Counter Unmanned Aircraft Sytems (C-UAS) capability is included in the latest deliveries to Polish military forces by PIT-RADWAR. Some 24 Poprad surface-to-air missile systems have been handed off to military units all around Poland, and the Air Force training centre in Koszalin, according to Defence24.
The last Poprad SAM system left the production facility at the end of November under an agreement signed with the Armament Inspectorate of the Polish MoD, covering 79 systems with a price tag of more than PLN1 billion. Poprad systems act as the primary armament of three anti-aircraft regiments of the Polish Army. They are also operated by three air defence regiments in four brigades (15th “Giżycka” Mechanized Brigade, 21st Highland Brigade, 17th “Wielkopolska” Mechanized Brigade, and 19th “Lubelska Mechanized Brigade).
Poprad is designed to detect, recognise and destroy airborne targets at close (5.5-6.5 km, depending on the missile type) distances and low altitudes (up to 3.5-4 km) with the use of short-range anti-aircraft missiles. The system features an autonomous passive target tracking and detection system. It also works in a networked setting, within a reconnaissance suite – that makes it challenging to detect and resistant to jamming. It can be a part of a larger system or work as a part of a broader integrated air defence system solution.
Poprad is equipped with GROM/PIORUN missiles manufactured by MESKO, as well as optronic sensors manufactured by PCO.
The functionality can be further enhanced, as the system can be retrofitted with non-kinetic counter-UAS solutions. Integration as such, also including the Advanced Protection Systems solution (with 3D radars and jammers) has already been implemented by PIT-RADWAR. PIT-RADWAR has also developed a concept of integrating the Piorun 2 missiles on the Poprad platform, with a range exceeding 10 kilometers. Furthermore, PIT-RADWAR plans to develop an integration of effectors with a range exceeding 12 km on the platform. The Poprad system’s capabilities could be enhanced even further by providing it with an ability to act against potential threats when on the move.
(Image: The Advanced Protection Systems counter-UAS system (3D radars, jammers), integrated with the Poprad vehicle. Credit: Advanced Protection Systems)
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