Based on an unguided aircraft missile. Belarus showed MLRS "Flute"
On January 31, a regular meeting of the collegium of the State Military-Industrial Committee of the Republic of Belarus was held in Minsk. During this event, an exhibition was held showing the latest developments of the Belarusian industry. One of the exhibits of this exhibition was the promising multiple launch rocket system Flute, developed by BSVT - New Technologies. An experienced MLRS was demonstrated for the first time, previously only advertising materials were shown.
Based on prefabricated components
Complex "Flute" is a light MLRS, which includes all the necessary components. Due to the wheeled chassis provides high mobility, modern electronics improves fire characteristics, and rockets allow you to attack a wide range of targets. An important feature of the project is the widespread use of off-the-shelf components, including already available in the warehouses of many armies.
As the basis for the MLRS selected chassis of the armored car Asilak. This car is a Belarusian licensed version of the Russian Buran car built on the chassis of the GAZ-3308 Sadko truck. In connection with the installation of the launcher, the armored car loses the rear of the protected case; only a double cabin remains.
The power plant and crew are covered with class 6A armor, which protects against rifle bullets and shell fragments. The cabin is double, it contains the driver and commander. Auxiliary weapons for self-defense on the prototype are missing. At the same time, embrasures with covers for firing from personal weapons the crew.
The crew has all the necessary control and communication systems. The Flute carries the commander’s automated workstation, which allows for the management of all on-board systems.
The fire control system is capable of processing incoming information and providing data for firing. The LMS is integrated with the Alliance automated control system. Using the latter, data is exchanged with other MLRS or a command post. Among other things, this allows you to collect several military vehicles in the battery.
At the rear of the chassis mounted rotary launcher with guides for rockets. Drives allow you to aim vertically from 0 to 55 ° and horizontally from 102 ° to the left to 70 ° to the right. The cab overlaps a sector 34 ° wide to the right and left of the longitudinal axis.
80 launchers of 80 mm caliber are mounted on the launcher. As rockets, it is proposed to use unguided aviation missiles of the S-8 family. The MLRS ammunition can include shells with warheads for various purposes, providing a solution to various problems. Firing range - from 1 to 3 km. It is alleged that the ACS "Alliance" provides high precision firing of such ammunition. The relatively low characteristics of the rocket allowed to do without stabilization of the chassis when firing.
Unlike some other modern MLRS, the Flute does not have volumes for transporting additional ammunition or loading shells onto a launcher. Thus, the reloading vehicle requires the help of another vehicle.
Combat vehicle MLRS "Flute" has dimensions at the level of the base armored car. The combat weight is a little less than 7 tons. After arriving at the position, the vehicle takes 60 seconds to deploy. Preparation for shooting takes no more than 30 seconds.
First successes
An experienced Flute was shown just a few days ago, but the first information about the project and its progress appeared earlier. Back in November last year, the Belarusian press spoke about the development of the MLRS project based on a licensed armored car. By that time, a prototype had already been built and tests began.
According to the latest data, MLRS "Flute" is still at the stage of field tests. The results have not yet been announced, but it is argued that all activities will be completed this year. After that, most likely, the new development will be offered to potential customers.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Flute project is based on the idea of building a multiple launch rocket system based on an affordable unguided aircraft missile. This concept is very popular in the world, but it is mainly used in the construction of improvised equipment in artisanal conditions. Belarusian industry, in turn, realized a curious idea at a normal industrial and technological level.
MLRS "Flute" is built on the basis of the chassis "Asilak" / "Buran" / "Sadko". This sample is well mastered by industry and operators and shows a fairly high performance. The applied chassis provides the combat vehicle with the required mobility and allows you to quickly transfer it to positions.
The basis for the MLRS took the existing armored car with advanced protection. Due to the limited characteristics of the S-8 missile, the combat vehicle may be at risk, and therefore needs protection from small arms or fragments. The use of the finished armored hull section allows you to save on production.
Of great interest is the use of an existing NAR as a missile. S-8 products are widespread, which simplifies the supply. In addition, there are several options for the combat equipment of such missiles, which allows you to choose ammunition in accordance with the type of targets.
NAR S-8 is small in size (length not more than 1,6-1,7 m) and weight (up to 15-16 kg). Due to this, 80 guides were placed on a compact launcher. Large volumes of volley are an important advantage.
However, it is the used ammunition that causes several shortcomings of the new MLRS. First of all, this is a small firing range - not more than 3 km. This seriously limits the potential of the system, leads to special requirements in terms of protection, and also complicates the organization of combat work.
The problem may be the transfer of NAR to the land platform. The design of S-8 stabilizers ensures the correct promotion and stabilization of the product in flight when launched from a carrier moving at a speed of at least 100-150 km / h. If this condition is not met, stabilization worsens, and firing accuracy decreases. How this issue is resolved in the Flute project - if resolved at all - is unclear.
Unguided missile S-8KOM with a cumulative-fragmentation warhead. Outwardly similar to other products of the family. Wikimedia Commons Photos
The solution could be to alter the aircraft missiles before use at the MLRS, which provides for the replacement of the stabilizer. However, such measures lead to a loss of unification and a deterioration in the economic performance of the system.
A special tool for special tasks
In general, the new Belarusian MLRS "Flute" is noticeably different from other models of its class, which are in service, and its differences are primarily associated with the choice of ammunition. The implemented concept of using aircraft missiles on a land platform has advantages, but is not without drawbacks. However, in this case, the resulting sample has the right to life and may interest buyers.
The “flute” can be considered as a means of direct fire support for the front edge, attacking the target only in the zone of visibility. The defeat of objects in the depths of defense is practically not possible. Thus, at the disposal of the ground forces a fundamentally new tool may appear for attacking the enemy at short distances.
However, it is difficult to imagine situations in which full-fledged MLRS with a firing range of 2-3 km could be found. It is unlikely that they can arise frequently in all sectors of the front. At the same time, it is obvious that, due to the difference in characteristics, the Flute cannot become a full-fledged addition to other MLRS of the “traditional” type, such as Grad. There is no need to talk about competition at all.
Thus, MLRS "Flute" can be considered a very interesting model, embodying an ambiguous idea and therefore having limited prospects. Nevertheless, such a volley fire system may be of interest to certain customers, although great popularity in the market should not be expected.
It is alleged that now the Flute is being tested, which means that it will be offered to customers in the near future. After that, the real prospects of the project from the point of view of sales will become clear.
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