Centurion C-RAM anti-aircraft gun: dubious performance against claims of success
Our relationship, like that of most lovers, was not always simple. Nevertheless, "VO" became a part of my life, and it was doubly pleasant on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day to learn that the authoritative Israeli-British project SimilarWeb, engaged in web analytics, in-depth data analysis and Internet research, recognized Topwar.ru as the most visited resource in the world among sites writing on defense topics. This became possible largely due to the editorial policy, which allows authors with a wide variety of views and levels of knowledge to submit their publications to the readers' judgment. Each user registered on the site has a real opportunity to publish an article reflecting his views on various topics related to defense. But sometimes the flip side of such openness is the appearance of fantastic stories that talk about the Russian missile defense system in the Kuril Islands or predict the appearance in fleets leading naval powers of modern counterparts of heavily armored battleships.
It was such publications and excessive “appearances” of individual visitors of “VO” that caused me, despite being teased by my “second half,” engaged in “writing”. So, quite recently, a dispute with a group of site visitors, who spoke extremely unflatteringly about the capabilities of Chinese industry to build modern fighter jets and air defense systems, led to the creation of a very protracted cycle of defense of the PRC. However, despite the invitation to take part in the discussion, commentators, who had previously stated that “a copy is always worse than the original” and “the Chinese cannot design anything on their own,” unfortunately, I did not consider it possible to present evidence that was confirmed by the facts.
On the creation of this publication, dedicated to the American anti-aircraft artillery complex, I pushed the article "The threat coming from the sky"in which the author proposes to create on the basis of pictures published in 50-60 magazines of old prescription and American comics weaponwhich will give potential aggressors a “asymmetrical response”. But I was not interested in the “funny pictures” of the “Murzilka” magazine level, but in the description of the use of a completely specific type of weapon, which is literally the following:
Being interested, I asked the author, speaking under the pseudonym Arkady Gaidar, the question of what kind of sample, what are its characteristics and real achievements? I received the following answer:
Not having gotten a distinguished answer from the respected author of the “article on politics”, I decided to find out for myself what these “rapid-fire machine guns” are that effectively protect American military bases from massive MLRS strikes and artillery mortar attacks. Soon it became clear that we were probably talking about the 20-mm Centurion C-RAM X-gun rapid-fire artillery installation — a land modification of the widely used American naval Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS anti-aircraft artillery complex. The abbreviation C-RAM stands for: Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortars - against unguided missiles, artillery shells and mortar rounds.
After the invasion of Iraq in the spring of 2003, the American forces managed to quickly suppress the resistance of the regular Iraqi forces. But soon a guerilla struggle began on the territory seized by the American coalition. Since the allied forces suffered serious losses from regular rocket and artillery shelling of their bases, the American command was concerned about countermeasures. The situation was complicated by the fact that mortars and launchers of the MLRS rebels were often located in residential areas, and the return fire of American artillery led to large civilian casualties. Under these conditions, Raytheon offered to use the Mark 20 Phalanx CIWS shipborne artillery system, adapted for use on land, to intercept NAR and mortar mines for use on land.
In the basic version of ZALK "Falanx" is intended to protect warships from anti-ship missiles, airplanes and helicopters at short range, small size high-speed combat boats and the destruction of floating mines. 20-mm six-barreled guns with 4500 firing rate / min rate of fire are controlled by radar, which detects and carries out tracking of missiles and airplanes and surface targets. The Phalanx Marine is a 20-mm rapid-fire six-barreled artillery unit with a rotating block of barrels mounted on a single gun mount with two radar detection and tracking. Also in the composition of ZAK includes a rack with electronic units and a remote control. The mass of the artillery system is about 6 tons.
Initially, the Centurion C-RAM anti-aircraft artillery complex was a naval installation, with minimal changes, rearranged on a towed platform designed for carrying heavy armored vehicles. Since on the trailer, in addition to the artillery installation itself with ammunition, they placed detection and guidance equipment, as well as power supply equipment - the weight of the ground complex exceeded 24 tons. This made the Centurion C-RAM immobile. The complex did not fit into the required standards, according to which short-range anti-aircraft complexes should be able to be transported by military transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules. “Centurion” could be transferred over long distances only by heavy C-5В / М Galaxy or sea transport. The towing speed on a paved road does not exceed 20 km / h.
