Wheeled version of the Sosna air defense missile system
SAM "Sosna" experimental appearance on the ground. Graphics KB Tochmash
In the interests of the air defense of the ground forces, a promising self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system "Sosna" is now being developed. Its serial appearance has been formed and approved, but at the same time, the search for alternative solutions continues. So, at the last forum "Army-2021" for the first time showed a new modification of "Pine" on a non-standard chassis in the form of an armored personnel carrier BTR-82A.
Ways of development
SAM "Sosna" is being developed by the Design Bureau of Precision Engineering. A.E. Nudelman (part of the Almaz-Antey VKO concern) with the assistance of a number of other organizations. The aim of the project is to create a short-range air defense system for military air defense, capable of replacing the aging products of the Strela-10 line. At the same time, it was planned to retain some of the capabilities of the predecessor, as well as increase all the main characteristics.
The main component of the Sosna air defense system is a combat module with search and control equipment, as well as a missile launcher. According to the project, such a module, in its original or modified form, can be installed on different chassis, depending on the customer's requirements. Such capabilities are already being demonstrated with the help of exhibition samples, and in the future they will be used in the rearmament of the Russian army.
The first version of "Sosna", shown to the customer and the public, was made on the MT-LB multipurpose chassis. The prototype of this appearance has passed the entire test cycle and confirmed the calculated characteristics. At the "Army-2019" revealed the serial appearance of the complex, which uses a newer BMP-3 chassis. In addition, as the tests progressed, changes were made to the design of the combat module, its equipment and missiles.
The Pines unified combat module at the Army-2021 exposition. Photo by KB Tochmash
SAM "Sosna" is created for air defense units of the ground forces. In parallel, a complex for the airborne troops called "Birds" is being developed on its basis. Reportedly, it will again use a unified combat module with a modern missile defense system. They will be placed on the BMD-4M chassis. This will simplify the operation of the anti-aircraft complex in the airborne forces, and also make it airborne.
New chassis
The experimental and serial appearance of the "Sosna", as well as the complex "Poultry" combines the use of tracked chassis. At the same time, the unified combat module can also be used with wheeled vehicles that meet the requirements for carrying capacity, power supply, etc. Not so long ago, it was decided to use such theoretical possibilities in practice.
In June last year, the management of the "Military-Industrial Company" spoke about their plans for the further development of the existing armored personnel carrier BTR-82A. It was reported that on the basis of this machine, several new projects of equipment for various purposes are being created. In particular, the issue of creating a wheeled modification of the Sosna air defense system was being worked out. Any details of such a project were not specified.
In February of this year, "VPK" confirmed the work on the "Pine" on the basis of the BTR-82A. By this time, the prototyping was carried out, and in the near future it was planned to start new stages of the project.
Model of a wheel complex at IDEX 2021. Photo by Armyrecognition.com
In March, at the IDEX 2021 exhibition, Tochmash KB showed the possible appearance of a wheeled "Sosna". At the company's stand there was a model with a well-known combat module based on the BTR-70. Why this outdated chassis was chosen is unclear. However, even such a model showed the fundamental possibility of creating a new modification of the air defense system, and also indirectly confirmed the continuation of work.
A full-fledged sample of the new look was first shown at the Army-2021 forum. The basis for it, as it was reported last year, was the BTR-82A chassis. During the construction of the prototype, the roof of the hull underwent some changes. Also, it was necessary to rebuild the internal volumes of the troop compartment and change the composition of the units. The rest of the armored personnel carrier remained the same.
Project Perspectives
The future of the previously created versions of Pine is already known. The modification on the MT-LB chassis will remain experimental, and the version on the BMP-3 body will soon go into production. In 2024-25. The Airborne Forces will be able to receive their first air defense systems "Ptitselov" on the BMD-4M airborne landing gear. In addition, the Sosna project has significant export prospects, and foreign customers can purchase complexes in different configurations.
Plans for a new wheel modification have not yet been disclosed. Perhaps they plan to offer it to the Ministry of Defense for evaluation. In addition, the layout of such an air defense system was demonstrated at a foreign exhibition - probably to interest foreign armies. In this case, the base in the form of the BTR-70 was supposed to show the fundamental possibility of building "Sosna" not only on modern chassis.
"Pine" on the BTR-82A chassis. Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com
The plans of the developers and the army for the Sosna air defense missile system with the BTR-82A chassis are unknown. However, you can identify the strengths and weaknesses of such a project, as well as try to predict its future. In general, this development looks quite interesting and can find its place in our armed forces or in foreign armies.
The key characteristics of the new version of "Sosna" are determined by a unified combat module with a developed optoelectronic station and fire control means, as well as a modern SAM "Sosna-R". These components of the air defense missile system have already passed the necessary tests and revision, after which they were recommended for adoption. Accordingly, in terms of combat characteristics, the air defense missile system on a wheeled chassis should not differ from the equipment of the experimental and serial appearance.
The BTR-82A chassis, like other used samples, has a high potential in terms of unification and operation in the army. The Russian army has a large fleet of BTR-82A, BMP-3 and MT-LB, which will simplify the operation of all Sosna modifications. At the same time, a new-built wheeled chassis or converted from an old BTR-80 is significantly cheaper than tracked vehicles, both in production and in use.
Wheeled chassis have well-known advantages over tracked chassis. First of all, these are higher indicators of mobility and mobility on roads. The wheeled version of the "Sosna" will be able to accompany the troops not only at the front line or in the near rear, but also during long-distance transport. He is quite capable of moving in one column with tank carriers and other equipment - and protecting them from an attack from the air.
View from a different angle. Photo by KB Tochmash
It should be borne in mind that on terrain the BTR-82A is inferior to tracked armored vehicles. At the same time, it fully meets the requirements of the Ministry of Defense for its class of equipment. Consequently, the air defense system based on it corresponds to the specifics of combat use in different landscapes.
In view of the characteristic differences and the specific ratio of characteristics, the wheeled "Pine" can hardly be considered as a replacement for the tracked model of the serial appearance. However, such a complex can supplement it, taking into account certain circumstances. So, in motorized rifle units, wheeled armored personnel carriers and tracked infantry fighting vehicles are used in parallel, and the same approach can be applied in the further development of military air defense.
Unclear future
Thus, the wheeled modification of the Sosna air defense missile system is a rather interesting project from a technical point of view. Its main result is the combination of the strengths of a unified combat module and a modern armored chassis. The resulting car differs significantly from other modifications of the complex, which improves the technical, operational and even commercial prospects of the entire line.
However, the future of the "Sosna" on the BTR-82A chassis is still uncertain. The project was recently developed, and the prototype hardly had time to pass all the necessary tests. In addition, potential customers have not yet had the opportunity to carefully study such an air defense system and draw conclusions.
However, the widespread use of ready-made components will be useful in this context as well. It will speed up testing and fine-tuning, thanks to which it will be possible to start accepting orders in the near future. And after that, the fate of the wheeled "Sosna" will depend only on the plans of the Ministry of Defense.
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