COASTAL DEFENSE AND THE BEREG 130mm ARTILLERY SYSTEM

The coastal defense of any state that has sea borders plays a key role in the armed forces. Modern coastal warfare primarily requires the development of mobile coastal artillery systems since they ensure the defense of large areas and can move undetected to combat positions in various regions.

At present, coastal defense troops of some countries are armed with mobile missile systems such as Rubezh and Redut (Russia), RBS 15 (Sweden), Sea Skua (Great Britain), Exocet (France), SSI (Japan), and Harpoon (USA). All coastal defense missile systems feature one common drawback, namely a dead zone from 25 (Rubezh) to 7 km (Redut) and their low efficiency against small-size mobile sea targets, including small landing ships, air-cushioned vessels, ekranoplans, etc. Consequently, coastal defense missile systems are unable to defend coastal zones alone.

he coastal defense of any state that has sea borders plays a key role in the armed forces. Modern coastal warfare primarily requires the development of mobile coastal artillery systems since they ensure the defense of large areas and can move undetected to combat positions in various regions.

At present, coastal defense troops of some countries are armed with mobile missile systems such as Rubezh and Redut (Russia), RBS 15 (Sweden), Sea Skua (Great Britain), Exocet (France), SSI (Japan), and Harpoon (USA). All coastal defense missile systems feature one common drawback, namely a dead zone from 25 (Rubezh) to 7 km (Redut) and their low efficiency against small-size mobile sea targets, including small landing ships, air-cushioned vessels, ekranoplans, etc. Consequently, coastal defense missile systems are unable to defend coastal zones alone.

The Bereg coastal defense self-propelled artillery system incorporates the Podacha mobile artillery fire control system, which is the first such system to use the principle of gunnery without using the sights of the individual guns. The Podacha system ensures complete independent polarization scanning in receive/transmit mode that avoids barrage jamming via a polarization adaptation method, including the cases where the jammer is located on the tracked target and the recognition of targets is made according to the polarization "portrait." The Podacha system can also perform the task of precise target tracking in the "passing" under the angle deception jamming conditions. Meanwhile, the Podacha system tracks up to four targets and engages two of them simultaneously using six gun mounts.

The fire control system is comprised of a radar, TV-optical post with a laser range finder, sighting device for target observation and designation, digital computer to prepare data for firing, devices to record firing procedures, and target simulation system intended for personnel training and practice firing.

In addition, any SP gun can deliver fire independently using its own optical electromechanical sight, commander's vision device, ballistic computer and laser range finder.

The Bereg coastal defense self-propelled artillery system can be deployed at prepared or unprepared firing positions in terms of engineer organization and survey. To enhance the combat survivability and concealment of the system, the dispersal of its combat vehicles may reach 1,000 meters, and the difference in height of gun emplacements can reach up to 300 meters. The coastal defense self-propelled artillery system can perform missions at any time of the day and year in active and passive jamming environments.

The combat duty support vehicle's diesel-generator supplies the central combat station with electric power during extended combat duty at the firing position. In addition, all vehicles of the coastal defense self-propelled artillery system have self-contained auxiliary power units. The combat duty support vehicle has compartments to store fuel, food and water reserves, as well as facilities for cooking and serving meals, and for personnel's rest. Medical aid can also be provided to the personnel.