After the notorious "Katyusha" in our Armed Forces have always paid special attention to reactive systems of salvo fire.This is not surprising: they are relatively cheap, easy to manufacture, but they are extremely mobile, ensuring the defeat of manpower and material resources of the enemy nearly anywhere, wherever they were fighting.
One of the best representatives of this family was a system of "Smerch".MLRS this time in its application has proved to be effective and extremely reliable weapon.
What system can be used?
«Smerch" was designed to destroy both enemy manpower and heavy armored vehicles.With this system can be destroyed command centers and communications centers, as well as remotely installed minefields at a distance of 70 km.
History
In 1961, the USSR Supreme Soviet adopted has made MLRS M-21, the characteristics of which are not completely satisfied with the Soviet military.And so at the end of the 1970s in SSPE "Alloy" in a speedy manner it was conducted scientific research aimed at creating a system of reactive volley-fire, which would provide a more robust engagement of targets by equipping missiles with powerful high explosives.
As a result, in mid-1980 to the state expert commission was sent to the project "Tornado".MLRS this ensures the delivery of the projectile to a distance of 70 km.Recall that in the requirements of the military then provided the chassis, providing maneuvering on the ground at a speed of 70 km / h (high traffic).
Start of production
New rocket launcher "Smerch" meet all the demands stated, it has great prospects because of the cheapness of production, and therefore already in 1985 issued a decree to start work on mass production system.Already in 1987 the work was completely finished, and the first "Tornado" started trial shootings.
early next year MLRS (including elimination of some deficiencies and observations) was finally recommended for adopting country.
main characteristics of the prototype
adopting a system fired projectiles caliber 200 mm, with a range of effective suppression of enemy 20/70 km.The great advantage of the type of explosive ordnance is the fact that their action is not enough in what concedes combat characteristics previously adopted on arms "blanks."
So, the range of destruction is lying (!) Enemy infantry more than 1300 meters from the epicenter of charge.One tracked chassis could carry from 25 to 35 rounds.
system characteristics adopted for service
Despite all of the above performance characteristics, military experts were not fully satisfied with the lethal force of projectiles.Once finalized, the light appeared the final version of the MLRS "Smerch", whose performance characteristics are listed below.
So caliber was raised to 300 mm shell weight increased to 815 kg.Himself an explosive charge has a mass of over 250 kilograms.The firing range remains the same (maximum - 90 kilometers).At this time the designers have provided not only tracked (object 123), but the wheeled chassis, based on the car MAZ-543A.
should be noted that 9k58 MLRS "Smerch" - this is a complex, which includes several components.
main components
- Chassis 9A52-2 based on MAZ-543A.
- machine for transporting and loading 9T234-2.
- shells themselves.
- Automatic fire control and correction "Vivarium".
- funds for education and training of operators of the complex.
- Road complex topographical study area 1T12-2M.
- system DF 1B44.
- equipment for repair and maintenance of materiel 9F381.
Expanded TTX
As mentioned above, the chassis 9A52-2 created on the basis of MAZ-543A whose wheel formula - 8x8.As for artillery pieces, it is composed of sixteen guides, turning mechanism with impact and corrective devices, as well as electromechanical and hydraulic stabilizing device.
mechanisms aiming and turning can send projectiles at an angle of 5-55 degrees.Horizontal guidance - in the range of 30 degrees to each side.This reactive system "Smerch" is very different from the "Hurricane", which limit the horizontal guidance - the same 30 degrees (15 degrees to the side).To plant was stable during the shooting, in the rear there are two fully hydraulic driven to the starting position by hand.
advantage of the complex is also the fact that the missiles can be transported directly to the guide.Given the fact that the car chassis equipped with night vision devices and high-quality radio station, even night transportation is not special difficulties.
Details
guide rails themselves are made in the form of thick-walled pipes in the walls of which have a helical groove for which the product at the time of firing pin clings reactive charge.This pin is an analog of the rifling in the trunks of small arms, as the vector sets the desired flight projectile.
whole set of guides is rigidly fixed to the cradle rectangular shape.Thanks to the two semi-axes, which it is connected with the upper machine, it can accurately base leads to the goal with the help of the rotary mechanisms.
on the desired path the charge held by a drop stabilizers (like shots RPG).The system of volley fire "Smerch" in just one time covers more than 67 hectares!
