Artillery installation AK-176MA will be the weapon of new ships
It became known about the plans of the military department regarding the development of the armament complex of ships and naval boats fleet. It was decided to unify the artillery armament of ships and boats of several classes. The promising artillery mount AK-176MA was chosen as the main system for equipping new combat units, which represents a further development of existing systems. In the foreseeable future, it is planned to complete all checks of the latest installation, after which the serial production starts weapons followed by installation on ships and boats of the fleet.
Information about the plans of the Navy regarding the new artillery weapons appeared on September 20 thanks to the publication of the Izvestia publication. From an unnamed representative of the chief command of the Navy, the publication was able to learn about the existing program of modernization of the armaments of ships. Also, some technical details of the new project were published concerning the main features of the operation of weapons and their adaptation for use on boats and ships of various types.
Demonstration firing AK-176MA installations at the Rzhevka training ground. Photo Nationaldefense.ru
An unnamed source in the fleet command told Izvestia that as early as this summer, the warlords had made a fundamental decision about the future of the AK-176MA promising installation. In the future this system will have to become the main artillery armament of all ships of the coastal zone, small rocket ships and rocket boats. However, until the fleet and industry can not begin to implement existing plans, which, moreover, have not yet been documented.
It is reported that at present the installation AK-176MA is being tested. The command of the Navy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the United Shipbuilding Corporation are waiting for the completion of all necessary checks, after which the existing decision will be secured with the necessary documents. It is expected that all necessary procedures will be completed before the end of this year. In addition, to date, the installation of a new type has been included in the weapons of small rocket ships of the 22800 "Karakurt" project and missile boats of the 1241 project. Completion of the current stage of the project will allow further equipping of new ships and boats with an artillery installation of the latest model.
According to available data, the AK-176MA artillery installation is a further development of the existing systems of the AK-176 family, which appeared in the seventies of the last century. From the point of view of the main goals and objectives, the installation of a new type is an improved version of existing systems. It is intended to attack surface, air and coastal targets. An automatic fire with a high tempo is provided, which, in combination with 76-mm projectiles, should provide high firepower and efficiency in solving combat missions.
The AK-176MA project was created at the beginning of this decade by the Arsenal machine-building plant (St. Petersburg). Soon the installation of a new type has become an exhibit of domestic exhibitions. Thus, in 2013 and 2015, the AK-176MA product was demonstrated at the International Navy Salon, being mounted on a ground test site. Also, the newest project has already reached the appearance of several export contracts, in accordance with which new type installations are mounted on new surface ships.
Being a further development of existing systems, the new AK-176MA installation uses the available developments, however, it differs in a number of important innovations. So, while maintaining the basic features of the layout and some of the characteristics of the latest management systems are used, based on modern element base and principles of operation. As a result, the upgraded artillery system gets some opportunities that distinguish it favorably from its predecessors.
Employees of Arsenal and their development, 2013. In the background to the right - AK-176MA. Photo Mzarsenal.spb.ru
The AK-176 artillery mounts are a relatively compact and lightweight complex, equipped with weapons and a set of necessary additional tools. Below the carrier deck is a cylindrical compartment with storage and ammunition systems. In turn, a turning tower with a gun, loading systems and calculation workplaces is installed above the deck.
It is known that the AK-176MA project offers two versions of the tower. In the first case, the units should be closed with a light unarmored casing having “traditional” external lines. This casing has a rounded frontal part with inclined upper parts, as well as a cylindrical feed unit. At the request of the customer, the installation can be equipped with a shroud of low radar visibility. This product has a complex shape, formed by a large number of straight panels. The use of so-called stealth technology reduces the visibility of the installation and the ship as a whole, which is necessary in the light of current trends in the development of the fleet. Regardless of the shape, the body of the tower receives a set of hatches and doors for access inside.
Inside the tower, mounted on the chase of the deck, are placed gun and ammunition systems. In addition, projects of the AK-176 family provide for the allocation of space for calculation jobs. In the right part of the battle compartment of the tower there are two places for gunners. Depending on the mode of application of the installation, they must monitor the operation of the systems, take over part of the work, or fully exercise all control. Also, early projects provided for an increase in the calculation of up to four people with full use of manual control. Two additional gunners must perform the functions of loaders.
