Robotic complex "Shturm": preparations for testing are underway
The main tank T-72B3 - on its basis the family of RTK "Shturm" is being built
The Russian industry continues work on the promising heavy robotic complex Shturm. The construction of the first prototype of several planned ones is being completed, and in the coming weeks it will be able to enter the factory tests. In the future, we should expect the appearance of three similar armored vehicles with different equipment, and in the long term, all new models will be able to enter service.
On development stage
The first reports of a heavy class RTK with the Sturm code appeared in the domestic press in August 2018. It was reported that the project was being created at the Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Company and provided for the development of four robotic combat vehicles. They will be built on a common tank chassis and will receive different weapons to solve different combat missions.
At the time these News The project has passed its first stages. By that time, a model with combat equipment had been made, designed to work out movement issues. The technical details of the project were not given. At the same time, it was reported that "Shturm" is intended for operations in urban environments and will help to carry out combat missions without risks to personnel.
New information about the promising project appeared a year later, in August 2019. Then Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Uralvagonzavod and got acquainted with the results of the corporation's activities. Among other things, he was shown developments in the heavy class RTK based on the main tank T-72B3. It was reported that this project provides for the creation of several unmanned combat vehicles with different equipment and capabilities. Apparently, it was about the project "Storm", although this cipher was not called.
T-72B3 firing
In December of the same year, new information about promising RTKs was announced by the commander of the ground forces, Army General Oleg Salyukov. He said that RTK "Shturm" is at the stage of development work. Its goal is to create new robotic complexes and a control system that ensures their joint work on the battlefield.
Test preparation
At the end of May last year, the media reported on the start of construction of experimental equipment from the Shturm complex. NPK Uralvagonzavod is building several prototypes of robotic combat vehicles, as well as a mobile control center. All equipment of new models is carried out on the standard chassis of the T-72B3 tank. The planned composition of the family of equipment, the features of its individual representatives, etc. were also given.
At the end of August, the first contract for the supply of Shturm complexes was signed at the Army-2021 forum. The details of the agreement were not specified. Probably, it was about prototypes already under construction, intended for testing.
On March 14, RIA Novosti, citing a source in the military-industrial complex, announced the imminent transition of the Shturm project to a new stage. Already in April, NPK UVZ will begin preliminary tests of the first prototype, which is a robotic version of the T-72B3. It is planned to carry out various checks, incl. to test a weapon system with a 125-mm gun.
BMPT in combat unit. The corresponding version of "Sturm" will be similar
The timing and completion of preliminary tests of the first prototype is not specified. It is also not reported when the next experimental RTKs with a different weapon configuration will appear and go to the training ground.
Robotic family
The exact appearance of the promising RTKs of the Shturm line has not yet been disclosed. Experimental or mock-up samples of such equipment were not openly demonstrated. However, the general features and goals of the project have already been published in the press. As reported, at the moment we are talking about the creation of four combat vehicles with different weapons and a unified command and control armored vehicle.
All samples of the new family are built on the T-72B3 MBT chassis. The main units of the hull, power plant and chassis are preserved. Declared the preservation of a high level of protection against all threats, incl. from the upper hemisphere. It is possible that the armor and attachments of serial tanks will be preserved.
The control compartment and the fighting compartment of the base tank must be rebuilt taking into account robotization and using new units. The degree of automation of the "Sturm" is not clear - they can save crew seats or be completely autonomous. At the same time, it is obvious that the mobile control center will necessarily be habitable.
Fighter with RPO-A flamethrower
First of all, on a unified robotic chassis, it is proposed to build a tank adapted to work in urban areas. Its main armament is a shortened 125 mm caliber gun. It is expected that in terms of characteristics it will be close to serial 2A46 guns, and the shorter barrel length will improve the tank's maneuverability in urban areas.
The second in the Shturm family will be an RTK with fire support functions. He will receive a combat module equipped with RPO-A Shmel jet flamethrowers. Such a complex will be able to hit manpower, light equipment and some buildings.
Two more projects provide for the creation of functional analogues of existing equipment. So, the third version of the "Shturm" will be similar to the tank support / fire support combat vehicle "Terminator". She will receive two 30-mm guns and other barreled weapons. Instead of anti-tank missiles, RPO-A flamethrowers or similar means will be used. The family will also include a self-propelled combat vehicle with a 220-mm rocket launcher. In terms of its functions, it will repeat the TOS-1A flamethrower system.
Robots in combat
The Sturm project provides for the creation of several robotic combat vehicles. They will have a high degree of commonality with each other and with existing crew-driven vehicles. In addition, similar weapons will be used, giving the same or similar combat capabilities. Such an approach to the creation of RTCs can provide significant advantages.
TOS-1A flamethrower system, the predecessor of one of the Shturm RTK vehicles
First of all, RTCs are created in order to reduce risks for personnel. Robots without a crew, they will be able to fully work at the forefront, solving all the assigned tasks. At the same time, the defeat of the combat vehicle does not threaten its operators in any way - they must be located in a protected control center outside the danger zone.
Of great interest is the chosen approach to the composition of weapons. Products "Sturm" arms and functions will repeat the existing armored vehicles - tanks, BMPTs, etc. This will give robotic units the same combat and fire capabilities as armored units on conventional vehicles. As a result, new RTKs will be able to interact with other armored vehicles or fully replace them, depending on the current situation.
Unlike conventional equipment, the promising Sturm products are initially adapted to work in urban environments. First of all, the protection against attacks from all angles is strengthened. Also, taking into account the specifics of the city, weapons are being finalized. So, the robotic tank gets a shortened cannon, and the new Terminator variant will use flamethrowers instead of missiles. All this will give certain advantages when working in the expected conditions.
As part of the Shturm project, new control systems with all the necessary functions are being developed. They will provide remote and autonomous control of equipment. The possibility of autonomous group application is also mentioned. In this case, the RTK will be able to work with entire subdivisions of the required composition with minimal control and participation of the operator.
Serial combat RTK "Uran-9"
It is obvious that the control systems for the Sturm will be further developed. New more advanced software and hardware components will be introduced, which will increase the autonomy and efficiency of solving all problems. Perhaps in the end it will be possible to reduce the participation of the operator to a minimum; he will only have to monitor the work of equipment or even entire units and approve the use of weapons.
The project RTK "Shturm" has long-term consequences. As part of this R&D, new technologies and components are being created, and the necessary experience is being gained in a promising area. In the future, all solutions and developments can be used in the following projects of military and auxiliary equipment for the army.
On the eve of the check
In recent years, the Russian Ministry of Defense has paid great attention to the creation and development of robotic systems for the army, incl. intended for use in combat. Some samples of this kind have already been tested, entered the series and are being introduced into the troops. Also, promising equipment was tested in a real military operation.
Since the middle of the last decade, active work has been going on in the direction of combat RTKs of heavy classes, capable of replacing tanks and other equipment. Several similar samples have already been developed, and a new one will be released for testing in the coming weeks. How soon the tests of the experimental Sturm tank and all subsequent vehicles of the family will be completed is unknown. However, it is already clear that this project has the greatest prospects and should be brought to the desired final.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, AP of the Russian Federation
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