Ways and means of detecting enemy artillery positions

Chronoscope from N.A. Benoit. Photo VIMAIViVS

As long as artillery is present on the battlefield, counter-battery combat remains relevant. Timely detection and suppression of an enemy firing position allows you to reduce the possible damage to your troops, as well as weaken the enemy troops. Enemy positions can be identified using various means and methods, some of which have long been known, while others are only now becoming widespread.

Historical experience

In major conflicts of the past, various reconnaissance means were used to detect enemy artillery. So, a reconnaissance group and / or an embedded agent could work behind enemy lines. With the right organization, such reconnaissance provided the necessary accuracy of data and the speed of their transmission.

Without crossing the front line, it was possible to use an extremely simple, but not very accurate method of marking positions by flash and sound. Using binoculars or other optics, the observer had to notice the moment of the flash or the appearance of a cloud of dust from the shooting, and also measure the time until the sound of the shot appeared. Simple calculations made it possible to determine the direction to the enemy's guns and the approximate distance to them.

During the First World War, reconnaissance from the air was used for the first time. At first, tethered balloons were used for it, on which there were observers with optical instruments. Being at a considerable height, the observer could follow the terrain at a great distance. At the same time, there were known risks, as well as difficulties with organizing the transfer of target designation.

Modern sound measuring complex AZK-7M. Photo "Rosoboronexport"

Then, for reconnaissance, they began to use aircraft, both any and specialized ones. As the aviation technology and the introduction of radio communications, this method became more and more effective. During the Second World War, some countries even developed specialized reconnaissance spotters capable of participating, incl. in counter-battery combat.

Sound intelligence

Marking positions by the sound of a shot turned out to be a convenient and effective method, which is why it has been developed. Various projects of tools of this kind were aimed at improving the accuracy of detection, as well as at reducing the negative impact of the "human factor".

So, even before the start of the First World War, a curious intelligence system was proposed by the staff captain of the Russian army N.A. Benoit. He proposed to place several electrical devices with sound-catching membranes on the battlefield, and to deploy an automated time counter, the so-called. chronoscope. The membranes, spaced apart on the ground, were supposed to capture the sound of a shot, and the chronoscope recorded the time it took for the sound to travel. By this time it was possible to determine the approximate location of the guns.

Another version of sound-measuring reconnaissance received the designation "VZh" ("Volodkevich, Zheltkov") and was used to a limited extent during the war. This system was serviced by a crew of several people. Three observers at positions with known coordinates were supposed to "receive" the sound of a shot and give a signal to the control point. The necessary calculations were made there, and their data was sent to their artillery.

Product 1L219 "Zoo"

The idea of ​​sound-measuring reconnaissance has spread, as a result of which a host of other devices and instruments have appeared. In addition, as technology developed, modern components were actively introduced - microphones and computers. The range, accuracy and speed of detection of firing positions was constantly growing.

Sound measuring systems are still in service today - such as the Soviet / Russian AZK-7 (M) "Mesotron". These products are built using modern sensors and high performance computers. The result is maximum speed and accuracy.

radar method

The development and wide distribution of radar at one time did not bypass artillery. In the sixties and seventies, specialized radars appeared and entered service, capable of detecting and accompanying artillery shells, as well as making the necessary calculations.

The principle of operation of the counter-battery radar is quite simple. After deploying to the position, the station monitors the sector and looks for air targets with characteristic features. Projectiles, mines and missiles are characterized by a low EPR, fly along a ballistic trajectory and have a speed within the specified limits. The radar takes such targets for tracking and uses known points to calculate the entire trajectory, incl. determines the starting point. Then this information is converted into coordinates for target designation.

Swedish ARTHUR radar, handed over to Ukrainian formations. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The counter-battery radar can also operate in the fire adjustment mode. In this case, the trajectories and points of impact of the outgoing projectiles are calculated. Also, modern stations are able to determine the bursts of shells and their coordinates. These data are corrected.

