Russo-Ukrainian War: The Lofting Attack Technique

Source: Reddit

     A tactic being used by both Ukrainian and Russian pilots when firing unguided rockets is called “lofting” and that technique is being illustrated here by a Ukrainian Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) helicopter firing S-13 122mm rockets from its B-13L launchers.

     To execute a lofting attack, the helicopter (or ground attack jet) flys low to the ground to make it a difficult target for anti-aircraft gun fire and/or MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System). When the pilot gets near the release point, he pulls up sharply while ripple firing the rockets. Once the rockets  are on their way to the target, the pilot turns sharply away while deploying flares (and/or other countermeasures) and returns to low level flight to egress the area.

     Lofting has two main benefits. The first is that it extends the range of the rockets. The most common unguided rockets used by both the Ukrainians and Russians is the 80mm S-8 rocket and to a lesser degree, the 122mm S-13 rocket. The maximum range for the S-13 (which depends on the type) is between 1.4 miles up to 3.7 miles. Lofting can greatly increase this range (sometimes doubling the range) which brings about the second benefit, keeping the helicopter or jet further away from enemy air defense.

     The S-8 and S-13 are direct fire rockets, meaning the helicopter or jet has to fly at a higher altitude and in a relatively straight line in order to unleash the rockets against the target and achieve hits. Of course, this leaves the helicopter or jet vulnerable to anti-air defenses during the attack run. If firing direct within the rocket's maximum range, the rockets maintain a tighter grouping when they hit the target area. Lofting, however, gives the rockets more time to spread out due to their longer flight time. This reduces the number of rockets that strike the intended target. In addition to the fewer number of rockets impacting on target, unless the loft is executed perfectly, the rockets may overshoot or undershoot the target. This is not so much of an issue if the intent is to simply bombard an area without any specific target in mind.

     Despite the lack of accuracy, it is pretty clear that lofting will continue to be a common practice by both sides in order to preserve air assets which are not easily replaced (especially on the Ukrainian side) but more importantly, the crews themselves.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The RBU-6000 Smerch-2

 

Source: Reddit

     Early in 2023, Russian Federation forces were seen fitting armored vehicles with weapon systems taken from Russian naval ships. This was taken as a sign that Russian tactics, which took (and still do) a toll on armored vehicles, saw the inability for the Russian military to replace such losses. Thus, units took it upon themselves to scavenge various naval weapons with the most common being the 2M-3 turret that mounts two 25mm 110-P autocannons. Another relatively “popular” naval weapon seeing use is the RBU-6000 Smerch-2 which is a 12-tube, 212mm anti-submarine rocket launcher and this is shown here, burned out along with the T-72 tank it is mounted upon. The vehicle was destroyed on August 1, 2024 by an FPV drone from the Drone Battalion, 3rd. Assault Brigade. The location is Ploshchanka, Luhansk Oblast.

     The RBU-6000 has been in service since 1961 and can be found on a host of Russian warship classes. When fitted to ships, the RBU-6000 enjoys the benefits of the Burya FCS (Fire Control System) which itself is tied into the vessel's sonar system (for munition guidance), power aiming (traverse, elevation, and pitch/roll stabilization), and a below-deck automatic loading system from either a 72 or 96 round magazine. Of course, being mounted onto the hull of a T-80 tank means the RBU-6000 has to be manually aimed and loaded by the crew. The RBU-6000 can be traversed 180 degrees to the left or right of center, elevated to a maximum of 65 degrees, and depressed to a total of 15 degrees. Without power, the manual rate of traverse is 4 degrees per second.

     The RBU-6000, as an anti-submarine weapon, fires two types of rockets. The first is the 250 pound RGB-60 and this is a unguided rocket with a impact or proximity fuzed 50 pound explosive warhead. The RGB-60 has a variable range depending on how far or close the enemy submarine is. The minimum range is .2 of a mile to a maximum of 3.4 miles. Maximum depth is .3 of a mile. It is presumed that the Russians are utilizing the RGB-60 in their land-launched RBU-6000 systems as it is the least sophisticated munition the RBU-6000 fires and probably more plentiful. Plus, the RGB-60 has a larger warhead and a longer range compared to the other rocket the RBU-6000 fires. That other rocket, the 90R, is a guided weapon and uses a 43 pound shaped charge that is meant to actually strike the submarine or torpedo rather than act as a depth charge. However, it can be fitted with a proximity fuze if needed. Minimum range of the 90R is .4 of a mile to a maximum range of 2.7 miles. Regardless of the rocket type, the RBU-6000 can be set to fire a single rocket at a time, all 12 rockets simultaneously, or ripple fire 2, 4, or 8 rockets at a time.

