Dedicated drone munitions could unlock modular mission potential
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
Mała Narew interim SHORAD system for the Polish Army. (Photo: Polish MND)
The Polish and UK governments on 4 October signed a framework agreement for cooperation on the Pilica+ very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) system, which will include UK-made CAMM effectors.
On the same day, the Polish Army’s 18th Anti-Aircraft Regiment received the first interim Mała Narew short-range air defence (SHORAD) system.
Mała Narew is designed as a stepping stone towards the full Narew system. It comprises the Soła C-UAS radar station, the Zenit fire control device, three iLaunchers on a Jelcz chassis, two transport and loading vehicles on the same chassis and CAMM effectors delivered by MBDA UK in partnership with Polish conglomerate PGZ.
MBDA UK is working with PGZ to create an enhanced sovereign missile capability in Poland, supported by technology and knowledge transfer to Polish industry.
Chris Allam, MD of MBDA UK, said: ‘Today’s governmental agreements launch the next step in Polish-UK missile co-operation, and underpins the PGZ-MBDA technology transfer proposal on Narew, while also supporting Pilica+, Miecznik, Ottokar-Brzoza, and other vital projects.’
The company believes that providing CAMM for Mała Narew would also de-risk the use of the missile in Pilica+, which is a very short-range air defence system that will also operate with the Piorun MANPADS.
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
The Israeli company hopes that producing its Sigma artillery system wholly in the US will help it win a key US Army contract, but it will be up against the popular CAESAR Mk II wheeled weapon and the K9 tracked.
Germany has ordered 84 RCH 155 self-propelled guns, as system incorporating Boxer 8×8 vehicles and the Artillery Gun Module, and 200 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles while the UK has committed to a single Early Capability Demonstrator RCH 155.
While integration of guided weapons on modern armoured vehicles usually takes the form of a podded launcher on the turret exterior, recent developments suggest the concept of firing missiles from a tank’s main gun could be seeing a revival.
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.