Machine gun and small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery systems are returning to service. Military expert, retired Colonel Mikhail Khodaryonok told TASS about this.
According to him, the return to such systems should be based on a new technological foundation. The complexes must be equipped with radars, optical and thermal imaging sights. Reaction time needs to be minimized – through automation and robotization.
Unified System
Khodaryonok emphasized that air defense assets must work in conjunction. If an important object is being covered, both anti-aircraft missile systems, anti-aircraft artillery systems, and interceptor drones must be positioned. All of this – under unified command, on a common control and reconnaissance system, with trained personnel.
The expert called such complexes the last line of defense – including against aircraft-type drones.
The engagement zone of anti-aircraft machine guns and artillery is small. Therefore, multi-barreled systems are needed – two or four barrels, which provide high fire density. There may not be a second chance to destroy the target, Khodaryonok explained.
What the developers say
Igor Potapov, a representative of the NPP design bureau (manufacturer of Yastreb electronic warfare systems), noted: automatic drone firing systems are effective if they have detection systems, a sighting system, and software for automatic tracking and firing. However, they do not replace inexpensive anti-aircraft missiles or interceptor drones.
A simple machine gun or twin automatic guns have an extremely ineffective aiming range. Crews must constantly train, understand with what lead to fire, based on the speed of the object, which must be determined visually. This is a rather complex methodological task.
Advantages and division of tasks
The expert attributed a large ammunition load, short reloading time, mobility, and the possibility of mass production to the advantages of machine gun and cannon air defense.
A cheap missile will not replace an anti-aircraft gun, and vice versa,” Khodaryonok said, commenting on the appearance of short-range interceptor guided missiles for Pantsir. “Missiles should work against missiles. And drones should be hit either by such solutions or by interceptor drones. Therefore, strengthening air defense systems is always necessary by all possible means.