Guided ammunition "Kitolov-2" and "Kitolov-2M"

Currently, there is a worldwide trend towards an increase in the use of high-precision ammunition of various calibers. Russia does not stand aside from this process, in our country a sufficient amount of this kind of ammunition has been developed, including for barrel artillery. On March 20, 2013, military units of the Russian Airborne Forces at the Luga training ground in the Leningrad Region for the first time conducted live firing using the Kitolov-2 precision guided artillery ammunition. The corresponding statement was made by the press service of the Russian Airborne Forces. Combat firing at the "Luga" range was carried out by batteries of the modernized self-propelled artillery mounts "Nona" (GRAU index 2S9).

Combat firing was carried out with the involvement of self-propelled guns from the Tula and Ivanovo airborne units of the Russian Airborne Forces. It is noteworthy that the firing of Kitolov-2 high-precision artillery shells was controlled by the new Reostat-1 reconnaissance and fire control points. During the combat firing, the self-propelled guns constantly changed their firing positions, the military had already recognized these training firing as successful.

The Kitolov-2 guided artillery armament complex was created in the world-famous Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP). This complex includes 120-mm shells "Kitolov-2" for ACS 2S9 "Nona" and 2S23 "Nona-SVK", as well as 122-mm shells "Kitolov-2M", which can be used by ACS 2S1 "Gvozdika" and towed D-30 howitzers (they will be removed from service by the end of 2013).

The Kitolov guided weapon system includes an adjustable high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a passive homing head, which receives the reflected signal from the target illumination by a laser designator-rangefinder. This ammunition is designed to destroy engineering structures and armored targets with one shot. The projectile is controlled on the trajectory of its flight using aerodynamic rudders equipped with a special drive powered by the energy of the incoming air currents. In addition to artillery shells, there is a 120-mm version of the ammunition in the form of the KM-8 "Gran" mine. Homing heads for Kitrolov-2 ammunition are manufactured by Lomo OJSC. The Kitolov-2 high-precision guided projectile was put into service in 2002.

The Kitolov-2 guided weapon system ensures the destruction of stationary and moving lightly armored targets and engineering structures of the enemy from one shot without zeroing in. The ammunition is designed to equip artillery units of battalion artillery and airborne forces. "Kitolov-2" can be used to destroy targets at a distance of 1,5 to 9 km, with a probability of 0,8 - on a moving target and 0,9 - on a stationary target. The mass of the projectile is 26,2 ± 0,5 kg, it carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, which is equipped with an explosive charge of 5,2-5,3 kg. The projectile has plumage and rudders that can be deployed in flight, and is also equipped with a sustainer engine. The main limitation on the use of this type of projectile is the smoke on the battlefield and the height of the cloud cover above the ground. For this reason, Kitolov-2 guided ammunition is not fired at the maximum elevation angles of the gun; it is also recommended to use guided projectiles of this type at the very beginning of target firing.

To use artillery high-precision ammunition "Kitolov-2", the 2S9 ACS was modernized. In particular, 2 additional ammunition pads were installed on the floor of the middle compartment, a shot synchronization equipment was mounted, which includes a shot sensor, which gives a signal about the moment the projectile leaves the gun barrel through a radio station to the control and reconnaissance point.

2C23 Nona-SVK

Also, the reconnaissance and fire control point "Rheostat-1" 1В119-1, created on the basis of the BTR-D, has undergone changes. The 1V119-1 machine was equipped with a 1D22 laser rangefinder-target designator (created by the Moscow Research Institute "Polyus"), and changes were also made to the onboard computer software of the machine. "Rheostat-1", along with reconnaissance, also provides automated determination of the coordinates of targets and explosions of its own shells both in the daytime and at night, monitors the battlefield, zeroing in targets, firing corrected ammunition and evaluating the results of firing. The range of effective "illumination" of targets with a laser beam, the so-called laser target designation, is from 300 to 7 meters. The range of measuring the distance to targets is from 000 to 120 meters, while the measurement error does not exceed 20 meters.

