"Buratino", "Hurricane", "Smerch", "Typhoon": multiple launch rocket system. Description and characteristics. Military review and politics Sighting range of the hurricane system

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; the use of shrapnel shells, which, after the explosion, scatter 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 using a forging method. 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. German army was the most modern and best equipped army in the world. The Wehrmacht artillery operated in close cooperation with the infantry and aviation, trying to quickly occupy territory and deprive the Polish army of communication routes. The world shuddered upon learning of a new armed conflict in Europe.

The artillery of the USSR in the positional conduct of combat operations on the Western Front in the last war and the horror in the trenches of 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, mobile firepower and precision fire would be the decisive factors.

Due to the ongoing fighting in different countries around the world, television screens constantly broadcast news reports from one or another hot spot. And very often there are alarming messages about military operations, during which various multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) are actively involved. It is difficult for a person who is in no way connected with the army or military to navigate the wide variety of all kinds of military equipment, so in this article we will tell the common man in detail about such death machines as:

• Heavy flamethrower system based on a tank (TOS) - the Buratino multiple launch rocket system (an infrequently used but very effective weapon).
• Jet system multiple rocket launcher (MLRS) "Grad" - widely used
• The modernized and improved “sister” of the Grad MLRS is a reactive one (which the media and ordinary people often call “Typhoon” because of the chassis from the Typhoon truck used in the combat vehicle).
• Multiple launch rocket system - powerful weapon with a large radius of action, used to destroy almost any target.
• Having no analogues in the whole world, unique, awe-inspiring and used for total annihilation, the Smerch multiple launch rocket system (MLRS).

"Pinocchio" from a bad fairy tale

In the relatively distant year 1971, in the USSR, engineers from " Design Bureau transport engineering", located in Omsk, presented another masterpiece military power. It was a heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system "Buratino" (TOSZO). The creation and subsequent improvement of this flamethrower complex was kept top secret. Development lasted 9 years, and in 1980 the combat complex, which was a kind of tandem of the T-72 tank and a launcher with 24 guides, was finally approved and delivered to the Armed Forces Soviet army.

"Pinocchio": application

TOSZO "Buratino" is used for arson and significant damage:

• enemy equipment (except armored);
• multi-storey buildings and other construction projects;
• various protective structures;
• manpower.

MLRS (TOS) "Buratino": description

Like the Grad and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems, the Buratino TOSZO was first used in the Afghan and second Chechen wars. According to 2014 data, such combat vehicles The military forces of Russia, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have them.

The Buratino multiple launch rocket system has the following characteristics:

• TOC weight with full set for combat is about 46 tons.
• The length of "Pinocchio" is 6.86 meters, width - 3.46 meters, height - 2.6 meters.
• The caliber of the shells is 220 millimeters (22 cm).
• The shooting uses uncontrolled rockets that cannot be controlled after they are fired.
• The longest firing distance is 13.6 kilometers.
• The maximum affected area after one salvo is 4 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides is 24 pieces.
• The salvo is aimed directly from the cockpit using a special fire control system, which consists of a sight, a roll sensor and a ballistic computer.
• The shells for completing the ROZZO after the salvos are fired are carried out using a transport-loading (TZM) machine model 9T234-2, with a crane and a loading device.
• "Buratino" is managed by 3 people.

As can be seen from the characteristics, just one salvo of "Pinocchio" is capable of turning 4 hectares into a blazing hell. Impressive power, isn't it?

Precipitation in the form of "Hail"

In 1960, the USSR monopolist in the production of multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons mass destruction NPO "Splav" launched another secret project and began developing a completely new MLRS at that time called "Grad". Making adjustments lasted 3 years, and the MLRS entered the ranks of the Soviet Army in 1963, but its improvement did not stop there; it continued until 1988.

"Grad": application

Like the Uragan MLRS, the Grad multiple launch rocket system showed such good results, which, despite its “advanced age,” continues to be widely used to this day. "Grad" is used to deliver a very impressive blow to:

• artillery batteries;
• any military equipment, including armored;
• manpower;
• command posts;
• military-industrial facilities;
• anti-aircraft complexes.

In addition to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Grad multiple rocket launcher system is in service with almost all countries of the world, including almost all continents of the globe. Largest quantity combat vehicles of this type are located in the USA, Hungary, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Germany, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Iran, Cuba, Yemen. Ukraine's multiple launch rocket systems also contain 90 Grad units.

