Multiple launch rocket systems of Russia and foreign countries (rating). Tornado

IN ordinary consciousness defense technology is usually associated with the cutting edge of science and technology. In fact, one of the main properties military equipment— its conservatism and continuity. This is explained by the colossal cost of weapons. Among the most important tasks in development new system weapons - the use of the reserve on which money was spent in the past.

Precision vs Mass

And the guided missile of the Tornado-S complex was created precisely according to this logic. Its ancestor is the Smerch MLRS projectile, developed in the 1980s at NPO Splav under the leadership of Gennady Denezhkin (1932−2016) and in service since 1987 national army. It was a 300-mm caliber projectile, 8 m long and weighing 800 kg. It could deliver a warhead weighing 280 kg over a distance of 70 km. The most interesting property"Smerch" had a stabilization system introduced into it.

Russian modernized jet system volley fire, successor to the 9K51 Grad MLRS.

Before this system missile weapons were divided into two classes - controlled and uncontrollable. Guided missiles had high accuracy, achieved through the use of an expensive control system - usually inertial, supplemented by correction using digital maps to increase accuracy (like American missiles MGM-31C Pershing II). Unguided rockets were cheaper, their low accuracy was compensated either by the use of thirty-kiloton nuclear warhead(as in the MGR-1 Honest John missile), or a salvo of cheap, mass-produced ammunition, as in the Soviet Katyushas and Grads.

“Smerch” was supposed to hit targets at a range of 70 km with non-nuclear ammunition. And in order to hit an area target at such a distance with an acceptable probability, it required very a large number of unguided missiles in a salvo - because their deviations accumulate with distance. This is neither economically nor tactically profitable: there are very few targets that are too large, and scattering a lot of metal to guarantee coverage of a relatively small target is too expensive!

Soviet and Russian 300 mm multiple launch rocket system. Currently, the Smerch MLRS is being replaced with the Tornado-S MLRS.

"Tornado": new quality

Therefore, a relatively cheap stabilization system was introduced into the Smerch, inertial, working on gas-dynamic (deflecting gases flowing from the nozzle) rudders. Its accuracy was sufficient for the salvo—and each launcher housed a dozen launch tubes—to hit its target with an acceptable probability. After being put into service, Smerch was improved along two lines. The range of combat units grew - cluster anti-personnel fragmentation units appeared; cumulative fragmentation, optimized to destroy lightly armored vehicles; anti-tank self-aiming combat elements. In 2004, the 9M216 “Volnenie” thermobaric warhead entered service.

And at the same time, fuel mixtures in solid fuel engines were improved, which increased the firing range. Now it ranges from 20 to 120 km. At some point the accumulation of changes quantitative characteristics led to a transition to a new quality - to the emergence of two new MLRS systems under the common name “Tornado”, continuing the “meteorological” tradition. “Tornado-G” is the most popular vehicle; it will replace the Grads, which have honestly served their time. Well, the Tornado-S is a heavy vehicle, the successor to the Smerch.

As you can understand, "Tornado" will save the most important characteristic- caliber of launch tubes, which will ensure the possibility of using expensive older generation ammunition. The length of the projectile varies within a few tens of millimeters, but this is not critical. Depending on the type of ammunition, the weight may vary slightly, but this is again automatically taken into account by the ballistic computer.

Minutes and again “Fire!”

The most noticeable change in the launcher is the loading method. If previously the 9T234-2 transport-loading vehicle (TZM) used its crane to load 9M55 missiles into the launch tubes of a combat vehicle one at a time, which took the trained crew a quarter of an hour, now the launch tubes with Tornado-S missiles are placed in special containers , and the crane will install them in minutes.

Needless to say, how important the reload speed is for MLRS, rocket artillery, which should unleash salvo fire on particularly important targets. The shorter the breaks between salvos, the more missiles can be fired at the enemy and the less time the vehicle will remain in a vulnerable position.

And the most important thing is the introduction of long-range guided missiles into the Tornado-S complex. Their appearance became possible thanks to Russia’s own global navigation satellite system GLONASS, deployed since 1982 - another confirmation of the colossal role of technological heritage in the creation modern systems weapons. 24 GLONASS satellites deployed in an orbit at an altitude of 19,400 km, with working together with a pair of Luch relay satellites provide meter-level accuracy in determining coordinates. By adding a cheap GLONASS receiver to the already existing missile control loop, the designers received a weapon system with a CEP of several meters (exact data is not published for obvious reasons).

Rockets to battle!

How is it carried out? combat work complex "Tornado-S"? First of all, he needs to get the exact coordinates of the target! Not only to detect and recognize the target, but also to “link” it to the coordinate system. This task must be performed by a cosmic or aerial reconnaissance using optical, infrared and radio engineering means. However, perhaps artillerymen will be able to solve some of these tasks themselves, without videoconferencing. The 9M534 experimental projectile can be delivered to a previously reconnoitered target area by the Tipchak UAV, which will transmit information about the coordinates of the targets to the control complex.

