Sangvin Anti-Aircraft Laser
Simultaneously with "Stiletto", another self-propelled laser complex was developed at Astrophysica, this time designed to combat air targets. The year after Stiletto became suitable for service, Astrophysica began work on a more advanced device that was originally conceived for air defence, a laser equivalent of the Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft system. Unlike the Stiletto, Sanguine was a modern variant that eschewed bulky mirrors and could be fired vertically. A laser cannon mounted on the Shilka platform could disable a helicopter’s optical system at a range of 6 miles and disable it entirely at 5 miles.
The word "sanguine" means "Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation". The word derives from Middle English: from Old French sanguin(e) ‘blood red’, from Latin sanguineus ‘of blood’, from sanguis, sanguin- ‘blood’. In medieval science and medicine, sanguine was the constitution associated with the predominance of blood among the bodily humours, supposedly marked by a ruddy complexion and an optimistic disposition.
The Sangvin vehicle looked like a Shilka self-propelled gun, with the difference that the first one has a laser emitter box instead of guns. The guidance was also carried out almost like on the "Shilka": the swing turret and the inclined device of the radiator. Also Sangvin had an additional low-power laser rangefinder and an updated fire control system (it would be more correct to say "light" or "ray").
In the trials that began in 1983, Sangvin showed that not only can he determine the optical system of the air target, but also successfully hit it . At that, at ranges of more than 10 km, the optics of the target were "blinded" for several minutes, and at distances of 8-10 km, the destruction of the sensitive elements of optics was already beginning. Exact data on the number of released "Sanguine" is not (secrecy, what to do), but at least one copy was made.
"Stiletto" and "Sangvin" were, without a doubt, good samples of technique. But they had one significant drawback: one laser. In combat, this meant that the enemy, having installed on their optics appropriate filters, can not be afraid of strong damage to electronics or eyes. The answer to filters begged itself-to put on a self-propelled several lasers of different range, against which even a package of different filters will not help.
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