"Smerch" (MLRS): TTX and photo of a multiple rocket system

After the ever-memorable "Katyusha" in our Armed Forces, always paid special attention to the systems of rocket fire. This is not surprising: they are relatively cheap, simple to manufacture, but they are extremely mobile, ensuring the defeat of the enemy's manpower and material base practically anywhere, no matter where the fighting takes place.

One of the most effective representatives of this family was the "Smerch" system. MLRS this for all time of its application has proved to be an effective and extremely reliable weapon.

Why can the system be used?

"Smerch" was designed to destroy both the enemy's manpower and heavily armored vehicles. With the help of this system, command centers and communication centers can be destroyed, and minefields at a distance of up to 70 km are remotely located.

History of creation

In 1961, the Armed Forces of the USSR adopted the M-21 MLRS, the characteristics of which were not fully satisfied with the Soviet military. That is why in the late 1970s in the SNPP "Splav" the scientific researches aimed at creating a system of multiple rocket fire, which would ensure a more confident defeat of targets by equipping with powerful shells with a high content of explosives, were carried out as soon as possible.

As a result, in mid-1980 the draft "Smerch" was sent to the State Expert Commission for consideration. MLRS this provided delivery of the projectile for a distance of up to 70 km. Recall that the requirements of the military then provided for the chassis, providing maneuvering on the terrain with a speed of up to 70 km / h (with high throughput).

Production start

The new "Smerch" reactive system met all the requests, had great prospects because of cheap production, and so in 1985 it was issued a decree on the beginning of work on the serial production of the system. Already in 1987 the work was completely finished, and the first "Smerchs" began trial shooting.

At the beginning of the next year MLRS (with due regard for the elimination of some shortcomings and remarks) was finally recommended for adoption by the country.

Basic characteristics of the prototype

Adopted system fired shells caliber 200 mm, with a range of effective suppression of the enemy 20/70 km. A huge advantage of high - explosive type missiles is that their action was not much inferior to the combat characteristics of the previously used "bastards".

So, the range of defeat of the enemy's lagging (!) Infantry exceeds 1300 meters from the epicenter of the charge explosion. One caterpillar chassis could carry from 25 to 35 shells.

Characteristics of the system adopted for service

Despite all of the above-mentioned TTX, military specialists were not completely satisfied with the striking force of the shells. After the completion of the light, the final version of the Smerch MLRS, the TTX of which is shown below, appeared.

Thus, the caliber was raised to 300 mm, the weight of the projectile was increased to 815 kilograms. The charge itself of the explosive has a mass of more than 250 kilograms. The firing range remained the same (maximum - 90 kilometers). This time the designers provided not only a tracked (object 123), but also a wheeled chassis based on the MAZ-543A.

It should be noted that MLRS 9k58 "Smerch" - this is a complex, which includes several constructive elements.

Basic Components

• Chassis 9A52-2 based on MAZ-543A.
• The machine for transportation and loading 9T234-2.
• The shells themselves.
• Automatic fire control and correction system "Vivarium".
• Means for training and training of operators of the complex.
• Automobile complex for topographical survey of the area 1T12-2M.
• Bearing system 1B44.
• Equipment for repair and maintenance of the material part 9F381.

Deployed TTX

As already mentioned above, the chassis 9A52-2 is based on the MAZ-543A car, whose wheel formula is 8x8. As for the artillery unit, it consists of sixteen guides, a swing mechanism with impact and correction devices, as well as electromechanical and hydraulic stabilizing devices.

The guidance and rotation mechanisms can direct projectiles at an angle of 5-55 degrees. Horizontal guidance - within 30 degrees in each direction. This reactive system "Tornado" in many respects differs from the same "Hurricane", in which the limit of guidance horizontally - the same 30 degrees (15 degrees per side). In order for the unit to be more stable during the shooting, there are two hydraulic stops in the rear part, reset manually.

The advantage of the complex is also the fact that the missiles can be transported directly to the guides. Taking into account the fact that the chassis car is equipped with night vision devices and a high-quality radio station, even night transportation does not present any particular difficulties.

Guide information

The guides themselves are made in the form of thick-walled pipes, in the walls of which there is a screw groove, for which the pin of the reactive charge clings during the shot. This pin is an analog of the rifling in the barrels of small arms, since it specifies the required vector of the projectile's flight.

The entire set of guides is rigidly fixed on the cradle of a rectangular shape. Due to the two semi-axes with which it is connected to the upper machine, this base can be accurately guided to the target by means of rotary mechanisms.

On a given trajectory, the charge is held by means of unfolding stabilizers (like RPG shots). The system of volley fire "Smerch" for one time only covers more than 67 hectares!

Most often, shooting is conducted from closed positions. It is possible to control the fire directly from the operator's cab. The calculation of the complex includes four people in peacetime and six in the military. A BM commander, one gunner, and a driver driver are appointed. The number of soldiers serving the gun varies.

