With the sharpness of the Lancet: what innovations are used in counter-battery warfare
New reconnaissance and strike units equipped with Lancet barrage munitions have been formed in artillery regiments and brigades of the Russian Armed Forces. They are already engaged in the area of the Strategic Defense Forces - they destroy enemy guns, self-propelled artillery units and multiple rocket launchers (MLRS). Experts note that the new units will noticeably increase the combat capabilities of our artillery.
"Lancet" in the counter-battery fight
In the special operation zone, the new units are most often used in counter-battery warfare - searching for and destroying artillery guns, SAU and MLRS of the enemy. They are armed with Zala unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Lancet barrage munitions, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
"Lancet" in terms of range and a number of combat properties occupies an intermediate position between artillery and operational tactical missile systems of the Ground Forces, Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Military Russia portal, told Izvestia.
The Lancet UAV
- Barrage munitions are good when working against artillery tactical missile systems and air defense systems," he explained. - Depending on the modification, the range of the Lancets is up to 80 kilometers. This allows to reach and destroy enemy targets far enough in the rear. Counter-battery warfare is now one of the most important components of combat. The defense of Ukrainian forces is largely based on artillery. But "Lancet" works well against armored vehicles, infantry concentrations, supply points, fortifications, headquarters, air defense systems and even against the enemy's UAV units when drones are used. They are good at destroying HIMARS and MLRS missile launchers. All these qualities noticeably increase the combat capabilities of art regiments and art brigades.
The Strategic Defense Forces have shown that the modern army cannot do without reconnaissance and strike complexes (RSCs), military expert Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia.
- Drones will be able not only to destroy targets independently, but also to provide artillery crews with coordinates," he said. - The RUC is a bundle of UAVs with artillery and MLRS. It guarantees a quick reaction to changes in the situation on the line of contact. UAVs can quickly send coordinates to the command and computer centers of the compound, from where commands will immediately go to the calculations. And they will immediately launch a strike. All this, depending on the situation, should be resolved in a matter of seconds or minutes. Such actions will dramatically increase the effectiveness of artillery, will make it possible to cover even mobile targets with artillery fire. It will be much more difficult for the enemy to escape our fire.
Artilleryman of the Russian Armed Forces
The expert is sure that UAV operators and artillerymen performing combat work in one team will act in the most coordinated manner, understanding each other half-heartedly.
- The Strategic Defense Forces showed that a lot depends on artillery, and the accuracy of its strikes can decide the fate of a particular engagement," said Viktor Litovkin.
Combat application of barrage munitions
The Lancet kamikaze drones are usually used in tandem with the Zala reconnaissance drone. The Lancet drone maintains a high altitude and detects targets with its powerful optics. It then transmits their coordinates to the Lancet operators, who strike.
"Zala", remaining in the air, controls the results of the defeat and continues to search for new targets.
During the course of the SWO "Lancet" proved to be a versatile tool to combat the widest range of targets - from lightly armored and heavy equipment to air defense assets. They are well protected against enemy electronic warfare. For anti-aircraft guns or guided missiles and "Zala" and "Lancet" - very difficult targets.
ZALA UAV
A special feature of the Lancet is the presence of a 3 kg warhead, which combines a fragmentation-fragmentation effect for the destruction of manpower and unarmored vehicles and a cumulative effect.
A new version of the barrage munition appeared during the SWO - with a range of up to 80 kilometers, a more powerful warhead and an improved control and guidance system, which allows for greater flexibility in the use of kamikaze drones depending on the tactical situation.
On the Donetsk direction
Izvestia reported earlier on how the Lancets work in the 56th separate special purpose battalion of the 51st Guards Donetsk Army. The launch team consists of two men: one equips the UAV or munition, and the other equips the pneumatic catapult with which they are launched. The fighters do everything as fast as possible - the enemy is constantly hunting for our drone operators and does not forgive mistakes.
At the same time, the UAV operators of the complex are working at their computers. They also perform tasks two by two: one - on the reconnaissance drone, the second - on the strike vehicle, to engage in combat when the target is detected. The training is designed to be interchangeable, but the drone operators already have an established specialization that they try to adhere to in their work.
The drone operators have accounted for armored vehicles, including tanks, artillery, and clusters of infantry. In particular, they managed to destroy five American howitzers M777 - this is a modern gun, which creates big problems for our troops. During the enemy's retreat from Avdeevka, the operators corrected our heavy multiple rocket launchers, which were working on the retreating Ukrainian units.
