An important element of the appearance of a promising tank is currently considered an active protection complex (KAZ). To increase the survivability of an armored vehicle on the battlefield, special systems are required that can detect and intercept incoming anti-tank ammunition in a timely manner. The creation of such systems is associated with certain difficulties, which is why at present only a few types of KAZ have been adopted by various armies. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties, the development of such equipment continues, and new participants are joining this process. So, in the spring of this year, the Turkish company Aselsan first demonstrated its promising KAZ AKKOR.
The first demonstration of the promising development took place during the Istanbul IDEF-2015 exhibition in early May. The goal of the AKKOR project (Aktif Koruma Sistemi - "Active Protection System") is to create a complex of additional protection for armored vehicles, capable of independently detecting incoming anti-tank grenades or missiles, and then destroying them with special ammunition. It is assumed that after the completion of all the necessary tests, the new AKKOR KAZ will become an element of the onboard equipment of the new Turkish Altay tanks. In addition, the possibility of using this complex on other types of armored vehicles has been declared. At the same time, a special version of the system is proposed for equipping light vehicles.
It is reported that the development of the AKKOR project started back in 2008, shortly after the start of the development program for the promising Altay tank. Within just a couple of years, Aselsan completed the design work and began testing the new system. The first successful interception of the training target took place in 2010. Until now, the development company has continued to carry out various tests and improvements to its system. In the foreseeable future, it is planned to complete the work and adopt the new KAZ into service as part of the special equipment of promising tanks.
General view of the means of the AKKOR complex. Photo Trmilitary.com
Turkey can hardly be called a world leader in the field of weapons and military equipment, therefore, there are no revolutionary solutions in the AKKOR project. In terms of its architecture, this complex does not differ from other foreign developments of recent times. Structurally, it is divided into a control unit located inside the protected armored vehicle, a set of small-sized radar stations and a set of launchers with protective ammunition for interception. The number of certain elements of the complex should depend on the type of the base machine. So, tanks "Altai", according to available data, will receive four radar blocks and two launchers. Such a configuration of the complex is expected to provide maximum efficiency in the search for and destruction of dangerous objects.
As follows from the available data, the radar of the AKKOR complex will be installed on the cheekbones and stern of the turret of new tanks. This arrangement of the antenna units will allow you to monitor the maximum possible sector of the surrounding space. At the same time, however, some data suggest that in the proposed configuration, the complex does not provide a full all-round view. Two launchers of protective ammunition should be installed on the roof of the turret aft niche, with a shift towards the stern. Apparently, this place was chosen to provide the widest possible sectors of fire, not covered by the equipment on the roof of the tower.
To detect targets, it is proposed to use four (in a "tank" configuration) small-sized radar stations. Blocks of this equipment should be located around the perimeter of the protected equipment and monitor the surrounding environment. The stations operate in the C-band and follow a 70 ° wide sector (probably in azimuth). Such information about the characteristics of the radar may contradict other information from the advertising materials. In the latter, all-round protection of the base machine is mentioned, while four stations with a view of 70 ° can cover no more than 280 ° of the surrounding space.
Placing the complex funds on the base tank. A frame from a promotional video
The launcher of protective ammunition from the AKKOR complex received a design reminiscent of similar Israeli-made KAZ Iron Fist units. On the tower or roof of the protected armored vehicle, it is proposed to install a system with the possibility of autonomous guidance in two planes. The basis of the launcher is a rotary platform with drives for horizontal guidance, on which a U-shaped stand is mounted with attachments for a swinging device with two tubular barrels. The launcher drives, apparently, allow you to direct the barrels within a wide sector and thereby provide the ability to attack dangerous objects flying in from different directions.
From the available materials, it follows that for the AKKOR complex, two variants of ammunition have been developed, which are proposed to be used to intercept dangerous targets. Both ammunition has a similar design, but differ in some notable details. The first of them has a shorter length and is equipped with a cylindrical body with a tail section of a smaller diameter and tail. An explosive charge and a fuse are located inside the wide part of the body. Apparently, this version of the ammunition is proposed to be launched using a propellant charge.
