Combat on the move … As in the heyday of the Cold War, self-propelled short-range and super-short-range air defense systems (PVOBD and PVOSBD) are once again becoming urgently needed weapons, however, in less than one human generation, anti-aircraft artillery has been replaced by light high-precision missiles. No military force can operate without them, especially when deploying and operating overseas
The layman most often considers a modern air defense system (stationary or mobile) as a set of specialized anti-aircraft weapons, mainly designed to protect against low-altitude air threats, mainly helicopters and any slowly flying short-range air support aircraft, and today even from (a novelty for many) unmanned aircraft capable of carrying out subtle attacking actions.
Of course, since richer countries clearly prefer complex and highly effective multi-tiered anti-aircraft systems, including entry-level anti-aircraft missiles (anti-aircraft artillery and light missiles) plus networked medium and long-range anti-ballistic systems, there is a constant demand to protect "on the move" on at very close range, any weapon capable of being attacked in the air. In the field of anti-aircraft missile defense, not so many new systems have appeared since the 80s … the ubiquitous Toyota pickup truck with installed MANPADS or large-caliber machine gun remains king on the battlefield, especially in asymmetric hostilities, no matter how cruelly the disaster of a French helicopter in Mali in 2013 and several cases of losses of Russian helicopters in Syria in 2016.
Interestingly, just a few months ago, the command of the American army in Europe, which is definitely not the trendsetter that it was for about 25 years ago, warned that the capabilities of close air defense are degrading on the continent. Even the National Commission on the Future of the Ground Forces, in a 2006 report, noted that this area is "unacceptably little modernized." For the commander of the US Army in Europe, Colonel General Frederick Hodges, the biggest challenge of the decade is, beyond doubt, countering aerial reconnaissance systems or bomb-laden UAVs, whose presence on the battlefield is growing and of great concern.
A little cautionary tale
In the second half of 1943, Nazi Germany began to lose its air superiority on all fronts, and its army was harassed by the Allied air forces. On the western front, American P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang aircraft and British Hawker Typhoon and Tempest, armed with bombs and missiles, devastated the Wehrmacht's battle formations, destroying hundreds of tanks and transport convoys. The same thing happened on the Eastern Front, where the main striking power was represented by the red-star Il-2 attack aircraft. Here, the German single-barreled 20-mm cannons could not give an adequate rebuff to the enemy due to the limited firepower, because one or two shells were sometimes not enough to destroy the Il-2, and more shells rarely hit the plane from one burst. However, one hit from a 37-mm cannon was usually enough to shoot down an Il-2.
To deal with this annoying threat, the Wehrmacht combined anti-aircraft guns and vehicles. So an anti-aircraft self-propelled unit (ZSU) was created on the basis of the PzKpfw IV medium tank, which received the Sd. Kfz index according to the departmental designation system for armored vehicles. 161/3. It got its name "Möbelwagen" ("furniture van") because of the external similarity in the stowed position (raised armored shields of the gun) with a furniture van (photo below). The first installation, bristling with a quartet of 20 mm FlaK 38 cannons (Flakvierling), was manufactured at the end of 1943. Capable of delivering 4 minutes of continuous fire (3200 rounds), these quad 20mm cannons terrified the Allied coalition pilots who called them the "Hell Four".
In parallel with this weapon system, a single 37 mm cannon of the larger caliber FlaK 43 was also used, which was installed on about 300 Möbelwagen to protect armored columns on the march. They were soon replaced by the superior Wirbelwind and Ostwind Flakpanzer IV systems, which were responsible for the heavy losses of American and British pilots flying over France, Belgium and the Netherlands. But that was before the last system from the list of anti-aircraft installations appeared - the Kugelblitz FlaKpanzer IV was made in only five copies before the Ruhr area was captured by the allied armies. It had a dual 30mm MK103 DoppelflaK mount capable of shooting 900 rounds per minute!
On the other hand, the American and British industries, not to mention the Soviet, developed at the same time self-propelled anti-aircraft platforms with heavy machine guns. However, due to the air superiority of their air forces, they were most often used as direct fire support for ground forces against tanks and other combat vehicles. Examples include the British Crusader Mk. III / AAT tank or the Staghound T17E2 AA armored car, armed with two 12.7mm M2 machine guns, and the American anti-aircraft systems with four 12.7mm M2 machine guns (known as the Four Fifties since their caliber is 0.50), often mounted on the platform of the M16 GMC half-track vehicle.