MLRS "Grad": description

The Grad multiple launch rocket system has the following characteristics:

• The total weight of the Grad MLRS, ready for combat and equipped with all shells, is 13.7 tons.
• The length of the MLRS is 7.35 meters, width - 2.4 meters, height - 3.09 meters.
• The caliber of the shells is 122 millimeters (just over 12 cm).
• For firing, basic 122 mm caliber rockets are used, as well as fragmentation high explosive shells, chemical, incendiary and smoke warheads.
• from 4 to 42 kilometers.
• The maximum affected area after one salvo is 14.5 hectares.
• One salvo is carried out in just 20 seconds.
• A full reload of the Grad MLRS takes about 7 minutes.
• The reactive system is brought into firing position in no more than 3.5 minutes.
• Reloading the MLRS is only possible using a transport-loading machine.
• The sight is implemented using a gun panorama.
• The Grad is controlled by 3 people.

"Grad" is a multiple launch rocket system, the characteristics of which are still received today highest mark from the military. Throughout its existence, it has been used in Afghan war, in the clashes between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, in both Chechen wars, during the military operations in Libya, South Ossetia and Syria, as well as in the civil war in Donbass (Ukraine), which broke out in 2014.

Attention! "Tornado" is approaching

"Tornado-G" (as mentioned above, this MLRS is sometimes mistakenly called "Typhoon", so for convenience both names are given here) is a multiple launch rocket system, which is a modernized version of the Grad MLRS. The design engineers of the Splav plant worked on the creation of this powerful hybrid. Development began in 1990 and lasted 8 years. For the first time, the capabilities and power of the reactive system were demonstrated in 1998 at a training ground near Orenburg, after which it was decided to further improve this MLRS To get final result, the developers improved the Tornado-G (Typhoon) over the next 5 years. The multiple launch rocket system entered service with the Russian Federation in 2013. At this point in time, this combat vehicle is only in service with the Russian Federation. "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon") is a multiple launch rocket system that has no analogues anywhere.

"Tornado": application

MLRS is used in combat to destroy targets such as:

• artillery;
• all types of enemy equipment;
• military and industrial buildings;
• anti-aircraft complexes.

MLRS "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon"): description

"Tornado-G" ("Typhoon") - a multiple launch rocket system, which, due to the increased power of ammunition, greater range and built-in satellite guidance system, has surpassed its so-called " older sister" - MLRS "Grad" - 3 times.

Characteristics:

• The weight of the fully loaded MLRS is 15.1 tons.
• The length of "Tornado-G" is 7.35 meters, width - 2.4 meters, height - 3 meters.
• The caliber of the shells is 122 millimeters (12.2 cm).
• The Tornado-G MLRS is universal in that, in addition to the basic shells from the Grad MLRS, you can use new generation ammunition with detachable cumulative combat elements filled with cluster exploding elements, as well as
• The firing range under favorable landscape conditions reaches 100 kilometers.
• The maximum area subject to destruction after one salvo is 14.5 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides is 40 pieces.
• The sight is carried out using several hydraulic drives.
• One salvo is carried out in 20 seconds.
• The deadly machine is ready to work within 6 minutes.
• Firing is carried out using a remote control unit (RC) and a fully automated fire control system located in the cockpit.
• Crew - 2 people.

Fierce "Hurricane"

As happened with most MLRS, the history of the Uragan began in the USSR, or more precisely, in 1957. The “fathers” of the Uragan MLRS were Alexander Nikitovich Ganichev and Yuri Nikolaevich Kalachnikov. Moreover, the first designed the system itself, and the second developed the combat vehicle.

"Hurricane": application

The Uragan MLRS is designed to destroy targets such as:

• artillery batteries;
• any enemy equipment, including armored;
• living force;
• all kinds of construction projects;
• anti-aircraft missile systems;
• tactical missiles.

MLRS "Hurricane": description

The Uragan was used for the first time in the Afghan War. They say that the Mujahideen were afraid of this MLRS until they fainted and even gave it a formidable nickname - “Shaitan-pipe”.

In addition, the Hurricane multiple launch rocket system, the characteristics of which inspire respect among soldiers, has seen combat in South Africa. This is what prompted the military African continent carry out developments in the field of MLRS.

At the moment, this MLRS is in service with countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Poland, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Yemen, Kyrgyzstan, Guinea, Syria, Tajikistan, Eritrea, Slovakia.