The second ammunition has an increased length associated with the use of an additional solid-propellant engine. The tail of this projectile has a cavity with holes around which the propellant charge is located. In the tail of the ammunition, instead of the tail, an expanding nozzle is installed. Apparently, this version of the projectile is active-rocket and is intended to intercept targets at relatively large distances.
Ammunition model. A frame from a commercial
The promotional materials claim that the protective ammunition is equipped with a radio fuse. The main charge is detonated when the ammunition approaches the target at a short distance, after which it is destroyed by a blast wave and a stream of fragments.
According to its principle of operation, the Turkish KAZ Aselsan AKKOR does not differ from other systems of its class. During operation, radar stations automatically monitor the surrounding space and detect targets that, by their dimensions and flight parameters, can be identified as anti-tank weapons. The possibility of detecting and recognizing anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and cumulative shells is declared. When a target is detected that poses a danger to the base armored vehicle, the control unit automatically issues a command to one of the launchers. She aims at the target and fires off one of the protective ammunition. The projectile approaches the target and, upon reaching the specified distance, is detonated, destroying the anti-tank ammunition.
For some not entirely clear reasons, Aselsan is in no hurry to publish all the characteristics of its new development. Only the most basic data, as well as some other parameters, have been announced. Other information has not yet been published. In particular, the maximum ranges of detection and interception of targets remain unknown. There may also be questions about some of the other characteristics.
Model of active-reactive ammunition. Photo Otvaga2004.mybb.ru
Despite this, the Turkish military department has already signed the first contract for the supply of KAZ AKKOR. In accordance with the agreement signed on November 30, Aselsan will have to supply such systems with a total cost of about 54 million euros. The number of ordered complexes was not specified. The last batch of equipment ordered will be handed over by the end of the decade. The supply of active protection complexes is associated with plans for the construction of new Altay main tanks. Probably, the Turkish Ministry of Defense made a decision a long time ago to equip this equipment with additional protection systems. Now it is possible to secure this intention with a supply contract.
Like other modern active protection systems, the Turkish-developed AKKOR system has pros and cons. The main advantage of all KAZ is the ability to provide additional protection for armored vehicles through the timely detection of threats and their destruction at a safe distance. Moreover, all processes are carried out automatically and do not require human participation. However, there are also disadvantages. Some of them are inherent in all KAZ, others, in turn, are characteristic only of certain representatives of this class.
A common disadvantage of all active protection systems using radar stations is associated with the possibility of suppressing detection means by enemy electronic warfare systems. In this case, the automation of the complex will not be able to detect the threat and respond to it. Nevertheless, radars are the most convenient means of observing and detecting targets and so far have no alternatives.
In the case of the AKKOR system and some of its analogues, there are a number of disadvantages associated with the design of the protective ammunition launcher. This unit does not have sufficient protection, because of which even a relatively light weapon can cause serious damage to it and disable it. In this case, a tank or other basic vehicle remains without a serious element of protection. In addition, the transportable and ready-to-use AKKOR launcher ammunition consists of only two ammunition. Thus, the armored vehicle will be able to protect itself from only four attacks, after which it will need to reload.
Means of KAZ AKKOR on the Arma 6x6 combat vehicle. Photo Otvaga2004.mybb.ru
Nevertheless, it must be admitted that the architecture of the complex chosen by the Turkish designers allows it to be installed on various machines without any modifications to their design. Thus, KAZ Aselsan AKKOR can be mounted on tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other combat vehicles. However, it should be noted that in this case, not only advantages but also disadvantages remain. Perhaps, in the future, the development of the AKKOR system will continue, resulting in the emergence of more protected launchers with increased ammunition or improved electronics.
At the beginning of December, information appeared in the press about the further plans of the Aselsan company, among other things affecting the further future of KAZ AKKOR. It became known that the Turkish company began negotiations with the Ukrainian "Ukroboronprom". The purpose of the talks is to study the prospects for Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation in the defense sphere. Among other things, the issue of further joint work to improve the active protection complexes can be considered.
According to the latest news, the promising Aselsan AKKOR active protection complex has good prospects. He has already passed tests, and also ordered by the Turkish army for use in the equipment of the new Altay tanks. Thus, even with some shortcomings, including fundamentally irreparable, this system was still able to interest the customer and become the subject of a supply contract.
