Russian Telescoped Ammunition and ABM system " SKY SHIELD "

Whilst the ammunition is interesting, I was more interested in this Russian ABM system called ' SKY SHIELD '. Does anyone have any information on this ?

The cartridges consist of a galvanized steel tube with a solid and conical base that holds the primer. The projectile is entirely contained in this case and fixed with a heavy crimp. The cartridge case is filled with single base nitrocellulose propellant. The 23mm R23 cartridge shown below uses a conventional 23mm HEI projectile and an electrical primer-screw. A piece of lead wire is fixed to the base of the projectile with red tape. The designation "R23" means "Richter 23mm" and designates the caliber of the projectile, not the outer diameter of the cartridge case.

A standard HEI projectile as for the 23x115 NS-23 is used, muzzle velocity is 850m/s, the overall length of the R23 cartridge is 260mm, its overall weight is 51,5g.

www.geocities.com...

The 23mm R23 Richter is well known nowadays and described in detail in the 25mm section. All other Richter cartridges are of similar construction, and basically correspond in size and caliber to the conventional ammunition used in land based and airborne cannons. The latest experimental type discovered is said to be used in a satelite mounted Richter gun in outer space. Up to ten of these guns should be mounted on a anti Inter-Continental-Ballistic-Missile satellite to destroy the nuclear payload with a burst of heavy metal fragments. This cartridge is made of a plastic coated case with two belt link grooves and closed by a hemispherical plastic cap. This experimental project is said to have been named "Sky Shield".
The following calibers of Richter telescoped ammunition have been discovered by collectors:
Except from the R23 cannon, no weapons for these have been examined yet, so it is left to ones personal belief if these cartridges may be genuine experimental cartridges or if one thinks they are fakes of a handy craftsman.

• 5,45mm R545SS Sky Shield cartridge, plastic coated case, 72mm case length. Filled with granular heavy metal fragments and closed by a hemispherical plastic cap.
  
  
• 5,45mm R5,45 cartridges, cases made from aluminum (all others are steel), 83mm overall lengthBall (golden anodized case) and tracer (green case) projectile.
  
  
• 7,62mm R7,62 cartridges, about 80mm overall length. HE cartridge is entirely painted red, API cartridges painted green, later models have only the base painted.
  
  
• 12,7mm R12,7 cartridges, about 170mm overall length. Probably standard projectile types as for the 12,7x108 Degtjarjov.
  
  
• 14,5mm R14,5 cartridges, about 200mm overall length. Probably standard projectile types as for the 14,5x114.
  
  
• 23mm R23 cartridges, about 260mm overall length. Probably standard projectile types as for the 23x115 NS-23.
  
  
• 30mm R30 short cartridges, about 325mm overall length. Probably standard projectile types as for the 30x156B NR-30.
  
  
• 30mm R30 long cartridges, about 350mm overall length. Probably standard projectile types as for the 30x165 2A42 and GSh-30. Not yet seen but rumored are Richter cartridges in 37, 76 and 122mm caliber for turret gun

The above information comes from a pdf of the same website, however the pages don't seem to be online anymore

What will the Russians think of next...

though it is a rather low tech way to kill warheads.

^^^ Well, I guess it's Russia's answer to the rail gun in space. I wonder what sort of range and muzzle velocity it would have in space.

range? out of the gravity well - it`ll be infinate (well until it runs into something) and velocity? even a piece of dust can blow through the space shuttle and as its caught inside the gravity well , then it will just accelerate

Originally posted by Harlequin
range? out of the gravity well - it`ll be infinate (well until it runs into something) and velocity?even a piece of dust can blow through the space shuttle and as its caught inside the gravity well , then it will just accelerate

Would the satellite be postioned outside the gravity well though, that would have to be farther out than Geosynchronus orbit, which is what about 30 000 miles. I would assume a wepon such as this would be about 500km above earth, so as to be able to hit an ICBM on its ballistic arc.

As for velocity would it be significantly greater than the same round fired at sea level on earth ?