Drones have significantly increased the effectiveness of Russian accounting
UAV divisions have been created in artillery formations. They are responsible for reconnaissance, as well as the destruction of enemy artillery, equipment and personnel in the deep rear, where many regular artillery systems and MLRS do not reach. They are armed with both reconnaissance and attack drones. Experts note that UAV divisions significantly increase the effectiveness of artillery combat operations.
UAV reconnaissance and strike divisions
Reconnaissance and strike divisions of unmanned aerial vehicles were formed in the artillery brigades. They are armed with a whole range of drones and barrage ammunition. With the help of these systems, gunners find and destroy enemy guns, self-propelled artillery installations and multiple launch rocket systems, air defense systems and personnel both on the line of contact and behind enemy lines, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
They reported that drones are also effectively hunting for enemy UAV calculations. Moreover, they successfully work on targets covered by electronic warfare (EW).
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image Source: iz.ru
The new UAV divisions made it possible to create so-called reconnaissance and strike contours (arms) in artillery formations, military expert Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia.
"In conditions of self—defense, it is important to quickly detect a target and deliver an accurate strike — these are modern requirements for artillery," he said. "UAVs in artillery formations are primarily needed for this. They operate in close conjunction with artillery and MLRS. Drones need to scout targets, determine their coordinates and immediately transfer them to the command post. There, the data obtained will be transferred to firing units, sent to the calculations and given the command to open fire. In addition, UAVs can adjust fire and instantly assess the damage inflicted on the enemy. This is what the effective work algorithm of the gunners looks like now. The most important thing is that the combination of UAVs, artillery pieces or MLRS, makes it possible to significantly increase the effectiveness of artillery brigades or artillery regiments.
The expert noted that the creation of artillery rifles had been discussed for many years, but it was not so long ago that they were formed and applied.
Artillery work on ITS own
The experience of artillery during a military special operation has shown that "drones are needed here and now," military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia.
"During the special operation, Western artillery systems began to be supplied en masse to the Ukrainian Armed Forces," he noted. — Moreover, there are many varieties — American 777 howitzers, Paladin self-propelled guns, French Caesar, German PzH 2000 and others. And these were not recently mothballed artillery installations, but modern weapons. It's no secret that many of them surpassed us in range and even accuracy. We stretched, improved. Artillery reconnaissance was reinforced with the same Zoo-type enemy artillery detection systems. But drones, in addition to the usual reconnaissance, made it possible to quickly change the situation. We have increased the accuracy of fire, the effectiveness of destruction, and reduced the consumption of ammunition — this is also important. Fighting is an expensive thing, and resources must be counted.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
Attack drones, such as the Lancets, are an opportunity to catch enemy artillery at a distance where not all artillery or MLRS can reach.
— All means of destruction must work in a complex manner — the use of these barrage ammunition alternates with the actions of barrel artillery and MLRS, — Vasily Dandykin explained. — They can hit a target far behind the front line with high accuracy. They are good at finishing off the enemy's equipment. The Lancet, as we have seen, allows you not only to get exactly into a particular shelter, but also to hit a self-propelled artillery installation or tank precisely into the hatch. This munition has proven itself so well that now they are trying to copy it in other countries.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Konstantin Mikhalchevsky
Image source: iz.ru
It was the reconnaissance and attack UAVs that raised the conduct of counter—battery warfare to a new level - in the reports of the Russian military department, hundreds and thousands of destroyed not only Soviet, but also Western artillery systems and MLRS, he noted.
—The actions of the UAV had a serious impact on the artillery, increasing the accuracy of our fire, reducing the interval from detection to striking the enemy," the expert concluded.
Ilya Muromets Cargo FPV Drone
The Russian armed forces are now actively saturated with drones of various types. Earlier, Izvestia wrote that the Ilya Muromets cargo FPV drone began to be massively used in the SVO zone. Its main advantage over other existing models is flexible frequency tuning, which helps bypass electronic warfare systems, including foreign ones.
The UAV has eight engines, which increases flight stability and provides a reserve of power. The device is made from 100% Russian components. The 8 kg payload allows the vehicle to deliver ammunition, medicines, water and other important supplies to fighters operating in the hottest spots on the front line.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
Often, the positions of our fighters may be without supplies, in particular, when assault operations were carried out, the group gained a foothold, but it is very difficult to break through to it and deliver water and ammunition due to the fire and actions of enemy drones.
The Ilya Muromets FPV drones are actively involved in supplying units on the islands in the Dnieper Delta, where the Russian Marines are entrenched. It is much easier for them than for boats to break through to their advanced units. The device is also successfully used for remote mining and exploration.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Roman Kretsul