     The tank, which appears to be a T-72B, likely had a non-operational turret which was removed and the RBU-6000 (replete with its naval vessel base) put in its place. The crew fitted anti-drone screens to the top of the launcher and what looks like the engine decking as well. Slat armor panels are on the sides and rear as well as flat upon the front glacis plate. What looks like a work platform can be seen on the front. The RBU-6000 was no doubt electrically fired using a length of cabling and aiming was likely done using the common PG-1 series panoramic telescope. However, the rather short range of the RBG-60 rocket means any vehicle mounting the RBU-6000 has to be close to the front line, making it vulnerable to attack. As a comparison, the BM-21 122mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) can fire the basic 9M22U HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) rocket out to 12 miles. This is a possible reason some of the RBU-6000 launchers are fitted to tanks such as the T-72 seen here but also T-80 tanks.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The DShK M1938 "Dushka"

Source: Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defense Forces South

     A soldier of a territorial defense brigade posing for the camera with his “Dushka”, the venerable DShK M1938 12.7mm heavy machine-gun. First introduced in 1938, the DShK (standing for Degtyarov-Shpagin Krupnokaliberny; Degtyarov-Shpagin Large-Caliber) remains in service with dozens of military forces around the world and it has seen combat starting in World War Two and in just about every military conflict since then, to include the Russo-Ukrainian War. This particular make is the DShKM, evidenced by the muzzle brake, which appeared in 1946. When production ended in 1980, over 1 million DShK machine-guns had been built and to date, it has yet to be fully replaced in Russian Federation service despite newer weapons such as the NSV and Kord machine-guns. In addition to ground mounts, the DShK is also used on armored vehicles and tanks as a anti-aircraft machine-gun.

     The DShKM seen here is utilized by a rapid reaction anti-drone unit, hence being mounted in the bed of a pick-up truck. The locally fabricated pedestal mount permits traverse and elevation and it even has minimal gun shield. Usually, the DShK uses a 60-round metal ammunition can and this constitutes a single belt (which is usually 50 rounds). However, when engaging drones such as the Shahed-136, volume of fire is a factor in scoring a successful hit. As such, a single belt can be expended very quickly and in some cases, the drone(s) can leave the kill zone quickly, meaning the DShK is out of action while a new belt is fed into the weapon. Here, the fabricator of the gun mount adapted a 20 liter (5 gallon) metal fuel canister to act as an extended ammunition can. From appearances, it can hold up to five ammunition belts for a ready ammunition count of 250 rounds.

     Empty, the “Dushka” weighs 74 pounds and it uses a gas-operated flap-locking action. The 5.4 foot long DShK has a cyclic rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute but a practical rate of fire is between 100 to 200 rounds per minute. The most often used round is the B-32 steel-cored API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) bullet which, despite being introduced in 1936, remains in production. The B-32 can penetrate 20mm of rolled homogeneous armor at 500 meters. As such, the DShK is a threat to lightly armored vehicles. A similar round is the BZT-44 APIT (Armor-Piercing Incendiary Tracer) and this is often mixed into ammunition belts of B-32 rounds. Another round used is the MDZ incendiary bullet and this might also be mixed with API ammunition. The maximum effective range is 1.2 miles with a maximum range of 1.6 miles.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The BRM-1K Korshun

Source: Public Affairs, 117rd. Heavy Mechanized Brigade

     A Ukrainian BRM-1K Korshun belonging to the 117th. Heavy Mechanized Brigade. The BRM-1K is a variant of the venerable BMP-1 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) which first entered service in 1966. The Korshun (“Kite”) appeared in service after 1973 and is designed as a battlefield reconnaissance vehicle, equipped with an array of apparatus to allow the crew within the ability to gather a wide range of information.

     The 13-ton BRM-1K is powered by a UTD-20 6-cylinder, water-cooled diesel engine that develops 300 horsepower. It is paired to a manual transmission with a 6-speed gearbox (5 forward, 1 reverse). Top road speed is 40 miles per hour while off-road in suitable terrain, the maximum speed is 28 miles per hour. Like the BMP-1, the Korshun is amphibious and in calm water, a top speed of 5 miles per hour can be achieved. A total of 122 gallons of diesel fuel are carried which provide the Korshun with a maximum road range of 372 miles and off-road, 236 miles. 