Next, from the control complex, the target coordinates go to the combat vehicles. They are already up firing positions, mapped topographically (this is done using GLONASS) and determined at what azimuth and at what elevation angle the launch tubes need to be deployed. These operations are controlled using combat control and communications equipment (ABUS), which replaced the standard radio station, and automated system guidance and fire control (ASUNO). Both of these systems operate on a single computer, thereby achieving integration of digital communication functions and the operation of a ballistic computer. These same systems, presumably, will enter the exact coordinates of the target into the missile control system, doing this at the last moment before launch.

Let's imagine that the target range is 200 km. The launch tubes will be rotated to the maximum angle for Smerch of 55 degrees - this will save on drag, because most of the projectile’s flight will take place in upper layers atmosphere where there is noticeably less air. When the rocket leaves the launch tubes, its control system will begin to operate autonomously. The stabilization system will, based on data received from inertial sensors, correct the movement of the projectile using gas-dynamic rudders, taking into account thrust asymmetry, wind gusts, etc.

Well, the GLONASS system receiver will begin to receive signals from satellites and determine the rocket’s coordinates from them. As everyone knows, a satellite navigation receiver needs some time to determine its position - navigators in phones strive to lock into cell towers to speed up the process. There are no telephone towers along the flight path, but there is data from the inertial part of the control system. With their help, the GLONASS subsystem will determine the exact coordinates, and on their basis, corrections for the inertial system will be calculated.

Not by chance

It is unknown what algorithm underlies the operation of the guidance system. (The author would have applied Pontryagin optimization, created by a domestic scientist and successfully used in many systems.) One thing is important - by constantly clarifying its coordinates and adjusting the flight, the rocket will go to a target located at a distance of 200 km. We do not know which part of the gain in range is due to new fuels, and which part is achieved due to the fact that more fuel can be put into a guided missile, reducing the weight of the warhead.

The diagram shows the operation of the Tornado-S MLRS - high-precision missiles are aimed at the target using space-based means.

Why can you add fuel? Due to greater accuracy! If we place a projectile with an accuracy of a few meters, then we can destroy a small target with a smaller charge, but the energy of the explosion decreases quadratically, we shoot twice as accurately - we get a fourfold gain in destructive power. Well, what if the target is not a targeted one? Say, a division on the march? Will new guided missiles, if equipped with cluster warheads, become less effective than the old ones?

But no! Stabilized missiles of early versions of Smerch delivered heavier warheads to a closer target. But with big mistakes. The salvo covered a significant area, but the ejected cassettes with fragmentation or cumulative fragmentation elements were distributed randomly - where two or three cassettes opened nearby, the density of damage was excessive, and somewhere insufficient.

Now it is possible to open the cassette or throw out a cloud of thermobaric mixture for a volumetric explosion with an accuracy of a few meters, exactly where it is necessary for optimal destruction of an area target. This is especially important when shooting at armored vehicles with expensive self-aiming combat elements, each of which is capable of hitting a tank - but only with an accurate hit...

The high accuracy of the Tornado-S missile also opens up new possibilities. For example, for the Kama 9A52−4 MLRS with six launch tubes based on KamAZ - such a vehicle will be lighter and cheaper, but will retain the ability to strike long range. Well, with mass production, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of on-board electronics and precision mechanics, guided missiles can have a price comparable to the cost of conventional, unguided projectiles. This will be able to bring the firepower of domestic rocket artillery to a qualitatively new level.

Artillery of Russia and the world, guns photos, videos, pictures watch online, along with other states, introduced the most significant innovations - the transformation of a smooth-bore gun, loaded from the muzzle, into a rifled gun, loaded from the breech (lock). The use of streamlined projectiles and various types fuses with adjustable operation time settings; more powerful propellants such as cordite, which appeared in Britain before the First World War; the development of rolling systems, which made it possible to increase the rate of fire and relieved the gun crew from the hard work of rolling into the firing position after each shot; connection in one assembly of a projectile, propellant charge and fuse; usage shrapnel shells, after the explosion, scattering small steel particles in all directions.

Russian artillery, capable of firing large shells, acutely highlighted the problem of weapon durability. In 1854, during Crimean War, Sir William Armstrong, a British hydraulic engineer, proposed a method of scooping wrought iron gun barrels by first twisting iron rods and then welding them together by forging. The gun barrel was additionally reinforced with wrought iron rings. Armstrong created a company where they made guns of several sizes. One of the most famous was his 12-pounder rifled gun with a 7.6 cm (3 in) barrel and a screw lock mechanism.

Artillery of the Second World War (WWII), in particular Soviet Union, probably had the largest potential among European armies. At the same time, the Red Army experienced the purges of Commander-in-Chief Joseph Stalin and endured a difficult Winter War with Finland at the end of the decade. During this period, Soviet design bureaus adhered to a conservative approach to technology.
The first modernization efforts came with the improvement of the 76.2 mm M00/02 field gun in 1930, which included improved ammunition and replacement barrels on parts of the gun fleet. new version the guns were called M02/30. Six years later, the 76.2 mm M1936 field gun appeared, with a carriage from the 107 mm.