The Centurion anti-aircraft artillery complex is designed to cover important ground targets from air attack weapons at extremely low and low altitudes, MLRS missiles, artillery shells and mortar shells, as well as to destroy enemy forces and lightly armored targets of the enemy in difficult conditions of the situation and in any Times of Day. When creating the Centurion C-RAM, Raytheon’s specialists used the experience and combat experience gained in the creation and operation of the M163 Vulcan ZSU based on the M113 BTR and the latest modifications of the Phalanx CIWS marine ZAK. Compared with the self-propelled anti-aircraft installation "Vulkan" it was possible to significantly reduce the reaction time of the complex, increase the degree of automation and increase the accuracy of shooting.
With a high degree of continuity with the maritime Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS, the dimensions and weight were subsequently reduced, which made it possible to place all the elements of ZAK on a heavy army truck. In connection with the changed specificity of the application and other types of air targets, the sighting and viewing complex was substantially reworked, hardware and software changes were made to the control and guidance systems.
As is known, the ship Falacs is mainly intended to counter anti-ship cruise missiles, for which the ammunition contains 20-mm projectiles with a U-238 core. This uranium isotope has a density of 19,1 g / cm ³ (7,8 iron g / cm ³). A depleted uranium shell has a smaller diameter than an equivalent projectile of another metal, and less aerodynamic resistance. Due to the higher specific pressure at the moment of hitting the target, it is able to penetrate thicker armor. In addition, uranium dust, which is formed during the partial destruction of the pyrophoric core, has a high incendiary effect. Thus, shells, with a core of U-238, with a high armor-piercing effect and cause significant damage after overcoming armor. This is especially important when firing anti-ship missiles, which can be equipped with additional protection of the head part. At the same time, the use of projectiles containing depleted uranium against mortar mines, artillery and rocket projectiles was considered ineffective and unjustified. Since destruction with a high degree of likelihood of unguided artillery ammunition can be achieved as a result of the detonation of an explosive contained in a solid hull, it is necessary to get into its head part. In addition, artillery shells and mines, in addition to being less susceptible to external influences, have much more modest geometries in comparison with cruise missiles.
During the fighting in the Middle East and the Balkans, it became clear that U-238 particles scattered on the ground, when ingested, due to their high toxicity and alpha radiation, pose a great threat to human health. The danger of contamination of the territory with depleted uranium, the risk of shells falling from a height and the inefficiency of armor-piercing shells against small-sized ballistic targets — all this caused the M246 fragmentation tracer and the M940 high-explosive fragmentation kit to be used in the artillery installation. For the safety of people on the ground, all the shells are equipped with self-killers, undermining them at a given time interval. The total ammunition is 1500 shots.
Since the ground-based ZAK Centurion C-RAM was functionally very different from the Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS marine installation, it used a different radar and optoelectronic equipment, as well as a different algorithm of actions. The ground-based Centurion, as well as the ship's anti-aircraft complex, searches for and defeats targets automatically. The functions of the operator when performing combat duty are reduced to performance monitoring, confirmation of the request for the defeat of a target that has entered the protected perimeter and the prevention of emergency situations. Unlike the sea ZAK, for calculating the ballistic trajectory of an artillery or missile and determining whether it poses a threat to the object being hidden and whether there is a need for its shelling, Centurion is attached to the AN / TPQ-36 Firefinder counter-battery radar. Information on detected targets in real time is transmitted to the control center of anti-aircraft and artillery complexes via radio-relay communication channels at a frequency of 2,4 GHz or via a fiber-optic cable.
Compact towed radar with phased array AN / TPQ-36 Firefinder is capable of detecting MLRS missiles and missiles at a distance of 18-24 km, simultaneously tracking up to 20 targets and determining the coordinates of artillery positions with high accuracy. From the 2009 of the year, the AN / TPQ-53 Target Acquisition Radar radar is used for the early detection of mines, missiles and shells on the trajectory, with a maximum range of 122-mm missiles - 60 km.
