Polonaise multiple launch rocket system. What is the new multiple launch rocket system "Polonaise" First combat launches of the Polonaise missile system

At the military parade on May 9, 2015 in Minsk, new long-range rocket systems were demonstrated for the first time volley fire Belarusian production "Polonaise", made on the MZKT-7930 chassis with an 8x8 wheel arrangement. Two eight-round launchers and two transport-loading vehicles marched in parade formation.

During the parade it was announced that fighting machine The Polonaise MLRS "is capable of simultaneously delivering a precision strike against eight targets at a range of more than 200 km." It is announced that the MLRS data will begin to enter service with the Belarusian army in 2016.

A combat vehicle of the new Belarusian MLRS "Polonaise" during a military parade in Minsk 05/09/2015 (c) kp.by

The declared characteristics of the Polonaise MLRS and the characteristic appearance of its square missile containers suggest that this system uses long-range, high-precision missiles made in China. It is most likely that the 301 mm A200 type rockets used are developed and manufactured by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT, also known as the “First Academy”), part of the Chinese state-owned aerospace corporation China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). On the global market, marketing of the A200 system is carried out by the CASC foreign trade association Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co., Ltd (ALIT), as well as by the well-known Chinese corporation Poly Technologies.

In this regard, it is appropriate to note that on April 27, 2015, the State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Alexander Mezhuev reported to the President of the Republic Alexander Lukashenko on the results of his trip on April 7-10 to China People's Republic. Among other things, it was “reported on the agreements reached, the results of negotiations on providing Belarus with support from the PRC in strengthening its defense capability,” and it was noted that Mezhuev had meetings with the heads of both foreign trade associations of the CASC corporation - with the president of the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC, specializes on the export of rocket and space products) Yin Limin and the President of ALIT (specializing in the export of defense products) Guo Zhaoping.

Presumably, Belarus became the starting customer missile system A200. The A200 missile, with a caliber of 301 mm, has a length of 7264 mm and a stabilizer span of 615 mm. The mass of the rocket is 750 kg. Warhead(three different types) detachable, combined guidance system - inertial with satellite correction (GPS). Firing range from 50 to “more than 200” km. CQU of the warhead at maximum range different sources state from 30 to 50 m. A salvo of eight missiles at eight different targets can be fired in 50 seconds, the preparation time for a salvo is 8 minutes.

Transport-charging vehicles of the new Belarusian MLRS "Polonaise" during a military parade in Minsk 05/09/2015 (c) kp.by

vehicles of the new Belarusian MLRS "Polonaise" (c) www.abw.by

Combat and transport-loading vehicles of the new Belarusian MLRS "Polonaise" during a military parade in Minsk 05/09/2015 (c) Vitaly Dembovsky / news.tut.by

301 mm A200 rocket development and production of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), part of the Chinese state aerospace corporation China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) (c) Poly Technologies (via Jane's)

Belarusian jet system The Polonaise multiple launch rocket launcher is at the testing and development stage, its adoption is planned for 2016.

Development

Two years ago, Alexander Lukashenko set the task of developing and implementing a new MLRS in metal, which Belarusian designers successfully completed. Already on June 16, 2016, the first public tests of the system took place and were considered successful.

Tests

In 2015, the first tests were carried out at a Chinese test site. On June 16, 2016, tests of the complex were shown on television. Missile weapons with high accuracy hit training targets, with the first salvo hitting an area located one and a half meters from the target target.

Alexander Lukashenko called the results close to ideal and ordered that designers be nominated for state awards.

Design

The MZKT-7930 Astrologer chassis was developed at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. Has four axes, has high cross-country ability and can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h. The maximum load weight is 24 tons, the diesel engine develops 500 hp.

Firing requires a complete stop and extension of four stabilizers; the transition to a state of readiness for firing does not exceed 10 minutes.

Armament

Judging by the declared firing characteristics, the appearance of the containers and information from open sources, the Belarusian MLRS uses Chinese A200 missiles of 301 mm caliber.