Heavy artilleryall armies, and quite rare materials from the time of Hitler’s blitzkrieg, whose army crossed the Polish border smoothly and without delay. The German army was the most modern and best equipped army in the world. The Wehrmacht artillery operated in close cooperation with infantry and aviation, trying to quickly occupy territory and deprive Polish army ways of communication. The world shuddered upon learning of a new armed conflict in Europe.

USSR artillery in positional warfare on Western Front in the last war and the horror in the trenches, the military leaders of some countries created new priorities in the tactics of using artillery. They believed that in the second global conflict of the 20th century, the decisive factors would be mobile firepower and fire accuracy.

Ammunition

9M55K - 300-mm rocket with a 9N139 cassette warhead (MC) with 9N235 fragmentation warheads (FME). Contains 72 combat elements (CU), carrying 6912 ready-made heavy fragments, designed to destroy light and unarmored vehicles, and 25,920 ready-made light fragments, intended to destroy enemy personnel in places where they are concentrated; in total - up to 32832 fragments. 16 shells contain 525,312 finished fragments. Most effective in open areas, steppes and deserts. Serial production of 9M55K (and 9M55K-IN - with BE inert equipment) began in 1987. Delivered to Algeria and India.

9M55K1 - a rocket with a 9N142 cluster warhead (KGCH) with self-aiming combat elements (SPBE). The cassette warhead carries 5 SPBE "Motiv-3M" (9N235), equipped with dual-band infrared coordinators that search for the target at an angle of 30°. Each of them is capable of penetrating 70 mm of armor at an angle of 30°. Suitable for use in open areas, steppes and deserts; use in the forest is almost impossible; use in the city is difficult. Designed to destroy groups of armored vehicles and tanks from above. Tests completed in 1994. Delivered to Algeria.

9M55K4 - a rocket with the 9N539 KGC for anti-tank mining of terrain. Each projectile contains 25 anti-tank mines "PTM-3" with an electronic proximity fuse, in just one salvo of the installation there are 300 anti-tank mines. Designed for operational remote placement of anti-tank minefields in front of enemy military equipment units located at the attack line, or in the area where they are concentrated.

9M55K5 - a rocket with a 9N176 KGCH with cumulative fragmentation combat elements (KOBE) 9N235 or 3B30. The cassette warhead contains 646 (588) combat elements weighing 240 g each and having a cylindrical shape. Normally they are capable of penetrating up to 120 (160) mm of homogeneous armor. Maximum effective against motorized infantry on the march, located in armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. In total, 16 shells contain 10,336 combat elements. Designed to destroy open and hidden manpower and lightly armored military equipment.

9M55F - a rocket with a detachable high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Designed to destroy manpower, unarmored and lightly armored military equipment in places where they are concentrated, to destroy command posts, communication centers and infrastructure facilities. For service Russian army adopted in 1992, and since 1999 has been in mass production. Delivered to India.

9M55S - a rocket with a thermobaric warhead 9M216 "Excitement". The explosion of one shell creates a thermal field with a diameter of at least 25 m (depending on the terrain). The field temperature is over 1000 °C, the lifetime is at least 1.4 s. Designed to defeat manpower, open and hidden in fortifications open type and objects of unarmored and lightly armored military equipment. It is most effective in the steppe and desert, in a city located on non-hilly terrain. Testing of the ammunition was completed in 2004. By Order of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1288 of October 7, 2004, the 9M55S was adopted by the Russian Army.

9M528 - a rocket with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Contact fuse, instant and delayed action. Designed to destroy manpower, unarmored and lightly armored military equipment in places where they are concentrated, destroying command posts, communication centers and infrastructure facilities.

9M534 - experimental missile with small-sized reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle aircraft(UAV) type "Tipchak". Designed to conduct operational reconnaissance of targets within twenty minutes. In the target area, the UAV descends by parachute, scanning the situation and transmitting information on the coordinates of reconnaissance targets to the control complex at a distance of up to 70 km, for prompt decision-making to destroy the pre-reconnaissance object.

This term has other meanings, see Tornado (meanings).

9K58 "Smerch" (BM-30) is a multiple launch rocket system from the Katyusha family. The Smerch multiple launch rocket system was developed by the Splav municipal research and production enterprise (Tula).

In terms of power and range, Smerch still has no equal in the world. The missile's deflection does not exceed 10-20 meters, such characteristics are comparable to high-precision missiles. Preparing for a Smerch battle after receiving target designation takes only three minutes. A full salvo is 30 eight seconds. And after just a minute the vehicle is removed from its position, so the system is virtually invulnerable to enemy return fire.