All elements of the counter-battery radar AN / TPQ-53 are placed on the chassis of the 5-ton FMTV armored truck, which is able to move on a highway at a speed exceeding 80 km / h.
In the first version of ZAK Centurion C-RAM, the AN / TPQ-48 radar was used to detect mortar mines and shells in the immediate vicinity of the protected zone. The station equipment kit weighs 220 kg, the detection range of 120-mm mines is 5 km. However, after a series of incidents, when the AN / TPQ-48 apparatus missed several enemy projectiles, it was replaced by the AN / TPQ-49 station. In fact, AN / TPQ-49 is an improved version of the AN / TPQ-48 radar designed for use by expeditionary forces. In addition to improving reliability and reducing weight to 70 kg, the detection range of 120-mm min has been increased to 10 km. Raytheon has developed a Ku-band radar (10,7-12,75 GHz) MFRFS (Multi-Function RF System) with a scan sector of 360 degrees for use in ZAK Centurion C-RAM. Its characteristics were not disclosed, but after the introduction of the MFRFS radar into the composition of the hardware of ZAK “Centurion”, the effectiveness of the complex increased significantly. In addition, optoelectronic equipment with a thermal imaging channel (FLIR) and automatic tracking of trapped moving objects is intended for searching and firing at air and ground targets of the type. This makes it possible, in addition to destroying artillery shells at any time of day and in difficult weather conditions, to counteract cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying aircraft and helicopters, as well as use the complex for self-defense in the event of direct attack by enemy forces on the position.
The rate of firing of the Centurion C-RAM ground anti-aircraft complex compared to the marine Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS is reduced approximately 2 times and is 2000-2200 rds / min. Apparently, this was done to save the resource of the block of barrels, since on land the artillery part of the installation had to work in much more difficult conditions.
In November, 2004 of the year, before sending the Centurion to the combat zone, the complexes passed a test cycle at the Yuma test site in Arizona. During the test, conducted day and night, it was found that the anti-aircraft artillery complex is really capable of intercepting single 81-120-mm mortar shells. The highest efficiency was achieved when several installations were firing at the same target.
The first Centurion C-RAM units were deployed in Iraq in the summer of 2005. They defended the Green Zone in Baghdad with a total area of about 10 km², an area in the international airport area known as Camp Victory, Balad Air Base and British stationary facilities in southern Iraq. By the year 2008 in Iraqi territory there were more than 20 artillery complexes "Centurion". A spokesman for Raytheon in an interview with the Navy Times said that 20-mm defensive artillery systems had destroyed 105 ballistic targets and about 2 / 3 of them were mortar mines. During combat use, it turned out that one ZAK is capable of covering an area of 1,3 km². Reportedly, in September 2008 of the year was additionally ordered by another 23 installation of the Centurion C-RAM. In addition to Iraq, the Centurions defended American facilities in Afghanistan.
Based on the experience of the Centurion C-RAM combat use, the US Marine Corps ordered a mobile version on the four-axle all-wheel drive 14-ton Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) four-wheel drive chassis. In February, 2019, the company Raytheon announced the signing of an agreement for the supply of anti-aircraft artillery systems "Phalanx" in the ground version. The total contract value was $ 205,2 million. The contract should be fully executed by December 27 2023.
However, in the USA there were quite a few critics of the concept of intercepting artillery and rocket projectiles with the help of an 20-mm rapid-fire artillery installation. It is reliably known that, in the past, the Phalanx anti-aircraft complex could not guarantee, with a sufficient degree of probability, the destruction of supersonic cruise anti-ship missiles. He showed quite decent results when intercepting subsonic targets that imitate Soviet anti-ship missiles P-15 or French Exocet. For testing and test firing in 1996, the US Navy purchased in Russia a batch of X-NUMX M-34 target missiles based on the X-31A anti-ship missiles.
