Missiles since Soviet times, and now in Russia continues to be a major trump card, not only in armed conflict, but also in the international negotiations.
However, before this comes infrequently.Where it is necessary in the daily affairs of the army of reactive volley fire.One of the most common is a "Hurricane".MLRS is widespread in the armed forces, it is quite cheap to produce.Given its reliability and simplicity, it is not surprising modern desire to modernize the Armed Forces of the complex history which began in the 60s of the last century!
History
accepted that all domestic development of this type have a single ancestor - MRL "Katyusha".In a sense, this is true, but we should never forget that the modern multiple rocket launchers are radically different from the legendary complex.
For example, as a guide domestic designers have long abandoned rail system: it shall not be as the trajectory of the projectile is obtained largely arbitrary, and a chance to toe the charge is high enough.
And because this forefather 9k57 MLRS "Hurricane" should be considered the installation of M-21B, which was put into service in the distant 1963.
Despite decent characteristics of this MRL, the military was not fully satisfied with it.And so in 1963 in Tula he entered the state defense order for the development of a promising new model, which would not have the disadvantages of M-21B.To those military attributed the relatively low flexibility, and lethality of its staff projectile was unsatisfactory.Taking into account the lessons of the Great Patriotic War, our military is already well understood that the armored columns of the enemy, it is desirable "to grind" ahead of time, and therefore further requirements that apply to the new development, it was an effective action even on lightly armored targets.
Looking ahead, we note that 9k57 MLRS "Hurricane" copes with this task.
Outline
From 1963 to 1964, experts were engaged in Tula CDB comprehensive study of their task.The main problem, which then stood in front of them was the establishment of MRL, which would allow striking living and motorized force of the enemy at a distance of 40 kilometers.
result of these studies and I became emerged in mid-1964 the project "The Hurricane."MLRS this type assumed defeat of the enemy at a distance of 35 kilometers.Its advantage was the high flexibility that lets you quickly produce a volley from the closed position and leave without being detected by the enemy.
At the end of 1966 - early 1967 in Tula began to conduct large-scale research on the prospects of the adoption of a new system into service.Its result was a fully defined concept of the complex includes all the necessary information regarding the characteristics of shells and their conditions of use.
By 1970, the Ministry of Industry has commissioned a final draft of the new MRL 9k57 "Hurricane."It should be noted that the time involved in the development of engineers and scientists is far from alone in Tula.Thus, in and around Moscow Central Clinical Hospital conducted a comprehensive study of systems of blasting charges and detonators.In Kazan, the lifting charge to create shells with cluster warhead type.
results of preliminary tests
uninitiated reader may be surprised by how long it took the Soviet industry to create only one prototype of this kind of technology.We must remember that in those years was simply not large-scale developments in this area.As a result of hard work and experiments that were conducted in the design offices across the country, it has got a unique system of "Hurricane."MLRS this is still used in dozens of countries around the world.
In particular, it can help even the war in Syria.In general, the time that has been spent for these researches, the gift is not exactly over.For example, the same multiple launch rocket system "Smerch" was developed and put into service in the shortest possible time it is due to the fact that the lion's share of payments was ready.
return to the test.In 1972, the court experts was presented almost finished a prototype system, which has passed all production tests.The main characteristics were as follows:
- MLRS unguided rockets equipped with cassette and explosive type, which carry 80 and 105 kilograms of explosives, respectively.
- BM 9P140 for which nevertheless decided to use the standard ZIL-135LM (due to the complexity and lack of agreement was rejected by the project tracked chassis).
- machine for transporting and loading 9T452, which is placed on the chassis of the same ZIL-135LM.
- The complex consists of equipment for repair and maintenance of machines.
A couple of years passed dokatka factory, which resulted in the present and there was "Hurricane".MRL this in 1974 was about the same performance characteristics as a moment.Finally, in 1976, the complex was finally accepted into service.
Two years robbed eliminate some minor flaws.In addition, during this time, experts have developed several new and promising types of shells.
What components are included in the finished complex?
- itself 9P140 combat vehicle.
- machine charging and transporting shells 9T452.
- Reactive charges.
- automatic fire control equipment and its correction 1V126 "Skit-B."
- funds for education and training of personnel in the conditions close to the fighting.
- machine topographic reconnaissance 1T12-2M.
- Complex for direction-finding and research meteorological conditions 1B44.
- kit for maintenance and repair of equipment 9F381.
Most of all systems is duplicated, so that the damage to them or even completely disabling enemy fire is not an obstacle for the performance of combat missions.Furthermore, most of the operations can be performed manually.
Features powerplant
car in motion are two V-shaped engine ZIL-375YA, each of 180 liters.from.The wheels on the sides are driven by its engine, have an independent transmission and drivetrain.The first and the fourth axis are driven wheels.
machine is equipped with not only a central tire-pressure monitoring system, there is a possibility of automatic paging on the go.Throughput and speed characteristics are very good.At one gas station you can drive about 600 km, giving a maximum speed of 65 km / h.The machine is easy to overcome water obstacles up to 1.2 m depth without any additional training.
information on the calculation of the loading and
In peacetime appointed payment of four: the commander of the machine gunner and a couple of men who are responsible for manual guidance and maintenance.In wartime, the group increased to six people, as many of the operations have to be done manually.
As already mentioned, haulage and loading shells are made with a special machine 9T452, which is built on the same chassis.Each machine is not only carries 16 missiles, but also provides them with equipment without additional equipment.The process is fully mechanized, takes no more than 14 minutes.TPM is used crane that can be used to lift loads up to 300 kg weight.
