Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps develops automated anti-aircraft turrets

The R&D team of the ‘Aquila’ separate anti-aircraft missile battalion, part of the 3rd Army Corps, is developing automated anti-aircraft turrets. The battalion’s commander, Maksym Zaichenko, said this in an interview with Defender Media.

According to Zaichenko, the turrets are already being tested by battalion units to destroy targets remotely. “The key focus of our development is the ability to automatically lock onto aerial targets with high accuracy, as well as a ballistic calculator,” he said.

Zaichenko explains that Western militaries operate concepts such as C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) and C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems). These are integrated systems where the anti-aircraft gun is just one element. They combine radar, optical and acoustic detection tools. The system calculates the trajectory automatically, rather than a soldier aiming “by eye”.

“We are adapting this idea to our conditions by looking for low-cost but effective solutions,” the Aquila commander said. “This allows us not only to shoot down enemy targets more accurately but also to reduce infantry losses from FPV drones in the tactical depth.”