More powerful ammunition used by ACS 2S1 "Carnation" is the guided 122-mm projectile "Kitolov-2M". The maximum firing range of the Kitolov-2M high-explosive fragmentation projectile is 13,5 km. The length of the projectile is 1190 mm, the mass is 28 kg, of which the warhead is 12,25 kg, the mass of the explosive is 5,3 kg. The probability of hitting targets is not less than 0,8. This projectile is well suited for hitting both single and group targets, moving and stationary, unarmored and armored, as well as various engineering structures of the enemy.

In combat use, the Kitolov-2M guided weapon system provides: direct hitting the target without zeroing in with the first shot; the defeat of dispersed and group targets on a single firing set; hitting armored targets from above into the least protected, and therefore the most vulnerable projection; firing with reduced meteorological ballistic training; firing "burst" (methodical fire) up to 3 rounds per minute with an interval of 20-25 seconds between shots and with the re-aiming of the laser designator at neighboring targets in free intervals between illumination cycles.

The most characteristic targets for the Kitolov-2M high-precision complex are:
- positions of enemy mortars, artillery and MLRS;
- BMP, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled guns of the enemy;
- dugouts and timber-earth firing structures;
- crossings and bridges;
- transport and landing ships and boats.

The main advantages of "Kitolov-2M": unlike ordinary artillery shells of the same caliber, which are effective only when firing in areas, "Kitolov-2M" allows you to hit specific single targets, firing from closed firing positions without preliminary zeroing. The complex is able to ensure the defeat of moving targets if their speed does not exceed 40 km / h. Thanks to the use of a semi-active laser homing head on the target and a sufficiently powerful high-explosive fragmentation warhead, it is guaranteed that various types of targets are hit, including those located both openly and in trenches, as well as armored targets. These shells do not require special storage and maintenance conditions.

The use of a high-precision complex in the troops weapons Kitolov-2 significantly increases the effectiveness of battalion artillery. Firstly, this is achieved due to the direct defeat of the target by guided ammunition and the greater power of its warhead in comparison with standard high-explosive fragmentation ammunition, and secondly, due to the ability to fight even with enemy armored vehicles, including those in motion.

Information sources:
- http://old.redstar.ru/2007/01/24_01/2_02.html
- http://desantura.ru/articles/35/?PAGEN_1=11
- http://www.kbptula.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=418〈=ru#spoiler_0
- http://lenta.ru/news/2013/03/22/kitolov
- http://lenta.ru/news/2013/03/22/kitolov

Comments

[qwert]

He would also have a homing system or television guidance, so as not to unmask the gunner's laser guidance and the very fact of the shelling, and it would be just super. Not a single tank can be protected from 120mm from above. Even if you create a Merkava weighing more than 70 tons, it will still be vulnerable from this direction for such a hummingbird. I just keep quiet about Abriki

[Professor]

We started off right, but didn't finish well.
Unmasking this projectile significantly reduces its effectiveness. Most modern tanks have a laser warning system that automatically turns the weapon towards the radiation source. Further, a shot, a smoke screen and reverse.
Don't forget about KAZ.

[Lopatov]

Firstly, these are seconds, he will be able to aim the gun, he will not shoot.
Secondly, do not forget that this is a high-explosive fragmentation projectile. Even if it does not hit the tank itself, everything attached, optics, etc., including KAZ, will gooot like a cow with its tongue. Most likely, it will damage the chassis.
At the same time, KAZ will not help

[Hammer]

Quote: professor

Unmasking this projectile significantly reduces its effectiveness. Most modern tanks have a laser warning system that automatically turns the weapon towards the radiation source. Further, a shot, a smoke screen and reverse.
Don't forget about KAZ.

Do not forget about the tactics of using such projectiles (by analogy with the use of ATGMs) - aiming is carried out at a point separated from the target (next to the target), and the mark is aimed at the target itself a few seconds before the approach of the projectile (mine rockets). During these few seconds, the target simply does not have time to react properly. After a 122 mm / 120 mm projectile or mine hits the tank, even if penetration is not achieved, the tank will be out of order with a very high probability.

But the very concept of such guidance - I think it is quite outdated and limited in its capabilities (weather conditions, dust and smoke on the battlefield, the obligatory presence of a guidance operator). Self-guidance (radar, self-guidance galovki in the mm range, multi-spectral heat-seeking homing heads, GPS / Glonas guidance) is of course preferable. But as they say, there is nothing perfect and any other method of guidance also has its drawbacks. So the massive presence of "Kit-catchers" in the troops is definitely a huge plus, compared to the absence of any adjustment for artillery guidance at all. In general, positive news.