     For armament, the Korshun retains the same 73mm 2A28 Grom low-pressure, smoothbore gun. The gun mount provides a maximum of 30 degrees of elevation and 4 degrees of gun depression while the turret permits 360 degrees of traverse. As the Korshun is not meant to engage the enemy unless forced to, the Korshun only carries 20 rounds of ammunition. By comparison, the BMP-1 carries 40 rounds. The gunner is provided with a 1PN22M gunsight. The two most common projectiles are the PG-15V HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) and the OG-15V HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation) munitions. The Korshun has no provision for ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles). The PG-15V can penetrate up to 400mm of rolled homogeneous armor at a range of .8 of a mile. As for the OG-15V, it has a maximum indirect fire range of 2.7 miles and a direct fire range of .6 of a mile. Secondary armament consists of a co-axial PKT 7.62mm machine-gun which is provided with 2,000 rounds of ammunition in 250 round belts. The Korshun only has three gun ports, one on each side (towards the rear of the vehicle) with the third being in left rear door. This is one means to identify it from a BMP-1 which has three gun ports per side. Thus, the crew can employ their small arms if need be.

     The Korshun uses the same welded rolled steel armor as the BMP-1 to protect the 6 man crew (commander, driver, gunner, two radio operators, and an equipment operator). As such, the front of the hull has a maximum of 19mm of armor, between 16mm to 18mm on the sides, 16mm of armor on the rear of the Korshun, and 6mm of armor on the top. The turret supports 13mm thick frontal armor, 13mm on the sides and rear, and 6mm of armor on the turret top. As the Korshun seen in the photograph is a early production model, it lacks the fittings for the 902V Tucha smoke grenade launchers on the turret sides. However, the Korshun can inject diesel fuel onto the hot exhaust which generates a smoke screen. 

     Of course, the stock in trade of the BRM-1K is reconnaissance. In the back of the turret is a PSNR-5K (NATO reporting name Tall Mike) surveillance radar. When not in use, the dish is housed within the turret, beneath an armored cover (as shown in the photograph). When raised, the radar can detect vehicles at 4.3 miles and infantry at 1.2 miles. To enable communication between units and higher echelon forces, the Korshun has a R-123M, R-130, and R-148 radio set installed (hence, the two radio operators). Other equipment includes a ERRS-1 radio direction finder (37 mile maximum range), DKRM-1 laser range finder (5 mile maximum range), TNA-3 Kvadrat-1 (“Square-1”) navigation system, IMP-1 mine detector, PPChR radiological-chemical detection system, WPChR chemical detection system, 1G11N gyro-compass, 1T25 survey apparatus, and a pair of 1PN33B night binoculars for crew use. To power systems when the engine is off, the Koshun has a small AB-1-P gasoline powered APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) which has a 1 kilowatt output.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The M2A2 .50 Caliber HMG

Source: Oksana Chorna, 23rd. Mechanized Brigade

     A gunner of the 23rd. Mechanized Brigade on the practice range, operating a Browning M2A2 .50 caliber (12.7mm) heavy machine-gun. The M2A2 is secured onto a locally fabricated anti-aircraft pedestal mount which permits a good bit of elevation to allow the gunner to track and aim at Russian drones. The pedestal mount itself is bolted down onto the bed of a pick-up truck and from appearances, it is capable of being lowered down into the bed when not in use, permitting the tarp (seen rolled up) to cover the bed and protect the mount, M2A2, and ammunition from the elements. The M2A2 seen here is able to utilize scopes and other optics as evidenced by the rail mount on the top rear of the receiver, just forward of the trigger. To the left of the M2A2 is the ammunition can, held via a cradle secured to the mount. Based on the muzzle, the weapon is likely a U.S. Ordnance manufactured M2A2.

     The roof of the pick-up truck's crew cab has no less than five drone jammers of three different makes. It is now more the norm for Ukrainian as well as Russian vehicles to have more than one jammer. The intent is generate interference across multiple frequencies in the hope that any drone that seeks to attack the pick-up happens to be using one of the jammed channels.