Although much less powerful than the German 20mm anti-aircraft systems, they were at least widely available and were used more often to suppress ground targets. However, none of the anti-aircraft guns had such a long life and such international fame as the 40-mm system of the Swedish (now British) company Bofors, which was one of the most popular anti-aircraft systems in the middle category in mass, used in the Second World War by a greater part of the Western allies, as well as many countries of the Hitlerite coalition! A small number of these installations remain in service today in a number of countries, including Brazil. The M19 (Multiple Gun Motor Carriage) anti-aircraft self-propelled installation, based on the chassis of the M24 Chaffee light tank, on which a three-man turret was installed, armed with two 40-mm Bofors cannons, was considered the best self-propelled anti-aircraft installation in the American army. The installation was manufactured by Cadillac in 1944-1945, by the end of World War II, it was in service with several units of the American army and was later used in hostilities during the Korean War. Its successor, the fully manual M42 Duster with the same cannons based on the M41 chassis, became the main self-propelled charger in the American armed forces in the late 1950s. Being a relatively efficient system of the era for which it was created, by the time it became widespread, it certainly became ineffective against high-speed jet targets of the "sixties".
This is the main reason why mobile self-propelled guns were subsequently replaced in the American armed forces with self-propelled first-generation short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, such as the MIM-72A / M48 Chaparral, at a time when some countries received great advantages from operating self-propelled guns, for example the USSR with its ZSU-57-2 (later Shilka and Tunguska with the addition of radar guidance). Germany with its Flakpanzer Gepard and France with its "30mm twin" AMX 13 DCA - all of these anti-aircraft systems were equipped with radar for short-range detection and tracking. Today, many of these self-propelled systems remain in service with a few exotic military forces, but in large armies they have been largely replaced by light missiles.
Portable and transportable short-range air defense systems
The appearance of light surface-to-air missiles practically radically changed the entire balance of power on the battlefield. MANPAD (Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile Systems) are short-range systems specifically designed to be carried and launched by one person. The real successor to the antique M4 quadruple anti-aircraft machine gun mount of the 1931 model, installed on the platform of the GAZ-AA truck, - MANPADS first appeared on the battlefield in the mid-60s. Although initially these complexes were developed in the late 50s, they were truly not only an innovative solution to provide ground forces with effective all-aspect protection against low-flying enemy aircraft, but also a real step forward compared to traditional anti-aircraft artillery.
In contrast to anti-aircraft artillery, MANPADS carried by one person are highly mobile and easily concealed systems, potentially capable of catastrophic destruction. This is why MANPADS have received a lot of attention as a potential terrorist tool, mainly used against civilian and government targets and, above all, against defenseless civilian aircraft.
Today, there are three types of MANPADS, which are determined by the type of missile that is launched. When combined in several pieces, they also become the main armament of most existing self-propelled anti-aircraft anti-aircraft installations of the air defense missile defense system:
• Infrared rockets aiming at a heat source, usually an engine or a jet of exhaust gases.
• Missiles with a radio command guidance system, when the MANPADS operator captures and accompanies the target visually using an optical sight and transmits guidance commands to the missile via a radio channel.
• Rockets with laser beam guidance, when the missile follows in the beam barrel and is aimed at the target light spot formed on the target by the laser designator.
Of all three types of light missiles, infrared-guided missiles are the preferred choice for short- and ultra-short-range air defense. Their dependent infrared homing heads (GOS) are designed to search for a powerful source of infrared radiation. The first generation IR-GOS had a mirror-lens objective mounted on the gyroscope rotor and rotating with it, collecting thermal energy at the detector. The design of the seeker varies from manufacturer to country, but the principle remains the same. By modulating the signal, the control logic can tell where the infrared source is in relation to the direction of the missile's flight. All first generation GOS (1G) since the 60s have been operating in this way. In later designs of the second generation (2G), introduced in the 70s, the rocket optics rotate and the rotating image is projected onto a stationary crosshair (called a conical scan mode) or a stationary set of detectors that generates a pulse signal processed by a tracking logic device.
Most of the portable systems of the last century use this type of seeker, like many short-range anti-aircraft air defense systems and air-to-air missiles. The latest generation 3G rockets use infrared differential error detection and shape recognition. The next generation, currently under development and not expected until 2025, will use significantly more expensive color-sensitive (4G) focal plane scanning systems at specific wavelengths.
The preferred weapon to engage super-short-range air defense systems are fire-and-forget infrared-guided missiles, such as the European MBDA Mistral, the Russian Igla (NATO code Strela) from KBM, and the American Stinger from Raytheon; in recent decades, they have all been produced in thousands of pieces. To this trio can be added smaller systems: the Swedish Saab RBS 70 rocket and the Chinese CNPMIEC QW-2 (a copy of the original Soviet Igla rocket). For its part, the British industry has developed unique laser-guided short-range surface-to-air missiles such as the Thales Starstreak, which has its origins in the highly successful Javelin / Starburst family of Shorts Missile Systems. The three-headed Starstreak / ForceShield missile is known as the fastest short-range surface-to-air missile in the world (Mach 4). All of these weapons systems have a valid range of approximately 5 to 8 kilometers and can reach an altitude of 5000 meters with a very high probability of being hit the first time. The latest versions of all of the above missiles have a hardened seeker that can deceive infrared or laser countermeasures. However, IR-guided missiles are preferred by most armies in the world (and not just armies), as they remain the most affordable and better tolerate mishandling. Well, let the rest choose radar or laser-guided missiles.
