ACTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AGAINST PRECISION WEAPONS AND THEIR PROSPECTS

The protection of military equipment from precision-guided munitions (PGMs) is one of the key challenges for modern armies. As offensive technologies advance, traditional armor has become insufficient. Consequently, active defense systems, particularly the "hard kill" concept, are gaining increasing importance.This article examines various active protection methods used to neutralize incoming threats before they reach their target. Special attention is given to air defense, a crucial component in countering precision-guided weapons such as missiles and drones. The study provides an in-depth analysis of radar systems like the AN/TPS-43E and AN/TPS-75, which play a vital role in detecting aerial threats. Additionally, the use of fighter aircraft equipped with air-to-air missiles is explored, demonstrating their effectiveness in eliminating airborne targets.A separate section is dedicated to surface-to-air missile systems, particularly the Tor-M1 system, which effectively neutralizes cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft. The effectiveness of close-range gun-based defense systems, such as the Mark 15 Phalanx CIWS, is also analyzed, highlighting their role in protecting naval vessels and ground-based installations.Furthermore, the article discusses the development prospects of active protection systems for armored vehicles, with a focus on the Ukrainian Zaslon APS. The potential application of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) to disable enemy munitions' electronics is examined, along with the viability of laser weapons in neutralizing aerial threats.This study provides an overview of modern active defense technologies and evaluates their effectiveness in military conflicts, emphasizing the necessity for further research and development in this field.Moreover, it considers the future challenges of countering evolving threats and the need for continuous innovation to stay ahead of adversaries in terms of defense capabilities.