The basis of the AK-176MA is the 76,2-mm automatic gun. The gun is equipped with a rifled barrel length 4,5 m (59 calibers). The barrel bore is 24 rifled in 5 ° 51 'steps. The barrel is equipped with an external casing connected to the cooling system. To ensure long-term firing and compensation of the heating installation has a means of water cooling. Heat is removed from the barrel by pumping seawater through the space of the casing. Water is supplied through pipes running along the barrel.
The tool of installation has the automatic equipment using energy of rollback. On both sides of the breech cannon are the means of supplying ammunition. Two separate groups are used, connected to a common motor. For storage of shells, a platform with two conveyors equipped with 76 shells each is used. The platform and its clips are located in the under deck of the installation. During the supply of ammunition to the gun, the pushers feed projectiles to the chain elevators. The overload from the elevators to the swinging artillery unit is carried out by pendulum systems. The use of such means of projectiles allowed to obtain a fairly high rate of fire.
Opto-electronic station "Sphere-02" and its control panel. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
Artillery installation is equipped with horizontal and vertical guidance mechanisms used with electric or manual drives. Horizontal guidance is provided within a sector of width 350 ° (in fact, less due to the superstructure of the carrier ship) and vertical from -15 ° to + 85 °. Regular means of guidance are electromechanical devices that are remotely controlled. The manual drive is redundant and is necessary in case of damage to the main systems.
AK-176 family units use several types of unitary shots with a 76 caliber projectile. The product with a total length of 818 mm has a weight of 12,8 kg. The projectile itself has a length of 355 mm and a mass of 5,9 kg. For the attack of surface or coastal targets, ammunition with a contact fuse is used, for anti-aircraft fire - with contactless radar. Ammunition for surface / ground and airborne targets have an explosive charge of 450-480 g.
One of the main innovations of the AK-176MA project is the use of new control systems built on the basis of digital equipment. Thus, the work of the means of guidance is now monitored by a digital fire control system. In addition, as a backup guidance system that complements the radar, it is proposed to use the complex "Sphere-02". All new devices are combined into a single system and connected to the control panel.
Optical-electronic station "Sphere-02" is a compact device mounted on the roof of the casing of the artillery. A spherical housing with a gyro-stabilized platform, on which all elements of the optics are mounted, is movably mounted on the rotary base of the station. A video camera, a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder are placed in a single mobile unit. The video signal and the rangefinder data are transmitted to the operator console, which allows you to search for targets and aim the weapon.
The turntable and pointing drives allow the optics of the Sphere-02 system to rotate in any direction in azimuth and change the elevation angle from -20 ° to + 80 °. The maximum turning speed reaches 60 ° per second. The accuracy of determining the angles of the axis of sight is up to 1 '. Units of the station, mounted outside the tower, are protected from water. The project also provides means to prevent icing and maintain the required climatic conditions inside the casing. Such tools are designed to ensure the correct operation of optics in all areas, including the Arctic.
Watchdog "Polar Star" and installing AK-176MA. Infographics "Izvestia" / Izvestia.ru
The Sphere-02 system allows the gunnery operator to monitor the surrounding space at any time of the day and in any weather conditions. The target detection range, depending on their parameters, can reach several tens of kilometers. After detecting the target, the operator can determine the direction and distance to it, and then calculate the tool pointing angles. It also provides for the modes of automatic scanning in a given sector and automatic tracking of the found object. If necessary, the sighting axis of the station can be induced by external target designation. The project provides for the modular architecture of the station, so the equipment may be changed in accordance with the wishes of the customer. In addition, the integration of optoelectronic equipment with other carrier equipment is facilitated.
Earlier at the military-technical exhibitions the station "Sphere-02" was shown along with the control panel. The latter was a compact device with a keyboard and control knob, as well as a monitor for outputting the video signal and data from the equipment. Such a small-sized and light remote can be integrated without any problems into the onboard equipment of a ship or boat receiving an artillery installation.
When using a standard casing of round-shaped artillery mounts, the total length of the complex is 6,01 m. The maximum width of the installation slightly exceeds 1 m. The height of the gun system above the shoulder strap is 2,6 m, the total height of the product is 4,3 m. However, it may vary within certain limits depending on the configuration.
The AK-176MA installation stores the 152 projectile ready for immediate use. Automation tools and ammunition supply devices allow you to fire at a rate of up to 125 shots per minute. There are several modes of fire with different rates of fire rate, from 30 rounds per minute to maximum 125. Thanks to the barrel cooling system, it is possible to shoot a long burst, up to 75 shots. However, after that, the gun needs a relatively long break for cooling.
