Ukrainian training ground: Russian air defense against American MLRS
M142 combat vehicles transferred to Ukraine. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
A few months ago, the United States and its allies provided the Kyiv regime with M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, as well as GMLRS series ammunition for them. This weapon is actively used in different sectors of the front, but the results of its use did not justify hopes. Russian air defense successfully detects and intercepts most of the missiles.
Shot down in the air
Foreign MLRS appeared in Ukraine in June-July and almost immediately fell into the combat zone. Starting from the first days of July, this technique is used almost daily in different sectors of the front. With the help of foreign weapons, Ukrainian formations are trying to shell Russian military facilities and civilian infrastructure.
The Ukrainian side claims that HIMARS and MLRS with GMLRS projectiles are highly effective and successfully hit numerous Russian targets. However, no evidence of this is given - due to the lack of noticeable success. At the same time, curious and detailed information reflecting the real state of affairs is published by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
In daily reports, the Ministry of Defense regularly mentions the use of Soviet and foreign-style MLRS by the enemy. In addition, data on the interception of rockets are being announced. So, just last week, our air defense successfully detected and destroyed about fifty GMLRS missiles in the air.
HIMARS launches a rocket. Photo by the US Department of Defense
For example, in a report dated October 8, it is reported that on the previous day HIMARS MLRS tried to fire at four settlements, but our air defense intercepted 21 missiles. The next day there was only one such shelling, and 4 shells were destroyed in the air. On other days, the situation looks similar, only the places of shelling and the number of missiles shot down change.
General trends
It is known that Ukrainian formations are more actively using the M142 wheeled MLRS, which are distinguished by improved mobility. In addition, they try to save their equipment and not expose it to retaliation. Having fired a portable ammunition load, the combat vehicle leaves the firing position. All this seriously affects the possible results of fire and imposes certain restrictions.
In this context, information from our Ministry of Defense should be considered. So, on October 9, Ukrainian rocket artillery tried to attack one settlement, but Russian air defense intercepted four missiles. Apparently, the attack was carried out by a single HIMARS launcher. She fired no more than six missiles and left the position. Then most of the shells of such a volley were intercepted. No more than 1-2 missiles broke through to the target.
In the previous report, several such attacks were described. This time, four settlements were shelled, and 21 rockets were intercepted. It seems that in this case, four M142 MLRS with six rounds each worked in different areas. No more than 24 missiles could be launched, and up to three managed to break through the defenses.
Fires MARS II - German version of the M270. Photo by the German Ministry of Defense
The remaining episodes of the use of foreign MLRS look similar. The enemy uses individual launchers or small units. A limited number of missiles fly to the target, and most of them are destroyed in the air. Often the enemy tries to overload our air defense by simultaneously firing from several different types of MLRS. However, this does not help, and the bulk of the rockets do not reach the target.
On a ballistic trajectory
Ukrainian formations use guided missiles of the GMLRS family with the M270 and M142 - M30 and M31 products of various modifications. Serial missiles of this line are designed for firing at a distance of 15 to 92 km. A 91-kg monoblock warhead or an “alternative” charge with a large number of ready-made submunitions is delivered to the target. The missiles are equipped with a control system based on inertial and satellite navigation.
Serial GMLRS missiles are equipped with a unified solid-propellant jet engine. There are no engine controls of any kind, and in all cases the thrust and duration of operation are the same. The flight speed reaches 2,5M. The firing range is controlled by changing the elevation angle of the launcher, which determines the parameters of the ballistic trajectory.
The control system allows the rocket to only slightly adjust its course and stay on the desired trajectory. The ability to actively maneuver is absent. Thus, the trajectory of the projectile is ballistic and predictable, and small maneuvers have little effect on the situation.
MLRS MLRS launcher without ammunition containers. Photo Missilery.info
The predictability of the flight path negatively affects the combat qualities of the projectile. This factor greatly simplifies the operation of all air defense components, from detection radar to anti-aircraft missiles. High supersonic speed and trajectory correction maneuvers are not decisive factors in this case.
Means of defense
According to known data, the Russian army has created an advanced layered air defense system in the zone of the Special Operation, which includes all the necessary components. Such defense regularly destroys enemy planes and helicopters, and also successfully intercepts MLRS shells and operational-tactical missiles.
In order to control the airspace, a large number of various radars are deployed. The situation in the air is simultaneously controlled by stationary systems of long and medium range, such as "Nebo-SV / SVU" or "Niobium", as well as their own stations for detecting anti-aircraft systems of military air defense - "Tor-M2", "Pantsir-S", "Buk -M3", etc. In addition, counter-battery radars are in operation, capable of detecting and tracking precisely artillery ammunition.
Data from the detection radar is used by firepower. All modern domestic air defense systems / air defense missile systems of military air defense are capable of intercepting not only aerodynamic, but also ballistic targets at high supersonic speed. In particular, GMLRS projectiles are successfully hit by serial anti-aircraft missiles.
Two M142 installations in the process of reloading. Photo by the US Department of Defense
The enemy is trying to break through our air defense due to a large number of missiles. However, our radars and air defense systems have a large number of channels for tracking and firing, and it is extremely difficult to overload such defenses. This requires a really massive shelling involving a large amount of equipment. Such capabilities of the enemy are extremely limited and their further preservation is not guaranteed.
Thus, the existing domestic military air defense system in real combat conditions has confirmed its ability to hit all expected targets. Both various aircraft and ammunition are successfully identified and destroyed, incl. MLRS missiles. Due to the specifics of the current operation, such capabilities are of particular importance for the security of troops and civilians.
Decreasing Threat
A few months ago, the Kyiv regime received modern MLRS and high-performance ammunition from foreign partners - and was unable to fully realize the potential of these weapons. The achievement of the desired results was prevented by the small amount of equipment received, the lack of experience in its operation and proven tactics, as well as a number of other factors.
In this case, opposition from the Russian army is of decisive importance. The search and fire destruction of launchers, their positions and places of storage of ammunition is carried out. If the MLRS or HIMARS combat vehicle managed to get to the position, they will try to cover it with fire, and the flying projectiles will become the target for air defense. And practice shows that all these tasks are effectively solved, and this significantly reduces the threat from foreign missiles.
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