ZU-23-2 on an armored car: a combat module for combating UAVs
"Typhoon" with DUBM from the KEMZ Concern at the "Army-2022". Photo KEMZ
To combat small and light unmanned aerial vehicles, various means are offered, including small-caliber artillery. dscjre. effectiveness in this context should be shown by artillery systems using a projectile with a programmable fuse. Right now, the Russian industry is developing such an air defense system, and the old and well-deserved ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun is becoming its main element.
Perspective development
Work on a promising anti-UAV complex began several years ago at the initiative of the Ministry of Defense. JSC Concern Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant (KEMZ) was chosen as the Contractor. The company received the necessary documentation for existing products and started development work. The cipher of this project has not yet been announced.
At the Army-2022 forum, KEMZ for the first time showed the result of the work carried out. It was a prototype in the form of an armored car "Typhoon-VDV" with a newly developed combat module - a modernized 23-mm artillery mount ZU-23-2. A simulator for training shooters-operators was also demonstrated. During the first show, some features of the promising machine and some of its capabilities were revealed.
In February 2023, the Military Thought magazine of the Ministry of Defense published an article “Substantiation of the appearance and main tasks of the combat use of a promising enemy mini-UAV countermeasure complex”, prepared by specialists of the KEMZ Concern. It dealt with the issues of combating unmanned targets, incl. several real examples of technology. In particular, they spoke in more detail about the new DBM and mentioned the development of a 23-mm projectile with a programmable fuse.
On September 4, RT published new information about the progress of a promising project. The management of KEMZ spoke about the successes achieved and the imminent completion of the current work. Thus, the development of a projectile with a controlled detonation is successfully moving forward, and it is planned to be completed at the beginning of next year. They also clarified some technical features of the new air defense system.
Demonstration of the use of augmented reality glasses. Photo KEMZ / "Military Thought"
Thus, from the previously published information, it follows that KEMZ, in cooperation with related enterprises and organizations, is successfully coping with the task from the Ministry of Defense. The appearance of the new DBM has been formed and worked out, and prototypes are already being demonstrated. At the same time, in the foreseeable future, the development of the next element of the complex, which will significantly affect its capabilities, will be completed.
Technical features
The promising combat module from the KEMZ Concern was developed on the basis of the serial ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun. The latter received a set of new instruments and devices that provide target search and guidance in remotely controlled mode. The resulting module is universal and can be mounted on different platforms. Thus, the previously demonstrated sample was installed on an armored car of the Typhoon series.
When rebuilt into a DBM, the ZU-23-2 product retains the main elements of the gun carriage, including the platform with the calculation points. At the same time, the installation receives remotely controlled guidance drives, optical and other means, doubled boxes of ammunition, etc. Two 23-mm rifled automatic guns remain in their place. Their tactical and technical characteristics do not change.
For the new module, KEMZ developed the so-called. central computer system (CCS). It is a computer with special software made using elements of artificial intelligence. The Central Air Force collects information from optical-electronic means, from a weather station, etc., processes them and generates data for aiming and firing.
Of particular interest are the means and methods of controlling the DBMS and firing. So, at the disposal of the shooter-operator there is a traditional control panel and augmented reality glasses. The remote control can be used outside the car. The cable provides operation at a distance of up to 100 m, a communication radio station - up to 2 km.
Operator training simulator. Photo KEMZ / "Military Thought"
An image from the DUBM cameras is displayed on camera glasses. At the same time, the Central Air Force monitors the air situation, finds targets and gives the operator a video signal with target marks. The operator can select a target for firing and give a command to the automation. After that, the Central Armed Forces independently aims the guns and fires. The development organization conducted synthetic tests, during which it received a probability of hitting an air target at the level of 85-90 percent.
ZU-23-2 guns can use all existing 23x152 mm shells. In addition, a new shot with a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a programmable fuse is being developed. Before firing, the CAF must determine the range to the target, the flight path, etc., and also enter the necessary data into the fuse using a programmer device. At a given distance from the gun, the projectile will explode on its own, creating a zone of destruction by shrapnel.
