Currently, a promising short-range anti-aircraft missile system "Ptitselov" is being developed for the ground and airborne forces. In the future, it will have to replace the outdated products of the Strela-10 line and increase the potential of the military air defense. Recently, new details of a promising project have become known. We are talking about the introduction of fundamentally new solutions in the field of management tools.
Latest news
On December 4, Izvestia announced new information about the "Birdcatcher" project. The data was obtained from sources in the Ministry of Defense, in the defense industry, as well as from a new technical task. It is reported that a fundamental decision has been made to equip the promising air defense system with an "intelligent combat control system." In addition, a competition has begun for the development of optoelectronic devices for the complex. All these works will be completed by the end of next year.
It is proposed to develop new means of observation and combat control with a high degree of automation, capable of taking on part of the operator's tasks. The optical-electronic system of the air defense missile system will have to ensure the observation of the airspace. In this case, it is necessary to make it as resistant to interference and suppression systems as possible. The intelligent control system of the air defense missile system will process the incoming signal and identify targets.
At the request of the Ministry of Defense, Ptitselov's automatics will be able not only to detect, but also to identify aerial targets. It will have to distinguish between airplanes, helicopters, UAVs, missiles, etc., determine their belonging and ensure firing. Due to this, the load on the calculation will be reduced to a minimum without losses in combat effectiveness.
The principle of operation of an air defense missile system with such equipment is disclosed. When entering a position, the complexes will receive their area of responsibility: a sector and a range of heights. Automation will have to monitor this space, detect and fire at targets. The work of the calculation of the combat vehicle will actually be reduced to the delivery of the complex to the position and the inclusion of automatic systems.
Modernization result
In the recent past, it has been repeatedly reported that the ready-made Pine project will become the basis for the promising Ptitselov air defense system. Provided for the installation of the combat module "Sosny" on the chassis of different types that meet the requirements of the customer. At the same time, it was assumed that the module will not undergo significant changes, and the improvements will be associated only with the features of the base chassis.
According to the latest news, the Pines module will undergo a significant update. It is proposed to replace the standard optical-electronic means and control system with new products with different characteristics and capabilities. Earlier, information was received about the possible equipping of the air defense system with its own search and guidance radar. The features and capabilities under development are likely to require improved communications for data exchange and control.
Earlier it was reported that "Birdies" will use the standard anti-aircraft guided missile "Sosny", known under the index 9M340. In the summer of this year, it was reported about plans to modernize this missile in order to improve the main technical and combat characteristics. At the same time, it is obvious that the use of such a missile defense system, even in its original configuration, will provide serious advantages over the existing Strela-10 air defense system.
Two variants of one complex
Recall that the development of a short-range air defense system for the military air defense "Birdies" began in 2017-18. in the interests of the Airborne Forces. The anti-aircraft systems in service with the latter are outdated, and it is necessary to find a replacement for them. It was in this capacity that the new "Birdman" was initially considered. Taking into account the special needs of the Airborne Forces, it was decided to build it on the serial chassis of the BMD-4M airborne combat vehicle. Such an air defense system will be able to work in the same battle formations with the "winged infantry", incl. parachute with her.
This summer it became known that the ground forces were interested in the "Birdcatcher" project. Their own version of the complex is being developed for them. Its main difference from the landing gear is the chassis. For unification with other models, the BMP-3 tracked chassis was selected in service.
The development of a new combat module, combining the Sosny units and new systems, will continue until the end of 2021. The experimental design work of the Birds is planned to be completed in 2022. In the same year, a new complex is expected to be adopted and the start of re-equipment of air defense units of land and airborne troops.
The Birdcatcher may not be the only ground force novelty in its class. Last year, a version of the Sosna air defense system based on the BMP-3 chassis was shown. Then it was argued that this is the serial appearance of the complex, and in this form it can go into service. If it is adopted, then the ground forces in the coming years will receive two maximum unified air defense systems at once. However, one of them may be abandoned in order to simplify and reduce the cost of air defense modernization.
Desired benefits
In the coming years, the air defense of the two branches of the armed forces will face an interesting update in all respects. The new air defense systems for the army and the airborne forces will be unified with each other in key systems and components. In doing so, they will use well-mastered serial chassis, consisting of the supply of two structures. The positive consequences of such unification are obvious.
"Ptitselov" and "Sosna", unlike the air defense systems of previous generations, have modern means of communication and control, ensuring their integration into a large air defense system. In addition, an increase in efficiency should be expected due to new detection tools and an "intelligent control system" being developed.
When using the existing 9M340 missile defense system from the Sosna air defense system, the promising Ptitselov will be able to intercept targets at ranges up to 10 km and altitudes up to 5 km. The missile is guided by a laser beam, maneuver with an overload of up to 40 is allowed. The upgraded version of the missile will have a greater range and altitude, which will increase the Pines or Poultry Fighter's area of responsibility and increase the likelihood of timely target hitting.
The main task of "Ptitselov" in the layered air defense system will be the "completion" of individual aircraft or attack weapons that have managed to break through the zones of responsibility of other air defense systems. The experience of recent conflicts shows that these will mainly be small UAVs and precision weapons. The potential of such systems is well known, and they require a timely response from air defense.
The future of military air defense
Thus, the development of a promising short-range air defense system for two branches of the armed forces continues, and new details of this project are regularly known. At the same time, the desired results and the approximate timing of their receipt have already been announced. All such news allows us to make optimistic forecasts about the future of military air defense.
It is curious that reports about certain features of the "Ptitselov" arrive regularly and form an ever more detailed picture, but the appearance of this air defense system has not yet been officially published. Apparently, the complex will be shown in the near future at one of the exhibitions - in the form of a model or a prototype.
