Popular Mechanics: 4 Obsolete Weapons
Ukrainian fighter in a trench is an easy target for modern strike systems
Abroad, they are closely following the Russian Special Operation in Ukraine, drawing conclusions and sharing interesting thoughts. So, on August 11, the American edition of Popular Mechanics published an article by Kyle Mizokami “4 Weapons the War in Ukraine Is Proving Obsolete” (“4 weapons that showed their obsolescence in Ukraine”). The topic of the publication was the specifics of the use of certain methods and types of weapons, as well as their prospects in modern conflict.
Technology evolution
K. Mizokami notes that the prolonged hostilities in Ukraine force their participants to pay more attention to high-tech systems and models. However, some types weapons or methods of warfare, incl. used for a long time, show their problems and can leave the stage.
Such processes are not something new and are observed in any armed conflicts. The prospect of defeat forces the participant to use all the achievements of science and technology to create new weapons and tactics. As new models are created, the army abandons old solutions and products. Due to this renewal of armies, a new status quo is being created in the world.
Popular Mechanics points out that during the events in Ukraine, four concepts at once demonstrated their problems, embodied in the form of equipment or methods of warfare. The publication lists them, and also gives the reasons for their obsolescence.
trench warfare
K. Mizokami recalls that trenches and trenches are a very old means of protecting infantry from small arms and artillery. The trenches can stretch for many kilometers and provide security even in the absence of natural shelters. They were actively used in a number of major wars and received a special role in the First World War.
The current conflict is no exception. Ukrainian and Russian forces have prepared advanced trench systems hundreds of miles long. However, now there are difficulties and threats. Thus, light UAVs capable of carrying a small payload appeared and became widespread. They are capable of throwing grenades or similar ammunition into an enemy trench.
Foreign howitzer FH-70 in the Ukrainian army. Towed guns are at particular risk
Another characteristic threat to soldiers in a trench is advanced artillery shells with a programmable detonation. Such ammunition can explode exactly above the trench and cause maximum damage.
Popular Mechanics notes that trenches are easy to set up and require no additional building materials. It is also not clear how they can be replaced to obtain similar capabilities. However, it is clear that the new means of warfare make life and work in the trenches more dangerous.
Towed artillery
Artillery guns of large caliber for shelling the enemy also have a long history. Heavy, but simple in design, howitzers were transported between positions using horses or special tractors. The battery is towed to a firing position, deployed and opened fire. Preparation for shooting takes at least a few minutes.
In wartime, towed artillery must "hit and run" - quickly roll up and change position to avoid a retaliatory strike. The advent of counter-battery radars, improved communications, and precision-guided munitions have increased the risks for gunners. They may not have time to leave the position.
K. Mizokami suggests that the current conflict may complete the history of towed artillery. Its place will finally be taken by self-propelled systems on wheeled and tracked chassis, with armor and all the necessary means, such as the French CAESAR, the German PzH 2000 or the Swedish Archer. For example, Ukraine already has a CAESAR self-propelled howitzer capable of leaving a position just a few seconds after being fired.
Air support
Popular Mechanics reminds us that there are different classes of aircraft, and one of the most important is close air support aircraft and helicopters. For example, in the US military, such tasks are solved by AC-130J Ghostrider and A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft, as well as AH-64 Apache helicopters. All of them can attack various ground targets, but only when the enemy does not have a decent anti-aircraft cover.
US Air Force A-10 attack aircraft. Such vehicles are forced to enter the air defense affected areas
Current events show that the presence of modern advanced air defense systems on one side deprives the other of the opportunity to effectively use tactical aviation. Russian air defense in this respect is the benchmark against which all other anti-aircraft systems are compared. It has already caused great damage to Ukrainian aviation, knocking out a lot of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles.
For all their shortcomings, the short-range complex "Thor", "Buk" medium-range and long-range "Triumph" are distinguished by high combat qualities. K. Mizokami believes that all Russian air defense systems are outdated, but are still a threat to the enemy.
Aviation is still capable of solving combat missions, but its composition and tactics need to be reconsidered. Thus, the tasks of reconnaissance and strikes should be entrusted to UAVs with the appropriate characteristics. In turn, modern weapons will allow manned aircraft to strike and remain outside the zones of destruction of air defense systems. In addition, stealth issues remain of great importance.
Tank perspectives
In the formed situation Tanks balancing on the verge of relevance and obsolescence. K. Mizokami points to significant losses of armored vehicles and explains them by several main reasons. The first is the widespread use of anti-tank weapons such as the Javelin or the NLAW. The second threat was UAVs with strike capabilities. In theory, one drone with a few ammo on board could knock out an entire tank unit.
A tank weighing 60 tons and costing $10 million can be hit by a simple UAV with a grenade, which raises doubts about its necessity. However, despite some vulnerability, it is the tanks that are distinguished by the best ratio of firepower, protection and mobility. There is simply no other technique with such capabilities on the battlefield.
To maintain survivability at the required level, Popular Mechanics proposes to develop tank protection systems. In particular, for them it is possible to create a combat module with machine gun or laser weapons, equipped with a radar sight. Such a tool could neutralize the UAV threat, at least until a new generation of strike weapons appears.
The Ukrainian tank "Oplot" is a potential target for tanks, artillery, aviation, anti-tank systems, etc.
Combat obsolescence
K. Mizokami and Popular Mechanics provided a curious look at current events. They reviewed existing tools and methods and assessed their relevance to the current situation and challenges. Four classes of equipment and fortifications did not cope with such a test and received an appropriate assessment.
The above list of obsolete tools and samples is not the ultimate truth. Some of his points are debatable. In addition, additional positions should be included in it in the form of certain weapons or tactics that have shown themselves poorly in recent months. A good addition to such a list could be the Ukrainian army, with all its problems and shortcomings, which only intensified after the start of demilitarization.
However, not only the list is interesting, but also the reasons why certain samples were included in it. It is easy to see that in all cases we are talking about the same factors. These are various new threats that were absent at the time of the appearance of specific weapons / equipment / means. So, at the time of the active development of towed artillery, there were no counter-battery radars, and tanks did not collide with UAVs for several decades. However, now the situation has changed, and new factors pose a serious threat.
From this follows the obvious, but important conclusion that Popular Mechanics makes. Weapons or assets that have encountered new problems and are included in the list from a recent article may become a thing of the past - or continue to develop. So, K. Mizokami proposes to save pilots by increasing the role of unmanned aircraft, and new means of protection against air attack should help tanks.
This principle of dealing with threats - and obsolescence - is not a discovery. It is in this way that weapons, equipment and tactics have been developing for decades, and in the future this concept will continue to be put into practice. The only question is exactly what paths the development of specific classes of weapons or tactics will take, and how these processes will be influenced by current and future armed conflicts.
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