For more information on the Browning M2, visit:

https://photosofmilitaryhistory.blogspot.com/2025/02/russo-ukrainian-war-m2e2-ma-deuce-50.html

Russo-Ukrainian War: The ATGL-L RPG

Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

     Bulgaria, as part of their military aid packages to Ukraine, had sent a undisclosed number of ATGL-L RPGs (Anti-Tank Grenade Launcher – Light Rocket Propelled Grenade) in November 2022. The ATGL-L is the Bulgarian version of the Soviet RPG-7 and it is produced by JSC Arsenal AD. The ATGL-L is offered in a number of variants but this soldier of the 154th. Mechanized Brigade is using the original ATGL-L as identified by the marking on the trigger grip. The photograph was taken in January 2025 (though the image has been censored to prevent geolocation).

     The ATGL-L is slightly lighter than the RPG-7, having a weight (with PGO-7V sight) of 14 pounds compared to the 15 pounds of a RPG-7 with the same sight. The ATGL-L, in addition to the PGO-7V sight, can utilize the MGO-7V optical sight or a red dot reflex sight. Here, the firer is using the standard iron post front sight with the graduated rear sight. By using the iron sights, the effective range is approximately 200 meters and this is the maximum graduation on the rear sight. Hence, when able, sights are fitted. With the PGO-7V sight, the effective range increases to 500 meters.

     A 40mm caliber weapon, the ATGL-L fires a oversize 73mm grenade. From appearances, the grenade in the photograph is a RHEAT-7MA2. This has an effective range of 300 meters which is slightly less than the similar 85mm PG-7V grenade's 330 meter effective range when fired from the RPG-7. The RHEAT-7MA2 can penetrate 300mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) in comparison to the 260mm penetration of the PG-7V.

     The RHEAT-7MA2 grenade uses a CP-71 booster charge and it is this which launches the grenade out of the ATGL-L's tube. At about 10 meters from the firer and after the stabilizing fins have extended, the grenade's SM-73 sustainer motor is triggered and it is this which propels the grenade towards the target. The RHEAT-7MA2 uses a piezoelectric AF78 fuze. While the ATGL-L can be completely operated by one man, usually there are two men with the second man carrying additional grenades. Thus, with a trained team, a rate of fire of 4 to 6 grenades is possible.

    As a note, it is known that the Bulgarian RTB-7MA thermobaric grenade (also made by JSC Arsenal AD) is in use by Ukrainian forces, typically fired from the ATGL-L but the grenade is compatible with any RPG-7 or RPG-7 clone.

     The gas mask appears to be an Israeli M-15 which some 1,000 of which were donated to Ukraine by Israel in the summer of 2022. Censors have obscured the label on the filter so it isn't possible to see the type and/or manufacturer.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The VMZ Bullspike-AT RPG

Photograph via the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

     A soldier of the 67th. Mechanized Brigade on the training range with a Bullspike-AT anti-tank rocket launcher. Designed and built by the Bulgarian company Vazovski Mashinostroitelni Zavodi (VMZ), the country of Bulgaria provided a unknown number of Bullspike-AT weapons in the summer of 2022.

     The Bullspike is a modernization of the Soviet RPG-22 Netto (which entered service in 1985) with VMZ making some slight improvements. The Bullspike launches the 72.5mm PG-22 rocket propelled anti-tank grenade but whereas the original RPG-22 grenade has a maximum range of 250 meters, the Bullspike can attain 500 meters. Still, the effective range is much the same as the RPG-22, being between 150 to 200 meters. Penetration is also the same as the RPG-22 with a maximum armor penetration of 400mm. Another VMZ upgrade is the pop-up sight which is graduated out to 350 meters. By comparison, the RPG-22 is graduated only to 250 meters. The Bullspike is heavier than the RPG-22, being 7.7 pounds while the RPG-22 is 6.2 pounds. Finally, the deployment time for the Bullspike is between 8 to 10 seconds which is about the same time for the RPG-22.

     As a side note, there are two additional variants of the Bullspike. The first is the Bullspike-TB which fires the TB-22M thermobaric grenade and the second is the Bullspike-AP which uses the OG-22M fragmentation grenade. In all cases, the launch tube is the same but what type of grenade is within is designated by a stencil on the rear of the tube. For the Bullspike-AT, it is a black stencil of “AT”, for the Bullspike-TB, it is a red stencil of “TB”, and for the Bullspike-AP, it is a white stencil of “AP”.

     Of interest, the soldier is wearing a current issue Bundeswehr “Flecktarn” camouflage jacket. Germany, as part of its military aid to Ukraine, has provided thousands of German Flecktarn uniforms, jackets, and cold weather uniforms. As such, it is not too unusual to find Bundeswehr uniform items being worn by Ukrainian troops.

