OSU-35K Naval Armament System 

The OSU-35K Ship Weapons System is a modern, effective, remote, multi-task anti-aircraft artillery direct defense system equipped with the 35 mm automatic gun having own optoelectronic fire control system. It enables combating various types of threats while ensuring high precision of  attack range.  It is intended for  combat operations day and night, in all weather conditions in which naval vessel with OSU-35K thereon is operating. It was designed both for the cooperation with the ship combat management system  (CMS) and for  autonomous operation, independently of the CMS system. 

Innovative construction of the entire system and its components using carbon fibre technology  ensured that the optimum weight (little more than 3 tonnes) and dimensions as well as high level of ergonomy were achieved. Low weight makes it possible to be mounted on any platforms, also small ones and weight sensitive. Modularity of the system allows its integration on various ships.  

The system is composed of: the AM-35K automatic cannon, ZGS-35K integrated tracking head, BSKO-35K fire control system block and RSKO-35K reserve fire control post.  The OSU-35K combats airborne targets maneuvering  course, velocity and altitude in the zone of fire and also seaborne targets. The system has capability to detect, track and combat  airborne targets such as aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles or missiles of unarmoured or lightly armoured surface targets and targets in  asymmetric operations. 

The Qualification Studies of the system confirmed its feasibility to combat the targets in a distance up to 5500 m and on the level up to 3500 m (depending on the ammunition used) at rapid firing rates 550 projectiles per minute. The ammunition is supplied on the opposite sides of the gun by two belt tracks, each of the security magazines containing  100 pcs of ammunition. Such double-sided feeding of KDA  machine allows for free selection of the ammunition, depending on the situation, including: 

• FAPDS-T sub-calibre ammunition,
• ABM programmable (primarily intended for destruction of small targets –  e.g. drones). 

The system of programmable dismantled ammunition being developed within the PIT-RADWAR Consortium in the cooperation with MESKO enables  controlled  dismantling of a projectile in a specific moment of its flight (after pre-programmed time following firing) which raises the effectiveness of fighting the target. Projectile is programmable without contact while going through the discharge device mounted at the end of the barrel. 

Fire control system (Pol. SKO) may operate in an automatic or semi-automated mode. In case the SKO system is  out of the fight or if data from the detection system are missing, RSKO-35K reserve fire control post (optional) may be utilized which by taking over basic functions such as controls or  tracking ensures  control over the effector. 

The OSU-35K system is equipped with the ZGS-35K integrated tracking head fitted with precise electric drives which together with the modern stabilization system of sensor line of sight and  that of the cannon barrel aiming line provide for very high dynamics  while maintaining high precision of movement. Stabilization  enables precise effective firefighting on the move in extremely  variable maritime environment. 

The OSU-35K system may operate both during the day and night  owing to the ZGS-35K sensors built in the head (infrared camera 3–5 μm, daylight camera, high repetition laser rangefinder). Interrogator IFF operating in Mode 5 (Mark XIIA) may also be integrated with the above system.

The system also makes use of the PIT-RADWAR designed SOWA videotracker providing for effective and  reliable tracking of detected objects, in difficult and different conditions. New functionality implemented in the system   as automatic multi-channel  tracking of objects allows for continuous tracking  of the target without the operator’s need to switch  between available sensors (cameras). The implemented innovation dramatically increases efficiency of automatic tracking which is critical for the advanced modern fire control systems dedicated to be mounted in the Air Defense Systems (for all air attack means [Pol. ŚNP] including mini/micro unmanned aerial vehicles [Pol. BSP]) and also in the automated land and marine systems.  

In future, the OSU-35K system will be developed by  fitting it with a dedicated armament control radar.  

The Ship Weapons System was designed by the Consortium consisting of:  Military University of Technology (WAT) (leader), Polish Naval Academy (AMW), PIT-RADWAR S.A.,  ZM Tarnów in the collaboration with Navy. A prototype of the OSU-35  system was installed on ORP „Kaszub” in 2016 and  for three years  it was going through a series of tests enabling its implementation to  the armament of the Polish Navy.   

A modular design of the system provides for its further development to fulfill the requirements of battlefield which are dynamically changing. It indicates also high potential of the system - both in a marine and land version – which makes it possible  to be mounted on different types of platforms (small ones and weight sensitive) with capability  of interoperability with other elements of air defense to meet operational needs of the Polish Armed Forces adequate to the requirements of battlefield, in the near and far future.

Zalety