The Uragan multiple launch rocket system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the MLRS when fully equipped and in combat readiness is 20 tons.
• The Hurricane is 9.63 meters long, 2.8 meters wide, and 3.225 meters high.
• The caliber of the shells is 220 millimeters (22 cm). It is possible to use projectiles with a monolithic high-explosive warhead, with high-explosive fragmentation elements, with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
• The firing range is 8-35 kilometers.
• The maximum affected area after one salvo is 29 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides is 16 pieces, the guides themselves are capable of rotating 240 degrees.
• One salvo is carried out in 30 seconds.
• A full reload of the Uragan MLRS takes about 15 minutes.
• The combat vehicle goes into combat position in just 3 minutes.
• Reloading the MLRS is possible only when interacting with the TZ vehicle.
• Shooting is carried out either using a portable control panel, or directly from the cockpit.
• The crew is 6 people.

Like the Smerch multiple launch rocket system, the Uragan operates in any military conditions, as well as in the case when the enemy uses nuclear, bacteriological or other weapons. In addition, the complex is capable of functioning at any time of the day, regardless of the season and temperature fluctuations. "Hurricane" is capable of regularly participating in combat operations both in cold weather (-40°C) and in sweltering heat (+50°C). The Uragan MLRS can be delivered to its destination by water, air or rail.

Deadly "Smerch"

The Smerch multiple launch rocket system, whose characteristics surpass all existing MLRS in the world, was created in 1986 and put into service with the USSR military forces in 1989. To this day, this mighty death machine has no analogues in any country in the world.

"Smerch": application

This MLRS is rarely used, mainly for total annihilation:

• artillery batteries of all types;
• absolutely any military equipment;
• manpower;
• communication centers and command posts;
• construction projects, including military and industrial;
• anti-aircraft complexes.

MLRS "Smerch": description

The Smerch MLRS is available in the armed forces of Russia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Algeria, Venezuela, Peru, China, Georgia, and Kuwait.

The Smerch multiple launch rocket system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the MLRS when fully equipped and in firing position is 43.7 tons.
• The length of the "Smerch" is 12.1 meters, width - 3.05 meters, height - 3.59 meters.
• The caliber of the shells is impressive - 300 millimeters.
• For firing, cluster rockets are used with a built-in control system unit and an additional engine that corrects the direction of the charge on the way to the target. The purpose of shells can be different: from fragmentation to thermobaric.
• The firing range of the Smerch MLRS is from 20 to 120 kilometers.
• The maximum affected area after one salvo is 67.2 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides is 12 pieces.
• One salvo is carried out in 38 seconds.
• Complete re-equipment of the Smerch MLRS with shells takes about 20 minutes.
• "Smerch" is ready for combat feats in a maximum of 3 minutes.
• Reloading of the MLRS is carried out only when interacting with a TZ-vehicle equipped with a crane and a charging device.
• The crew consists of 3 people.

The Smerch MLRS is an ideal weapon of mass destruction, capable of operating in almost any temperature conditions, day and night. In addition, shells fired by the Smerch MLRS fall strictly vertically, thereby easily destroying the roofs of houses and armored vehicles. It is almost impossible to hide from the Smerch; the MLRS burns out and destroys everything within its radius of action. Of course it's not power nuclear bomb, but still the one who owns the “Smerch” owns the world.

The idea of ​​"world peace" is a dream. And as long as MLRS exist, unattainable...

MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) "Hurricane" intended to destroy manpower, armored and lightly armored vehicles of enemy tank and motorized infantry units on the march and in concentration areas, destruction of command posts, military infrastructure facilities and communication centers, remote installation of anti-personnel and anti-tank minefields in combat zones at a distance of 10–35 km .

Taking into account the adoption of the M-21 Field Rocket System in 1963, the Tula State Research Institute of Precision Engineering in 1963-1964 proactively conducted search work in order to study the possibility of creating a more long-range and powerful system in terms of the number of explosives in a salvo, with the help of which it would be possible to solve promptly combat missions at ranges from 10 to 40 km.

In June 1964, the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering submitted for consideration the Project of a field multiple launch rocket system "Hurricane", having a firing range of 35 km. The project proposed a system with high maneuverability, movement speed up to 70 km/h, high cross-country ability and the ability to open salvo fire in a short period of time. This system can be used to destroy openly located or hidden in field structures manpower, fire weapons, tanks, nuclear and chemical weapons and other enemy targets and objects at ranges up to 40 km.

Based on the order of the Ministry of Defense Industry, in 1967 they began the research work “Creation of a high-precision multiple launch rocket system “Uragan”. The work was completed in December 1967 with confirmation of the possibility of obtaining the specified characteristics, carrying out theoretical studies, bench tests of engines, separation mechanisms, delayed deployment of the stabilizer, aerodynamic purges and fire with model projectiles. The system was recommended for R&D (development work).

