Missile complex like robot protects Russian warships

The Pantsir-ME system, which looks like a robot, is deployed on Russian warships to destroy various threats.

Pantsir-ME complex at the Russian naval exhibition.

The Pantsir-ME anti-aircraft missile-gun complex for warships was launched by the Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) at the end of June to replace current close-range defense systems in the Russian navy such as the AK-630M gun, Sputnik reported.

Pantsir-ME hasnicknamed "future robot",Developed from the Pantsir-S ground-based air defense system platform, to protect warships against new threats. Each Pantsir-ME platform can simultaneously attack 4 targets with speeds up to 3,600 km/h, the time from target detection to readiness to fire lasts only a maximum of 5 seconds.

Pantsir-ME is capable of intercepting missiles in rough sea conditions, even in storms. The components of this complex are more compact than the ground version, and are covered with materials that are resistant to seawater corrosion.

The two 30mm cannons on the Pantsir-ME have a firing rate of up to 10,000 rounds/minute, twice that of the ground version. This helps the Pantsir-ME create a thicker bullet screen, increasing the ability to hit hypersonic missiles or missiles with complex flight trajectories.

However, the number of combat missiles was reduced to only 8, instead of 12 like the Pantsir-S model.The control system will automatically fire the cannon if the missile fails to shoot down the target.

"The Pantsir-ME complex can create an air defense umbrella with a radius of 20 km around warships. It will be highly effective in future military conflicts," the KBP representative declared.

Combat cluster of the Pantsir-ME complex. Photo: Rostec.

The complex is equipped with an optical-infrared sensor cluster, a warning radar with a range of 50 km and a guidance radar. The manufacturer said that Pantsir-ME is capable of detecting anti-ship missiles with a radar reflection area of ​​only 0.01 m2, and at the same time applying a new algorithm to intercept the target.

"The Pantsir-S system usually intercepts aerial targets based on calculating the enemy's flight path. However, anti-ship missiles often fly low, close to the sea surface, making it difficult for computers to predict their trajectory to destroy them. This will be improved on the Pantsir-ME version," said Alexander Zhukov, chief designer of KBP.

The Russian Defense Ministry has signed contracts to purchase a number of Pantsir-ME complexes for equipping future naval vessels. The complex has also been offered for sale to a number of foreign customers.

According to VNE