ZIPKIN PMADS is a fully-automated firing unit for Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles such as the Stinger, providing autonomous, as well as co-ordinated operation with C3I systems and other air defence assets. Currently integrated onto a four-wheel drive vehicle, the modular turret incorporating LRU sub-systems, can also be integrated on various types of carrier vehicles.
The main mission of the ZIPKIN is the low level air defence of fixed assets, like radar, air bases and harbours. The vehicle carries a crew of two, gunner and driver. A pedestal-mounted launcher assembly is fitted to the rear decking, which carries four ready to fire missiles. Additional four reload rounds can be carried on the vehicle in their launcher-containers. The gunner is either seated in the vehicle cab or at a remote firing location positioned up to 50 m from the vehicle.
Although originally based on Stinger missile, the ZIPKIN PMADS can be configured to carry other types of VSHORAD missiles.
The sensor suite incorporates a second-generation, two field of view focal plane array thermal imager, and a daylight TV camera with zoom capability for passive day/night surveillance, target acquisition and tracking. A multi-pulse laser range finder is also integrated for target ranging.
Basic functional characteristics of the ZIPKIN PMADS are as follows:
• 4 ready-to-fire Stinger missiles
• 12.7 mm machine gun for self-defence
• Target detection, tracking and missile firing at day/night conditions
• Identification of Friend/Foe (IFF)
• Capability of remote control of system functions 50 m away from the platform
The ZIPKIN PMADS fire-control computer provides automated functions such as:
• Remote control of all subsystems
• Turret control and stabilisation
• Automatic slewing of the turret to the target co-ordinates
• Pre-assignment by the C3I system
• Automatic target tracking
• Automatic target type (fixed- or rotary-wing) recognition
• Automatic fire permission if the target is within the missile engagement envelope
• Automatic super elevation and lead insertion before firing
The computer also has a flexible hardware and software architecture for evolving mission requirements.
All system functions are commanded from a unique control console that can also be dismounted from the vehicle for remote operation at distances up to 50 m from the platform. In remote control mode, the Optical Target Designator is used for the system to be directed automatically towards the target that the commander is tracking.
The system also has a secondary weapon integrated into the assembly, a 12.7 mm (0.5 in calibre) M3 heavy machine gun with 250 ready rounds mounted on an elastic cradle at the missile axes. The gun is used for both system self-defence and to cover the missile dead zones. The machine gun has full remote functions, controlled by the fire-control computer, and can be fired either in short burst or continuous mode selectable from the system control console.
ZIPKIN can easily be loaded into and transported by C-130 and C-160 aircrafts.