Recently, the development of weapons has stepped far forward, significantly widening the technology gap between countries that can afford the latest weapons and those that are unable to do so. One of such innovations in the arms market is the Skif anti-tank system - a joint creation of Ukrainian and Belarusian manufacturers. Like any other type of weapon, developed jointly by different countries, he took the best from both.
ATGM - what is it?
ATGM stands for anti-tank missile system and it is intended to destroy armored targets and manpower of the enemy, regardless of whether they are protected by monolithic, spaced or combined armor, including taking into account dynamic protection. In addition, the complex can be used for destruction and other armored targets, such as: dug in tanks, long-term firing points, helicopters and the like. ATGM “Skiff” is no exception, and it is capable of hitting all the same goals, but with much greater efficiency than its earlier counterparts. Despite the fact that it was created relatively recently, it has already managed to establish itself in the armies of different countries exclusively from the best side.
ATGM "Skiff": the history of creation
This weapon was developed jointly by the Ukrainian Design Bureau Luch and the Belarusian OJSC Peleng, with only the missile for the complex being manufactured in Ukraine, and the guidance device is being created in Belarus. Typically, anti-tank systems “Skif” and “Korsar” are compared with each other, although this is not entirely correct, since the anti-tank systems “Korsar” were originally entirely Ukrainian-made, and the Skif - joint, which guarantees a higher quality weapon.
The functioning of the complex is based on a semi-automatic laser guidance system, while target detection itself is carried out using infrared and optical sights. The main unique ability of a weapon is the ability to fire from both open and closed positions. The missile flies over the line of sight and falls directly on the target only at the last moment before the strike, which greatly complicates the possibility of intercepting it and determining the ultimate target of the projectile. Such is the Skif anti-tank system. Photos can be viewed below.
Modifications
The basic equipment includes a tripod, on which it is installed immediately before the start of firing, a container used to transport and launch missiles, a PN-S guidance device and a remote control.
The Skif-D anti-tank missile system is a modified version of the basic configuration of the installation, the main difference of which is a special device that allows the operator to launch a rocket from a distance of up to 50 meters from the complex. This modification does not require service personnel directly near the weapon, which can significantly reduce the loss of soldiers.
ATGM “Skif-M” is another modification of the installation. In addition to everything listed in the basic configuration, it also includes a Belarusian-made thermal imager. This version of the complex can be used with much greater efficiency at night.
Specifications
The caliber of the complex, according to the data published on the manufacturer’s website, is 130 mm, while the installation weight is only 28 kilograms, and the rockets are 16. The mass of the Belarusian-made guidance device is the same 16 kilograms, and the control panel is only 12. The maximum time , for which the missile reaches the target located at the maximum possible firing distance - 23 seconds, while the warhead is cumulative, tandem. Thanks to the same guidance system, the target can be detected at a distance of up to 7 km, which, given the maximum firing distance of 5 km, allows the crew to prepare for a clash and use the complex as efficiently as possible. The temperature range in which the weapon can fully function and perform its task is also very impressive - it varies from plus 60º to minus 40º. Despite the fact that the operator constantly monitors the enemy with the help of a target designator, the rocket itself flies above the aiming line, and the laser looks into its tail, and only before the hit the projectile changes its trajectory. Thanks to this, it is very difficult to detect or intercept a missile and is possible only immediately before it hits, which sharply negates the ability of most modern protective systems of armored vehicles.
Military use
It is in service in the army of Belarus and Georgia. In Ukraine, two similar systems were used in 2015 in the Donbass, in Azeibardzhan they were put into service in 2010 and are installed on Scorpion-type armored vehicles. The army using this type of weapon notes the possibility of its round-the-clock use, increased accuracy of hitting a target outside the return fire zone, increased survivability of the complex’s calculation due to the remote control capability and the provided system for installing the complex on vehicles of both land and sea based. In addition, if such a weapon is equipped with such a weapon, it is possible to equip it with an automatic reload system, which significantly increases the rate of fire and, as a result, the effectiveness of the Skif anti-tank system. Such forethought in the process of both developing and creating the complex only increases its value in the eyes of the military.
Summary
In general, since the appearance of these weapons at the arms exhibition in 2005 to this day, the complex has been actively used, shows good results and is relatively cheap to maintain. In addition, since it can be carried over by calculation forces, it can bring a lot of unpleasant surprises to a potential enemy, and its ability to hit not only equipment, but also strengthened enemy firing points significantly expands the scope and capabilities of the armed forces of countries in which the complex is armed . In addition, a specialized simulator has recently appeared on the basis of the same Skif anti-tank system, which makes it possible to train the calculation at the lowest cost and with maximum efficiency.