Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockstar
The Gepard was purpose built as a anti-aircraft weapon system for a threat which no longer exists. It uses a RADAR to acquire which when activated not not only lites up the target but itself as well. Which IMO would be like placing a big “kick me” sign on your back.
Today there are several infantry level manpad systems that can do a better job than the Gepard. Plus, if the goal is targeting ground forces or armor who needs an active Radar when a little “Kentucky windage’ will do.  |
The radar on the Gepard is not needed to follow targets once they have been lit, the target is foloowed by optics only - not necessarily radar. And as I said: the Gepard is said to the Flak tank worldwide with the
shortest (radar) reaction time. The ZSU-23 and ZSU-57 needed to track with radar much longer before getting a solution.
The Bundeswehr wanted to keep the Gepard, it had to give them up because
politicians wanted it so. The whole army air defence regiment was given up a decade ago. Thats why Germany until today has no defence system against drones of any size.