Most often shooting is from the closed position.You can control the fire right out of the cab.Calculation of the complex includes four people in times of peace and six - in wartime.Appointed commander of the BM, a gunner and a driver.The number of men serving the cannon ranges.
little about shells
Do not assume that the shells "Smerch" is a banal high explosive charge.It is now used by more than a dozen varieties of them, and is constantly developing new types.
most commonly used standard explosive projectile 9M55F.The head portion - whole weight of the explosive substance does not exceed 100 kg.Applied for the treatment of advanced enemy fortifications for combat infantry is lying and destroying light armored vehicles on the march.
Especially for the destruction of enemy personnel model was developed 9M55K.At the head of each shell contains 72 separating elements (2 kg each) of explosives and shrapnel.Total 10-12 such charges will be enough to completely destroy the standard infantry company.
contrast, especially for combating armored vehicles (including tanks and heavy) was developed 9M55K1 projectile.In the head part is five rounds with automatic aiming.If the combat system "Smerch" is used as a "hunter of tanks", for the complete destruction of a tank company (!) Quite a one-time volley just four cars.
Other mechanisms
rotating part of the machine is most difficult on your device.Its design includes a rocking, turning, lifting and compensating mechanisms, handheld aiming mechanism and the operator guidance.Important locking mechanisms (including hydraulic and rocking), which largely depends on accuracy.Compensation mechanism includes a pair of torsion bars and fasteners.
Generally, MLRS "Smerch", which has a picture in the paper when subjected to fire volley catastrophic overload, so that the state of compensatory mechanisms depends not only accuracy, but also the security of the entire calculation.
In normal mode for aiming at a target guide uses hydroelectric drive.If the mechanism fails or is incapacitated, have manual transmission.Moving all the moving parts are locked locking blocks.In addition, pilot controlled check valve rocker greatly relieves the entire complex when the shooting.
The structure of the sighting unit consists of a proven and well-proven sight D726-45.Angle measuring device is a regular full-time cannon panorama PG-1M.
What makes complex "Twister"?
- Complete safety calculation, which enables conducting both combat and shooting practice.
- possibility of single and multiple rocket launchers.If implemented volley kick, all the shells go in 38 seconds.This rocket artillery "Smerch" is different from its other counterparts, which is required for shooting longer.
- If there is a danger of calculation sniper shooting or disturbing enemy fire, it is possible to control the fire from shelter at a distance up to 60 meters from the machine.
- more than half of the control components duplicated.Even with the failure of the main elements can be induced to aim and shoot manually.
Other possibilities
Since the complex was adopted relatively recently (in 1987), at the present time its removal from production is not planned.Moreover, today developed several programs for the modernization of existing weapons in the "Tornado".
So, it is in the framework of this program was a complex system of automatic fire control "Vivarium", although this was set "Skit", used in parallel with MLRS "Hurricane."
Traditionally, our designers have taken care of impeccable operation of all systems in the climatic conditions that may be encountered throughout the former Soviet Union.Thus, the system of volley fire "Smerch" may be used at temperatures from -50 to +45 degrees Celsius.
Also today, operators combat the complex have the opportunity to clearly see the goal, even in the absence of advance issued by its origin or due to the gunner.The fact that (in full compliance with the rearmament program until 2020) updated equipment "Smerch" works fine with the guidance of unmanned aerial vehicles, which are now also taken into service our aircraft.
The same applies to other ACS guidance which are already in service or under development.For example, in combat conditions, operators can use the guidance systems "Hurricane" or "Grad".In general, the "Tornado" - MRL surprising "plasticity", and this provides an incredible breadth of capability of its use.
procedure for combat use
As in all other cases, the use of this system of reactive volley fire is completely subject to the special provisions of the Charter.
First, the command post of the brigade vehicles MRL must be received information about the enemy, and the location of its deployment.On the basis of information makes the calculation of the direction of impact.Select the type of ammunition, the density of fire, as well as its adjustment depending on the conditions on the ground.After that, all the information transmitted to the command post of the division, which has been selected for the solution of the corresponding mission.
After this command structure is studying the findings, comparing them with available resources.Given that the "Twister" - a reactive system for its operation requires a sufficiently open and airy position, as in heavily wooded or mountainous terrain, launch projectiles may not be safe for the operators.
information is then transmitted unit commanders, who are responsible for the attack on the enemy positions.
Transferred data is processed on a computing means battery "Smerch" (six cars).Everything happens automatically, because the military has repeatedly found out that this approach dramatically increases the efficiency of the fire.Furthermore, since hundreds of times reduces the time required to bring the complex into the firing position.
Immediately after that unit commanders waiting for the order to open fire on enemy positions.
That's what the "Tornado".MLRS this proved to be a surprisingly effective and reliable weapon, and therefore is now in service with dozens of countries in the world.Upgraded versions of it today are constantly available in our troops.
