NPO Splav at work: modern projects in the field of rocket artillery
Rocket artillery remains the most important component of the ground forces, and therefore increased attention is paid to issues of its further development. The leading developer of systems of this class is NPO Splav im. A.N. Ganichev, part of the Tekhnodinamika holding of the Rostec state corporation. On November 19, TASS published an interview with the general director of the enterprise, Alexander Smirnov, who spoke about the latest developments in the field of multiple launch rocket systems and ammunition for them.
In the way of business; in the regular course of work
At the beginning of the last decade, new MLRS of the Tornado family entered service with the ground forces. These complexes were developed by "Splav" on the basis of the existing "Grad" and "Smerch" products. According to A. Smirnov, the army's transition to new Tornadoes continues to this day. At the same time, a large number of "Grads" and "Tornadoes" remain in the troops.
Measures to upgrade rocket artillery in units are still ongoing and are being carried out as planned. The head of "Splav" did not name specific figures and plans, but noted that in these processes much depends on the needs of the customer and the specifics of the current state armaments program.
Work continues on the TOS-2 "Tosochka" heavy flamethrower system. Now NPO "Splav" and "Special Design Bureau" of Motovilikha Plants are conducting joint tests of this product at their facilities. The current testing phase will end before the end of the year.
It is noted that the army is already waiting for "Tosochka". At the same time, the new TOS-2 in its design and equipment is radically different from the complexes of the previous generation TOS-1 (A). In this regard, "Splav" has already begun the preparation of calculations for future combatants TOS-2, who will operate the new equipment. The developer expects that the new model will be widely used in our armed forces.
In addition, interest was noticed among potential buyers from abroad. This year, TOS-2 received an advertising passport, which allows it to be introduced to the world market. Considering the interest in the TOS-1A system, A. Smirnov assumes that Tosochka also has a high export potential. This is facilitated by improved combat and ergonomic characteristics, as well as a new chassis.
This year, for the military operation of the army, the first batch of the remote mining engineering system "Agriculture". Now this type of equipment is undergoing state tests, which will be completed by the end of the year. Also, the delivery of a new batch of ISDM is expected in the near future.
Prospective samples
Right now, NPO Splav is developing promising multiple launch rocket systems, and soon they will be tested or even get to the troops. In addition, it is ready to launch new projects of this kind - if there is an order.
The head of the enterprise recalled that in the past, a number of MLRS had been created for installation on warships. Work in this direction continues, and new ship complexes are being created right now. These samples will differ from the existing ones with increased characteristics. They are designed to strike at enemy targets or to combat underwater weapons... At the same time, A. Smirnov did not give any details.
Mention will be made of another variant of the development of the existing MLRS "Grad". This concept provides for the creation of the Tornado-G system in a drop-off version. Such a combat vehicle will differ from existing production models in the chassis used, although the type of the latter is not named. If the Ministry of Defense is interested in this proposal, NPO Splav is ready to start development work.
The system under test TOS-2 will not undergo major changes yet. It is technically possible to transfer the units of the complex to a different chassis, but the developer does not consider it rational. The fact is that the artillery part of the complex is tied to a specific chassis.
Ammunition development
Much attention is being paid to the development of ammunition, and there are already significant successes in this area. In addition, important new events are expected. So, to date, "Splav" has passed through all stages of testing new guided missiles for the MLRS "Tornado-S" caliber 300 mm. A long-term contract from the Ministry of Defense was obtained, and serial production was launched.
With the aim of a similar modernization of the Grad and Tornado-S systems, a guided projectile in the caliber of 122 mm is being developed, and this project has been brought to preliminary tests. Demonstration launches were carried out, during which the design characteristics were confirmed. By the end of the year, such products are planned to be shown to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense.
Several years ago, work began on a new 300-mm missile for the Smerch / Tornado-S, in the head of which there is a dropped reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle. The development of this project has been completed, and now "Splav" is preparing an experimental batch of ammunition for preliminary tests.
In the recent past, it was reported about the development of a new 220-mm projectile for the TOS-2. The first batch of such products has already been produced for trial operation. State tests have also begun, which are planned to be completed in the near future.
The new ISDM "Agriculture" carries promising rockets with a load in the form of modern land mines, which have the functions of self-deactivation and self-destruction. At the same time, it is possible to create new projectiles with a different load, up to compact UAVs. However, such a project is quite complex, since it is necessary to work out a safe separation of the aircraft from the rocket. The development of such products has not yet been reported.
Trends and Prospects
The leading domestic developer of multiple launch rocket systems continues to work and simultaneously develops several main areas, incl. brand new. Some of the modern developments of NPO Splav have already been brought into service and fully operational in the army, while other products are still being tested. In addition, a reserve is being created for the future in the form of new concepts and products, which are currently only demonstrated to a potential customer.
News Recently, in general, and interviews with the head of "Splav" in particular, show the main trends in the development of domestic MLRS and related weapons classes in recent years and in the near future.
So, work continues on the transfer of army rocket artillery from the old systems "Grad" and "Smerch" to modern "Tornado". At the same time, the development of completely new MLRS is not reported and, probably, such projects are not yet available. This is due to the high potential of the two Tornado systems, which will allow them to remain in service for the next several decades. At the same time, new ammunition is being developed - it is with their help that the potential of the MLRS is realized.
In the absence of projects of new "traditional" MLRS, NPO Splav is actively involved in related areas. Another flamethrower system of the TOS family and a new projectile with increased characteristics for it have been developed. The project of a reactive system for engineering purposes is also being successfully implemented. In the field of naval weapons, new products are still only expected.
Much attention is paid to the creation of new ammunition, and we are talking about products based on the latest technologies and developments. Guided projectiles of one of the main calibers have already been tested and adopted, and work in this direction continues. In addition, in the foreseeable future, MLRS can become a launcher for UAVs, giving new reconnaissance capabilities.
Thus, rocket artillery not only remains one of the main fire weapons of the ground forces, but is also constantly evolving. The range and accuracy of fire is growing, and fundamentally new capabilities of a combat, operational and other nature appear. All this indicates that MLRS will retain their place in the army for a long time and remain an advanced and important direction. And NPO Splav and related organizations will do their best for this.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, "Motovilikhinsky factories"
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