European short-range air defense systems are very actively returning to the world market. Perhaps the best evidence of this is both the high-tech Russian Tor complex (NATO designation SA-15 Gauntlet) from the Almaz-Antey corporation, and the budget MPCV complex from MBDA, installed on military vehicles of any type.
East winds
East European countries have created very interesting self-propelled short-range anti-aircraft systems with radar-guided missiles. The very first and oldest of them, the 9K33 anti-aircraft missile system, is still in operation. Developed during the heyday of the innovative development of the Soviet defense industry, the 9K33 (NATO designation SA-8) became the first mobile anti-aircraft missile system based on a single chassis with its own target intercept radar, and what kind of chassis it is! The six-wheeled all-terrain BAZ-5937 transporter (and even floating) is a real advantage in the field, when the deployment of the system is paramount. All variants of the 9K33 complex are based on the 9A33 self-propelled launcher with radar, which can detect, track and engage air targets independently or with the help of regimental surveillance radars, launching six 9M33 anti-aircraft guided missiles with radar guidance. The mobile complex for movement on water is equipped with a water cannon, can be transported by IL-76 aircraft and by rail, the cruising range is 500 km. It is quite understandable that after the Cold War era, many of the complexes, updated at the expense of Western electronic and computer systems, are now used by NATO countries with great efficiency.
The heaviest and largest short-range air defense system today is the Russian Tor-M1 complex produced by the Almaz-Antey concern and its latest version, Tor-M2; both are armed with at least 12 9M331 surface-to-air missiles. The high-explosive fragmentation warhead of the missile and the active remote fuse can destroy moving targets at a speed of 700 m / s and at an altitude of 6,000 meters within a radius of 12 km. The complex can fire at targets with a short stop of three to five seconds. The anti-aircraft missile system is based on the 9A331 tracked combat vehicle (GM-5955 type chassis), which can reach speeds of about 65 km / h on the highway and has a cruising range of 500 km. Served by a crew of 4 people, including the commander's driver and two operators. The cockpit is located in the front, and the tower is installed in the center of the vehicle, the surveillance radar, providing 90 ° coverage, is installed in the rear. The vehicle is also equipped with a K-band Doppler radar with a phased array antenna, which has a range of 25 km.
As for light systems, the Russian company KBM has developed a new anti-aircraft system Gibka-S, which can accept the latest 9K333 Verba portable anti-aircraft missile system (adopted in 2014). The Gibka-S anti-aircraft complex is designed to provide the armed forces with mobile means of short-range air defense. The new self-propelled anti-aircraft system consists of several launchers based on the Tiger wheeled armored vehicle and a reconnaissance and control vehicle. An important advantage of the combat vehicle is that it can use both the newest Verba MANPADS and the Igla-S MANPADS, which is in service with the armies of many countries, including the Russian army. There are eight missiles in the ammunition load of the complex. Four of them are located on the launcher. The work of the BMO is automated as much as possible. There are two combat use modes: autonomous or under the control of command posts.
The reconnaissance and control vehicle of the commander (MRUK) of the platoon is designed for automated control of the actions of anti-aircraft gunners' squads of MANPADS. The MRUK includes a small-sized radar "Garmon". MRUK allows you to quickly interact with higher command posts and control six subordinate combat vehicles or four squads of anti-aircraft gunners equipped with 9S935 automation equipment sets. The guaranteed communication range of MRUK with BMO is 17 km while stationary and 8 km while driving.
A mobile anti-aircraft gun Poprad of the Polish company Bumar Electronics, which is quite similar in concept, is capable of hitting air targets at low and medium altitudes. It is armed with four Mesko Grom launchers, although other types of MANPADS can be installed. The fire control system includes an optoelectronic station with an infrared camera and a laser rangefinder, as well as a NATO-standard "friend or foe" system. The unit is equipped with navigation and data transmission systems, which makes it possible to integrate the unit into an integrated air defense system. By default, the Poprad complex is based on the Zubr wheeled armored vehicle, but can also be installed on other platforms, including armored personnel carriers. The Grom missile has a range of up to 5500 meters and a maximum altitude of 3500 meters. The Polish Arms Inspectorate has confirmed that the Poprad system has been tested with the new Mesko Piorun missile from ZM Mesko, which will eventually replace the Grom missile.