Armament

9M55K rocket with a warhead containing fragmentation warheads. Contains 72 combat elements carrying 6912 ready-made heavy fragments created to effectively destroy enemy light and unarmored vehicles, and 25920 ready-made light fragments created to destroy enemy personnel; a total of 32832 fragments. 16 shells contain 525,312 finished fragments, an average of one fragment per 1.28 m² of affected area, which is 672,000 m²). Designed to destroy manpower and unarmored military equipment in places where they are concentrated; it is very effective in open areas, in the steppe and desert.

9M55K rocket

• Weight of the head part (9N139) - 243 kg
• Combat element weight (9N235) - 1.75 kg
• Number of ready-made destructive fragments - 96 x 4.5 g, 360 x 0.75 g
• Self-destruction time of the projectile - 110 s
• Short range - 20000 m

9M55K1 rocket with self-aiming combat elements. The 9N142 cassette warhead carries 5 self-aiming Motiv-3M warheads, equipped with dual-band infrared coordinators that seek the target at an angle of 300. Any of them is capable of penetrating 70 mm of armor at an angle of 300, in other words, hitting any existing and promising armored vehicles. Ideal for implementation in open areas, steppes and deserts; implementation in a forest is almost impossible; implementation in a town is difficult. Designed to destroy groups of armored vehicles and tanks from above.

9M55K1 rocket

• Missile weight - 800 kg
• Missile length - 7600 mm
• Weight of the head part (9N152) - 243 kg
• Combat element weight (9N235) - 15 kg
• Dimensions of the combat element - 284x255x186 mm
• Weight of explosives in the combat element - 4.5 kg
• Self-destruction time of the combat element - 60 s
• Maximum range - 70000 m
• Short range - 25000 m

9M55K4 rocket with warhead for anti-tank mining of terrain. Each projectile contains 25 anti-tank mines; in total, one salvo contains 300 anti-tank mines. Designed for operational remote placement of anti-tank minefields both in front of enemy military equipment units located at the attack line and in the area of ​​their concentration.

9M55K4 rocket

• Missile weight - 800 kg
• Missile length - 7600 mm
• Weight of the head part (9N539) - 243 kg
• Number of warheads in the warhead (anti-tank mines) - 25
• Dimensions of the combat element - 33x84x84
• Weight of the combat element (anti-tank mine) - 4.85 kg
• Weight of explosives in a combat element (anti-tank mine) - 1.85 kg
• Projectile self-destruction time - 16-24 hours
• Maximum range - 70000 m
• Short range - 20000 m

9M55K5 rocket with a warhead with cumulative fragmentation warheads. The cassette warhead contains 646 warheads weighing 240 g each and having a cylindrical shape (118x43x43 mm). Normally they are capable of penetrating up to 120 mm of homogeneous armor. Very effective against motorized infantry on the march located in armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. In total, 16 shells contain 10,336 warheads. Designed to destroy open and hidden manpower and lightly armored military equipment.

9M55K5 rocket

• Missile weight - 800 kg
• Missile length - 7600 mm
• Weight of the head part (9N176) - 243 kg
• Weight of the combat element (9N235) - 240 g
• Maximum range - 70000 m
• Short range - 20000 m

9M55F rocket with a detachable high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Designed to destroy manpower, unarmored and lightly armored military equipment in places where they are concentrated, destroying command posts, communications centers and military-industrial structures.

9M55K rocket

• Missile weight - 810 kg
• Missile length - 7600 mm
• Number of ready-made damaging fragments - 110 x 50 g
• Maximum range - 70000 m
• Short range - 25000 m

9M55S rocket with a thermobaric warhead. The explosion of the 1st shell makes the thermal field up to 25 m in diameter (depending on the terrain). The field temperature is above 10000C, the lifetime is more than 1.4 s. Designed to destroy manpower, open and hidden in open fortifications and unarmored and lightly armored military equipment. Very effective in the steppe and desert, towns located on non-hilly terrain.

9M55S rocket

• Missile weight - 800 kg
• Missile length - 7600 mm
• Weight of the head part (index unknown) - 243 kg
• The weight of the explosive in the head part is 100 kg of consistency
• Maximum range - 70000 m
• Short range - 25000 m

9M528 rocket with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Contact fuse, instant and slow action. Designed to destroy manpower, unarmored and lightly armored military equipment in places where they are concentrated, destroying command posts, communications centers and military-industrial structures.

9M528 rocket

• Missile weight - 815 kg
• Missile length - 7600 mm
• Head weight (index unknown) - 258 kg
• Weight of explosives in the head part - 95 kg
• The number of ready-made damaging fragments is 880, 50 g each.
• Short range - 25000 m

A missile carrying an unmanned reconnaissance aerial vehicle (UAV). Designed to conduct reconnaissance for 20 minutes, and is virtually invulnerable, since it is small in size, and goes directly above the target, delivered directly in the rocket.

Missile from UAV

• Missile weight - 800 kg
• UAV weight - 42 kg
• Time of independent flight over the target - 30 minutes
• Flight altitude - 200-600 m
• Maximum range - 90000 m
• Short range - 20000 m

pros

Multifunctionality, maneuverability, highest reliability, precision and power. A salvo from a brigade of 6 Smerchs can stop the advance of an entire division or kill a small town.