Russo-Ukrainian War: URO VAMTAC ST5 Alakrán Mortar Carrier

Source: 210th. Assault Brigade

     In late 2022, Spain provided Ukraine with twenty VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico; High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) vehicles. Built by the Spanish firm UROVESA (URO Vehiculos Especiales S.A.), the VAMTAC is a multi-purpose armored vehicle along the same lines as the U.S. military's HMMWV. Like the HMMWV, the VAMTAC has many variants, to include an armored ambulance, anti-tank vehicle, anti-aircraft vehicle, and other roles. In November 2024, articles appeared showing men of the Ukrainian 2nd. Artillery Battery, 210th. Assault Regiment “Berlingo” training with VAMTAC ST5 vehicles fitted with the Alakrán mortar system using a 120mm mortar built by the French company Thales. This is one of those photographs.

     The basis of the mortar carrier is a VAMTAC ST5, the current production version of the vehicle. The ST5 can be fitted with a number of Steyr Motors engines. The most powerful is a 245 horsepower 6.7 litre, 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine. This is mated to an automatic transmission with a 7-speed gearbox (6 forward, 1 reverse). A total of 29 gallons of diesel fuel is carried and provides for a maximum cruise range of 370 miles. Top road speed is 84 miles per hour. The cab is protected by at least STANAG 4569 Level 1 or Level 2 armor which is proof against 5.56x45mm/7.62x51mm ball ammunition (Level 1) or 7.62x39mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition (Level 2). A separate model, the VAMTAC ST5 BN3 supports STANAG 4569 Level 3 armor which can defeat 7.62x51mm AP (Armor-Piercing) and 7.62x54R API ammunition.

     The Alakrán (Scorpion) system was developed and is produced by the Spanish company Milanion NTGS. It can be fitted to many suitable vehicles and the system has seen use already by Ukraine, fitted to Bogdan Bars-6 armored vehicles. As can be seen here, the remainder of the VAMTAC ST5 is made up of the  Alakrán system. The mortar, when in travel order, lays between the ammunition cabinets. Just behind the cab is the controls for deploying the mortar, storage cabinet, and a spare tire. When being deployed, the mortar is raised upward in its cradle by a electro-pneumatic arm. On the bottom of the cradle is a base plate which is used to spread out the mortar's recoil forces when a projectile is fired. The mortar cradle permits a total of 60 degrees of traverse and between 45 to 85 degrees of elevation. A feature of the Alakrán is a barrel cooling system and this permits the mortar to fire a sustained 16 projectiles per minute. The Alakrán incorporates a fire control system (FCS) that utilizes a geographic information system (GIS) that permits the mortar to conduct zonal shooting (the FCS automatically makes slight adjustments to the barrel to permit wide area strikes) as well as simultaneous impact (the FCS adjusts the mortar to permit multiple rounds to hit the target at the same time). The Alakrán system, from the halt, can be ready to fire in half a minute. A trained crew can halt, deploy the mortar, fire two rounds, then be on the move to a new firing location in under a minute. If there is a fault with the deployment system, the mortar can be set up manually. Likewise, if the FCS goes down, the mortar can be manually aimed. The mortar has a maximum range of 8 miles. Spanish produced mortar bombs provided to the Ukrainians are HE (High-Explosive) though inert training munitions are also likely included.

     It is not known how large the purchase order for the VAMTAC mortar carriers was but at least six are known to be in service as of November 2024.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Minenräumpanzer Keiler

Source: inukraine.official on Instagram

     A crewman of a Ukrainian Minenräumpanzer Keiler (MiRPz Keiler; Mine-Clearing Tank “Boar”) hams it up for a smartphone video (posted in July 2024) of which this is a screenshot from. In January 2023, Germany provided Ukraine with four MiRPz Keiler vehicles. The MiRPz Keiler is not new and it is actually a heavily modified M48A2 Patton medium tank (specifically, the German upgraded Kampfpanzer M48A2GA2), the M48 having been in service with the Bundeswehr before being retired in 1993. Only 24 Keiler vehicles were converted between 1996 and 1998. MaK GmbH and Thyssen Henschel Wehrtechnik were responsible for the development and production of the Keiler.

