Our country has long gained the fame of a "forge of weapons." However, how else can you relate to the state in which the famous AK-47, the T-54 long-lived tank and other masterpieces were created? Therefore, it is not surprising that the new Pantsir-S 1 complex has been experiencing increasing interest from foreign customers for several years in a row.
Basic historical information
The concept of new weapons was first introduced relatively recently, in early 1994. Only a year after the demonstration of the layout at the exhibition in Zhukovsky, a working prototype of this technique was demonstrated. Then, many experts almost unanimously agreed that the "Shell-S 1" is a real breakthrough in the field of land defense systems.
The history of the creation of this type of weaponry is largely phenomenal. The development of a new air defense system was commissioned by the Tula Design Bureau back in 1990, before the collapse of the USSR. Initially, the work was top-secret, carried out under the code name "Roman". It was assumed that the new equipment will be designed to effectively protect the S-300 air defense systems and the main air defense radar stations on the country's vast borders.
Subsequently, such a narrow specialization was abandoned, after which the complex was also transferred to the ground forces, which it was urgently needed to reliably cover the columns of military equipment on the march, to destroy in advance some types of armored vehicles of a potential enemy. At the same time, a version for the fleet was also ordered (it was created, it is effectively operated today). In many respects, the success of the complex is explained by the fact that it was created on the basis of the famous 2K22 Tunguska.
It should be noted that initially this military equipment (the photo is in the material) showed itself far from the best side. During the tests, it turned out that it was impossible to hit the target at a distance of even several kilometers, that is, radar systems are extremely unsatisfactory in managing their functions. In addition, the military had numerous complaints related to the low reliability of many installation systems.
Rescuers from the UAE
Surely it is not worth reminding what the situation in the country was in those years. With money for the defense industry, it was so bad that the Roman program turned out to be completely phased out and no further development was carried out. But everyone at the same time understood that such a technique was needed, and urgently. Where to get the money from?
Oddly enough, but the "sworn friends" from the UAE corrected the situation. They made an incredibly profitable investment contract. And this despite the fact that a normal anti-aircraft missile and gun system existed at that time exclusively in the dreams of developers! Be that as it may, but the money received was used for its intended purpose: the development of technology continued at an accelerated pace, during the work many deficiencies and overt technical flaws were eliminated.
Then the idea was expressed that it would be nice to create a complex on a tracked chassis. For this purpose, they used the same "Tunguska". In addition, the Arabs expressed their wishes that the wheeled version was based on the German MAN. This is due to the fact that they have a lot of contracts with this company, so there will be no problems with spare parts for such equipment.
However, the American allies of the Arabs were very opposed to the conclusion of the treaty. Clean business: more than 40% of the arms market in the UAE today is owned by state companies, and they really do not like to lose money due to more successful competitors.
In 2006, several complexes of similar design were sold to Syria. There is evidence that some of them at one time the Syrian government sent to Iran, but Tehran ardently refutes any hints of this.
The main differences from other complexes
Unlike other similar systems that are in service with the domestic army, this equipment was originally mounted on a high-cross-country chassis with an 8x8 wheel arrangement. This circumstance allows us to use the “Shell” where such complexes cannot be reached at all under their own power. How were you able to achieve such outstanding performance?
For this, the Ural-5323.4 car was chosen as the basis, on which the KamAZ-7406 engine was installed. The engine underwent some modernization, as a result of which its power was increased to 260 horsepower. Why did the designers use a wheeled chassis, although it is well known that the cross-country ability of tracked vehicles is much higher? It's simple: since the main purpose of the “Shell-S 1” is to protect the columns of equipment on the march and cover the rear, these complexes need a lot.
In these circumstances, it would be strange to make expensive equipment. And the fact that caterpillar tractors belong to this category belongs to no one. In addition, this technique consumes a breakthrough of fuel, which again is unacceptable for the complex, which should follow the columns of the equipment accompanied by it under its own power.
The main features of the "Shell"
Of course, this can be considered loud advertising by the manufacturer, but the “Shell-C 1” can really “land” any plane or helicopter, ballistic missile or smart-bombed aircraft that are armed with a likely enemy. Since this complex is also intended to eliminate ground targets, this makes it a truly universal type of weapon.
Who was the constructor of the complex?
Again, no matter how pretentious this may sound, no other similar complex in the world has such a combination of anti-aircraft and cannon weapons. The creator of this technique is the outstanding domestic designer Arkady Shipunov. He once again confirmed that the military equipment of the Russian army is one of the most advanced in the world.
For what purposes was the “Shell” created?
The main objective of this type of weapon is to protect military and civilian objects from air attacks at the front lines of defense. What is the difference between Russian military equipment and its foreign counterparts? Its main distinguishing quality is the ability to conduct rapid fire on the go. It is easy to imagine what prospects this opens up: when escorting a column of armored vehicles, the military does not need to stop to repel a sudden attack from the air or land.
The main weapon system
What is equipped with the Pantsir-S 1 air defense missile defense system? Oh, his set of weapons evokes involuntary respect even among military specialists of the NATO bloc.