Disadvantages

Overhead and difficult to use local conflicts, where the enemy often operates in populated areas, the use of “Smerch” against which would lead to their complete destruction.

Spreading

According to Jane, in 2001, about 300 vehicles (50 brigades of 6 vehicles each) were in service with the Russian Federation, 94 in service with Ukraine, and 48 with Belarus.

Export

The export value of the Smerch MLRS is about $12 million. Smerch systems have been exported to Algeria (1 unit), India, the United Arab Emirates (6 units), and Kuwait (27 units). In 2008, significant exports to India are planned.

Modernization

MLRS "Smerch" - 9A52-2: The firing range increased from 70 to 90 km, the combat crew decreased from 4 to 3 people, the automation of the system increased, namely, topographical reference began to be carried out in automatic mode via satellite systems.

The latest generation MLRS, the Tornado, is currently being created at the Splav enterprise. It will be double-caliber, combining Hurricane and Smerch on one platform. Automation of firing will reach such a level that the installation will be able to leave the position even before the projectile reaches the target. “Tornado” will be able to hit targets both in a salvo and with single high-precision missiles, and in fact, will become a universal tactical missile system.

At the MAKS-2007 aerospace salon it is planned to show the latest package-type launcher based on a four-axle KAMAZ all-wheel drive chassis with 6 missile guides instead of 12. The introduction of a special system allows dispersed crews to conduct coordinated fire. The main goal of the modernization is to increase the mobility of the complex by reducing weight and dimensions. It is understood that this will expand export opportunities.

Multiple launch rocket system "Smerch"

“Everything is subject to the tornado.” “67 hectares of destruction”... “And the Russian “Smerch” will embrace everyone... All this is about the Russian multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) “Smerch”.

“Smerch” is a completely new weapon in the field of rocket systems. “Smerch” was created in 1986 and adopted by the Armed Forces in 1989.

MLRS - fighting machine(BM) with 12 guides (placed on a MAZ-543M all-terrain vehicle chassis, which provides a travel speed of up to 60 km/h, a fuel range of 850 km); transport-charging machine with a crane and charging device; rockets(RS) high-explosive fragmentation, cluster fragmentation with submunitions, cluster with self-aiming submunitions of the highest efficiency, allowing effective fight With modern tanks and other armored vehicles. RS launches are provided from the BM cabin or using a remote control.

MLRS provides combat and operational properties at any time of day and year in the range of surface temperatures from +50 to -50? C.

“Smerch” is a weapon of a new high-quality level; it has no analogues in terms of range and effectiveness of fire, area of ​​destruction of manpower and armored vehicles. If "Grad" covers an area of ​​4 hectares at a distance of 20 km, "Hurricane" - 29 hectares at a distance of 35 km, MLRS - 33 hectares at a distance of 30 km, then "Smerch" has a stunning area of ​​destruction - 67 hectares (672 thousand sq. . m) with a salvo range of 20 to 70 km, in the near future - up to 100. At the same time, the Smerch burns everything, even armored vehicles.

Preparing for MLRS combat after receiving target designation takes only 3 minutes, a full salvo takes 38 seconds. “Tornado” is invulnerable - it hits, and it instantly disappears.

The 12-barreled Smerch fires 300 mm shells. For the first time, the rocket has a control system unit on board. Unlike in the past, an additional engine is located behind the missile warhead, with the help of which its short flight to the target is adjusted in altitude and course. As a result, dispersion is reduced threefold compared to an unguided projectile, and firing accuracy is doubled.

It is also typical for the Smerch adjustable projectile that out of its 800 kg combat unit is 280 - this is an ideal ratio between the main engine and the striking elements. The cassette contains 72 rounds of ammunition weighing 2 kg. The angle of their meeting with the target (with the ground, trenches, enemy military equipment) is not like that of an ordinary projectile - from 30 to 60 degrees, but due to a special device it is strictly vertical - 90 degrees. The cones of such “meteors” simply make holes in turrets, the top covering of armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles, self-propelled guns, where the armor is not very thick, and the covers of tank transmissions. "Smerch" is terrible!

Experienced exercises in the Russian army, shootings carried out in December 1995 in Kuwait (in the eyes of all intelligence services and military experts in the world), confirm this, as well as other properties of the Smerch.

On the central street of Tula, I noticed on one of the houses a memorial plaque erected in honor of “the prominent Soviet designer, Hero of Socialist Labor Alexander Nikitovich Ganichev.” I couldn’t resist asking a passerby what made Ganichev famous? He shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment. Another suggested that he most likely worked at the famous Arms Factory. But the third one smiled mysteriously...

After the Great Patriotic War Designers have been developing MLRS for some time, developing a scheme for installing multiple rocket launchers with open guides. If the famous “Katyusha” BM-13 (“TM” No. 5 for 1985) fired unguided 132-mm shells, then the BM-14 and BM-24, which appeared in the early 50s, fired turbojet shells. After such a projectile left the guide, part of the powder gases rushed not only back, but also to the side, causing it to rotate like a bullet, which gave it stability in flight. But the range was limited - to increase it, it was necessary to increase the mass of solid fuel in the engine, that is, to lengthen the projectile, but then it became unstable.

