State-run Kyiv Armor Factory has presented its newest piece of military gear, equipped with an innovative computer system for directing fire at enemy troops, transport vehicles, terrestrial and low-flying aerial targets.
“The Ukrainian army is constantly becoming stronger and modernizing. The Kyiv Armor Factory has unveiled its latest weapon,” says the note published on the president’s official website on May 17.
“We will do everything to ensure soldiers who defend us are equipped with the most modern weapons,” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in the posting.
State-run Ukroboronprom Concern in turn provided more detail by reporting that the Kyiv Armor Factory developed a new machine gun grenade launcher for combat vehicles.
“It is equipped with the Kashtan long-range computer-aided aiming system invented by the AT-System R&D enterprise. The weapon can be remotely controlled and uses video cameras to identify targets,” the company said in a press release.
The Kashtan system is special because it is made from protected electronic parts and microprocessors. The modern automated weapon comes replete with a video controlled target-acquiring computer, image-enhancement technology and control systems. Different types and numbers of video cameras can be attached to the weapon.
The Kashtan system allows observation of targets in daytime at from 1,800 to 8,000 meters and at night from 600 to 2,000 meters. The weapon system needs up to 15 seconds to automatically identify the target, such as an armored infantry vehicle, at a range from 500 to 4,000 meters.
“The machine gun grenade launcher is designed for eliminating enemy troops, vehicles, land and low-flying aerial targets. It can be installed on wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as on stationary objects,” Ukroboronprom said.
The launcher consists of a 30mm automatic main gun with ammunition load for 400,000 rounds, it is coupled with a 7.62mm machine gun with ammunition load for 2,000 rounds, a 30mm automatic grenade launcher, and an 81mm smoke screen generator. The installation of an antitank guided missile launcher is optional.