The main armament of the complex is a dozen missiles ZUR 57E6, which are very similar in layout and appearance to similar 9M311 Tunguska shots. The main shell of the missiles is bicaliber (that is, it is constructed of two stages). The power plant is located in the second stage, which is separated during the flight: this solution made it possible to provide high speed.
At the starting segment, the rocket has extremely high speeds. In general, the Pantsir-S 1 air defense missile defense system can precisely destroy a target at a range of up to 12 kilometers. As for the elimination of air targets, then their missile can overtake at an altitude of up to eight kilometers. The head part contains a whole set of damaging elements in the form of a rod, the total mass of which is 20 kilograms.
An air-dynamic steering wheel is used for maneuvering in the air. It is reported that the complex can simultaneously aim at three air targets, accompany and (if necessary) destroy them.
Artillery weapons
As for the artillery weapons of the Pantsir-S 1 air defense missile system, it is no less impressive. At the core are two 30mm 2A72 guns. As in many other cases, single-barreled guns were chosen. Two types of shells are produced for them: armor-piercing shells and high-explosive fragmentation shells (including incendiary type), and the supply of shots is carried out on a selective basis, from two cartridge tapes simultaneously. Like other Russian military equipment, all elements of the system are characterized by increased reliability and maintainability, they rarely fail.
The design of the main combat module
The main module is located on the roof of the chassis. It includes the following weapons: first are the launch containers of missiles, located in the form of two blocks of six missiles in each. On the side of them mounted artillery weapons. There is a radar station, which is designed to detect and conduct targets, as well as a separate system for guiding missile weapons. Of course, the anti-aircraft missile system of a high - quality SLA (fire control system) is equipped.
In the working space of the body mounted on the chassis, there are also (which is logical) jobs for complex operators who are responsible for its maintenance and support.
Developer Complaints
According to the developers, this anti-aircraft missile system has a completely unique ability to fire from all the weapons systems on board, and in several directions at once. The “shell” can timely detect and eliminate enemy combat aircraft and helicopters before they begin to use their own airborne weapon systems, as well as guided missiles of various classes. Shooting on light armored vehicles and clusters of enemy manpower is not ruled out.
The main advantages of a fire control system
Since ZRPK "Shell" must provide effective protection of the rear and its own military equipment in any conditions, its fire control system is characterized by high resistance to various interferences. Such high performance was achieved by combining optoelectronic and radar systems into a single “conglomerate” operating in the infrared, decimeter and centimeter, centimeter and millimeter ranges.
In the standard radar mode, the Pantsir missile launcher can at any time give a salvo of two missiles at the target detected by the systems. It should be especially noted that the tracking equipment is not only distinguished by outstanding reliability, but can simultaneously track two dozen targets at once. The accuracy of the target directions is 0.4 degrees in azimuth. In terms of angle, this indicator is 0.7 degrees. If we talk about accuracy in ordinary metric units, then the minimum target detection range is only 50 meters.
The system, if necessary, can in a fully automatic mode not only detect targets, but also provide comprehensive information on its characteristics and speed. In addition, in the autonomous mode, this military equipment (the photo of which is in the article) can choose the type of weapon that is most suitable for the situation and independently designate the required firing mode.
Some innovations
It should be emphasized that in 2005 the Tula masters did a lot of work to improve the complex, as a result of which this military equipment of the Russian army became even more reliable and perfect. So serious work has been done in the field of on-board electronic systems that the modern "Shell" is in many ways a fundamentally different technique.
Today, the missile forces, the equipment of which is constantly being upgraded, receive new "Armor". Their distinguishing feature is the automatic distribution of functions: if several installations are combined into a battery, then one of the machines automatically becomes a commander. Her computer analyzes the main data, and then transfers it to its "subordinates."
This is done to possibly and quickly detect and destroy identified targets. The command center is able to automatically not only distribute targets between the machines in the battery, but also do it as efficiently as possible. Simply put, an order to open fire is issued to that machine, which is located in the most effective and advantageous tactical position.
"Designer"
This military rocket technology is called by some experts "designers", and in this they are absolutely right. The fact is that the "Shell" is built according to the block scheme, and its parts can be replaced at any time with more suitable situations. It is easy to imagine how such universality can be useful in real combat conditions. Suppose that a splinter fell into the control module: if we were talking about old equipment, we would have to wait for the repair team.
In the case of the “Shell”, its crew can replace the damaged module on their own, without spending too much time on it. Thus, the "Shell C 1", the photo of which is in the article, can be returned to full combat readiness as soon as possible.
Of course, the block design is extremely good in terms of further modification. From now on, there is no need to transfer the entire complex to a repair facility: a unit that is out of date can be replaced with an updated model directly in the field. Everything is done in the shortest possible time, and in most cases this operation can be dealt with by the crew alone.
Like other Russian weapons and military equipment, the "Shell" is in service with not only our country, but also many
countries of the Middle East. It should be noted that from year to year interest in this development of potential buyers only increases. Currently, the polar modification of the “Shell” is being tested, which is designed to protect Russian Arctic bases.