The software of the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems (ZRPK) has been updated to more effectively intercept American HIMARS MLRS shells.

This was told by the head of one of the Pantsir-S1 calculations in the NVO zone with the call sign Baron, whose comment was published by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry.

“We shot down various types of targets: both Bayraktar drones and Tochki-U.

HIMARS is a high-altitude target, and it has ballistics.

Due to... high speed, you need to have a quick reaction to make a decision.

These machines were reflashed for this purpose, ”said the military man.

According to a retired colonel, director of the air defense museum in Balashikha, Yuri Knutov, the air defense missile defense programs are always updated when the enemy has new weapons.

This allows you to more effectively destroy targets.

“Anti-aircraft systems use computers with elements of artificial intelligence.

There are certain algorithms that allow you to effectively fire at certain targets.

Data on HIMARS were not previously included in the ZRPK program, since they were practically not used anywhere, and we first encountered them already in Ukraine.

Over a certain period of time, we have accumulated telemetry data on these shells.

Then the necessary changes were made to the ZRPK software ... Now the Pantsirs can automatically detect and destroy such targets, ”the military expert explained in an interview with RT.

The video published by the defense department also shows how Pantsir-S1 monitors the airspace in the NVO zone and then launches an anti-aircraft missile at a detected target.

  • Combat work ZRPK "Pantsir-S1"

According to the Ministry of Defense, the Pantsirs can detect cruise and ballistic missiles, helicopters, aircraft and MLRS shells in the sky.

In addition, ZRPKs are also capable of detecting such small-sized objects as household drones measuring 30 × 30 cm. The Armed Forces of Ukraine often use such UAVs for reconnaissance or as kamikaze.

Thanks to the equipping of the "Shell" with a thermal imager, anti-aircraft gunners can determine if an explosive charge with striking elements is attached to such a drone.

"Flame of Fire"

The Pantsir-S1 complex was developed at the Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) under the guidance of the legendary gunsmith Arkady Shipunov.

This ZRPK entered service in Russia in 2012.

As noted on the Rostec website, Pantsir is intended primarily for short-range cover of civilian and military facilities from any means of air attack.

“The uniqueness of the complex lies in the placement of means of detecting and destroying targets on one platform, thanks to which a security dome with a radius of tens of kilometers is created over the protected object with small resources,” the state corporation says.

  • Complexes of the Pantsir family

  • RIA News

  • © Sergey Pivovarov

In addition, "Shells" are able to unite in groups, due to which the protective coating they create increases.

The complex is armed with 12 anti-aircraft guided missiles.

In addition to them, Pantsir-S1 is equipped with two double-barreled 30-mm 2A38 guns.

This is a modernized version of anti-aircraft guns that designers Arkady Shipunov and Vasily Gryazev created for the predecessor of the Pantsir, the Tunguska air defense missile system.

According to the Ministry of Defense, two such guns guarantee a "flurry of fire" with an intensity of up to 5 thousand rounds per minute.

Target detection by the complex is carried out using a radar with a phased antenna array.

The radar accompanies both targets and missiles fired by ZRPK.

According to Rosoboronexport, Pantsiri can fire at four targets at the same time.

At the same time, the maximum height for hitting a target with anti-aircraft missiles is 15 km, and the range is 20 km.

The guns can carry out fire damage at a distance of up to 4 km and at an altitude of up to 3 km.

"Pantsir-S1" can be placed on a tracked or wheeled chassis or installed permanently.

In the Arctic and at sea

In 2015, KBP specialists also developed a modification of the "Pantsir" for the Russian Navy under the symbol "Pantsir-ME".

This model has a number of differences from the original version.

So, instead of two double-barreled guns, two 30-mm six-barreled machine guns are installed on it.

This made it possible to increase the rate of fire by about two times.

  • RTO "Odintsovo"

  • RIA News

  • © Mikhail Golenkov

At the same time, the number of missiles was reduced from 12 to eight.

Additional ammunition of 32 missiles is stored below deck.

The Pantsir-ME missiles were adapted to work on surface targets, "which most often fly at a low altitude of 2 m," according to the Rostec website.

At the same time, the maximum height and range of destruction remained the same as that of the Pantsir-S1 - 15 and 20 km, respectively.  

The materials of the state corporation also indicate that this ZRPK uses a highly intelligent multi-mode adaptive radar-optical control system.

“Only two people are responsible for the work of the marine “Shell” - the operator and the commander of the combat module, while the complex has a high level of automation.

The combination of radar and optical systems allows the complex to be used in any conditions, including at night, ”Rostec reports.

The complex can be installed on ships of various classes with a displacement of 300 tons, including foreign-made ones.

In the Russian Navy, the first vessel equipped with the Pantsir-ME air defense missile system was the Odintsovo project 22800 small missile ship serving in the Baltic Fleet.

  • "Pantsir-SA"

  • RIA News

  • © Mikhail Voskresensky

In addition, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation use a special version of the "Shell", adapted for work in the Arctic, - "Pantsir-SA".

In this modification, the ZRPK combat module is installed on the DT-30 Vityaz all-terrain vehicles.

The Arctic ZRPK differs from the original and naval versions in the absence of guns - they were decided to be removed, since the operation of such weapons is complicated by extremely low temperatures.

Instead, additional blocks of missiles were installed on the complex, thanks to which the Pantsir-SA ammunition load increased from 12 to 18 units.

"Echeloned Air Defense"

As Yuri Knutov notes, in the NWO zone, the crews of the Pantsir-S1 complexes have to deal with several types of targets at once.

"Shell" works well on small targets, in particular on unmanned aerial vehicles.

Very effective against HIMARS and other volley fire systems: "Hurricane", "Smerch" and "Alder".

In addition, it can also shoot down Tochka-U ballistic missiles,” the analyst said.

  • Pantsir-SM

  • RIA News

  • © Vitaly Belousov

In turn, Dmitry Kornev, the founder of the Military Russia portal, recalled that the Pantsir family complexes are considered one of the most effective air defense systems of the last frontier in the world.

“This is certainly an effective system.

With its help, for example, layered air defense was built at our Khmeimim base in Syria.

It is also known that now "Shells" are widely used in the course of a special military operation in Ukraine.

In addition, ZRPKs protect objects in territories remote from the front, which could theoretically become a target for Ukrainian long-range drones, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

Analysts also recalled that in 2020, a modernized version of the complex, Pantsir-SM, was shown at the Victory Parade on Red Square.

Thanks to the new missile and the updated radar, the improved ZRPK can hit targets at ranges up to 40 km.

“The main difference between Pantsir-SM is a new radar station with a greater detection range.

The range of destruction also increased to somewhere up to 30-40 km.

In addition, it uses new anti-aircraft missiles.

This is a fairly significant, fundamental modernization, which allows you to significantly increase the combat characteristics of this complex.

Its main purpose is the fight against UAVs.

And not just with single ones, but with a “swarm” of drones, ”concluded Yuri Knutov.