"Euro-missile" MBDA
In addition to the VL Mica short-range air defense system, based on the Mica IR / ER air-to-air missile (photo below) to engage highly maneuverable targets at short and medium distances with infrared and radar guidance, which is now part of the Rafale multirole fighter and fighter Mirage 2000 late series, MBDA is one of the creators of the Atlas-RC and MPCV ultra-short air defense systems. These systems are based on the Mistral 2 surface-to-air guided missile, which is capable of intercepting a wide variety of air targets at altitudes exceeding 3000 meters, including targets with low thermal signatures. It reportedly has a high hit rate and is highly effective against maneuvering air targets (also moving on the ground).
MPCV (Multi Purpose Combat Vehicle - multipurpose combat vehicle) is a complex of the latest generation with high firepower, designed for ground anti-aircraft operations at ultra-close ranges. Its task is to provide anti-aircraft units with a simple weapon system that combines high mobility, good crew protection and high firepower. The complex is based on an automated turret mounted on an armored vehicle. The turret includes optoelectronic sensors, a small-bore cannon and four ready-to-launch Mistral 2 missiles that can be launched from a control console installed inside the vehicle. This weapon system with the latest Mistral 2 short-range surface-to-air missile has been tested on a wide variety of highly maneuverable armored vehicles. High mobility and short response time, only two seconds, increase the anti-aircraft capabilities of a massive defense.
A unit of four MPCV complexes needs less than 15 seconds to fire at 16 different targets flying from any direction. The complex can be operated both by one operator and by a crew of two people, including the commander. The gyro-stabilized optoelectronic station of the MPCV complex was developed by Rheinmetall Defense Electronics. It includes television and infrared sights, a laser rangefinder and an automatic target tracking machine, which allows observation at any time of the day. The MPVC complex is also equipped with a 19-inch TL-248 fire control display, an operator panel with a human-machine interface, a 17-inch TX-243 commander display, recorders for task analysis and training, as well as a fiber optic communication channel for remote operation in a safe environment … The MPCV platform integrates the Thales VHF PR4G F @ stnet radio station for transmitting data and voice messages, which it can transmit simultaneously even in the most difficult jamming environment.
The modular architecture of the MPCV allows the system to integrate into a coordinated fire control network and be part of a digital force. In order to increase the destructive capabilities of the MPCV complex, MBDA has developed a compact lightweight operational control system Licorne, designed for ultra-close air defense systems armed with Mistral missiles. The highly mobile control system originates from the I-MCP and PCP systems also from the development of MBDA. It provides a high level of coordination of ultra-close air defense systems and is well suited to the needs of fast raids or amphibious operations on land or sea. The system can provide complete operational information for decision-making, including the local air situation, threat assessment and priority. The Licorne system can be integrated with a wide variety of infrared sensors and lightweight radars, after which it becomes a fully functional complex for observation, detection and identification of targets.
The base chassis was developed by MBDA in collaboration with Rheinmetall Defense Electronics (RDE). The current MPCV complexes are based on the Renault Trucks Defense Sherpa 3A off-road armored vehicle, but can be installed on other armored vehicles with a minimum carrying capacity of 3 tons. After a series of test launches in 2010, the final qualification of the MPCV system was announced. These trials culminated in live gunfire against a number of targets representing multiple air attacks. The first production MPCVs on the Soframe chassis were delivered to the Saudi Arabian National Guard in 2013.
An ideal and natural complement to the MPCV complex at the brigade level is the Ground Master 60 tactical S-band phased array antenna from the Thales Ground Master family, optimized for aerial surveillance and target designation of weapons systems, ranging from a single artillery gun to an expanded short-range air defense system. This lightweight and reliable radar is designed for a wide range of tasks, from mobile warfare to the protection of fixed strategic targets. It can search for targets while on the move, providing troops with dynamic situational awareness. The radar has some of the world's best short-range detection characteristics for the most difficult targets, in particular low-flying targets with a low level of unmasking features (helicopters taking off, UAVs, cruise missiles, etc.).
The ready-to-use radar station Ground Master 60 is capable of providing a protective dome over ground forces on the march, has a horizon range of 80 km and a ceiling of up to 25 km, has a minimum detection range of 900 meters and can track up to 200 highly maneuverable air targets at the same time. It features an effective anti-jamming system and a Frequency Agility Mode that dynamically detects and tracks mufflers to select the least muffled frequency.
The MPCV complex from MBDA is the only modern, thoughtfully designed short-range air defense complex in the world market. Currently being studied by the Chinese industry, which is always eager to create copies of European cutting-edge designs. Wait and see.
