Counter-UAS in Russia: the LPD-2000 weapon turret from Laboratorija PPSch

A new weapon turret for mobile counter-UAS has been developed in Russia. The system is made by Laboratorija PPSch, based in St Petersburg; its task is to engage drones.

The system is designated LPD-2000. The developer has used its individual components for some time, but so far on manually aimed platforms. What is new is the integration into a stabilised weapon turret which, according to the manufacturer, can be operated semi- or fully automatically.

The central element is the LPK-101 Krechet sighting system, which provides either an electro-optical or an infrared image. An f/1.0 lens with a focal length of 55 millimetres gives the operator a field of view of 7.9 × 6.3 degrees.

This is complemented by a small all-round search radar that detects targets automatically. Targets can thus be acquired and identified by day, at night and in poor visibility.

Hard kill and soft kill for counter-UAS

The turret accommodates several weapon systems. Most striking are two 12.7-millimetre machine guns from the PKM, NSV-12.7 Utes and Kord series. Alongside this hard-kill system there are soft-kill components: a laser intended to damage or destroy drones' optical sensors, and a directional jammer that blocks control links and satellite navigation.

The manufacturer states a range of 2,000 metres. The system is primarily intended to target small and medium first-person view (FPV) drones, low-flying reconnaissance drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles of the kind used in the current long-range war.

According to the manufacturer, the system can also raise an alarm on its own when a threat appears, without constant human operation. The target is then engaged either semi-automatically, once an operator gives clearance, or fully automatically – based on radar detection, target identification and the subsequent use of weapons.