By the mid-50s, MLRS with a longer range were needed to replace the aging Katyushas. Since the specialists from the Jet Research Institute who were involved in them had already switched to creating space technology, in 1957 they announced a competition for the design of a system that could fire at a distance of 20 km. The Tula enterprise, headed by A.N. Ganichev, won it.

By that time, Ganichev had created a fundamentally different technology for manufacturing cartridges for artillery shells using the deep drawing method,” recalls designer N.S. Chukov. “They turned out to be especially strong, with walls of the same thickness. Here Ganichev - after the war he worked in the People's Commissariat of Ammunition - and suggested using this method for the production of housings rockets and tubular guides.

After 1958, the new combat vehicle successfully passed tests and was put into service in 1963 under the designation BM-21 Grad. Its artillery part is a package with 40 tubular guides, mounted on the chassis of a three-axle all-terrain vehicle "Ural-375" on rotating and lifting devices. The latter serves to impart a tilt to the guides corresponding to the specified firing range.

The main feature of the Grad, in addition to the tubular launcher, was the 122 mm projectile. Unlike turbojet aircraft, it did not rotate in flight - its stability was ensured by the tail unit opening as it exited the guide. Therefore, they were able to make the projectile longer, increasing the firing range and strengthening the high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a contact fuse. In 1971, the ammunition was replenished incendiary projectile. .

The Grad's baptism of fire took place during the famous events near Damansky Island. Then the command turned to the Tula residents Airborne troops, ordering a similar MLRS, only lighter and more compact, suitable for transportation on transport aircraft or parachute drop on a platform equipped with a soft landing system. “Grad-V” was made with 12 barrels on the chassis of a GAZ-66 truck, and then on the basis of a tracked vehicle. High-explosive fragmentation projectile was the same.

"Grad" refers to divisional artillery systems. However, the military needed a regimental installation, more maneuverable, with a slightly shorter (up to 15 km) firing range. And in 1976, the Grad-1 combat vehicle emerged from the walls of the State Research and Production Enterprise “Splav” (as the shell “company” began to be called). It was made with 36 guides on the basis of the serial ZIL-131 truck, and later again on a tracked chassis. Similar 122-mm shells have been somewhat modernized. In high-explosive fragmentation, so-called ready-made fragments were provided - during assembly at the factory, the shell of its exploding part was pre-cut into slices. And 180 elements (incendiary, of course) were introduced into the incendiary, which were scattered throughout the area during the explosion.

11 years later, based on the well-proven and proven Grad, they released a 50-barreled Prima, mounted on a three-axle Ural-4320. A crew of three people can fire 122-mm shells one by one, in a burst or in a salvo (not immediately, otherwise the vehicle will capsize, but in half a minute), covering any targets over an area of ​​190 thousand square meters at a distance of 5 to 20 km. There is also a novelty - when a high-explosive fragmentation weapon is used for the first purpose indicated in its name, its detachable warhead scatters 36 combat elements. They descend by parachute and explode when they hit the ground. This was the case at first, but now - at a certain altitude, which is why the effect of all 2450 fragments has become much more effective. And one more thing - if on the Grads the type of response (fragmentation or high-explosive) of each projectile had to be set manually, then on the Prima this operation (as well as adjusting the warhead separation time) is performed by the operator from a remote control located in the vehicle’s cabin.

However, we have gotten a little ahead of ourselves. In addition to the regimental one, the military also needed a more powerful army MLRS. At Splav, work on it was completed in 1975. It's about about "Hurricane". On the chassis of the four-axle ZIL-135LM they placed a package with 16 guides for 220-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells (with a 100-kg warhead), high-explosive cluster fragmentation shells (with 30 striking elements) and incendiary shells. A salvo fired in just 20 seconds at a distance of 10 to 20 km hits everything located on an area of ​​426 thousand square meters.

And in 1980, Splav specialists found a new use for the Hurricane - they for the first time proposed mining enemy territory from rocket launchers(which was later picked up abroad). Projectiles were created filled with 24 anti-tank or 312 anti-personnel mines, which are scattered across the terrain like fragmentation or incendiary combat elements. The operation is carried out from afar, without endangering the sappers, and, perhaps, suddenly, in order, say, to forestall enemy units preparing to attack.

The Uragan MLRS includes a ZIL-135LM transport-loading vehicle, which carries one round of ammunition; they reload the heavy 5-meter “cigars” into the guides not manually, as on the Grad, but with the help of an on-board 300-kilogram crane.

Thus, by the beginning of the 80s, SNPP Splav equipped the Armed Forces with the MLRS complex - regimental Grad-1, divisional Grad and army Uragan. The time has come to take on the most powerful installations - the Reserve of the High Command.

