Dedicated drone munitions could unlock modular mission potential
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
The new short-range missile – which does not have any known designation – is seen here mounted on the wall alongside its four-cell launcher behind a model of the Pantsir-S1M. (Photo: Michael Jerdev)
A new as-yet-unnamed short-range surface-to-air missile for the Pantsir-S1M air defence system was unveiled at the Army-2022 exhibition, held on August 15-21 at Kubinka. The new missile was shown only during the opening day, which was for official foreign delegations, invited local specialists, officers and politicians.
A modernised Pantsir-S1M with a block of new short-range anti-drone missiles was shown before only once – during the 2020 Moscow victory parade. This time the missile itself was displayed.
According to a representative of KBP Instrument Design Bureau, designer of the system, the new missile can engage targets at distances from 500m to 7km and
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Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
The Israeli company hopes that producing its Sigma artillery system wholly in the US will help it win a key US Army contract, but it will be up against the popular CAESAR Mk II wheeled weapon and the K9 tracked.
Germany has ordered 84 RCH 155 self-propelled guns, as system incorporating Boxer 8×8 vehicles and the Artillery Gun Module, and 200 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles while the UK has committed to a single Early Capability Demonstrator RCH 155.
While integration of guided weapons on modern armoured vehicles usually takes the form of a podded launcher on the turret exterior, recent developments suggest the concept of firing missiles from a tank’s main gun could be seeing a revival.
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.