"Machine gun with a motor." The undoubted success of Russian designers
List of Russian combat models robots recently replenished with a new sample. The developer, this time the Advanced Technologies Foundation, showed a video of the new Marker combat robot. The new car has already driven around the winter range and shot at targets. We will devote this article to the analysis of this development.
Fighting robot "Marker". Photo mirror. In fact, the machine gun is located in the right, and grenade launchers - in the left part of the combat module
A frame from the video, which clearly shows the combat module of the robot
The first thing to note is that the designers and developers clearly read "Military Review", in particular, my articles on the criticism of previous samples ("Companion") and considering what you need for combat robots of this type.
In any case, the "Marker" has outlived many of the shortcomings of the previous models. Further, the developers of the new model, realizing that their car would not be ignored, immediately made a reservation that this was an experimental model designed to demonstrate the technology, and also had not yet presented any tactical and technical characteristics. Well, nobody likes criticism.
However, with regard to this machine, it is worth saying at once that there is nothing special to criticize in it, and in my opinion, this is the best machine in the nomination “machine gun with a motor”. Even more than that, with some relatively easy modification that does not affect the structure as a whole, it can be brought to a combat-ready model.
Undoubted advantages
The first advantage is the "Marker" case. The designers made the robot squat. Judging by the short video frames, the body of the fighter is approximately to the waist, that is, its height hardly exceeds 120 cm. as far as can be judged by the video, also about 160, see, maybe a little more.
This immediately pushes the Marker into the category of machines most suitable for combat, because it is very difficult to get into such a compact and squat car, it is easy to disguise it, and indeed it is hardly noticeable on the battlefield, especially in the presence of vegetation.
The second advantage is the location of the upper and lower front sheets at large angles, which dramatically increases the body's bullet resistance, even with a rather weak booking. Only a small vertical forehead (height about 10 cm) is left, which is quite acceptable. If necessary, you can modify the design of the frontal part of the machine, removing this forehead completely, for example, by installing an additional lower armor plate.
The third advantage: the designers got rid of the protruding caterpillar guide wheel, which was a serious drawback of the previous models. The hull design allows for additional protection of the steering wheel by installing an armor plate or reinforcing the hull with an overlay.
The fourth advantage - the use of standard weapons: 12,7-mm machine gun "Rock" and a block for two RPG-26. Moreover, the unit is equipped with grippers that allow you to dump a tube of a used grenade launcher, and also allow you to quickly install on it a new grenade launcher. On the back of the robot, you can install mounts for several RPGs as mobile ammunition.
The fifth advantage is the remote control of the combat module using an aiming device mounted on a fighter's automatic weapon. This moment caused numerous smiles when the module on the video turned in the direction of the fighter and the barrel of the machine gun was sent to his back. Like, and you can shoot yourself. In my opinion, this is a clever idea, very valuable in a battle. With fire contact with the enemy, the fighter is unlikely to stand upright in front of the robot. Rather, he will control the robot lying down, crawl forward on it to 20-30 meters, and from the shelter he will control the fire of the combat robot that will shoot a machine gun on top of him. In my opinion, this method of control is the easiest, most suitable for combat conditions, intuitive and does not require special operator training. In addition, the operator himself can take part in the battle.
So the "Marker" enough advantages to recognize its most successful machine of this type.
Some modifications
Apparently, the "Marker" in its present form has no reservation. So you can judge by appearance. But this does not mean that the machine has no protection. Bronelistov, protecting the most important parts of the machine, can be located inside the case, the internal volume of which is narrowed down to the lowest possible. In essence, in order to protect the engine, transmission, fuel tanks and electronics, a kind of armor box mounted inside the hull is required, the thickness of which can easily reach 10-12 mm. Even if this is not the case, the hull design fully allows the installation of external screens made of steel, textolite or composite armor.
Further, the combat module on the experimental sample is made at the very minimum and, apparently, is not protected by anything. However, it is quite possible to install an armored guard protecting the turning mechanism, machine gun and devices. If desired, you can make an armored half-tower for the combat module.
Not yet protected and front-view camera mounted on the lower front sheet. But it is not so difficult to close it with an armored mask with triplex.
Some disadvantage is the lack of panoramic cameras, which significantly improve the intelligence capabilities of the combat robot. Apparently, the developers tried to quickly present the car to the test and therefore attributed this moment to the category of secondary. Nevertheless, you can install a telescopic rod with a circular camera on the left side of the combat module, next to the machine gun, opposite the antenna located on the right side of the combat module.