When firing at surface or coastal targets effective range of shooting is 15,7 km. The maximum possible target range is 16 km. Effective shooting at air targets is provided at distances up to 11,6 km and altitudes up to 11 km. Such parameters of fire associated with the use of a fuse that has a self-liquidator.
General view of a small rocket ship project 22800 "Karakurt", on the tank installed the latest artillery system. Figure Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / Mil.ru
Several dozen ships of a large number of projects were equipped with AK-176 artillery mounts of all existing modifications. Rocket boats, rocket ships of various classes, amphibious, patrol and other ships received similar weapons. According to a recent decision, 76-mm automatic guns will continue to be included in the armament of the new ships, but now will use the artillery of the newest model.
According to reports, to date, one of the AK-176MA installations has already been installed on the carrier ship, which has become the border watchdog "Polar Star" of the 22100 "Ocean" project. According to an unnamed source of the Izvestiya newspaper in the shipbuilding industry, test shooting has already been carried out, showing that the existing artillery installation fully complies with the requirements. Thus, the Polar Star will retain the weapons already installed, the next ships of the project will also receive AK-176MA installations.
It is noted that on the ships of the project “Ocean” installations with “traditional” covers are used. In accordance with the existing technical requirements, border patrol ships do not need the means to reduce radar visibility, which made it possible to dispense with the use of new units. At the same time, small rocket ships of the 22800 "Karakurt" project will be equipped with stealth units. To date, the construction of four "Karakurts" has begun. Eight more ships will be laid in the foreseeable future in accordance with a recent contract. The lead ship under the name "Hurricane" will be transferred to the fleet in 2017 year.
The result of the further development and updating of existing artillery weapons was the AK-176MA installation project. This development differs from its predecessors by more sophisticated controls and, as a result, improved combat characteristics. In addition, measures have been taken to reduce the visibility of the installation itself and its carrier. In the near future, industry and the military department plan to complete the latest tests of the new system, the results of which will make a final decision on the future of the project. In addition, newly formed plans will be approved. In accordance with them, all new ships, in the armament complex of which must have 76-mm automatic guns, will be equipped with a new AK-176MA installation.
On the materials of the sites:
http://izvestia.ru/
http://utro.ru/
http://mzarsenal.spb.ru/
http://bastion-karpenko.ru/
http://flot.sevastopol.info/
Information about the plans of the Navy regarding the new artillery weapons appeared on September 20 thanks to the publication of the Izvestia publication. From an unnamed representative of the chief command of the Navy, the publication was able to learn about the existing program of modernization of the armaments of ships. Also, some technical details of the new project were published concerning the main features of the operation of weapons and their adaptation for use on boats and ships of various types.
Demonstration firing AK-176MA installations at the Rzhevka training ground. Photo Nationaldefense.ru
An unnamed source in the fleet command told Izvestia that as early as this summer, the warlords had made a fundamental decision about the future of the AK-176MA promising installation. In the future this system will have to become the main artillery armament of all ships of the coastal zone, small rocket ships and rocket boats. However, until the fleet and industry can not begin to implement existing plans, which, moreover, have not yet been documented.
It is reported that at present the installation AK-176MA is being tested. The command of the Navy, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the United Shipbuilding Corporation are waiting for the completion of all necessary checks, after which the existing decision will be secured with the necessary documents. It is expected that all necessary procedures will be completed before the end of this year. In addition, to date, the installation of a new type has been included in the weapons of small rocket ships of the 22800 "Karakurt" project and missile boats of the 1241 project. Completion of the current stage of the project will allow further equipping of new ships and boats with an artillery installation of the latest model.
According to available data, the AK-176MA artillery installation is a further development of the existing systems of the AK-176 family, which appeared in the seventies of the last century. From the point of view of the main goals and objectives, the installation of a new type is an improved version of existing systems. It is intended to attack surface, air and coastal targets. An automatic fire with a high tempo is provided, which, in combination with 76-mm projectiles, should provide high firepower and efficiency in solving combat missions.
The AK-176MA project was created at the beginning of this decade by the Arsenal machine-building plant (St. Petersburg). Soon the installation of a new type has become an exhibit of domestic exhibitions. Thus, in 2013 and 2015, the AK-176MA product was demonstrated at the International Navy Salon, being mounted on a ground test site. Also, the newest project has already reached the appearance of several export contracts, in accordance with which new type installations are mounted on new surface ships.
