During the 33rd International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) at Targi Kielce, PIT-Radwar of Warsaw, part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), unveiled the SA-35 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, integrated with the newest Tuga digital radar, operating in the X-band.
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
Flat mock-ups of the Tuga radar antennas were mounted at the front of the crew cabin of the prototype Jelcz P663.45 T6 6×6, at the rear behind the gun module, and on both sides below the ZGS-35K observation and tracking head. The radar made its debut at last year’s MSPO, but at that time it was still being refined prior to field testing.
As described by editor Przemysław Gurgurewicz, the radar is:
“A fully digital, software-defined device operating in continuous-wave mode in the centimeter band (X-band, 8–12 GHz).
The 700×700 mm antenna block consists of two antennas, one transmitting and one receiving. They provide coverage of 33° in elevation and 90° in azimuth. Its primary purpose is detecting small unmanned aerial vehicles. Targets with a radar cross section of 0.01 m² can be tracked at ranges of 3–4 km. Thanks to its flat-panel design, the radar can be integrated in many configurations.
The simplest solution is to use a single antenna block as a fire-control radar, e.g., for the SA-35 gun. It may then be mounted independently or combined with electro-optical devices as part of a fire-control head, an example of which was also shown at the exhibition.
Another proposed configuration is to use the device as a target-acquisition radar. In the simpler variant, mechanical antenna rotation can be used. A more advanced solution involves installing a larger number of antennas, for example four, creating a system capable of continuous 360° azimuth surveillance.”
The technology demonstrator of the SA-35 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun also made its debut at last year’s MSPO in Kielce and was subsequently sent to the Ustka training range, where nearly 500 rounds were fired. The system was described in detail by editor Przemysław Gurgurewicz in “The SA-35 35 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun from PIT-Radwar.”
The SA-35 is based on the licensed Oerlikon-Contraves KDA 35 mm naval anti-aircraft gun. In practice, it is the complete AM-35K naval turret system, incorporating the gun itself, the ZGS-35K observation and tracking head, the BSKO-35K electronic blocks, and the RSKO-35K backup fire-control station, together forming the OSU-35K Naval Weapon System. Its main components are mounted on a platform with the dimensions of a standard 20-foot container, allowing it to be transported by any vehicle configured for moving such containers.
A programmable-ammunition system is being developed for both the OSU-35K and the SA-35.
The structure of an SA-35 gun battery would naturally depend on the customer’s requirements, but it could include: four to six guns (two firing platoons), battery- and platoon-level command vehicles, ammunition resupply and technical-support vehicles, and, optionally, a radar station for target detection and tracking.
Additional photos (Przemysław Gurgurewicz):