Based on the order of the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering No. 18/94 in 1968, a preliminary design was developed missile complex"Hurricane" multiple rocket launcher. In September of the same year, the work was recommended for development work.

The Uragan system was supposed to include: combat vehicle, command vehicle, transport vehicle and arsenal equipment. It was proposed to use the following types of projectile warheads: cluster fragmentation, high-explosive (has a specified fragmentation of the body), cassette, intended for remote mining. The decision to develop other types of warheads (incendiary, cumulative, agitation, with special filling) should have been made by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering in the second quarter of 1970 based on the results of the preliminary design.

In the design of the projectiles it was supposed to use a single solid-fuel jet engine for all warheads with an unregulated nozzle over the entire operating temperature range. There were no replacement nozzles. It was proposed to use the ZIL-135LM chassis as a base for the MLRS. During the preliminary design, variants of the combat vehicle and transport vehicle on the tracked chassis of the MT-S transporter tractor.

The number of guides should have been 20 pieces. when using a chassis from ZIL-135LM and 24 pcs. on the MT-S chassis. But the exact number of guides had to be clarified after reviewing the preliminary design. For the transport vehicle, the Kraz-253 wheeled chassis was also considered as a base.

In order to check the activities associated with work to increase the firing range, 30 firings were planned for January-February 1971. with Uragan MLRS shells from a ballistic launcher placed on the ML-20 carriage. Shells were to be supplied with three types of fins:
— knife type, feather thickness 7 mm, opening of the feathers to the longitudinal axis of the projectile at an angle of 90°;
- according to the Grad shell scheme;
— combined (combining the tail of a knife-type projectile and a “Grad”).

In 1972, factory testing was completed, and the system was presented for field testing consisting of:
— unguided rockets with cluster fragmentation (weight 80-85 kg) and high-explosive (weight 100-105 kg) warheads;
- 9P140 combat vehicle mounted on the chassis of a ZIL-135LM vehicle;
— transport-loading vehicle 9T452, installed on the chassis of a ZIL-135LM vehicle;
- arsenal equipment.

During factory testing, we obtained system characteristics that satisfied the basic stated tactical and technical requirements. Currently, the Uragan MLRS is in service in the Russian, Kazakh, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Yemeni armies, and also, probably, in the Syrian army.

The Hurricane multiple launch rocket system was widely used in combat operations in Afghanistan. In the early 1980s, it was deployed and used by the Syrian military on initial stage war with Israel. The system was used by federal troops in Chechen Republic. According to open data last time the system was applied Russian troops in 2008 during the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict.

The Uragan multiple launch rocket system includes:
— combat vehicle 9P140;
— transport-loading machine 9T452;
— rockets;
— KAUO (automated fire control complex) 1V126 “Kapustnik-B”;
— educational and training facilities;
— topographic survey vehicle 1T12-2M;
— direction-finding meteorological complex 1B44;
— a set of arsenal special equipment and tools 9F381.

The 9P140 combat vehicle was carried on a four-axle chassis of the ZIL-135LMP vehicle with high cross-country ability and an 8x8 wheel arrangement. The artillery unit consists of a package in which 16 tubular guides are assembled, a rotary base with sights and guidance mechanisms, a balancing mechanism, as well as hydraulic and electrical equipment.

Guidance mechanisms equipped with power drives make it possible to direct a package of guides in a vertical plane from 5 to +55 degrees. The horizontal guidance angle is ±30 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the combat vehicle. To increase the stability of the launcher during a shot, there are two supports in the rear part of the chassis, which are equipped with manually driven jacks. Missiles can be carried directly in the guides. The combat vehicle is equipped with a night vision device and communications equipment (radio station R-123M).

Tubular guides - smooth-walled pipes with a U-shaped screw groove, along which the pin of the rocket slides during the shot. Thus, its initial spin is ensured to give the projectile the stability necessary in flight. The projectile, when moving along the trajectory of rotation, is supported by the blades of the drop-down stabilizer, which are installed to the longitudinal axis of the projectile at a certain angle.

A salvo of one combat vehicle covers an area of ​​more than 42 hectares . The main method of shooting is fire from a closed position. It is possible to fire from the cockpit. The crew of the 9P140 combat vehicle is 6 people (4 people per Peaceful time): combat vehicle commander, driver, gunner (senior gunner), crew numbers (3 people).