A little about shells

It should not be assumed that the "Smerch" shells are a banal blasting charge. Currently, more than a dozen of their varieties have been used, and new types of products are constantly being developed.

The standard high-explosive projectile 9M55F is most often used. The head part is solid, the weight of the explosive does not exceed 100 kg. Applied to handle the advanced fortifications of the enemy, to fight lagged infantry and the destruction of light armored vehicles on the march.

Especially for the destruction of the enemy's manpower, the model 9M55K was developed. At the head of each projectile there are 72 divisible elements (2 kilograms each) containing explosives and attacking elements. Only 10-12 such charges are enough to completely destroy the standard motorized infantry company.

On the contrary, specially designed to combat armored vehicles (including heavy tanks), a projectile 9M55K1 was developed. In its head part there are five projectiles with automatic sighting. If the "Smerch" combat system is used in the role of "hunter for tanks", then for a complete destruction of the whole tank company (!), A single volley of only four cars is sufficient.

Other mechanisms

The rotating part of the machine is the most complex in its device. Its design includes a rocking chair, rotary, lifting and compensating mechanisms, as well as a manual guidance mechanism and an operator's work station. Important stop mechanisms (including for rocking hydraulics), from which accuracy of shooting depends largely. Compensation mechanism includes a pair of torsion bars and fastening parts.

In general, the "Smerch" MLRS, photo of which is in the article, under volley fire is subjected to catastrophic overloads, so that not only the accuracy of the shooting depends on the state of the compensatory mechanisms, but also the safety of the entire calculation.

In normal mode, a hydroelectric drive is used to guide the guides to the target. If the mechanism fails or is disabled, there is a manual drive. When moving, all rotating parts are blocked by locking blocks. In addition, the hydraulic pumping of the rocker greatly relieves the entire complex when performing firing.

The aiming device includes a proven and well-proven sight D726-45. The gigantic device is the usual standard gun panorama PG-1M.

What does the "Smerch" complex provide?

• Complete safety calculation, which provides the ability to conduct both combat and training firings.
• The possibility of single and volley fire. If a volley is fired, then all the projectiles go off in 38 seconds. This reactive artillery "Smerch" is different from its other counterparts, which require more time to shoot.
• If there is a probability of hitting the shooting calculation with sniper or disturbing enemy fire, it is possible to control the fire from the shelter, located at a distance of up to 60 meters from the car.
• More than half of the control components are duplicated. Even if the main elements fail, you can aim at the target and shoot manually.

Other features

Since the complex was adopted on the arsenal relatively recently (in 1987), by now it is not planned to remove it from production. Moreover, today several programs have been developed to modernize the existing "Tornado".

Thus, it was within the framework of this program that the complex received the automatic fire control system Vivarium, although before that the "Kapustnik" was installed, which was used in parallel in the Uragan MRS.

Traditionally, our designers have taken care of the impeccable operation of all systems in those climatic conditions that can be met throughout the territory of the former Union. Thus, the tornado fire system "Smerch" can be used at temperatures from -50 to +45 degrees Celsius.

In addition, today the operators of the combat complex have the ability to clearly see the target, even if there is no pre-issued coordinates or contact with the gunner. The fact is that (in full accordance with the re-equipment program until 2020) the equipment of the updated "Tornadoes" works perfectly with the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles, which are now also being adopted by our armed forces.

The same goes for other automated guidance systems, which are already in service or are being developed. So, in combat conditions, operators can use the guidance systems "Hurricanes" or "Grads". In general, "Smerch" - MLRS is surprisingly "plastic", which provides an incredible breadth of possibilities for its use.

Order of Combat Use

As in all other cases, the use of this system of rocket fire is completely subject to the special provisions of the Charter.

First, the command post of the team of the MLRS machine should receive information about the enemy, as well as the location of his deployment. Based on the information received, calculations are made about the direction of the impact. Choose the type of ammunition, the density of fire, and its adjustment, depending on the conditions on the ground. After that, all information is transferred to the command post of the division, which was chosen to solve the relevant combat mission.

After that, the command staff examines the obtained data, correlating them with available resources. Considering that "Smerch" is a reactive system, its operation requires a fairly open and spacious position, since in conditions of a heavily wooded or mountainous terrain, the launching of projectiles can be unsafe for the operators themselves.

The information is then passed on to the commanders of the units, who are responsible for the impact on the enemy's positions.

The transferred data is processed on the computer equipment of the "Smerch" battery (six machines). Everything happens automatically, because the military has repeatedly found out that such an approach sharply increases the effectiveness of fire. In addition, this reduces the time needed to bring the complex into combat position hundreds of times.

Immediately after that, unit commanders are waiting for the order to open fire on enemy positions.

That's what "Tornado" is. This MLRS proved to be surprisingly effective and reliable weapon, and therefore stands today in the arsenal of dozens of countries in the world. Modernized versions of it are constantly delivered to our troops today.