[KuigoroZHIK]

Thank you!

[Greyfox]

which can be used by ACS 2S1 "Gvozdika" and towed howitzers D-30 (until the end of 2013 will be removed from service).

Sori, what did our industry replace for the most common D-30s?

[Lopatov]

The author misunderstood something about "decommissioning".

In SV, indeed, 122 mm will be completely replaced by 152 mm. However, the D-30 will remain in service with the Airborne Forces and airborne assault brigades.

[avdkrd]

UAN Centimeter according to the criterion of price efficiency is more preferable (tens of times cheaper) with comparable accuracy. In addition, KAS are more "convenient" in combat use, since target illumination lasts only 1-3 seconds. and the spotter has a better chance of surviving a hit. Yusovites, having quite perfect UAS, are nevertheless ready to pay for access to Centimeter technologies http://aftershock.su/?q=node/19533. And our Ministry of Defense apparently has nowhere to put the money back to the expensive, less effective and more complex UAS Kitolov in mass production. The complexity in the production of UAS is comparable to guided missiles, UAS is a piece product. UAN is much easier by an order of magnitude and having a unique technology to criminally spray funds on a deliberately losing technology. In defense of UAN, I will add such an economic moment in Russia, there is a technology for converting conventional old ammunition into UAN and with the possibility of abandoning laser target designation in favor of GPS-Glonass, costing only 1 thousand $ per shell.
Another important point regarding the "introduction" into the troops - it would be nice to hear that a tactical submarine or a reconnaissance submarine was used to highlight targets, and not a spotter, which is the most vulnerable link.
http://weaponscollection.com/1/16-korrektiruemye-artilleriyskie-s.html
http://aftershock.su/?q=node/19533

[Lopatov]

Quote: avdkrd

UAN Centimeter according to the criterion of price efficiency is more preferable (tens of times cheaper) with comparable accuracy.

And you know that corrected ammunition can be used only after zeroing in or with full preparation. And manageable enough reduced training.

[Windbreak]

Quote: avdkrd

http://aftershock.su/?q=node/19533

Izvestia is a yellow newspaper, and any article should be treated with great doubt

[Cheloveck]

Quote: avdkrd

In defense of the UAN, I will also add such an economic moment in Russia, there is a technology for converting conventional old ammunition into a UAN, and with the possibility of abandoning laser target designation in favor of GPS-Glonass, costing only $ 1 per projectile.

GPS-Glonass are good in theory, but in practice there are a dozen ways to neutralize this guidance at minimal cost.

[Old skeptic]

In the event of a loss of the signal, the KAS flies like an ordinary unguided artillery projectile, i.e. close enough to the target, and the UAS flies anywhere due to the presence of the upper stage and unpredictable ballistics.
If a normal battalion commander, then the CAS lays down on the target from the first shot. (His task is to lay the projectile in a patch with a diameter of 100 m. For artillery, the question of hitting is like an insult.)

[KOSMOS]

It is high time to put VT ammunition as a basis!

[Lopatov]

They cannot yet be the basis. Roads, have a number of weather restrictions, the troops have few modern reconnaissance means

[Cheloveck]

Quote: KOSMOS

It is high time to put VT ammunition as a basis!

The skin is not worth the candle.
The experience of using NATO ammunition with high-tech weapons shows that they often cannot get across the country.
But seriously, BT has its own rather limited niche of application, plus the price / result ratio does not always justify their use.

[Lopatov]

Quote: Cheloveck

VT has its own rather limited niche of application

I would not say. For single purposes, it is very advisable to use them. Even in terms of price.
For everything else, it is necessary to bring artillery to mind, informatize, improve accuracy, and saturate it with modern reconnaissance means. After this, artillery units will be able to carry out missions with conventional ammunition with the required accuracy.

[igorspb]

It seems to me that in order to talk about what is needed better and more perfect, it is necessary to learn how to use at least what is now. I definitely welcome the fact that the ammunition went to the troops. Learn to use it - they want better - the most incentive for everyone.

[Dnepropetrovsk]

I think we need to continue developing in this area.

[Yep]

In Ukraine, shells of this type are slightly cheaper.