Being a further development of existing systems, the new AK-176MA installation uses the available developments, however, it differs in a number of important innovations. So, while maintaining the basic features of the layout and some of the characteristics of the latest management systems are used, based on modern element base and principles of operation. As a result, the upgraded artillery system gets some opportunities that distinguish it favorably from its predecessors.
Employees of Arsenal and their development, 2013. In the background to the right - AK-176MA. Photo Mzarsenal.spb.ru
The AK-176 artillery mounts are a relatively compact and lightweight complex, equipped with weapons and a set of necessary additional tools. Below the carrier deck is a cylindrical compartment with storage and ammunition systems. In turn, a turning tower with a gun, loading systems and calculation workplaces is installed above the deck.
It is known that the AK-176MA project offers two versions of the tower. In the first case, the units should be closed with a light unarmored casing having “traditional” external lines. This casing has a rounded frontal part with inclined upper parts, as well as a cylindrical feed unit. At the request of the customer, the installation can be equipped with a shroud of low radar visibility. This product has a complex shape, formed by a large number of straight panels. The use of so-called stealth technology reduces the visibility of the installation and the ship as a whole, which is necessary in the light of current trends in the development of the fleet. Regardless of the shape, the body of the tower receives a set of hatches and doors for access inside.
Inside the tower, mounted on the chase of the deck, are placed gun and ammunition systems. In addition, projects of the AK-176 family provide for the allocation of space for calculation jobs. In the right part of the battle compartment of the tower there are two places for gunners. Depending on the mode of application of the installation, they must monitor the operation of the systems, take over part of the work, or fully exercise all control. Also, early projects provided for an increase in the calculation of up to four people with full use of manual control. Two additional gunners must perform the functions of loaders.
The basis of the AK-176MA is the 76,2-mm automatic gun. The gun is equipped with a rifled barrel length 4,5 m (59 calibers). The barrel bore is 24 rifled in 5 ° 51 'steps. The barrel is equipped with an external casing connected to the cooling system. To ensure long-term firing and compensation of the heating installation has a means of water cooling. Heat is removed from the barrel by pumping seawater through the space of the casing. Water is supplied through pipes running along the barrel.
The tool of installation has the automatic equipment using energy of rollback. On both sides of the breech cannon are the means of supplying ammunition. Two separate groups are used, connected to a common motor. For storage of shells, a platform with two conveyors equipped with 76 shells each is used. The platform and its clips are located in the under deck of the installation. During the supply of ammunition to the gun, the pushers feed projectiles to the chain elevators. The overload from the elevators to the swinging artillery unit is carried out by pendulum systems. The use of such means of projectiles allowed to obtain a fairly high rate of fire.
Opto-electronic station "Sphere-02" and its control panel. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
Artillery installation is equipped with horizontal and vertical guidance mechanisms used with electric or manual drives. Horizontal guidance is provided within a sector of width 350 ° (in fact, less due to the superstructure of the carrier ship) and vertical from -15 ° to + 85 °. Regular means of guidance are electromechanical devices that are remotely controlled. The manual drive is redundant and is necessary in case of damage to the main systems.
AK-176 family units use several types of unitary shots with a 76 caliber projectile. The product with a total length of 818 mm has a weight of 12,8 kg. The projectile itself has a length of 355 mm and a mass of 5,9 kg. For the attack of surface or coastal targets, ammunition with a contact fuse is used, for anti-aircraft fire - with contactless radar. Ammunition for surface / ground and airborne targets have an explosive charge of 450-480 g.
One of the main innovations of the AK-176MA project is the use of new control systems built on the basis of digital equipment. Thus, the work of the means of guidance is now monitored by a digital fire control system. In addition, as a backup guidance system that complements the radar, it is proposed to use the complex "Sphere-02". All new devices are combined into a single system and connected to the control panel.
Optical-electronic station "Sphere-02" is a compact device mounted on the roof of the casing of the artillery. A spherical housing with a gyro-stabilized platform, on which all elements of the optics are mounted, is movably mounted on the rotary base of the station. A video camera, a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder are placed in a single mobile unit. The video signal and the rangefinder data are transmitted to the operator console, which allows you to search for targets and aim the weapon.
