Russian Defense ministry agrees on Derivatsiya-PVO antiaircraft gun test plan.

Derivatsiya-PVO 2S38 antiaircraft artillery gun is preparing for acceptance trials. According to a plan agreed by the Defense Ministry, they will begin in early 2021. A column of these vehicles will for the first time parade in Red Square and will then go for an upgrade. The 57mm long-range gun is the main weapon. It can shoot down drones and precision weapons, the Izvestia daily writes.
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Derivatsiya-PVO 2S38 displayed at Army-2019 defense exhibition ner Kubinka  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Sources in the defense industry said the Defense Ministry had prepared a test plan for Derivatsiya-PVO. Several tracked vehicles will parade on Red Square on June 24. They will then go for the final check of all mechanisms and arms. The trial schedule obtained by the newspaper said two prototypes have to complete trials in December 2020 and begin acceptance tests in early 2021. The Defense Ministry signed a contract for the design of a self-propelled 57mm antiaircraft gun with Burevestnik Institute in 2013. Four years later a model of the gun was demonstrated at Army-2017 forum.

The gun can destroy not only air targets. The characteristics allow operating to support the infantry. An option is being designed for warships and boats. Derivatsiya is necessary to protect brigades of the ground forces from air attacks. Today Tunguska guns are doing the job. However, they do not meet all modern requirements in the range and effectiveness of target destruction, expert Viktor Murakhovsky said. "New gun and missile systems are designed to protect the troops. Derivatsiya-PVO is the antiaircraft self-propelled gun. The 57mm automatic gun has a bigger range and fire effectiveness at air targets. 2S38 is more perfect and universal than Tunguska. Its powerful projectiles can destroy armor and targets behind the walls. 57mm armor-piercing shells can destroy armor by a frontal hit," he said.

The latest conflicts have demonstrated that light drones can inflict major damage. The new antiaircraft gun with modern fire controls can counter the drones. The Syrian experience showed that antiaircraft missiles can destroy drones, but they are several times more expensive and it is costly to engage them against drones. Derivatsiya will resolve the problem, as its shells are cheaper. The caliber allows making smart shells with electronic devices and controls, the expert said.

The gun is carried on BMP-3 undercarriage. Its 57mm gun is more powerful than Pantsir’s and Tunguska’s 30mm guns Derivatsiya can hit targets at an altitude of 4.5 km and a range of 6 km. It is 50 percent above the capabilities of other available weapons. The rate of fire is 120 rounds per minute and the loader of munitions comprises 148 shells. The gun can destroy not the latest main battle tanks by a hit in the side or back but the armor-piercing projectiles can destroy light armor and walls by a frontal hit. The increased caliber and size of the shell allowed producing new projectiles for Derivatsiya. They can be set for an explosion in a specific place of the trajectory and create a field of fragmentation. A controlled shell capable of maneuvering is being designed to fight drones and guided weapons.

Besides the main gun, Derivatsiya is armed with a 7.62mm PKTM machinegun with 500 cartridges to fight the infantry. Transloader 9T260 can deliver several rounds of munitions for rapid recharging on the battlefield.

Derivatsiya has no radar. It is equipped with modern optical-electronic guidance and reconnaissance system. The designer said the TV and heat-imaging channels can effectively detect targets in any conditions and keep the vehicle invisible for the adversary.

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