KBP (Konstruktorskoe Buro Priborostroeniya) Instrument Design Bureau (part of High Precision Weapons holding company of Rostec) has started developing the world’s first multi-purpose anti-tank guided missile system (ATGM), which can effectively shoot down drones, announced the Industrial Director of the Rostec State Corporation, Bekkhan Ozdoev. There are currently no other anti-tank systems in service anywhere in the world that would be capable of reliably engaging unmanned aerial vehicles, because of their small size, maneuverability and low contrast for targeting in the thermal spectrum.
“KBP has started developing new ATGMs. The new design is no longer solely a highly specialized anti-tank weapon, but a multipurpose defensive and assault weapon capable of effectively hitting both traditional targets such as tanks or armored vehicles, but also a whole range of previously unattainable targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles,” said Ozdoev, without specifying the name of the new weapon system. New homing technology with TV-thermal imaging is being created for the new system. The new missile will operate on fire-and-forget principle.”
The new missile will combine both thermal and optical seeker technology, completely unique for any other ATGM designs. Certain brands of ATGMs can shoot down large and low-speed aerial targets with sufficient heat radiation, such as helicopters. High Precision Weapons holding has also made a parallel announcement that KBP is working to improve the technology of manufacturing warheads for ATGM missiles. In particular, the new missiles will have come with new and improved compositions of explosives.
KBP is one of the main enterprises in the field of Russian defense industry, based in Tula. It is engaged in designing high-precision weapon systems for the Army, the VMF and the VKS, as well as anti-air defense systems, high-rate-of-fire cannons and small arms, in addition to civilian products. The designing of high-precision weaponry is the priority of the KBP. The enterprise designs air-to-ground, ground-to-air and ground-to-ground weaponry. In addition to these, KBP also develops modern autocannons and grenade launchers. It also manufactures automatic, hand-held and under-slung grenade launchers, sniper rifles, submachine guns, pistols and revolvers for the law enforcement agencies.
