The Ukrainian military assessed Polish CPC for the KRAB self-propelled guns

The 155mm KRAB self-propelled howitzers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine are controlled by Polish command vehicles.

Polish command post carriers (CPC) are made on the chassis of decommissioned 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers.

Both the engine and the remaining units in CPC are replaced: the gearbox is automatic, a modern radio station is installed, which allows it to constantly be in touch with the rest of the cars.

Even the tracks have changed — rubber pads or primers have been added here to move on loose surfaces.

One Polish CPC has a connection with the six 155mm KRAB self-propelled artillery installations (ACS).

“I have two such command vehicles, so we can act as part of platoons. From the beginning of our arrival in the area of ​performing missions, I worked with one platoon, and the platoon commander — the senior battery officer — with another. We act in separate directions and perform firing missions on our own. Now we are already working as part of the battery, so we have the opportunity to replace each other,” says Serhii, commander of the self-propelled artillery battery.

The machine allows the battery to move to a certain area: the Battalion commander can act separately. At the same time, the self-propelled guns can move to the specified points either independently or as part of the unit.

These target designations are transmitted over the radio station either by voice or via SMS messages.

Each gun commander has a map on his computer. Thus, after receiving a direction or “point,” they see where they need to move. This makes it easier to perform combat missions.

Previously, the entire battery was tied to one bead, and the interval between the guns could be, for example, a hundred meters. Now it can reach even a kilometer and a half.

“So I can give firing tasks both on the battery as a whole and on each gun separately,” the officer adds.

With its receipt, the guns reached a qualitatively new level: both the guns and the command car are equipped with modern means, because there is a GPS navigator and a computer to which all the cars are tied.

And all this accelerates the work. On the control car during the movement, the commander can see all his cars, i.e. how they are dispersed.

“This system is much better than what we had before, and a head higher than what the Russians have,” concludes the battery commander.

Also, the CPC uses the “TOPAZ” automated fire control system.

“TOPAZ” allows the commander from the command post to control the artillery unit in real time using a computer, without the need to give orders by means of radio communication.

“It is equipped with a TOPAZ system, thanks to which a minimum of human intervention is required. The battery officer enters the target into the machine’s computer and this is automatically transmitted to the selected self-propelled gun and the gun is automatically pointed at the target,” the military says.