Field laboratory complexes of the RKhBZ troops
Field laboratory KLP-1E. Photo "Rostec"
The troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection must identify various threats to the troops and the civilian population, as well as take the necessary measures. For the timely detection of dangerous agents, studying the situation on the ground and conducting analyzes, these troops have at their disposal a full range of various means. A special place in it is occupied by the so-called. field laboratory complexes of several types.
In dangerous conditions
The main work on reconnaissance, detection of contamination and mapping of hazardous areas is assigned to the so-called. reconnaissance chemical machines. However, this technique, combining several different functions, has limited capabilities. It cannot conduct a full analysis and accurately determine the existing threats.
For a more detailed and accurate analysis of the selected samples, the so-called. laboratory field complexes (KLP). These are sets of various equipment and devices in a portable / transportable or self-propelled version. Depending on the configuration, they allow you to determine the presence of chemical agents, biological pathogens or radionuclides.
In the past, the RKhBZ troops were armed with various field laboratories with various capabilities. In recent years, the domestic industry has developed a number of new CLPs of various types to replace them. They have a similar design, but carry a different set of equipment and have different capabilities for analyzing and processing data.
Equipment KLP-1E. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
Over the past decade, new field laboratories have successfully completed the tests and have been recommended for adoption. These products have been brought to mass production and are supplied to the combat units of the RKhBZ. The troops have successfully mastered the new technology and regularly use it in a variety of exercises. In addition, laboratories were involved in solving problems during a real military operation.
New designs
One of the modern pieces of equipment is the field laboratory KLP-1E. It was developed by the Vega concern from the Ruselectronics holding (part of Rostec). The laboratory has been in service for several years, and at the end of the tenth years it underwent modernization aimed at improving performance. In addition, an export version of the laboratory has been developed and is being offered to customers.
The product KLP-1E is made on a four-axle KamAZ chassis and a two-axle trailer. The container vans contain power supplies, various chemical equipment and crew jobs. The laboratory can arrive in a given area in a minimum time and deploy for further work.
The field laboratory KLP-1E and its crew are capable of independently taking samples of air, soil and water or receiving them from reconnaissance chemical machines. The exact composition of the special equipment is not reported, but it is known that the devices can detect the presence of chemical and / or radioactive substances in the sample, as well as determine the degree of their danger. In addition, an analysis is made for the presence of infections, incl. emergency detection of quarantine pathogens. The collected information is transmitted via a secure channel to the headquarters for further measures.
Working with samples during exercises. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The laboratory also has a residential section. It provides places for recreation, household equipment for storing, preparing and eating food, as well as sanitary and hygienic facilities. The living compartment allows the calculation of the laboratory to work autonomously for 10 days.
In the basic version, KLP-1E is capable of detecting all the main threats that may be present on the battlefield or in the disaster zone. The upgraded version of the laboratory features improved analytical performance and capabilities.
A further development of KLP-1E is the field laboratory complex KLP-10. The first laboratories of this type entered the army in the second half of the XNUMXs. Their production and supply continues to this day. So, in mid-December, another such product was handed over to the RCB defense unit of the Central Military District.
KLP-10 is distinguished by its modular construction. There are separate modules for chemical, biological and radiation analyses. Each of them is made in the form of a separate container and is placed on its own KamAZ chassis. Due to this architecture, the composition of onboard equipment has been improved and strengthened and all the main features have been expanded. A separate car carries a utility van, giving autonomy of 10 days.
The functions of KLP-10 are similar to other field laboratories. She collects samples, analyzes and transmits information to the headquarters. In addition, there are additional options. So, as part of the biological module, devices for conducting PCR tests are provided. The events of the last couple of years have clearly shown the need for such a function.
Modular laboratory PHL-2 at the forum "Army-2017". Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
In 2018, the mobile chemical laboratory PHL-2 entered service. Like KLP-10, it is built according to a modular scheme, but includes only two research modules. Both are placed on automobile chassis and have their own means of power supply, etc.
One of the laboratory modules is analytical and is designed to test samples for the presence of radiation or chemical contamination. The second module works only with biological threats. It is possible to identify various pathogens; there is a function of emergency detection of quarantine infections. PHL-2 is reportedly capable of distinguishing 8 different threats.
Teachings and Practice
Units and formations of the RKhBZ troops regularly conduct their own training and are involved in combined arms exercises. During such events, they perform all their functions, incl. identify conditional threats. Crews of reconnaissance vehicles identify and mark conditionally contaminated areas of the terrain, and also collect samples. The latter are transferred to the KLP for a more complete analysis, based on the results of which the command makes certain decisions.
Unfortunately, there is also real work for laboratories. So, in November 2018, the latest PHL-2 worked in the Syrian city of Aleppo. A few days earlier, illegal armed groups fired on the city, and it was supposed to use gas ammunition. Russian military chemists took a lot of different samples in the shelling zone and carried out the necessary analyzes. Due to this, dangerous and safe areas were identified, and a plan for further work was drawn up.
PHL-2 in Aleppo, November 2018. Photo by the RF Ministry of Defense
Development organizations and the defense department report that modern KLP can work and perform their tasks in a variety of situations and conditions. First of all, they are designed to monitor the situation in a full-scale or local conflict. In addition, laboratories should work in areas of natural disasters or man-made disasters.
In all cases, mobile laboratories are able to determine the presence and nature of threats. After that, other RKhBZ units and civilian structures should take the recommended measures to neutralize the threat and save the population or personnel.
Curiously, a few years ago, the Army began showing off its state-of-the-art laboratories to the general public. The first open display of such equipment took place at the Army-2017 forum. In the future, KLP was repeatedly shown at the main and regional venues of the following forums. Brief reports on their use in training and real operations were also published.
A full range of
Thus, our troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection have at their disposal a complete set of the necessary samples of various equipment with different functions and capabilities. The most important part of such a fleet are field laboratory complexes of several types, including the latest samples with modern equipment.
The potential of these complexes has been repeatedly confirmed in the conditions of tests, exercises and the Syrian operation. This shows that the RKhBZ troops are ready to work and are able to respond to emerging threats. In the light of recent News from Ukraine, such opportunities are of particular importance for our security.
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