     The 53-ton Keiler is powered by a MTU MB 871 liquid-cooled, turbocharged diesel engine that develops 986 horsepower and which is mated to a Renk HSWL 284 M 6-speed transmission (4 forward, 2 reverse). This replaced the Keiler's original Continental AVI-1790-8 606 petrol engine and Allison GMC CD-850-5 transmission as part of a Keiler modernization program that occurred in 2015. The MB 871 engine can propel the Keiler along roads at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour and top reverse speed of 15 miles per hour. Enough fuel is carried to provide for a maximum cruise range of 370 miles.

     Because the Keiler retains the hull of the M48A2CGA2, the crew is protected by 101mm to 120mm thick frontal armor, 76mm thick side armor, 44mm to 51mm thick rear armor, 44mm thick floor armor, and 57mm thick top armor. As for armament, the Keiler has none outside of any small arms the 2-man crew has with them. The Keiler does have 76mm smoke grenade launchers arranged in a single bank of 16 launchers arranged in two, 8 launcher rows. The bank is mounted on the left side of the rear engine deck. Each grenade has a range of 165 feet and all sixteen grenades create a smoke screen in a total arc of 90 degrees.

     Of course, the main piece of apparatus on the Keiler is its flail. The reason for the flat superstructure is to accommodate the flail which is positioned horizontally over the hull when in travel mode. When the flail is deployed for use, the arm that supports it swings 110 degrees to the front and then lowers the flair onto two hydraulic rams which control the up and down motion of the flail. These rams stick out like the tusks of a boar, hence the vehicle's name. Once the flail is in place, a shield fitted to the front lower glacis plate of the Keiler is lowered so that it barely touches the ground. The shield serves two purposes with the first being to protect the rams from mine detonations and the second is to act as a spade to prevent the Keiler from tipping forward as it becomes front heavy with the flail deployed. 

     The flail has two shafts, each fitted with twelve quick-connect chains ending in 53 pound, bell-shaped weights. The Keiler's MB 871 provides drive power to the flail, spinning it at 400 revolutions per minute. This, however, has the side effect of consuming a lot of fuel which can limit the operational range of the Keiler or reduce its operating time when mine clearing. The weights strike the ground at a speed of 125 miles per hour and any mine struck with either detonate or be so damaged from the impact that it is unusable. Nevertheless, a sapper would have to come remove it due to the explosive that remains. The Keiler is said to have a near perfect detonation rate. The flail clears a path 15.5 feet wide and can clear to a depth of 10 inches. During operation, and terrain depending, the Keiler's top clearing speed is 1.25 to 2.5 miles per hour. Due to damage incurred during flailing, every 1.9 miles, the chains need to be replaced to maintain effectiveness. A total of six spare chains and weights are carried atop the hull by the engine deck.

     On the back of the Keiler is a CLAMS (Clear Lane Marking System) built by IMI (Israeli Military Industries) and it deploys a marker flag in the center of the cleared path. The CLAMS can be set to deploy markers automatically or manually. If automatically, the CLAMS can be set to drop a marker every 6, 12, 24, 26, or 48 meters.

     The driver, given his position in the front of the vehicle, is provided with a reinforced hatch to withstand the overpressure wave of exploding mines. Also, because his vision blocks typically get obscured by kicked up soil, he is provided with a gyroscope that keeps him on course.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The M2E2 "Ma Deuce" .50 Caliber HMG

Source: Reddit

     A mainstay weapon of Ukrainian rapid response anti-drone units is the Browning M2 .50 caliber (12.7mm) heavy machine-gun. Here, it looks to be mounted in the bed of a 5th. generation Toyota Hilux double-cab pick-up truck. Nicknamed the “Ma Deuce”, the development of the M2 commenced in 1918 and first entered U.S. military service in 1933. Besides being used by infantry as a heavy support weapon, the M2 and its derivatives were used in aircraft (both as main armament and defensive armament), mounted on naval ships, mounted on tanks (typically for anti-aircraft use), and more. The M2 is still in production and has seen action in dozens of conflicts around the world in the hands of over two scores of military forces. The version of the weapon shown here is a M2E2 which incorporates a quick change barrel.