The turntable and pointing drives allow the optics of the Sphere-02 system to rotate in any direction in azimuth and change the elevation angle from -20 ° to + 80 °. The maximum turning speed reaches 60 ° per second. The accuracy of determining the angles of the axis of sight is up to 1 '. Units of the station, mounted outside the tower, are protected from water. The project also provides means to prevent icing and maintain the required climatic conditions inside the casing. Such tools are designed to ensure the correct operation of optics in all areas, including the Arctic.
Watchdog "Polar Star" and installing AK-176MA. Infographics "Izvestia" / Izvestia.ru
The Sphere-02 system allows the gunnery operator to monitor the surrounding space at any time of the day and in any weather conditions. The target detection range, depending on their parameters, can reach several tens of kilometers. After detecting the target, the operator can determine the direction and distance to it, and then calculate the tool pointing angles. It also provides for the modes of automatic scanning in a given sector and automatic tracking of the found object. If necessary, the sighting axis of the station can be induced by external target designation. The project provides for the modular architecture of the station, so the equipment may be changed in accordance with the wishes of the customer. In addition, the integration of optoelectronic equipment with other carrier equipment is facilitated.
Earlier at the military-technical exhibitions the station "Sphere-02" was shown along with the control panel. The latter was a compact device with a keyboard and control knob, as well as a monitor for outputting the video signal and data from the equipment. Such a small-sized and light remote can be integrated without any problems into the onboard equipment of a ship or boat receiving an artillery installation.
When using a standard casing of round-shaped artillery mounts, the total length of the complex is 6,01 m. The maximum width of the installation slightly exceeds 1 m. The height of the gun system above the shoulder strap is 2,6 m, the total height of the product is 4,3 m. However, it may vary within certain limits depending on the configuration.
The AK-176MA installation stores the 152 projectile ready for immediate use. Automation tools and ammunition supply devices allow you to fire at a rate of up to 125 shots per minute. There are several modes of fire with different rates of fire rate, from 30 rounds per minute to maximum 125. Thanks to the barrel cooling system, it is possible to shoot a long burst, up to 75 shots. However, after that, the gun needs a relatively long break for cooling.
When firing at surface or coastal targets effective range of shooting is 15,7 km. The maximum possible target range is 16 km. Effective shooting at air targets is provided at distances up to 11,6 km and altitudes up to 11 km. Such parameters of fire associated with the use of a fuse that has a self-liquidator.
General view of a small rocket ship project 22800 "Karakurt", on the tank installed the latest artillery system. Figure Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / Mil.ru
Several dozen ships of a large number of projects were equipped with AK-176 artillery mounts of all existing modifications. Rocket boats, rocket ships of various classes, amphibious, patrol and other ships received similar weapons. According to a recent decision, 76-mm automatic guns will continue to be included in the armament of the new ships, but now will use the artillery of the newest model.
According to reports, to date, one of the AK-176MA installations has already been installed on the carrier ship, which has become the border watchdog "Polar Star" of the 22100 "Ocean" project. According to an unnamed source of the Izvestiya newspaper in the shipbuilding industry, test shooting has already been carried out, showing that the existing artillery installation fully complies with the requirements. Thus, the Polar Star will retain the weapons already installed, the next ships of the project will also receive AK-176MA installations.
It is noted that on the ships of the project “Ocean” installations with “traditional” covers are used. In accordance with the existing technical requirements, border patrol ships do not need the means to reduce radar visibility, which made it possible to dispense with the use of new units. At the same time, small rocket ships of the 22800 "Karakurt" project will be equipped with stealth units. To date, the construction of four "Karakurts" has begun. Eight more ships will be laid in the foreseeable future in accordance with a recent contract. The lead ship under the name "Hurricane" will be transferred to the fleet in 2017 year.
The result of the further development and updating of existing artillery weapons was the AK-176MA installation project. This development differs from its predecessors by more sophisticated controls and, as a result, improved combat characteristics. In addition, measures have been taken to reduce the visibility of the installation itself and its carrier. In the near future, industry and the military department plan to complete the latest tests of the new system, the results of which will make a final decision on the future of the project. In addition, newly formed plans will be approved. In accordance with them, all new ships, in the armament complex of which must have 76-mm automatic guns, will be equipped with a new AK-176MA installation.
On the materials of the sites:
http://izvestia.ru/
http://utro.ru/
http://mzarsenal.spb.ru/
http://bastion-karpenko.ru/
http://flot.sevastopol.info/
Information