Ukrainian HIMARS targets and destroys crucial Russian Zoopark-1 radar system
According to a tweet posted by OSINTdefender on June 9, 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces operating in the Zaporizhzhia region successfully identified and located a Russian Zoopark-1 1L219 artillery reconnaissance radar vehicle using a surveillance drone. This vital information was promptly relayed, allowing the artillery units to target and effectively destroy the identified vehicle using a guided MLRS launched from an M142 HIMARS.
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A Zoopark-1 L219, similar to this one, was destroyed by a HIMARS in Ukraine (Picture source Wikimedia and OSINTdefender)
This event represents the third verified instance of a Zoopark-1 1L219 being destroyed, signifying a significant setback for the Russian military in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as this vehicle possesses the capability to detect artillery within a range of approximately 20 kilometers and rockets within a range of approximately 40 kilometers.
The Zoopark-1 plays an important role in detecting and monitoring enemy artillery positions as a counter-battery radar system. It is capable of detecting artillery projectiles launched from various weapons, such as guns, howitzers, mortars, and rocket launchers. By calculating the trajectories of these projectiles, it helps determine the origin of the enemy artillery. Additionally, the Zoopark-1 is used for adjusting artillery fire, contributing to improved precision and efficiency in artillery strikes. It also provides valuable data for counter-battery fire operations in modern warfare.
The M142 HIMARS is a highly mobile artillery rocket system developed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Army. Recognized for its accuracy and extended range, the utilization of such technology demonstrates the advanced tactics employed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The HIMARS carries a single launch pod containing either six M30 guided rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile.
The M30 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), also known as the GMLRS Unitary Rocket, serves as a primary munition for the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
The M30 rocket relies on GPS guidance, providing it with a high degree of accuracy. Under ideal conditions, its circular error probable (CEP) — a measure of precision — is less than 5 meters, allowing it to strike near its intended target reliably.
Equipped with a unitary warhead, the M30 contains a single, large explosive instead of multiple smaller submunitions. This design feature makes the M30 suitable for missions prioritizing minimal collateral damage, as it delivers a single, powerful strike rather than dispersing submunitions over a wide area.
The M30 has a maximum range of approximately 70 kilometers (~43.5 miles), although specific mission parameters and conditions may cause variations. Its long-range capability, combined with its accuracy and powerful warhead, makes the M30 an effective tool for precision strikes against high-value targets, including enemy artillery, command and control centers, and critical infrastructure.