There are 3 different warheads, the total length is 7264 mm. The missiles are fired according to the “fire and forget” principle; the trajectory is automatically adjusted using GPS.

Purpose and analogues

Carrying 8 missiles, the Polonaise complex is designed to combat manpower, aircraft at airfields, unarmored and armored special equipment, artillery, and so on.

The minimum firing range is 50 km, the maximum is 200 km, a full recharge takes 20 minutes.

An interesting feature is the ability to fire a salvo of 8 missiles at 8 different targets in 50 seconds.

Among analogues, the Russian 9K58 Smerch MLRS immediately comes to mind, inferior in firing range, but superior in salvo power. Also, the reload time of the Smerch is 20 minutes versus 10 for the Polonaise.

One of the most high-profile new products of the Belarusian military-industrial complex for last years became the Polonaise multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), which provided rocket artillerymen with new capabilities in terms of range and accuracy. Without going into detailed characteristics, about which quite a lot has already been written (including on our resource), let's try to consider the new " long arm"in the military-political dimension. In fact, today the prerequisites are emerging for closer cooperation between Belarus and Russia in the missile field in westward. It is theoretically possible to include China in these processes. However,

The Polonaise MLRS combat vehicle is a familiar weapon to fans military equipment(for example, for the operational-tactical missile system (OTRK) "Iskander-M") MZKT-7930 "Astrologer" chassis, carrying 8 transport and launch containers square section, equipped with rockets with a caliber of ~300 mm. The missiles are capable of hitting targets at a distance of 50 to 200 km with a circular probable deviation (CEP, the radius of the circle into which at least 50% of the ammunition/warheads fall) of no more than 50 m.

Presumably, within the framework of this project, the Belarusians worked closely with Chinese missile developers. This is indicated by the similarity between the Polonaise missile and the Chinese A200, both visually and in terms of characteristics. Moreover, plans have been announced for the development and adoption of a longer-range system, reaching the level of a full-fledged operational-tactical missile system, based on the Chinese M20 missile. The latter is considered an export version of the DF-12 with a reduced range (from ~400-500 km to ~280 km) in order to comply with Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions.

Both A200 and M20 (as well as a number of other types missile weapons) are offered by Chinese industry as options for equipping a “single” missile and artillery system, more precisely, a reconnaissance and strike complex for ground forces GATTS, which can also indicate " family ties" of this decision with "Polonaise".

Allied missile system

Interoperability Issues

On the other hand, the USA and South Korea(including within the framework of “responses” to the “provocations” of the DPRK) demonstrate a very effective level of interaction and unity of command. American and Korean missilemen have already carried out the operational deployment of ATACMS and Hyunmoo-2C missile systems, respectively, several times in unified formations, followed by the destruction of conditional targets.

In this context, the use of “combat” MLRS “Polonaise” within the framework of the strategic exercise “Zapad-2017” is of particular interest. During this event, which was covered in great detail from various sides (as, indeed, a large number of less “media” exercises), Russian and Belarusian military personnel practiced the actions of the so-called reconnaissance and fire contours: unified systems for detecting and hitting targets. It can be assumed with a high degree of confidence that, among other things, the emphasis was placed on the “cross” issuance of target designations and the delivery of a fire strike against a mock enemy within the framework of a single plan.

Similar solutions were actually developed back in the Soviet Union, but the collapse of the superpower delayed the implementation of a number of operational and technical concepts for several decades. Today we can safely talk about the successful integration of reconnaissance and attack subsystems. This is evidenced by both the results of the exercises and the successes within the Syrian campaign.

The “Polonaise” discussed in this article, of course, has not yet participated in real combat operations, but its conventional ancestor “Smerch” (as well as their cousin “Solntsepek”) local conflicts is a compelling argument. Moreover, its effectiveness has increased qualitatively with increasing accuracy and efficiency of application.

Next reactive ballet number

In Russia, promising MLRS systems similar to the Polonaise have been developed (including within the framework of the Tornado program), but at present their mass deliveries to the troops are not carried out. The situation may change as part of the upcoming State program weapons 2018-2025.