Radar stations have obvious advantages, which has led to their rapid and widespread adoption. So, now the Russian army is armed with self-propelled radars 1L219M "Zoo", a portable reconnaissance system 1L271 "Aistenok", etc. Similar tools in different versions are available and used abroad.

old and new principles

Over the past few years, the Russian army has been receiving the latest 1B75 Penicillin artillery / counter-battery reconnaissance systems. In their work, they use both new and well-known, but rethought principles. At the same time, high accuracy of detection and calculation is achieved, comparable with reconnaissance means of other classes.

The composition of the self-propelled "Penicillin" includes an optoelectronic station with an infrared channel on a lifting mast and a set of seismic sensors. During operation, the mast raises the optics to a considerable height, and the sensors are installed on the ground around the complex. The thermal imager monitors the sector and captures flashes of enemy shots. In this case, seismic sensors receive ground vibrations. Based on the direction to the source of the outbreak, as well as the difference in the time of passage of the waves, the exact position of the enemy guns is calculated. In addition, like stations of other classes, the 1B75 product is able to track the explosions of its artillery shells and adjust the fire.

Complex "Penicillin" in working position. Photo Concern "Vega"

In terms of performance and capabilities, "Penicillin" practically does not differ from a radar of a similar purpose. At the same time, such a complex operates only in a passive mode and does not unmask itself with radiation. It will be much more difficult for the enemy to detect a working 1B75 and prevent the detection of their own positions.

Today and tomorrow

Thus, a number of methods are known for detecting enemy artillery positions for retaliatory strikes. In addition, a large number of specialized tools of various kinds have been developed to solve such problems. All known methods and specific products have been repeatedly used in different conditions and have demonstrated their potential.

The current generation of domestic counter-battery weapons is being tested right now as part of the current Special Operation. Enemy artillery constantly suffers losses, which indicates, incl. on the effectiveness of radar or sound-thermal means. It is obvious that the effective use of existing complexes and stations will continue with the desired effect.

It should be noted that right now other means of artillery / counter-battery reconnaissance are being tested and used. Thus, unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, from light quadrocopters to full-size aircraft, have recently acquired great importance. In addition, loitering ammunition appeared, which can not only find enemy artillery, but also destroy it on their own.

Obviously, the experience of the current hostilities will affect the processes, methods and means of artillery reconnaissance and detection of foreign positions. Exactly how, time will tell. But in general, it is already clear that specialized counter-battery weapons optimized for solving such problems will not disappear anywhere, and they will be supplemented by other systems and products.

Comments

[Lech from Android.]

Of key importance is the timing of the shot and the time of a retaliatory strike on the enemy until he withdraws from the position ... the speed of decision making ... in general, you can only survive in an artillery duel with a stopwatch in your hand.
It would be nice to hang a permanently loitering strike UAV at high altitude above the area where the enemy’s artillery battery is supposed to be located ... that would be just wonderful.

[Amateur]

"Zoo", "Penicillin" and other-other-other. And Donetsk is regularly shelled by enemy artillery. And for many months in a row. Why were the enemy batteries not destroyed?
We can't, we don't want to, we don't want to?

Question kaneshna interesting

[Ross xnumx]

Quote: Amateur

And Donetsk is regularly shelled by enemy artillery. And for many months in a row. Why were the enemy batteries not destroyed?
We can't, we don't want to, we don't want to?

Here, most likely, the question should be put like this:
“What forces and means to destroy enemy artillery if it is located in residential areas, and not in firing positions in the field?”
* * *
The enemy does not want to recognize the difference between the civilian Russian population and regular troops. That is why it is required to take (and not put off indefinitely) a decision on the denationalization of the territory called Ukraine.

[Vladimir_2U]

Quote: ROSS 42

That is why it is required to make (and not shelve) the decision to denationalize the territory called Ukraine.

In the meantime, we tolerate the shelling of the "old" Russia, not to mention the New. Although it seems that we tolerate it, and not the conditional Kremlin.

[huntsman650]

Comrade Sladkov writes:
ZAPORIZHIA DIRECTION. THE SITUATION IS UNPLEASANT.

Our positions are under heavy artillery fire. I know a lot of bad details, but I won't reveal them.

The trend: they hit us - we don’t respond, and there are very bad reasons for this, there are several of them and all of them do not depend on the warring battalions, regiments, divisions. Hundreds of shells are flying at us, zero in response. What kind of war is this?