Thus, the modifications that transform the "Marker" from an experimental into a fully combat vehicle are relatively small and can be made fairly quickly.
The most serious question at the moment is the fact that Marker has a real power reserve, speed and operational resource. This information can only be obtained experimentally, during special tests of equipment for wear. Hence the answer to the very important for combat use question: will the robot have enough power reserve and operational resource to follow its course in the same column along with the rest of the combat equipment laid by the motorized rifle unit and then participate in the battle?
If enough, and it is proved by tests, the "Marker" will be in the half-step from adoption.
This is a very important question. The fact is that according to its capabilities, the Marker is fully integrated into the structure of a motorized rifle company. There are two options. First: to give each platoon one robot (with the calculation of two people: the operator-shooter and the operator-mechanic) as a means of strengthening at the disposal of the platoon commander. In this form, the robot replaces the PCM calculation in the command of the platoon commander. Replacement significantly strengthens the platoon, since the commander receives a highly mobile reconnaissance vehicle and a fire weapon replacing the calculation of the machine gun and at least one rocket launcher. The "cliff" or another large-caliber machine gun is a weighty argument that allows you to fight lightly armored vehicles, to suppress and destroy firing points.
The second: to form a robotopulets platoon as part of a motorized rifle company consisting of: 3 BMP, 8 robots and 16 man of calculations, all in the 21 platoon man. Tracked robots are more appropriate for attaching to infantry companies on infantry fighting vehicles, which facilitates their maintenance and possible repairs. Each BMP is followed by three robots, their calculations take the places of the landing, two more robots with calculations follow the BMP commander and are at his disposal. A platoon can act independently or be attached to other platoons in a company as a means of reinforcement. As a result, a motorized infantry company gets 8 self-propelled large-caliber machine guns, which dramatically increases its firepower.
This becomes possible if the combat robot can independently move in a column of armored vehicles of a motorized rifle company and its power reserve and resource is enough for all movements and participation in combat. A robot that requires a conveyor for transportation is very difficult to include in the existing motorized rifle company, since it would turn out to be overloaded with equipment. If the robot is able to move itself, then this problem disappears.
In general, as we can see, if developers listen to criticism and take into account the considerations expressed, then rather quickly a machine is produced that is very suitable for combat. If the Marker developers carry out the above-mentioned modifications and tests, then within a year or a year and a half we will already have a sample of a combat robot, which can be adopted and incorporated into the combat equipment of motorized rifle subunits.
Fighting robot "Marker". Photo mirror. In fact, the machine gun is located in the right, and grenade launchers - in the left part of the combat module
A frame from the video, which clearly shows the combat module of the robot
The first thing to note is that the designers and developers clearly read "Military Review", in particular, my articles on the criticism of previous samples ("Companion") and considering what you need for combat robots of this type.
In any case, the "Marker" has outlived many of the shortcomings of the previous models. Further, the developers of the new model, realizing that their car would not be ignored, immediately made a reservation that this was an experimental model designed to demonstrate the technology, and also had not yet presented any tactical and technical characteristics. Well, nobody likes criticism.
However, with regard to this machine, it is worth saying at once that there is nothing special to criticize in it, and in my opinion, this is the best machine in the nomination “machine gun with a motor”. Even more than that, with some relatively easy modification that does not affect the structure as a whole, it can be brought to a combat-ready model.
Undoubted advantages
The first advantage is the "Marker" case. The designers made the robot squat. Judging by the short video frames, the body of the fighter is approximately to the waist, that is, its height hardly exceeds 120 cm. as far as can be judged by the video, also about 160, see, maybe a little more.
This immediately pushes the Marker into the category of machines most suitable for combat, because it is very difficult to get into such a compact and squat car, it is easy to disguise it, and indeed it is hardly noticeable on the battlefield, especially in the presence of vegetation.
The second advantage is the location of the upper and lower front sheets at large angles, which dramatically increases the body's bullet resistance, even with a rather weak booking. Only a small vertical forehead (height about 10 cm) is left, which is quite acceptable. If necessary, you can modify the design of the frontal part of the machine, removing this forehead completely, for example, by installing an additional lower armor plate.
The third advantage: the designers got rid of the protruding caterpillar guide wheel, which was a serious drawback of the previous models. The hull design allows for additional protection of the steering wheel by installing an armor plate or reinforcing the hull with an overlay.
The fourth advantage - the use of standard weapons: 12,7-mm machine gun "Rock" and a block for two RPG-26. Moreover, the unit is equipped with grippers that allow you to dump a tube of a used grenade launcher, and also allow you to quickly install on it a new grenade launcher. On the back of the robot, you can install mounts for several RPGs as mobile ammunition.
