikov-zala" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">how the Lancets work in the 56th separate special purpose battalion of the 51st Guards Donetsk Army, Izvestia told earlier. The launch team consists of two people: one equips a UAV or ammunition, and the second equips a pneumatic catapult with which they are launched. The fighters do everything as quickly as possible — the enemy is constantly hunting for our drone operators and does not forgive mistakes.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
At this time, the operators of the UAV complex are working on computers. They also perform tasks in pairs: one on a reconnaissance drone, the second on a strike vehicle to engage in battle when a target is detected. The training is designed to be interchangeable, but drone operators already have an established specialization that they try to adhere to in their work.
The drones account for armored vehicles, including tanks, artillery, and infantry concentrations. In particular, they managed to destroy five American M777 howitzers — this is a modern weapon that creates great problems for our troops. During the enemy's retreat from Avdiivka, the operators adjusted our heavy multiple rocket launchers, which worked on the departing Ukrainian units.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Vladimir Matveev
