Shell (air defense systems)

Main article: Russian air defense

Shell-ME

Main article: Shell-ME (Anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex)

Pantsir-S

Main article: Pantsir-S ZRPK

2025

Use of new TKB-1055 missiles destroying small drones from 7km

At the end of July 2025, it became known that the calculations of the Russian Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and cannon systems (ZRPK) began to use new TKB-1055 missiles. These ammunition are designed to combat small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

TKB-1055 may be part of the armament of the Pantsir-SMD, Pantsir-M and Pantsir-SM complexes. The rocket TKB-1055 is equipped with a powder accelerator with a lightweight body made of composite materials, which separates during flight. The range of the missile is 7 km. This is less compared to the standard 57E6Ye missile, the range of which reaches 20 km.

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Фото: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The engine of the TKB-1055 is on the acceleration stage: after its separation, the rocket flies by inertia. Maximum speed of air targets under attack is 1000 m/s, maximum speed of missile protection system is 820 m/s. The ammunition can be used to combat small-sized kamikaze drones, including low-speed and barraging ones.

For TKB-1055, a new transport and launch container for four missiles has been developed. It is installed in place of a standard container with one full-size ammunition, which allows you to quadruple the ammunition load.

Complexes of the Pantsir family are designed to protect ground objects from the entire range of air threats - both manned and unmanned. The radar system of the installations is capable of detecting targets with an effective scattering area of ​ ​ 2-3 square centimeters - this is enough to detect and hit even small reconnaissance drones or miniature copters. A phased array antenna (headlamp) with thousands of transmitting and receiving elements operates in the millimeter band, allowing multiple targets to be tracked and fired at simultaneously. If necessary, the radar part complements the optical channel.^[1]

The start of deliveries of new anti-aircraft guided missiles to defeat swarms of drones

On June 23, 2025, Rostec state corporation announced the start of deliveries of new close interception anti-aircraft guided missiles for the Pantsir family complexes. Small-sized ammunition is designed to destroy various targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The new mini-missiles allow you to quadruple the Shell ammunition load - from the standard 12 to 48 ammunition. This is achieved due to the fact that a container with four short-range intercept mini-missiles is installed in the standard landing place of a conventional rocket of the complex. Moreover, reloading with pre-prepared containers takes as long as conventional ammunition. In a 48-charge configuration, the Shell can be used to fight swarms. drones Earlier Russia Vladimir Putin , the Director General of Rostec reported to the President about new mini-missiles. Sergey Chemezov

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Фото: Rostec

This is the "Shell" of the SMD-E model. Differs from the previous model in that mini-missiles are installed there, and the ammunition load has quadrupled. Today, instead of twelve - 48 missiles. This is very important in order to provide protection against drones, because twelve missiles are sometimes not enough if there is a mass raid. But 48, of course, is much better, and our military is very happy about it, "Chemezov said.

Depending on the tasks performed, the Shell calculations can install various combinations of small and conventional missiles. This increases the variability of means for hitting air targets. In particular, drones of different types can be effectively destroyed. The supply of ammunition of a new type is carried out by the High-Precision Complexes holding, which is part of Rostec. A batch of mini-missiles as part of a state defense order was shipped by the Russian Ministry of Defense.^[2]

2024: Announcement of the Pantsir-SMD-E system

On August 12, 2024, a new Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system was presented in Russia, designed specifically to protect against massive attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles. The complex is designed to protect important industrial and administrative facilities from air threats. The developer is the Instrument Design Bureau, which is part of the High-Precision Complexes holding of the Rostec state corporation.

According to Rostec, Pantsir-SMD-E is equipped with an advanced fire control system, including a surveillance radar, a multifunctional radar system and an electron-optical system, which allows you to effectively detect and hit air targets at medium and short range. The new complex is able not only to automatically hit targets, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of real-time shooting, which significantly increases its combat capabilities.

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Фото: Rostec

The Pantsir-SMD-E ammunition can include up to 48 short-range anti-aircraft guided missiles or 12 standard anti-aircraft guided missiles, which allows you to adapt the complex to various combat missions. This flexibility in the use of ammunition makes the complex especially effective in combating massive drone attacks, including small and highly maneuverable targets.

According to Bekhan Ozdoev, a member of the bureau of the Union of Machine Builders of Russia and industrial director of the arms cluster of Rostec State Corporation, Pantsir-SMD-E is a continuation of the development of the Pantsir family of complexes, and its main task is to protect stationary objects from air attack. Ozdoev noted that the new complex is equipped with effective and inexpensive ammunition that provides reliable protection against drones, avoiding excessive costs of destroying small targets.^[3]

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