The results of shooting involving M-31 missiles are still not reliably known. However, in 1999, the American admirals began talking about the need to improve the near-air defense of warships. Against the background of information about the existing difficulties with the protection against PKR, the statements about the success of the Centurion are surprising. After all, an artillery shell, a mortar mine or a MLRS rocket are more difficult targets than anti-ship missiles. Although artillery shells do not maneuver after a shot, they fly along an easily calculated ballistic trajectory, because of their much smaller dimensions and their robust corps, it is more difficult to hit them. Hitting even one 20-mm projectile in an anti-ship missile, stuffed with sophisticated electronics, is more likely to lead to its failure. And the impact on the tail section of the 122-mm rocket of the MLRS Grad will only change its trajectory, and this does not mean that it will not be able to damage the hidden objects and manpower. Moreover, the media leaked information that the Centurions were able to shoot down a little more than 30% of the targets that had been fired, while fire was often fired at single mines and 107-122-mm missiles at the same time with 2-3 anti-aircraft guns. To repel a simultaneous strike of an 120-mm mortar battery or a BM-21 combat vehicle with 40 guides. ZAK Centurion C-RAM has no possibility. In Afghanistan, there was a case when, due to the uncoordinated actions of the early warning radar operator and the control officer and the incorrect assessment of the situation, information about the 122-mm Grad missiles launched by the Taliban from artisanal launchers was not brought to the on-duty calculation of ZAK Centurion C-RAM. installations. As a result of the fall of two shells in the territory controlled by the Americans, there were dead and wounded.
The reliability of the complexes also left much to be desired. In 2009, the mean time to failure was 356 hours. During the first three months of operation, 22% AN / TPQ-48 radars were faulty. Subsequently, the coefficient of technical reliability was not less than 0,85. The electronics and mechanical part of the complexes designed to be placed on warships turned out to be too gentle for the harsh conditions of Iraq and Afghanistan. The average time required for repair and restoration after ZAK failure, taking into account the delivery of spare parts was 8,6 hours.
Thus, to assert that “the Americans have learned quite successfully to deal with shelling from mortars and mobile multiple launch rocket systems. Rapid fire machine guns simply knocked down all the flying mines and missiles "too optimistic.
At the same time, there are no grounds to consider “probable partners” frankly “stupid people”. Thinking readers may wonder, what is the purpose of the Centurion C-RAM, which then requires the army and the USCM? For the answer it is worth taking a look at the structure and armament of the units of the US military air defense. At the moment, the only means of dealing with low-altitude aerial targets are FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS and the M1097 Avenger SAMs, which also use Stinger missiles. After the last 1990 Vulcan ZSU M163 Vulcan was written off in the middle of XNUMX, the US ground forces were left without a barrel-mounted anti-aircraft gun.
As you know, fighters play the main role in providing air defense in the United States. The relatively few long-range air defense systems MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 should provide protection against enemy bombers and operational-tactical missiles of troop concentrations and especially important objects. At the same time, it is not always possible to protect troops along the entire length of the front line from attacks by attack aircraft and combat helicopters that have broken through with MANPADS alone. Obviously, having initiated the development of ZAK Centurion C-RAM, the US military decided to "kill two birds with one stone" - to get a tool capable of intercepting mines and shells with a certain degree of probability, as well as fighting aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles at low altitudes. In addition, in recent years, remotely piloted aircraft have become more widespread. They appeared not only in the armies of technologically advanced states, but also at the disposal of various irregular formations, sometimes of an openly terrorist persuasion. Having demonstrated not too brilliant results when intercepting mines and rockets, the Centurion anti-aircraft artillery system leaves no chance of survival dronesthat fall within its area of effect.
Based on:
http://peoc3t.monmouth.army.mil/cram/cram.html
http://ukarmedforcescommentary.blogspot.com/p/future-force-2020.html
https://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2012/03/raytheon-ku-band-rf-radar.html
http://bastion-karpenko.ru/mk-15-vulcan-phalanx/
https://gizmodo.com/the-c-ram-centurion-tears-up-warheads-with-a-stream-of-5907237
https://alternathistory.livejournal.com/1030017.html
https://www.zcomity.com/2015/10/suc-manh-cua-he-thong-chong-rocket-c.html
http://factmil.com/publ/strana/germanija/zenitnyj_artillerijskij_kompleks_mantis_vvs_frg_2013/41-1-0-288
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/cram.htm
Information