However, given the scale of the Russian armed forces and financial restrictions, the option cannot be ruled out in which the corresponding tactical tasks (at least on the western direction ) will be farmed out rocket artillery Belarusian allies.

The Russian armed forces will be responsible for the destruction of more distant targets, as well as participate in the collection and analysis of intelligence information with the subsequent issuance of target designations within the framework of unified reconnaissance and fire contours.

If we assume that the Polonaise truly has Chinese roots, then effective interaction between the Russian and Belarusian armed forces will be evidence of the continued growth in the interoperability of weapons systems and military equipment (W&M) not only within Union State and the CSTO, but also on the Eurasian continent as a whole.

At the same time, they are also trying to develop missile weapons in Ukraine, which, given the continued certain cooperation between Minsk and Kiev, including in the field of weapons, requires special attention the Russian side in order to avoid the leakage of advanced technologies to a hostile regime.

Dmitry Stefanovich, military observer

While the material was being prepared for publication, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarusreported about the successful testing of a missile for the Polonaise with a range increased to 300 km.

— The Belarusian military in the Gomel region conducted successful tests of the Polonaise national multiple launch rocket system. The president even ordered to reward the developers for the “greatest achievement,” although the media often mentions the likely cooperation of Minsk with China in the creation of a new missile system. Deliveries of the new MLRS to the army should begin in July, and by September one division of the complex should be part of the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade. The Security Council of the Republic stated that the system was ready for use by the troops, but the last word for the Ministry of Defense, which can add comments during military tests.

“Today is a happy day for us in terms of security and defense.

Our military, for the meager money they were given, managed to develop and test missile weapons created in Belarus today. The missile systems were launched.

The tests were very successful. The missiles hit the target literally one and a half meters from the specified targets - the first salvo. The second salvo is literally ten meters away. It's perfect. These are missile systems that were created in Belarus within two years,” the agency quotes Lukashenko as saying. "BelTa" .

At the same time, he noted that the Polonaise is close to the Russian Smerch in range, but is inferior to it in salvo, although it is superior to the Chinese MLRS.

“Consider that the Chinese installed their system on the Belarusian chassis by changing the launch guides. The projectile of a 301-mm Chinese missile flies up to 130 km, while the Russian Smerch has a range of up to 120 km. The range of 200 km declared by the Polonaise developers is possible if a 370 mm caliber missile is installed. It flies further, but the system can carry not eight such missiles, but only four,” Leonkov told Gazeta.Ru.

The expert noted that the modern Russian MLRS Tornado-G has a shorter range than the Polonaise, but surpasses the Belarusian system in terms of affected area - “burning out” 840 thousand square meters. km. Comparing the recharging speed of reactive systems, Leonkov noted that today the champion is the Tornado-G - it requires only three minutes. Then American is coming HIMARS system - seven minutes. For the Polonaise, according to unconfirmed reports, it will take about 10 minutes, while the Russian Smerch recharges in 20 minutes.

Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Stanislav Zas noted the importance of creating a domestic rocket system:

“We have increased our potential to deter attacks on the independence of Belarus. As the head of state demands, technical equipment our armed forces must respond to today's risks and challenges,” he said.

Belarusian analysts suggest that the Polish air bases of Minsk-Mazowiecki and Deblin, the Lithuanian Zokniai and the Latvian Rezekne and Lielvarde will have to “resist” the Polonaises. “It would be worth noting that advanced command posts rapid reaction formations, training grounds Nowa Demba, Elk (Poland), Rukla and Pabradė (Lithuania), where deployment is possible military formations alliance are also within the reach of the Belarusian Polonaises. By the way, the Yavorsky training ground (Ukraine), where American troops are developing a new bridgehead under the guise of training their Ukrainian colleagues the basics of military art, also falls into the destruction zone of the Belarusian Polonaise MLRS,” experts of the Belarusian Military-Political Review note.

