Russian tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod is testing new multifunctional, armour-piercing guided projectiles against low-flying aerial targets including drones, according to a report by Russia Beyond.
The anti-aircraft artillery complex ‘Derivation’ is due to receive new ammunition by 2022 according to the company press release. The self-propelled anti-aircraft system is based on the chassis of the BMP-3 infantry vehicle and is equipped with a 57 mm automatic cannon module. The combat vehicle is primarily designed to combat drones, cruise missiles and aircraft weapons on low altitudes and is also capable of eliminating ground targets.
With a firing rate of 120 rounds per minute, the ‘Derivation’ is capable of launching a whole row of projectiles and instantly detonating them, whereupon the cloud of fragmentation debris will wipe out any incoming drones. In terms of range, the ‘Derivation’ is comparable to NATO’s laser-guided UMTAS anti-tank missiles, as well as the Roketsan MAM-C and MAM-L smart munition systems, used by the Turkish Air Force in the Middle East, says the report.
“57 millimeters is the maximum caliber for artillery units that can be installed on electronic control systems. If we take into consideration the density and accuracy of ‘Derivation’s’ fire rate, we can state that such guided projectiles will drastically increase the firepower of a unit,” said a military source reported by Russia Beyond. “Hitting an armored tank with 57-mm projectiles will ‘blind’ its electronic systems and make it vulnerable against other Russian weapon systems.”
One particular feature of ‘Derivation’s’ AU-220M cannon is its modularity. Put simply, it can be installed both on heavy equipment, in the form of multi-ton caterpillar-track platforms or ships, as well as on BRM-3 infantry fighting vehicles or BRM-3K reconnaissance vehicles.
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