The fifth advantage is the remote control of the combat module using an aiming device mounted on a fighter's automatic weapon. This moment caused numerous smiles when the module on the video turned in the direction of the fighter and the barrel of the machine gun was sent to his back. Like, and you can shoot yourself. In my opinion, this is a clever idea, very valuable in a battle. With fire contact with the enemy, the fighter is unlikely to stand upright in front of the robot. Rather, he will control the robot lying down, crawl forward on it to 20-30 meters, and from the shelter he will control the fire of the combat robot that will shoot a machine gun on top of him. In my opinion, this method of control is the easiest, most suitable for combat conditions, intuitive and does not require special operator training. In addition, the operator himself can take part in the battle.
So the "Marker" enough advantages to recognize its most successful machine of this type.
Some modifications
Apparently, the "Marker" in its present form has no reservation. So you can judge by appearance. But this does not mean that the machine has no protection. Bronelistov, protecting the most important parts of the machine, can be located inside the case, the internal volume of which is narrowed down to the lowest possible. In essence, in order to protect the engine, transmission, fuel tanks and electronics, a kind of armor box mounted inside the hull is required, the thickness of which can easily reach 10-12 mm. Even if this is not the case, the hull design fully allows the installation of external screens made of steel, textolite or composite armor.
Further, the combat module on the experimental sample is made at the very minimum and, apparently, is not protected by anything. However, it is quite possible to install an armored guard protecting the turning mechanism, machine gun and devices. If desired, you can make an armored half-tower for the combat module.
Not yet protected and front-view camera mounted on the lower front sheet. But it is not so difficult to close it with an armored mask with triplex.
Some disadvantage is the lack of panoramic cameras, which significantly improve the intelligence capabilities of the combat robot. Apparently, the developers tried to quickly present the car to the test and therefore attributed this moment to the category of secondary. Nevertheless, you can install a telescopic rod with a circular camera on the left side of the combat module, next to the machine gun, opposite the antenna located on the right side of the combat module.
Thus, the modifications that transform the "Marker" from an experimental into a fully combat vehicle are relatively small and can be made fairly quickly.
The most serious question at the moment is the fact that Marker has a real power reserve, speed and operational resource. This information can only be obtained experimentally, during special tests of equipment for wear. Hence the answer to the very important for combat use question: will the robot have enough power reserve and operational resource to follow its course in the same column along with the rest of the combat equipment laid by the motorized rifle unit and then participate in the battle?
If enough, and it is proved by tests, the "Marker" will be in the half-step from adoption.
This is a very important question. The fact is that according to its capabilities, the Marker is fully integrated into the structure of a motorized rifle company. There are two options. First: to give each platoon one robot (with the calculation of two people: the operator-shooter and the operator-mechanic) as a means of strengthening at the disposal of the platoon commander. In this form, the robot replaces the PCM calculation in the command of the platoon commander. Replacement significantly strengthens the platoon, since the commander receives a highly mobile reconnaissance vehicle and a fire weapon replacing the calculation of the machine gun and at least one rocket launcher. The "cliff" or another large-caliber machine gun is a weighty argument that allows you to fight lightly armored vehicles, to suppress and destroy firing points.
The second: to form a robotopulets platoon as part of a motorized rifle company consisting of: 3 BMP, 8 robots and 16 man of calculations, all in the 21 platoon man. Tracked robots are more appropriate for attaching to infantry companies on infantry fighting vehicles, which facilitates their maintenance and possible repairs. Each BMP is followed by three robots, their calculations take the places of the landing, two more robots with calculations follow the BMP commander and are at his disposal. A platoon can act independently or be attached to other platoons in a company as a means of reinforcement. As a result, a motorized infantry company gets 8 self-propelled large-caliber machine guns, which dramatically increases its firepower.
This becomes possible if the combat robot can independently move in a column of armored vehicles of a motorized rifle company and its power reserve and resource is enough for all movements and participation in combat. A robot that requires a conveyor for transportation is very difficult to include in the existing motorized rifle company, since it would turn out to be overloaded with equipment. If the robot is able to move itself, then this problem disappears.
In general, as we can see, if developers listen to criticism and take into account the considerations expressed, then rather quickly a machine is produced that is very suitable for combat. If the Marker developers carry out the above-mentioned modifications and tests, then within a year or a year and a half we will already have a sample of a combat robot, which can be adopted and incorporated into the combat equipment of motorized rifle subunits.
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