     By itself, the M2 has a weight of 84 pounds of which the barrel accounts for 24 of those pounds. It uses a short recoil-operated action and has a cyclic rate of fire of between 450 to 550 rounds per minute. However, the M2 is a select-fire weapon, being able to fire one round at a time as well as full automatic. The gunner, with training, can conduct slow fire which consists of 5 to 7 round bursts every 10 to 15 seconds (a rate of fire of under 40 rounds per minute) or rapid fire which is 5 to 7 rounds every 5 to 10 seconds (a rate of fire over 40 rounds per minute). The gunner must bear in mind that firing more than 150 rounds in two minutes will heat the barrel to the point that a round can cook off in the breech. The gunner has 10 seconds to extract a unspent round from the breech before a cook off can occur. If the round cannot be extracted, then the gunner has to wait at least 5 minutes before attempting extraction and give time for the barrel to cool. The M2 is belt fed and ammunition is held together by either M2 or M9 links.

     Typical ammunition is the M2 ball, M1 tracer, M2 AP (Armor-Piercing), and M8 API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) cartridges. The M2 ball round can penetrate up to 1 inch of concrete at 1,500 meters and 6 inches of sand at the same distance. The M2 AP round can penetrate 8mm of homogeneous armor at 1,500 meters (just under 1 mile), 5mm of face-hardened armor at 1,500 meters, and 406mm of sand at the same distance. The maximum range is 7,400 meters or 4.6 miles. The M2E2 seen here is using the standard leaf-type rear sight and the front blade-type sight. The rear sight is graduated from 100 to 2,600 yards and has a windage knob for deflection adjustments.

     The gunner is wearing a Partizan Camouflage uniform which is also known as SS Leto/Autumn (“leto” means summer in Russian). The camouflage is made by the Russian company Kula and it is derived from the Russian military camouflage pattern of the same name which first appeared in 2004. For anyone familiar with German World War II camouflage, Partizan is based on the Waffen-SS camouflage pattern known as SS-Eichenlaubmuster (“oakleaf pattern”). Like Waffen-SS camouflage, Partizan is reversible into the “autumn” side which replaces the green base color with a brown hue. Kula makes another similar pattern, SS Spring (also called Medusa or Partizan-M), which uses the same pattern but uses a dark brown background with various shades of green splotches. The latter also more closely matches the coloration of the Waffen-SS “oakleaf” camouflage.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Tula TOZ-66 Shotgun

Source: inukraine.official on Instagram

     Ukrainian troops riding in the back of a pick-up truck or similar vehicle. The soldier taking the video is showing off his anti-drone weapon of choice; a vintage Tula TOZ-66 12-gauge, side-by-side shotgun.

     The Tula Arms Plant introduced the TOZ-66 in 1968 and production ran until 1974. Nevertheless, the ruggedness of the design and having been produced in great numbers, the TOZ-66 saw widespread use well after Tula had moved on to more modern designs. As seen here, the TOZ-66 can still be found and this soldier is using it to hunt drones rather than game.

     Although the external hammers gives the 8 pound TOZ-66 an antiquated appearance, their use allows the firer to easily see if the shotgun is ready to fire. In the image, the hammers are cocked, meaning the TOZ-66 is ready to fire. Had they been uncocked, the shotgun could be carried loaded with a good measure of safety against accidental discharge. The TOZ-66 has double triggers, allowing the firer to discharge each barrel independently. 

     The TOZ-66 is a break action shotgun, meaning, to reload, the firer uses the center lever just behind the breech to unlatch the barrels which hinge downward. This downward motion engages an extractor catch which ejects the spent shells. The firer loads new shells then brings the barrels up, engaging the latch. After cocking the hammers, the TOZ-66 is ready to fire. The rate of fire is purely based on how trained the operator is in reloading.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The PKM GPMG

Source: davinciwolves on Instagram

     A machine-gunner of the 108th. Mechanized Battalion “Da Vinci Wolves”, 59th. Motorized Brigade “Yakiv Handziuk”. He is armed with a PKM general purpose machine gun (GPMG), one of the most common machine-guns in use by the Ukrainian military as well as the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Entering service in 1961 as the PK (Pulemyot Kalashnikova; Kalashnikov's machine-gun), the modernized PKM (Модернизированный; Modernized) appearing in 1969. The PKM and its variants remain in production and equip dozens of military forces around the world.

