Posted On Friday, 11 February 2022 12:00
Rosoboronexport has issued some pictures of its Pantsir-SM air defense system during trials carried on in a desert environment, without providing details about the date and locations.
Pantsir-SM (Picture source: Rosoboronexport)
Based on an 8x8 chassis instead of a 6x6 one like for Pantsir-S1, Pantsir-SM (or S1M) is a new upgraded variant of the Pantsir-S1 that was first unveiled in February 2019 and then displayed with an armored cabin (very different from the soft skin one) at Army-2019 defense exhibition in Kubinka, near Moscow.
Experience drawn of the system deployment in Syria was applied during the development of this new version. Hence, it has upgraded L-band search radar with the ability to track up to 40 targets at once, and new multi-functional EHF fire-control radar that can engage four targets simultaneously, both fitted with phased antenna arrays. The system also uses the new 57E6M-E surface-to-air missile with an increased ceiling from 15 to 18 km (9.3 to 11.2 mi), engagement range from 20 to 30 km (12 to 19 mi), and speed of 1,300 to 1,700 m/s (4,700 to 6,100 km/h; 2,900 to 3,800 mph) as well as with heavier 25 kg fragmentation warhead, compared to the 20 kg warhead of the standard 57E6-E missile. The first export contract was signed in August 2021.
Pantsir-SM (Picture source: Rosoboronexport)