The Ministry of Defense of Belarus admits that

there is no need for troops large quantities MLRS, so “Polonaise” can begin to be promoted for export.

According to expert Murakhovsky, the Belarusian system will not pose serious competition to Russian MLRS manufacturers and will not conquer traditional Russian markets such as India, Vietnam and Algeria. “MLRS is not a Belarusian issue. Well done for what they did, but I don’t expect great success from them. I think they can only compete on prices. Perhaps they will be able to in some niches not occupied by Russian MLRS. Famous example, when they managed to get in with the modernization of the Soviet S-125 complex. They occupied a niche where Russia was not interested,” noted Gazeta.Ru’s interlocutor.

Meanwhile, the Belarusian industry does not intend to stop there; Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee, Lieutenant General Sergei Gurulev noted that in further system will be improved - it is expected to achieve a range of 300 km.

In Minsk new rocket to the Belarusian complex “Polonaise” attracted significant attention from the expert community, giving rise to a wide range of assessments.

First combat launches The Polonaise missiles were tested in the summer of 2016. Photo belta.by

What almost all experts were unanimous in was that the prototype of this powerful ammunition is a Chinese M20 missile. True, some believe that Belarusians simply borrowed it from Chinese partners. Others believe that they have created their own product based on the original design.

This is not just a scholastic discussion. In the first case, in accordance with international agreements, the missile's flight range cannot exceed 280 km, in the second it can reach 500 km. We agree - there is a difference. Such weapons can already be called Eurostrategic.

For the first time, the layout and photographs of the complex with ballistic missile The M20, which was offered for export, was presented to China at the Idex-2011 exhibition held in Abu Dhabi. Besides appearance, there was no information about the Chinese missile.

At the same time, the layout of the missile was very similar to the ammunition used in the Russian operational-tactical complex (OTRK) 9K720 - Iskander. True, in the Chinese version, each of the two missiles was placed in a separate transport and launch container (TPC).

Five years later online edition The city of Zhuhai promises to be an export version of the DF-12 OTRK, called the M20.

The DF-12/M20 missiles are equipped with inertial and satellite guidance systems and can change direction throughout the flight. They are capable of hitting targets at distances from 100 to 280 km in the export version. In the version for personal use, according to unofficial data, the flight range exceeds 400 km.

The length of the DF-12/M20 missile is 7.8 m, diameter - 0.75 m, take-off weight - 4 tons, warhead weight - 400 kg. The missile can be equipped with various types of warheads (high-explosive, cluster, penetrating, etc.), and the deviation from the aiming point does not exceed 30 m.

The DF-12/M20 complexes are placed on an eight-axle chassis that simultaneously carries two missiles ready for launch. Unlike Russian system The Chinese Iskander is armed with missiles located in individual TPKs.

Comparing this description with the tactical and technical characteristics of the new missile for the Belarusian Polonez missile system, it is easy to see that they basically coincide. Which, indeed, raises the question of the degree of localization of this ammunition by the domestic military-industrial complex.

It is worth noting that the emergence of powerful missile weapons in Belarus did not happen spontaneously: Alexander Lukashenko repeatedly stated the desirability and even necessity of its acquisition. Back in November 2008 in an interview The Wall Street Journal The Belarusian leader said: “Right now we don’t have the funds for this, but we are planning to get such weapons - I’ll now give away the secret.”

And although then there was a long pause, as it turned out, this did not mean that Lukashenko abandoned his ambitious intentions. On January 29, 2015, during a dialogue with media representatives, the President of Belarus announced the imminent creation in the country own production modern means fire damage.

“We are working to ensure that Belarus has its own weapons. Now the main production of weapons used by our army is concentrated in Russia. We only create some parts of weapons: electronics, optics and others. We need to have good weapon so that the future aggressor does not even think about fighting against Belarus. We will have such systems in a few months.", - Lukashenko assured.

And on May 9, 2015, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Victory, the first vehicles of the domestic Polonaise multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) were officially shown to the public.