Incidentally, the same uses and multiple launch rocket system "Grad".
charging equipment machines
The equipment is part of the charging machine frame for transportation of missiles, rammer, crane and trolleys.For the operator has a separate area, the seizure of ammunition is carried out using a separate "claws."All operations dosylka shells, turn the tap and subsidiary arrangements are made automatically, but if necessary they can be carried out manually.
himself rammer - a special guide to the pusher mechanism, which gets round to the right place.With a simple and efficient mechanism for reconciling the operator is relieved from having to manually join the guide and rammer.All the mechanics work on electric drives, generators which are completely autonomous, and therefore for their work do not need to start the main engine of the machine.
used shells
should be noted that most of the time, the engineers do not design the chassis has taken away, and the creation of new types of shells.It should be noted that work on their design proved to be extremely fruitful.For example, 90% of the turned details have been successfully used in the development of the "Tornado".
a result of numerous experiments it was created eight or nine major types of shells.At present, some of them are not used as they were replaced by new models.Many of them are classified.
most common 9M27F become a projectile equipped with a conventional high-explosive fragmentation warhead.It is universal, for the destruction of both the enemy's manpower and armored vehicles.Weight of explosive is only 49 kg projectile weighing only 180 kg.
approximately the same frequency rocket system "Uragan" uses brand 9M27K charges, already equipped submunitions, "stuffed" destructive elements.They are extremely effective in the fight against the enemy infantry and light vehicles.
projectile itself weighs about 271 kg, contains 30 key elements.In each of them - 350 damaging parts of an explosive substance.Even at a distance of 100 meters from the epicenter shell splinter easily penetrates 2mm homogeneous quality steel.
Very similar to this charge 9M27K1 model also uses a tape portion with a plurality of submunitions.The only difference is that the separating elements (also about 30 pieces) when hitting the ground further jump ten times increasing the area of the lesion.In particular, the same is equipped with a multiple launch rocket system "Tornado", aka "Tornado".
highlight of the complex and the real pride of designers is a round 9M27K2 designed for remote installation of anti-tank minefields.It uses standard anti-tank mines PTM-1.In one projectile 24 mines.They are designed for quick installation barriers when attacking enemy tanks.A distinctive feature of the mines is that after 3.4 hours, they self-destruct, which makes it possible to start up their own attack armored units.
Approximately for the same purpose was developed 9M27K3.The difference is that it uses the PFM-1S mines designed to destroy enemy troops.In one of the projectile contains 312 antipersonnel mines.Volley one machine covers 60 hectares.I must say that this is a very dangerous weapon."Hurricane" is the possibility of remote installation full of minefields right in front of the enemy earned a lot of excellent reviews in Afghanistan.
Especially for the demolition of the enemy fortified points of defense created a shell 9M51.The head part is equipped with liquid explosives intended for thermobaric explosion.The disadvantage of this model is that the maximum range is not more than 13 km.
shell 9M27C - incendiary.Specially designed for mass destruction is not only the enemy's manpower, but also a valuable part of the material (cars in hangars, warehouses with the equipment).
As you can see, multiple launch rocket systems (review of one of them is presented in the article) can be used not only to cover entrenched infantry or equipment on the march, but also to address the more subtle and long-term objectives.
Modern Perspectives and Modernization of
As we have repeatedly noted, the complex itself is constantly being upgraded, is the development of new types of shells.Today, multiple launch rocket system "Uragan" is used by the army, even in Yemen, not to mention all the former CIS.The Ministry of Defence annual contracts for the supply and maintenance of these systems throughout the world, so the lack of popularity is not necessary to say exactly.
At the time, the Ukrainians have suffered MLRS chassis KrAZ-6322.
Combat application
Since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan is just fine MLRS considered proved on the battlefield.In addition, it has repeatedly used the Syrian military back in the 1980s when numerous conflicts with Israel.This system is often used by our Armed Forces against illegal armed militias in Chechnya.
As they say themselves military last multiple launch rocket system of this type is used effectively during the notorious events in Georgia in 2008.
What are the prospects?
Many experts say that the MLRS "Hurricane" by now somewhat outdated.The reason for this assertion is the fact that the maximum range of enemy weapons is relatively small - only 35 km away.The same "Smerch" already gives 80-90 kilometers.
But it should make an important point.The fact that administration of these complexes still different.Not to be confused projectiles caliber 200 mm, with their counterparts in 300 mm.The latter (for the "Cyclone") is not only bigger, but also much heavier.Their length of a meter or two higher than that for the "Hurricane."Accordingly, the time to recharge and complex combat deployment requires significantly more.
But "Hurricanes" are an excellent alternative to traditional long-range artillery.Even self-propelled howitzers (both "MSTA-S") shoot within 13-30 km, and the effect of their shells are much weaker.MRL also allows for a very short time indeed deploy deadly system.
One battery (six cars), capable of destroying several armored mouth or even "seed" the hundreds of acres of antitank or anti-personnel mines.
There is also no exaggeration to say that the maintenance of a long-range MLRS costly option from an economic point of view, and the training of the operators takes more time.
being modernized, reactive systems of volley fire "Hurricane" not only acquire new systems aiming and targeting, but also can effectively interact with the UAV.Currently Russian army weapons includes more and more unmanned aerial vehicles, so that such a possibility is not exactly superfluous.
In short, these systems and still plenty of opportunities.