Counter-battery combat, as the main, constantly used method of countering enemy artillery, is absent in our NMD. It doesn't exist, no matter what anyone says.

This is nothing new to the enemy, nor to any of us, so don't stick your own head in the sand. We waste people because of our own shortcomings. Yes, I agree, we are causing serious damage to the enemy with our missile strikes on the rear. But the front line also needs to be protected, our people are standing there.

From the Book for Young Commanders:
“Counter-battery firing is considered successful if the enemy’s firepower and their crews are suppressed or destroyed. Suppression implies the further inability of the enemy's firepower to continue firing.

Adult big commanders probably read other books. And they don’t say that in reality the Ukrainian artillery beats the Russian one, and even a year ago, who would have thought that this would be possible…

"Sweet +"

[Mikhail Maslov]

There is another problem here. Our artillery cannot reach the enemy’s artillery in terms of range and accuracy. Another important factor is the interaction and speed of decision-making. work ahead of the curve. Do not forget about the enemy's space reconnaissance, the data of which are at the disposal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

[agond]

Quote: huntsman650

From the Book for Young Commanders:
“Counter-battery firing is considered successful if the enemy’s firepower and their crews are suppressed or destroyed. Suppression implies the further inability of the enemy's firepower to continue firing.

... as a purely civilian I can see, an artillery battery is called a certain number of guns in one place, which means that if all the guns are dispersed, then the battery does not exist and it is impossible to detect and cover them all at once, only one at a time, and the detection and suppression of a single guns are different

[stankow]

And not a word about the fact that always and in the foreseeable future, the main form of art. reconnaissance and aiming remains optical way. That is, the goal is trite see with NP. In the simple and hopeful, but the most accurate, optical appliances. Zx, the authors are our ...

[agond]

The target can be seen in the sight no further than the line of sight

[stankow]

The NP is located on the front line, on a hill. And sees at a depth of 10 km. More than enough, all the forward and close enemy tili.

[hammer it]

Quote: ROSS 42

Here, most likely, the question should be put like this:
“What forces and means to destroy enemy artillery if it is located in residential areas, and not in firing positions in the field?”

Well, the patriot was cut out right in the middle of the kuev ...

[Oscar Mike]

So this is an air defense system with a radar, which can be calculated, as it were.

[savage3000]

I can say one thing: either the counter-battery radars do not work well, or there are very few of them. Otherwise, Donetsk would not have been shelled.

[oberstz]

there are catastrophically few counter-battery complexes (unlike the Maybach deputies)
that's why this is all happening.

[pechv]

There is no mention of ARCOM in the text. You can add about SNAR. There were such stations. Slightly retrospective is missing.

[wladimirjankov]

If ours allow Bandera’s artillery to work continuously for an hour or more in Donetsk, Gorlovka, other cities and our positions, then it turns out that we are not able to conduct a counter-battery fight. That is, we cannot or have nothing to determine the coordinates of enemy guns, self-propelled guns, MLRS batteries, mortars firing at us. And if we do find it, we take an unacceptably long time to react and prepare a response. While we are scratching and giving commands, the enemy manages to change positions and avoid the attack. Added to all this is the fact that we often simply cannot hit Western models of artillery mounts supplied to the Nazis, since ours are inferior to them in range and accuracy. Therefore, talk about our pinicillins, zoos, storks and so on is still just talk, but reality and facts show something else. To change the situation, our army needs simple, cheap portable and mobile counter-battery radars such as American or our storks. But they should be with every divisional, regimental artillery battery and even company mortar batteries. Our artillerymen must themselves, without intermediaries, quickly and efficiently determine where the enemy is firing from and immediately, without any coordination, respond and accurately cover. This is where reaction and response time is critical. Deep behind enemy lines, far from the LBS, where portable radars will not be able to detect its long-range artillery systems and MLRS, round-the-clock satellite reconnaissance and monitoring of territories with UAVs, AWACS, and electronic radar equipment is necessary. Information about detected targets should be instantly transmitted via secure communication directly to the weapons, bypassing unnecessary bureaucratic authorities. Then we will achieve a turning point in the course of events and will be able to state with good reason that our counter-battery warfare has been brought to the proper level.