This is exactly what Makarenko means by a failure of detonation control

Monday, January 8th, 2024

Russian tactical radars are designed to pick up jets, not small, slow-moving targets:

“The results of field tests showed that the target detection radar of the Tor air defense system provides detection of small UAVs at ranges of only 3-4 km,” writes Makarenko.

This explains why drones are able to get so close and take video of these systems: the Russians are unable to spot a drone unless it is practically on top of them. When the drones are spotted, Makarenko says Tor has trouble shooting them down.

“The practical experience of experimental firing at small targets [with Tor] … indicates the low efficiency of their destruction. The main reasons for this are the imperfection of the SAM warhead detonation control system, as well as large errors in target tracking and SAM guidance on small-sized UAVs.“

This has been borne out in Ukraine, for example by this video of a Tor missile hurtling past a Ukrainian quadcopter without exploding. This is exactly what Makarenko means by a failure of detonation control.

Comments

  1. Gaikokumaniakku says:

    Drones are a big part of several arms races that are already underway. The people who own the juicy targets are no doubt already working on ways to defend against drones. To what degree they will succeed will remain to be seen.

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