The combat vehicle has a D726-45 panoramic mechanical sight. The standard PG-1M gun panorama is used as a goniometric and sighting device in the sight.

The launch system for the 9P140 combat vehicle is provided:
— safe operation of the crew that serves the combat vehicle when firing;
— conducting salvo and single fire while in the crew cabin;
— conducting salvo and single fire while in the crew’s shelter at a distance of up to 60 m from the combat vehicle;
— firing in the event of failure of power sources and main units of firing circuits.

The launch system provides the possibility of salvo fire at a constant rate (16 missiles are launched at a rate of 0.5 seconds) and the so-called “ragged” rate of fire (the first 8 missiles are launched at an interval of 0.5 seconds, the remaining missiles at an interval of 2 seconds). Thanks to the use of a “ragged” rate of fire, it can significantly reduce the frequency and amplitude of vibrations of a combat vehicle, and, consequently, improve the accuracy of fire.

To load the launcher, the 9T452 transport-loading vehicle is used, developed on the same chassis as the combat vehicle. Each loading vehicle can transport 16 rockets. The machine provides loading (discharging) without special equipment. preparing a position, including from any transport vehicle, from another transport-loading vehicle or from the ground. The reloading process is mechanized, charging time 15 minutes. Load capacity 300 kg.

A special feature of the four-axle wheeled chassis ZIL-135LMP was the location of the power plant behind the four-seat crew cabin. This power point consisted of two eight-cylinder V-shaped carburetor engines ZIL-375. At 3200 rpm, each engine produces up to 180 hp. The transmission has an on-board design: the wheels of each side are rotated by an independent engine through a separate gearbox, final drives and transfer cases.

The wheels of the first and fourth axles are steerable, with independent torsion bar suspension with shock absorbers. The wheels of the middle axles are close together, do not have elastic suspension and are rigidly attached to the frame. The machine is equipped centralized system tire pressure regulation. The vehicle has very high maneuverability and speed characteristics. When driving with a full load on the highway maximum speed is 65 km/h, without preliminary preparation it can overcome fords up to 1.2 m deep. The fuel range is 500 km.

The Uragan MLRS ammunition consists of the following missiles:

- 9M27F having a high-explosive fragmentation warhead;
— 9M27K having a cassette warhead with fragmentation combat elements;
- 9M27S with an incendiary warhead;
- 9M59, 9M27K2, 9M27K3 having a cassette warhead with anti-tank mines;
- 9M51 with a warhead with a volumetric detonating effect (during the war in Afghanistan it showed high efficiency).

The maximum firing range is 35 km; for destruction at shorter distances, rings are put on the missile that slow it down in flight. The flight range of a cluster projectile with a small ring is 11-22 km, and that of an unguided 9M27F rocket is 8-21 km. If a large brake ring is used, the flight range of a cluster projectile is 9–15 km, and that of a 9M27F projectile is 8–16 km.

The complex can be operated in conditions where the enemy uses nuclear, bacteriological, and chemical weapons at different times of the year and day, at air temperatures of -40... +50°C. in different climatic conditions. The Uragan MLRS can be transported by water, rail or air.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the Uragan MLRS :
The mass of the combat vehicle in combat position is 20 tons;
The mass of the combat vehicle without crew and shells is 15.1 tons;
Dimensions in stowed position:
Length – 9.63 m;
Width – 2.8 m;
Height – 3.225 m;
Wheel formula - 8×8
Number of guides – 16 pcs;
Rotation of guides – 240 degrees;
Recharge time – 15 minutes;
Cruising range on the highway – 500 km;
The time for transferring a combat vehicle from traveling to combat position is no more than 3 minutes;
The time to leave the firing position after firing a salvo is less than 1.5 minutes;
Temperature range combat use– from -40 to +50 °C;
Surface wind – up to 20 m/s;
Application altitude above sea level – up to 3000 m;
General characteristics of rockets:
Caliber – 220 mm
Solid fuel weight powder charge– 104.1 kg
Maximum firing range – 35 km;
Minimum firing range – 8 km;
Temperature Range combat use– from -50 to +50 °С.

In the early 60s, in the Tula State Research Institute there were research papers to create a system with increased quantities explosive in the projectile and firing range. It also provided high speed movement in the area of ​​70 km/h, sufficient maneuverability and little time ready to fire.

In 1967, research work on the creation of a new MLRS was completed, after which research and design work began.

Development was carried out in the Tula "Splav" under the leadership of Ganichev. The characteristics of the future multiple launch rocket system were noticeably superior to the BM-21 Grad.

