Buggy vs. UAV: New Variant of Special Combat Vehicle
Two crews move into position
During the Special Operation, Russian army units use various means of combating enemy unmanned aerial vehicles. Recently, the Ministry of Defense presented a new development of this kind - a specialized combat vehicle for combating UAVs. Several devices for intercepting complex air targets are placed on one light platform.
Equipment at the front
On December 25, the Ministry of Defense published a short video about the combat work of one of the anti-aircraft missile divisions of the "South" group. The division is equipped with "Buk" systems and is responsible for covering military units. For self-defense, it has a specialized counter-UAV group.
The counteraction group has special equipment and weapons that correspond to the specifics of the tasks performed. Its fighters use light buggies with high mobility characteristics. The vehicles are equipped with original weapons systems that demonstrate high efficiency in combating small air targets.
The video from the Ministry of Defense shows how a counteraction group in two buggies moves to a firing position to cover the SAM. Then the combat crews begin monitoring the airspace and searching for targets.
Upon detection drone enemy vehicles open fire with everything they have weaponsMeasures are also taken to camouflage their position with smoke.
Having completed the assigned task, the UAV counteraction group quickly leaves the firing position. It will probably have to make a short march and continue combat operations in another location. An air target could have been intercepted there, too, but it was not captured on camera.
The press service of the Ministry of Defense points out the advantages of the combat vehicles shown. They are built on a popular platform and have high driving characteristics. In addition, a modern weapons system is used, providing a high density of fire. In total, all this allows for high efficiency at the firing position.
Specialized complex
The Defense Ministry does not disclose all the features of the new "anti-drone" combat vehicles, but its report allows us to see their various features and draw initial conclusions. In general, we are talking about an interesting way of combining ready-made means and components to achieve the desired results.
The UAV countermeasure vehicle is based on a buggy of one of the latest domestic models. In turn, such a platform is based on the VAZ-2121 Niva. This approach simplifies the production of the buggy and its modifications, and also allows for high technical and operational characteristics.
The buggy has a four-wheel chassis, on top of which an open body with a safety frame is installed. Instead of a windshield and roof, grilles are used, providing protection from some threats. The car has a two-seater cabin for the driver and operator, as well as an open aft platform.
To combat UAVs, the buggy receives several additional means. Thus, in front of the cabin, a stand with a multi-barrel shooting device is mounted. The aft platform is given over to a rotating turret with machine guns. Smoke grenade launchers are placed on the hood and in the aft part of the body.
Of great interest is the bow "firing installation". This is a package of 24 barrels (3 horizontal rows of 8 pieces) of unknown caliber, designed for shooting shot or buckshot. The package is mounted on a mobile installation with horizontal and vertical aiming drives. Aiming and fire control is remote, from the operator's seat.
Close-up of the weapons
The aft turret is made in the form of a rotating device with electric drives and a place for the operator-gunner. The turret contains a frame installation with mounts for six AK-12 assault rifles. Aiming and firing from the assault rifles are carried out synchronously using the appropriate mechanisms.
The combat characteristics of the firearms are only partially understood. It is known that the AK-12 assault rifle has a rate of fire of 700 rounds/min. Thus, a "battery" of six assault rifles has a technical rate of fire of 4,2 thousand rounds/min. However, the actual fire performance is limited by the need to replace magazines. The aiming range of the assault rifle is at least 500 m.
The parameters of the multi-barrel "grape shot" are unknown. Its design and controls, in theory, allow for a high rate of fire. At the same time, in terms of effective fire range, this product should be inferior to machine guns.
It can be assumed that there are some electronic warfare systems on board the anti-drone vehicle. The crew must have a radio station for communication and receiving target designation. It is also possible that an electronic reconnaissance station-UAV detector is used. The vehicles from the Defense Ministry report do not have their own electronic warfare systems.
Shooting at a target
Simplicity and efficiency
It is unknown how long ago the new combat vehicle for countering UAVs was created. There is also no approximate data on the production of such equipment, the rate of deliveries, its presence in the troops, etc. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the Russian army already has some amount of such equipment and is actively using it in the area of the Special Operation.
Apparently, the anti-UAV buggies show good results. Indirect evidence of this is the demonstration of their use on official resources. In general, it is not difficult to understand why such machines cope with the tasks set and are useful for the army.
First of all, it is worth noting the choice of the base for the special vehicle. A buggy car is used, created on the basis of the Niva units. It has a simple design, is easy to manufacture and repair, and at the same time shows fairly high mobility and cross-country performance. The dimensions and load capacity of such a platform made it possible to place two firing units at once.
The anti-drone buggy has combined small arms: 6 machine guns and a 24-barrel "buckshot". These products provide a high density of fire, but have different effective firing ranges. With their help, the vehicle crew can attack two different targets simultaneously. They can also be used as two echelons of defense. In this case, the machine guns are used against targets at distances of hundreds of meters, and the smoothbore system becomes a means of close range.
An interesting feature of the weapons system, which is essentially improvised, is the use of remote control. Thus, the multi-barrel "grape shot" is controlled by the operator from his control panel, and the work of the second shooter is simplified by electric drives. Perhaps there are other devices on board that simplify the work of the crew.
Important direction
Overall, the new combat vehicle for combating UAVs is an interesting and effective solution to a pressing problem, based on available devices and components. Similar equipment is apparently already being mass-produced and is being used by the troops. It can be expected that the assembly of such buggies will continue and will strengthen Defense different divisions and units.
It is obvious that the army will not refuse a successful model of equipment, made on the basis of a correct and logical concept. It is quite possible that buggies based on the Niva with machine guns and grapeshots will continue to enter the troops. In addition, we should expect the appearance of new models with a similar composition of units and weapons, having similar capabilities.
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