And on June 16, 2016, Lukashenko announced the first combat launches of Polonaise missiles from a test site in the Gomel region through the territory of nine districts to a test site in the Brest region. According to him, “These are missile systems that were created in Belarus within two years.”

The elements of this missile system are based on Belarusian wheeled chassis. The transporters of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant MZKT-7930 “Astrologer” (formula 8x8) are equipped with a launcher (PU) and a transport-loading vehicle. On the chassis of the Minsk Automobile Plant MAZ-6317 (6x6) is a fire control vehicle. The prototype of the artillery unit of the MLRS is multiple launch rocket systems created by the leading weapons companies of the People's Republic of China.

China has developed in the last decade big number samples of such systems both for the national armed forces and for the needs of foreign customers. The MLRS he offers on the world market are distinguished by the use of advanced elemental base, satellite navigation systems, replaceable TPK with guided and unguided rockets various types and calibers capable of hitting targets at long ranges.

“Polonaise”, like its Chinese counterparts, does not have the usual PU tubular guides for specialists. Their basis is a rotating platform on which a support frame is mounted. The platform and frame drives allow for guidance in the horizontal and vertical planes. The support frame has fastenings for standard module packages with TPK.

When loading, these modules are reloaded from the transport-loading vehicle to the combat vehicle using a crane-manipulator and secured to the launcher support frame (after the missiles are launched, the module is removed and sent to the manufacturer for reloading or disposed of). According to experts, this technology not only makes it possible to speed up the reloading of a combat vehicle and its preparation for a new salvo, which in itself is very important. The main thing is that you can run from one launcher rockets of several calibers and types.

At the same time, there is reason to assert: “Polonaise” is not a simple copy of Chinese models; in preparation for its production, the experience and knowledge necessary to create our own missile ammunition was acquired.

In the fall of 2015, Lukashenko bluntly stated that “if Russia reinforced us missile weapons, we would not have to create, spend huge amounts of money to create missile systems such as Polonaise.

However, Belarus, according to the president, was forced to make these systems itself, since requests to Russian Federation requests for assistance in acquiring such weapons remained without consequences. “Today we are working on other systems that will make war against Belarus impossible today,”- added Lukashenko.

On November 3, 2015, while visiting a precision electromechanics plant in the Dzerzhinsky district, the president was informed about the creation in Belarus own center as part of the scientific and production divisions, which is working on the creation of modern missile systems.

Head of State Military Industry Sergey Gurulev reported then that domestic specialists are planning in the near future to create their own missile for the Polonaise with a range of 200 km, as well as ammunition that significantly exceeds it in its characteristics.

Observers even then made the assumption that we could be talking about creating some kind of analogue of the missile that is part of the Iskander. Or rather, its “M” version with a firing range of up to 500 km (the range of the export version “E” is 280 km).

At first, a number of initial components that Belarus was not able to produce itself (in particular, ingredients for the production of solid rocket fuel) were supposed to be supplied from China. At the same time, the task of maximum localization of production was set as a priority. Already a year and a half ago, the share of Belarusian components in Polonaise was close to 70%, and this figure was supposed to be increased to almost 95%.

Wherein Scientific research in the field of development of solid rocket fuel are one of the promising areas of activity of the Research Institute of the Armed Forces of Belarus.

As part of the practical implementation of this project, the research institute entered into an agreement on joint activities with the state scientific and production association (NPO) of powder metallurgy. One of the stages in the implementation of this agreement was the testing of an experimental mixed solid rocket fuel for unguided aircraft missiles(NAR).

As a raw material for its production, specialists from the NPO of Powder Metallurgy used “energy-saturated heterogeneous aluminized composite material on a polymer basis.” Tests confirmed that domestic developers managed to obtain workable fuel with weight, size and ballistic characteristics, commensurate with the standard NAR fuel type S-8M.

As a number of experts believe, this technology will in the future be applicable to other types of solid rocket fuel missiles, including guided missiles: aviation, anti-aircraft, anti-tank, and MLRS.