Since 1972, designers began testing the new product at the test site and improving it. In 1975, the 9K57 Uragan MLRS entered service with the Soviet army.

Design

The artillery installation is located on the 9P140 combat vehicle. This chassis is built on the basis of the ZIL-135LM. The chassis provides sufficient cross-country ability due to all-wheel drive on all 8 wheels and a propulsion system consisting of 2 V8 ZIL-375 engines with a power of 180 hp each. every.

In addition to the combat vehicle, the complex includes:

• transport-loading machine 9T452;
• fire control complex 1V126 “Kapustnik-B”;
• meteorological complex 1B44;
• machine for topographic survey 1T12-2M;
• rockets;
• educational equipment.

The transport-loading vehicle was created on a similar combat base ZIL-135LM, carries 16 shells and is capable of loading/unloading without additional training.

A mechanized loading device allows you to load shells not only from the vehicle, but also from the ground in 15 minutes.

Armament

When developing the Hurricane, the goal was to increase the efficiency, range and coverage area of ​​the salvo.

The artillery mount is assembled from 16 tubular guides and mounted on a cradle in the form of a rectangular platform. Guidance is carried out using an electric drive. It is duplicated by a manual drive.

To increase the accuracy and efficiency of firing, the missiles spin around their axis during launch thanks to a U-shaped groove in the guides.

There are several firing modes, including single shots, a burst mode, and a salvo.

When firing in a “ragged salvo,” the Uragan fires 8 shells with pauses of half a second, and another 8 with pauses of 2 seconds.

In salvo mode, the entire ammunition load is fired in 8.8 seconds at a range of 10 to 35 kilometers. You can fire both from the cockpit and remotely.

Compared to the Grad, not only the range has increased, but also the covered area has increased to 42 hectares, along with an accuracy that is one and a half times greater than that of its predecessor.

When creating the machine, engineers were ahead of the whole world by creating a cassette combat unit for multiple launch rocket system. 9K57 "Hurricane" received various ammunition, namely:

• 9M27F with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead;
• 9M27K with a cluster warhead containing fragmentation submunitions;
• 9M27S with incendiary warhead;
• 9M59, 9M27K2, 9M27K3 with cluster warheads containing anti-tank mines;
• 9M51 with a volumetric detonating warhead.

Modifications

9K512 Uragan-1m

It features a new chassis and a high-caliber artillery unit.

The base of the Astrologer combat and loading vehicle is identical to that used by the Iskander. The launcher, due to its dual caliber, is capable of using native 220 mm caliber rockets and 300 mm caliber projectiles used in the Smerch system.

Bastion-03

The vehicle, created in Ukraine, is distinguished by the use of the KrAZ-6322 base, which was done to unify Ukrainian rocket artillery.

Combat use

The army widely used Hurricanes. The vehicle first appeared in Afghanistan, where projectiles with a volumetric detonating warhead demonstrated their effectiveness.

Later the MLRS went through two Chechen wars, took part in the 2008 conflict in South Ossetia, was noted during the fighting in Ukraine, which began in 2014, and in Syria, for example, was noticed during the liberation of Palmyra.

Export

More than 10 countries have Hurricanes in their arsenal. These include countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Epilogue

Traditionally for the MLRS, developed in the USSR under the leadership of Ganichev, the 9K57 Uragan turned out to be an effective weapon in demand among the military.

Created back in 1972 and put into service in 1975, the system is still in service with the Russian and other armies and remains a reliable, effective and deadly weapon.

In the common consciousness, defense technology is usually associated with the cutting edge of science and technology. In fact, one of the main properties of military equipment is 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 multiple launch rocket system, 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 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, relatively cheap system stabilization, inertial, powered by gas-dynamic (deflecting gases flowing from the nozzle) rudders. Its accuracy was enough to fire a volley - and at each launcher a dozen launch tubes were placed - it covered the 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 in quantitative characteristics led to a transition to a new quality - the emergence of two new MLRS systems under the continuation of the “meteorological” tradition common name"Tornado". “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 the combat work of the Tornado-S complex carried out? 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 reconnoitred 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 hardware combat control and communications (ABUS), which replaced the standard radio station, and an automated guidance and fire control system (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 deployed at the maximum angle for the Smerch of 55 degrees - this way it will be possible to 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, the satellite navigation receiver needs some time to determine its position - navigators in phones strive to lock onto towers to speed up the process cellular communication. 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...

High accuracy The Tornado-S rocket 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, when mass production By reducing 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 deduce firepower domestic rocket artillery to a qualitatively new level.