The new DBM can be equipped with portable missile systems. In this capacity, the modern product "Verba" is considered. With its help, the range of fire and reach in height are increased.
The new complex includes a simulator. It is made in the form of a chair with drives that allow you to simulate the movement of a combat vehicle, shaking, etc. The simulator includes a regular control panel and virtual reality glasses for visual simulation of a combat situation. The exercise chair allows for a full-fledged training of operators, and with maximum "immersion". It is possible to combine six simulators into a network for joint training in group work.
Old foundation, new technology
The remotely controlled combat module for combating UAVs, developed by the KEMZ Concern, looks interesting from a technical point of view and has every chance of going into production and entering service. This product has a number of important features and advantages that will simplify production and operation, as well as help to solve all the expected combat missions.
An upgrade option for the ZU-23-2 from the Podolsky EMZ. PEMZ photo
The new module is based on the old anti-aircraft installation, which provides well-known advantages. In fact, the DBM from KEMZ is a modified product of the ZU-23-2 - during its construction, it is not required to manufacture tools, carriage elements, etc. from scratch. At the same time, there are a lot of ZU-23-2 installations and spare parts for them in parts and in storage, which in theory will make the new module mass-produced.
In the new project, the old installation is supplemented with new monitoring and control equipment. Similar ideas were repeatedly proposed and implemented in other ZU-23-2 modernization projects, however, KEMZ made the module remotely controlled. Unlike the original installation and its improved versions, the operator of the new module is protected by armor. In addition, he does not face other difficulties associated with open placement.
Of great interest are the central computing system and its functions - they determine the capabilities and potential of the complex as a whole. All the necessary functions for independent and group combat work on all intended targets have been declared. At the same time, measures have been taken to increase the combat effectiveness and convenience of the operator. For example, elements of artificial intelligence in the CVS should cope with all calculations and reduce the load on the operator, while augmented reality glasses improve ergonomics.
Particular attention should be paid to the development of a new projectile for 23 mm guns. Until recently, the subject of programmable fuses did not receive due attention in our country, but then several similar projects started at once. One of them is being created by the KEMZ Concern and related enterprises, and it is planned to be completed in a few months.
The presence of a programmable projectile in the ammunition load seriously improves the combat potential of the DBMS. First of all, such ammunition is going to be used to destroy small air targets. Undermining at a given point in the trajectory with the formation of a cloud of fragments increases the likelihood of hitting the target. Small UAVs are not durable, and even individual fragments can destroy them. At the same time, the consumption of ammunition for one target will be minimal.
Modernized ZU-23AE installations at the Army-2023 forum. Photo Telegram / "Military informant"
A controlled detonation at a given point can also be used for firing at ground targets. It will allow you to hit targets behind cover or effectively attack entire enemy columns - due to the successive detonation of shells of the same burst at different distances.
With all the technical and combat advantages, the module from the KEMZ Concern is interesting for its versatility. The possibility of mounting it on the Typhoon armored car has already been shown, and other carriers may be used in the future. Industry and army craftsmen have repeatedly demonstrated similar capabilities of the base ZU-23-2 - and such experience can be used with the new DBM.
Past and present
The ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun was adopted by the Soviet army back in 1960. By now, this product in its original form is obsolete, but its characteristics can be significantly improved through the introduction of new devices and assemblies. In recent years, the domestic industry has proposed a number of similar modernization projects.
Another such development is offered by the KEMZ Concern. At the same time, his project, unlike others, provides for the transformation of the towed installation into a full-fledged combat module with remote control and various functions. In addition, a niche for fighting UAVs was found for him, in which 23-mm guns can show themselves in the best way.
According to known data, the DUBM project from KEMZ is successfully moving forward and confirms the expectations. In the foreseeable future, the development of a new ammunition will be completed, which will further improve the capabilities of the module. Probably, after that, the Ministry of Defense will evaluate such a development and determine its future.
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