Their design was completed at the beginning of perestroika - under the leadership of general designer G.A. Denezhkin (A.N. Ganichev died two years earlier). The 12-barreled Smerch is mounted on an eight-wheeled MAZ-543A and fires 300-mm projectiles with a cluster or fragmentation warhead over a range of 20 to 70 km, hitting an area of ​​672 thousand square meters. Unlike the previous ones, an additional engine is placed behind the warhead of the projectile, with the help of which its short flight to the target can be adjusted in altitude and course.

The transport-loading vehicle is the same MAZ, equipped with a crane for reloading 7.6-meter projectiles from containers into guides. I asked designer V.I. Medvedev to compare the Smerch with the latest foreign MLRS. He replied that, in fact, he has no analogues yet. The advantage of the American MLRS can be considered the use of ready-made packages, which speeds up reloading several times, however, during the recent war in the Persian Gulf, MLRS batteries acted on the previous principle of “rolled up, shot and ran away” until the Iraqis spotted them and struck back. It is also convenient that the equipment for topographically linking the launcher to the terrain and fire control is in each cockpit (for us - only in the headquarters vehicle). However, now the “best system in the world” is being hastily improved, in particular, they want to make it longer-range. As for the reloading method, our specialists have worked on it and are not lagging behind in this regard.

By 1985, Splav had established well-established cooperation with other enterprises and factories. Explaining its activities, designer S.V. Kolesnikov said that projectiles and general concept multiple launch rocket installations. The rest is the concern of the subcontractors. So, when working on the Grad, specialists from the Miass Automobile Plant, led by A.I. Yaskin and I.I. Voronin, assembled a package of guides, supports and jacks on the Ural-375, ensuring the stability of the vehicle when firing. The fuel for the engine of the 122-mm projectile was developed by chemists from a research institute under the leadership of B.P. Fomin and N.A. Pikhunova, the fuse device was designed by employees of another research institute headed by I.F. Kornaev and E.L. Minkina. And it wasn't simple matter. Sergei Vladimirovich recalled that a conventional artillery fuse is cocked at the moment of firing under the influence of a 5-fold overload. starting speed The MLRS projectile is much smaller, and therefore its fuse is much more sensitive and can react to a slight push or blow (say, accidentally dropped). In short, it was necessary to obtain a mechanism that would meet its intended purpose and at the same time be safe to use. The developers coped with the task brilliantly. The task for the fuses for the Hurricane and Smerch was entrusted to another organization, where the team of engineers was led by L.S. Simonyan.

So, the main role Splav belongs to the creation of new MLRS. The Tula people worked superbly - according to V.I. Medvedev, “almost every year they made a new type of projectile!”

At the same time, new technologies were created. For example, the bodies of 220- and 300-mm shells and the guides for them were made in a different way - by rolling out pipes from the inside to the required caliber. And from the very beginning they tried to unify the products as much as possible. We already know: the 122-mm projectile fits 4 different installations, and this makes it much easier to release ammunition and supply troops with it. Combat and transport-loading vehicles are made on the same chassis, already mastered by industry, which made it possible to do without setting up special production. By the way, if after tough tests, with off-road driving and shooting, improvements were made to the chassis, then automakers willingly introduced them into products for the national economy.

It was precisely the well-established cooperation that helped Splav, long before the proclamation of “defense industry restructuring” in 1988, to engage in products for peaceful purposes. When the State Hydrometeorological Committee asked to find a weapon against the hail clouds that regularly destroyed Caucasian vineyards, a 12-barreled “Cloud” installation was created in Tula. After the charge was detonated, initiating harmless rain, the body of the 125-mm projectile was carefully lowered by parachute. Then a similar 82-mm “Sky” unit appeared, and as soon as it came to mass production, the factories charged an outrageous price for it (at that time!). The Hydrometeorological Service turned to another “company” and received the Alazan rocket system, the projectile of which shattered into pieces when it exploded in a cloud. It was this that was adopted by the city fighters, and after them, already in our troubled period, by various kinds of “armed formations,” thereby making the opposite conversion.

Today, Splav specialists have prepared a program for the modernization of domestic PC3Os, which will certainly be of interest to foreign customers.

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After the war, several new multiple launch rocket systems appeared in foreign armies... However, in the 50s they came to the conclusion that barrel guns should still be improved. After all, they can hit point targets, their shell consumption is lower, and the 150- and 203-mm nuclear-filled ones made it possible to “cover” large areas.

The MLRS was remembered only after information appeared about Soviet systems new generation multiple rocket launchers. But it was only by 1969 that the Federal Republic of Germany developed the 36-barreled Lars, which fired 110-mm shells at 18 km. Later, the Bundeswehr acquired an improved Lars-2 with a new wheeled chassis and ammunition with cluster, high-explosive fragmentation and smoke warheads, the firing range of which is up to 25 km. Now the Germans, having united, are preparing high-precision ammunition for the Lars, whose multiple warhead will be equipped with homing equipment.

