Anti-aircraft artillery & firepower alternatives, 1930-1950 (4 Viewers)

[ThomasP]

The US is currently field testing 30mm proximity ammo, but is also working on some form of programmed fuzing similar to AHEAD. The proximity version is being developed on a rush basis for interim use, and in case the AHEAD(ish) round does not work out.

 

[ThomasP]

Interesting development in Poland.

"Poland Builds Rival to AHEAD: 35mm Drone-Kill Round Passes Tests at MSPO"

If it works as advertised in the field, it will only take 7 rounds for the same kill probability as 24 rounds of kinetic/direct hit ammunition.

 

[tomo pauk]

Use of guns of 30mm and smaller for AA has not been great until the last couple of years.

Use of 30mm and smaller was wide and en masse in the last many decades. Use of proximity fuse on these guns was close to zero, if not zero, the kill probability was kept reasonable with multi-barreled installation and, many times, use of radars.

Granted, the bigger the shell the better is bang for buck. The 30mm guns necked-out to 39-40mm, and 35mm to 50mm would've been a mighty weapon to have. In a vehicle, one can carry about the same number of shells for the originating gun as well as for the necked-out one.

The US is currently field testing 30mm proximity ammo, but is also working on some form of programmed fuzing similar to AHEAD. The proximity version is being developed on a rush basis for interim use, and in case the AHEAD(ish) round does not work out.

IMO, an AHEAD-ish round starts making sense with the 1-barreled installations, like on the APCs, and their ability to take out the ATGM teams and infantry behind the cover. Proximity fuse will probably not be the answer to those tasks.
Higher probability of hitting an A/C, be that a drone or a classic type, is the icing on the cake for the programable fuse.