U.S. Sending 30mm Gun Trucks to Ukraine

Anti-aircraft weapons are still important for air defense in a time when relatively inexpensive drones are posing an increasing threat to both soldiers and civilians, as demonstrated by Russia’s invasion’s of Ukraine.

According to a top defence official, the United States is providing the Ukrainians with nine 30mm” weapons trucks” as part of its most recent military assistance package to eliminate Iranian-made drones like the Shahed – 131 and Khazeze helicopters.

There isn’t much information available to the public about the design of the different weapons program, the weapon trucks.

The top protection established told reporters on Tuesday that it was” exactly what it sounds like— a 30 millimeter cannon mounted on a tractor.” ” Because that involves procurement, it will take several months before we can really give Ukraine that.”

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The U.S. Army used to have an air defense system that might be comparable to the modern weapons vehicles. A six-barrel 20mm weapon that fired in burst was a part of the M167 Towed Vulcan Air Defense System, or VADS. One operator, who was seated behind the weapon and places with a range of primary radar to the operator’s right, was in charge of the ship.

Many air defense systems, like the Avenger, which consists of Stinger weapons that are typically mounted on a Humvee, have since taken the place of the VADS. According to Maj. Andrew Harshbarger, a spokeswoman for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, American men no longer receive VADS training at the Fires Center of Excellence.

Best Russian military commander Lt. Gen. Serhii Nayev late outlined the significance of anti-aircraft guns in the fight against Iranian-made drones that Russia has launched against Russian cities and its vital infrastructure, such as power plants.

According to Russian marketing,” Shaheds are low-speed priorities, and for their destruction, it is necessary to use large-caliber device guns, which are more efficient.”

According to Samuel Bendett, an advisor with CNA, a non-profit research and analysis company in Arlington, Virginia, the 30mm weapons cars may give Ukraine if it chooses to address the threat posed by Shahed robots.

Bendett stated in Task & Purpose that” essentially, the CUAS ] counter – unmanned aerial systems ] costs have to be driven down to the most cost-effective and workable solution, which the Ukrainians note is a mobile gun truck capable of taking out Shaheds.” ” Some of these also have searchlights to keep an eye on Shaheds as they approach potential Russian priorities at night.”

According to Bendett, Czech individuals have already donated 15 mobile MR – 2 Viktor anti-drone systems to Ukraine, which use a pair of 14.5mm weapons to shoot down robots. In a pickup truck’s bed’s, the procedure has been mounted.

According to Bendett, who noted that a picture that surfaced from Yemen last year depicted an enormous Vulcan gun mounted in the back of savage truck, it’s possible’s that the 30mm gun systems provided by the United States could fit in if the pickup truck were the Toyota Hilux or slightly larger.

According to Benjamin Jensen, an authority on future army, entertainment, and system at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Ukrainians have found Shahed’s fly a lot like plane during World War II, such as the German Stuka swim fighter. This is one reason why anti-aircraft guns have proven to be so effective against Iranian-made drones.

The best way to harm them in their switch direction is with laser-guided and light-assisted anti-aircraft fire, Jensen advised Task & Purpose. In order to avoid it,” ostensibly put up a roof of lead, very similar to how anti-aircraft crew used to play in World War II.”

In order to take down the Iranian-made drones, the Ukrainians have been welding DShK machine guns in the back of pickup trucks along with floodlights and radar programs, according to Jensen. The American-provided 30mm gun trucks are a better version of Ukraine’s military’s response to the Shahed threat.

Obviously, the Ukrainians currently only receive nine weapon trucks.

Jensen remarked,” That’s not’s a pin drop, but it is still an attempt.” The good news is that because it involves finding the vehicle, bolting the weapons program, and then integrating it with floodlights and air-search radars, this type of battlefield adaptation is simpler to scale up than, say, tanks or plane.

Furthermore, given how much they cost in comparison to the Army’s short-range’s discuss defense, or SHORAD, Jensen said, the U.S. military may discover that it too needs weapon trucks to combat drones.

Is it possible that we’ll have’ll to confront Iran? Sadly, Jensen replied,” Yes.” They have repeatedly attacked our soldiers in Iraq and Syria. Therefore, it gives us the opportunity to assist the Ukrainians while also teaching us how to combat teeming drones.

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