Weapons development has come a long way in recent times, widening the technology gap between countries that can afford the latest weapons and those that can't. One of such novelties on the arms market is the Skif anti-tank system, a joint creation of Ukrainian and Belarusian manufacturers. Like any other type of weapon developed by the joint efforts of different countries, he took the best from both.
ATGM - what is it?
ATGM stands for anti-tank missile system and is intended to destroy armored targets and enemy manpower, regardless of whether they are protected by monolithic, spaced or combined armor, including taking into account dynamic protection. In addition, the complex can be used to destroy other armored targets, such as dug-in tanks, long-term firing points, helicopters and the like. ATGM "Skif" is no exception, and it is able to hit all the same targets, but with much greater efficiency than its earlier counterparts. Despite the fact that it was created relatively recently, it has already managed to establish itself in the troops of the armies of different countries exclusively from the best side.
ATGM "Skif": historycreation
This weapon was developed jointly by the Ukrainian design bureau "Luch" and the Belarusian OJSC "Peleng", and in Ukraine only the missile itself is produced for the complex, and the guidance device is created in Belarus. Usually the ATGM "Skif" and "Korsar" are compared with each other, although this is not entirely correct, since the ATGM "Korsar" was originally completely Ukrainian production, and the Skif is joint, which guarantees a higher quality of weapons.
The operation of the complex is based on a semi-automatic laser guidance system, while the target itself is detected using infrared and optical sights. The main unique ability of the weapon is the ability to fire from both open and closed positions. The missile flies over the line of sight and descends directly on the target only at the last moment before impact, which greatly complicates the possibility of intercepting it and determining the final target of the projectile. Such is the ATGM "Skif". Photos can be viewed below.
Modifications
The basic equipment of the weapon includes a tripod, on which it is installed immediately before the start of firing, a container used for transporting and launching missiles, a PN-S guidance device and a remote control panel.
ATGM "Skif-D" is a modified version of the basic configuration of the installation, the main difference of which is a special device that allows the operator to launch a missile from a distance of up to 50 meters from the complex itself. This modification does not requireservice personnel directly near the weapons, which can significantly reduce the loss of soldiers.
ATGM "Skif-M" - another option for modifying the installation. In addition to everything listed in the basic package, it also includes a Belarusian-made thermal imager. This version of the complex can be used much more efficiently at night.
Specifications
The caliber of the complex, according to the data published on the manufacturer's website, is 130 mm, while the weight of the installation is only 28 kilograms, and the missiles - 16. The mass of the Belarusian-made guidance device is the same 16 kilograms, and the control panel - only 12. The maximum time for which the missile reaches the target located at the maximum possible firing distance is 23 seconds, while the warhead is cumulative, tandem. Thanks to the same guidance system, a target can be detected at a distance of up to 7 km, which, given the maximum firing distance of 5 km, allows the crew to prepare for a clash and make the most of the complex. The range of temperatures in which the weapon can fully function and perform its task is also very impressive - it varies from plus 60ºС to minus 40ºС. Despite the fact that the operator constantly monitors the enemy with the help of a target designator, the missile itself flies above the aiming line, and the laser looks into its tail, and only before the impact, the projectile changes its trajectory. This makes it very difficult to detect or intercept a missile andpossible only immediately before the hit, which drastically negates the capabilities of most modern armored defense systems.
Use in the troops
It is in service with the army of Belarus and Georgia. In Ukraine, two similar complexes were used in the Donbass in 2015, in Azerbaijan they were put into service in 2010 and are installed on armored vehicles of the Scorpion type. The armies using this type of weapon note the possibility of its round-the-clock use, the increased accuracy of hitting a target located behind the return fire zone, the increased survivability of the complex calculation due to the possibility of remote control, and the envisaged system for installing the complex on vehicles, both ground and sea-based. In addition, if such a weapon is equipped with such a weapon, it is possible to equip it with an automatic reloading system, which significantly increases the rate of fire and, as a result, the effectiveness of the Skif anti-tank systems. Such foresight in the process of both development and creation of the complex only increases its value in the eyes of the military.
Results
In general, since the appearance of this weapon at the arms exhibition in 2005 and to this day, the complex is actively used, shows good results and is relatively cheap to maintain. In addition, since it can be carried by calculation forces, it can bring many unpleasant surprises to a potential enemy, and its ability to hitnot only equipment, but also fortified firing points of the enemy significantly expands the scope and capabilities of the armed forces of the countries in which the complex is in service. In addition, a specialized simulator based on the same ATGM "Skif" has recently appeared, which allows you to train the crew at minimal cost and with maximum efficiency.