     The PKM is chambered for the Soviet 7.62x54mmR cartridge and the machine-gun uses a gas-operated, long-stroke piston, open/rotating bolt action. The open bolt assists in cooling the breech to prevent ammunition cook-off due to heat generated by automatic fire. The bolt and bolt carrier are upside down and the gas piston and the gas system are mounted beneath the barrel. The cyclic rate of fire of the PKM is 600 to 800 rounds per minute though the practical rate of fire is far less, being 250 rounds per minute. With the cartridge generating a muzzle velocity of 2,707 feet per second, the effective range of the PKM is 1,000 meters though its maximum range is 3,800 meters. Ammunition usually comes in 100-, 200-, or 250-round belts using non-disintegrating metal links with the belts kept in ammunition boxes. The 100-round belt box is considered the “assault” box as it can be attached to the bottom of the PKM. The larger belts are typically utilized when the PKM is being fired from a tripod, the tripod having mounts for the boxes. The rounds feed from the right and the spent brass ejects to the left. In practice, after firing 400 rounds in succession, the barrel is either changed out and replaced with another to give the removed barrel time to cool or the gunner ceases fire to permit the barrel to cool in place. Failure to do this risks bore wear.

     The PKM weighs a tad shy of 20 pounds which includes the detachable bipod but does not include the assault ammunition box. If a full assault box is attached, the weight increases by 8 or 7 pounds depending on if the box is the standard one or the lighter, aluminum version. Normally, aiming is done using iron sights but the PKM can be fitted with aiming optics using a side-rail bracket on the left side of the receiver. The more common optical sight used is the 1P29, a 4x magnification optic. The rear iron sight is a sliding tangent type with 100 meter increments starting at 100 meters up to 1,500 meters. The rear sight also has small side dials to adjust for windage.

Russo-Ukrainian War: M113AS4 Armored Logistics Vehicle (ALV)

Source: ArmyInform

     Australia, as part of the country's military aid to Ukraine, provided a total of 56 M113AS4 armored vehicles. While many are the M113AS4 armored personnel carriers (APCs), it is clear some of the delivered vehicles were variants of the M113AS4. One of them is clearly shown here and that is the M113AS4 ALV (Armored Logistics Vehicle), here in service with the 33rd. Mechanized Brigade. Behind the M113AS4 ALV is another M113AS4 though what model cannot be accurately determined. Because is lacks a turret, it is possible it is a M113AS4 AA (Armored Ambulance). A characteristic of the Australian M113AS4, which is a improved version of the M113AS1 and M113AS3 (that are themselves modifications of the U.S. Army's M113A1 APC), is the lengthened chassis that adds a sixth road wheel. The ALV variant appeared in 2007 and in total, 50 of them were built. 

     Power for the 18-ton ALV comes from a Daimler-Chrysler MTU 6V199TE diesel engine that develops 350 horsepower which is paired to a ZF LSG 1000 R transmission, 8-speed gearbox (6 forward, 2 reverse), and a FFG manufactured final drive. The ALV has a top road speed of 40 miles per hour and with a total of 95 gallons of fuel, the ALV has a maximum cruise range of 310 miles. On the standard M113AS4 as well as the M113AS4 AA, the fuel tanks are mounted externally on the back of the vehicle. These can be seen with the vehicle behind the ALV. However, with the ALV, the tanks are moved inside the hull. The ALV is not amphibious.

     The rear bed has the capacity to carry up to 5 tons of cargo or up to 20 soldiers can pile onto the bed though they would not benefit from any armor protection.

     This particular ALV is not fitted with any armament though the mount for a 12.7mm heavy machine-gun is seen in front of the open hatch. Usually, the weapon of choice is a Browning M2 fitted to the mount along with a small ACAV (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle) armored shield to offer the gunner a measure of protection from the front. As a standard, 2,000 rounds of ammunition is carried though this can be adjusted as needed. The only other armament would be any small arms the two man crew would have.

     For protection of the crew and any passengers, the hull of the ALV sports armor able to resist 14.5x114mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition which means the ALV has STANAG 4569 Level IV defense. Against 155mm shell fragments, the armor is proof against them at a minimum distance of 25 meters. Finally, the vehicle can withstand anti-tank mines with up to 22 pounds of explosive payload. To improve the level of protection, there are appliqué ceramic armor panels fitted to the hull sides and front and internally, there are spall liners. The crew has added their own appliqué armor in the form of slat armor screens around the hull and portions of the roof as a measure of defense against HEAT munitions.

     Other ALV features include a radio system which complies with MIL-STD-461D (control of electromagnetic emission and susceptibility characteristics), 24V electrical system (which includes four SLABs [Sealed Lead Acid Batteries], twin caliper disk brakes with a dual hydraulic circuit, and a cooling system capable of operating in conditions as hot as 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ability to ford up to 5 feet of water without preparation.