In the 70s, appeared in the West artillery shells with cluster high-explosive fragmentation combat elements. They turned out to be most effective when firing volleys - then their action is similar to what happens when using tactical nuclear weapons. Taking this circumstance into account, specialists from Germany, England and France began developing a multi-barrel launcher RS-80, which was supposed to be made uniform for their armies, and also sold. However, in 1978, they were involved in the creation of the MLRS, on which the Americans were already working hard. In 1983, the first production samples entered service with the United States.

The MLRS is mounted on the chassis of the American M2 Bradley armored personnel carrier. Ahead, in a sealed armored cabin, there is a crew of three and electronic, automated fire control equipment. Behind the cabin there is an artillery unit - 12 guides in two packages, and the shells are packed (at the factory) in fiberglass, sealed containers with a guaranteed shelf life of 10 years. After the salvo, the crew, using the crew of the transport-loading vehicle, replaces the empty containers with new ones. So far, the MLRS ammunition includes: 227-mm, 3.9-meter shells containing 664 cumulative fragmentation elements and designed for a range of 32 km, and cluster shells, with three homing high-precision warheads, which, after separation from the missile, glide towards targets, hitting them at a distance of 45 km from the firing position. The Germans are preparing a projectile for MLRS, stuffed with 28 mines; it will be launched at 40 km.

This diagram shows which parts of missiles for MLRS were developed by specialists from the USA, England, Germany and France. MLRS "Lars" (Germany). Caliber - 110 mm, projectile weight - 36.7 kg, number of guides - 36, firing range - 15 km.

MLRS MLRS (USA countries Western Europe). Caliber - 227 and 236.6 mm, projectile weight - 307 and 259 kg, projectile length - 3937 mm, number of guides - 12, firing range - from 10 to 40 km. Chassis - M2 Bradley armored personnel carrier, crew - 3 people.

MLRS MAR-290 (Israel). Caliber - 290 mm. projectile mass - 600 kg, projectile length - 5450 mm, number of guides - 4, firing range - 25 km, crew - 4 people. The chassis is an English-made Centurion tank. MLRS "Astros-2" (Brazil). Caliber - 127, ISO and 300 mm. the mass of the shells is 68, 152 and 595 kg, the length of the shells is 3900, 4200 and 5600 mm. number of guides - 32, 16 and 4. firing range - 9-30. 15-35 and 20-60 km. The chassis is a 10-ton Tektran vehicle.

In the 80s, MLRS began to be created in other countries. Thus, the Belgians developed a 40-barreled LAU-97 on a self-propelled or towed chassis. From it, standard 70-mm air-to-ground missiles are fired at a distance of up to 9 km.

By 1983, the Brazilians had produced Astros-2, which is equipped with 127, 180 and 300 mm caliber projectiles with cluster high-explosive fragmentation warheads. Accordingly, they are loaded into 32-, 16- and 4-barrel guide packages, and the firing range is 9 - 30, 15 - 35 and 20 - 60 km.

Israel has three MLRS. This is primarily the MAR-350 (the number indicates the caliber), the shells of which have five types of warheads and fly at a distance of up to 75 km. Four MAR-290 tubular guides are installed on the chassis of the Centurion tank; the firing range of missiles with high-explosive fragmentation warheads does not exceed 25 km. The export LAR-160, at the request of customers, is manufactured on the basis of a tank, armored personnel carrier, car or on a trailer, and the package includes 13, 18 or 25 guides.

140-mm shells of the 40-barreled Spanish Teruel are produced with cluster, high-explosive fragmentation or smoke charges, and there are two types of missiles - a regular one, designed to fire at 18 km, and an extended one, with a flight range of 10 km more.

The Italians designed two MLRS. The lightweight Firos-6 with 48 51 mm caliber guides in one package is placed on an army jeep and is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 6.5 km. The ammunition includes shells with fragmentation, fragmentation-incendiary, armor-piercing incendiary, cumulative and illuminating warheads. "Firos-25/30" is designed to fire 8-34 km with 122 mm caliber missiles. Reloading of the 40-barrel package of guides is carried out in the same way as on the MLRS. Let us add that if Firos-30 began to be produced for the Italian army in 1987, then the Firos-25 modification is only for export.

In 1982, the 127-mm, 24-barrel Valkyrie-22 appeared in South Africa. A package of its guides is placed on a rotating frame in the back of a truck, from which they fire at a distance of 8 to 22 km. 6 years later, its lightweight, 12-barreled version “Valkyrie-5” was manufactured with a firing range of no more than 5.5 km.

The military also got their own MLRS South Korea. We are talking about a vehicle-mounted 36-barreled MRR installation, from which 130-mm fragmentation missiles are launched at targets located 10-32 km from the firing position.

Let us also mention the Japanese MLRS “75”. Its package with 30 guides for 131.5 mm missiles is mounted on an armored personnel carrier, the firing range does not exceed 15 km.

Well, in conclusion, we note that in the countries that were part of the organization Warsaw Pact, and their allied states, the Soviet-made Grad MLRS were in service and were produced there under license.