MLRS "Hurricane": one step to perfection
When we considered ballistic and cruise missiles, the thought flashed about the smaller brothers, with whom, in fact, it all began. Indeed, story modern missile weapons It started with the MLRS. More precisely, from our BM-13 "Katyusha", and then there were Germans, British, Americans ...
It is worth noting that despite the use of unguided missiles by the US and British armies on a fairly decent scale, the command did not receive a response from the idea. Everyone somehow immediately rushed to master the legacy of Wernher von Braun, build large rockets with an eye to space or to defeat the enemy on the other side of the planet.
However, somehow it has not been possible to use ICBMs so far. But the MLRS not only developed, they also took their rightful place on the modern battlefield. Especially where it is necessary to quickly and efficiently spread everything in a decent area.
Of course, the best and deadliest volley fire system today is the Smerch / Tornado-S. Someone may say that the Chinese "Weishi-1" is better, but we will analyze this in the next article.
"Hurricane" is an excellent testing ground for testing the very concept of a heavy MLRS, which for a long time had no rivals in the world. Opponents are really very far behind, which is generally not surprising. It's just that the MLRS did not really fit into the American and British military doctrines based on the use fleet.
And in the USSR they went exactly the way, at the end of which there were "Grad", "Hurricane", and "Smerch".
History
But here we again plunge into the maelstrom of history. The history of the emergence of "Hurricane" is really interesting. And it began in 1945, in Czechoslovakia.
It was there, at the Skoda factories, that Soviet engineers discovered stockpiles of manufactured missiles for the German air defense system. These were Typhoon missiles, moreover, in two modifications, solid propellant and liquid. "P" and "F" respectively. Rockets were the first air defense missile system, but were not used. Didn't make it to the war, so to speak.
"Typhoon F" was a ground-to-air cruise missile with a rocket engine. Outwardly, the rocket was very similar to the Katyusha M-13 rocket. But inside, the difference was significant.
The design was original. Since an anti-aircraft missile must be in standby mode for a long time, liquid oxygen as an oxidizing agent is completely unsuitable here. And German chemists (and we do not discuss their competence) have created a very good pair of "fuel-oxidizer".
The fuel was "Vizol", isobutyl vinyl ether. The Germans at the end of the war developed a number of very successful vinyl-based propellants.
The oxidizing agent was Zalbay, brown-smoke nitric acid. In general, that is still a couple in terms of security, but the rocket showed very decent performance: it developed speeds up to 1150 m / s and took off to a height of 13 km, where it could hit air targets.
There was also a gunpowder version, Typhoon R, but it did not interest our engineers at all, the Soviet RS flew further and more accurately on gunpowder.
Structurally, the Typhoon consisted of two parts: a warhead, which contained an impact fuse, an explosive (0,7 kg) and a container with ready-made fragments, and an engine compartment, which housed the rocket engine and tanks with fuel and oxidizer. The rocket weighed 35 kg.
Having carefully studied the "Typhoon F", on its basis in 1949 they created an anti-aircraft missile on a rocket engine called R-103. The R-103 did not go into service, but more than two hundred launches were made, on which the very possibility of using unguided anti-aircraft missiles was worked out.
By the way, the R-103 flew quite decently at that time.
But it was decided to make a more powerful rocket at its base. So the R-110 or "Teal" appeared. The caliber of the rocket was 122 mm, the Chirok weighed 47 kg, and the weight of the warhead was increased to 2 kg. R-110 could take off to a height of 18 km.
However, practical firing disappointed. Not only was the rocket plagued by constant test failures (corroded tanks, burnt out nozzles), there were also problems with accuracy. So in 1957, all work on the R-110 was stopped, and in 1958 they turned off the Chirok-N, ground-based, MLRS project with liquid-fuel rockets.
But in parallel, work was underway on an even more powerful missile for the promising MLRS "Korshun". MLRS 2K5 "Korshun" with a 3R7 missile was put into service and even demonstrated at parades in Moscow, but the idea of MLRS on a rocket engine did not receive further development.
The culprit was the 3P7 missile, which turned out to be very capricious. In general, it turned out to be something between a MLRS and a tactical missile. Rocket caliber - 250 mm. Length - 5,5 m. Starting weight - 375 kg. Warhead weight - 100 kg. The maximum firing range is 55 km. Flight speed is about 1000 m/s.
The saddest parameter was accuracy. Since the rocket was not controlled by anything, the dispersion in the target area at the maximum range reached 550 meters. Such low accuracy was supposed to be compensated by volleys of several installations, but in the end the Korshun was also abandoned.
And somewhere around the middle of the 60s, the understanding came that the MLRS should not have a large caliber and significant warhead, unlike tactical missiles. MLRS should cover the area, and for this it is worth creating a smaller rocket, but the installation should carry more missiles.
Urahan
In 1968, preliminary work began on the Grad-Z project. The system was supposed to be a replacement for the "Kite", that is, to be long-range, but meet the stated requirements. The caliber of the new MLRS was determined at 220 mm, one launcher was supposed to carry 20 (wheelbase) or 24 (tracked) missiles. The engine was determined to be solid fuel.
Full-scale work on the project began in 1969, and in February 1972 the first prototype was manufactured, which was subsequently named 18K1975 "Hurricane" by a decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of March 9, 57 and was put into service, where it remains to this day as heavy MLRS artillery regiments as part of brigades and divisions.
Photo: arms-expo.ru
The system is really heavy, the weight of the installation based on the ZIL-135LM is about 20 tons. But the unique machine provides movement both on hard surfaces and on the ground. True, the ZIL plant, which has died in history, hints that after the final development of resources by machines, you will either have to say goodbye to the Hurricanes or look for another base for them.
The first in the light of the adoption of the more modern Tornado-G and Tornado-S is more likely, but as long as the Zilas are regularly carrying launchers and missiles, the Hurricane does not leave the arena.
Unlike the younger brother "Grad", "Hurricane" is a system with a wider range of projectiles, and, accordingly, with a wider range of tasks. It is clear that a projectile twice as large as that of the Grad allows this to be done.
weaponry
The main weapon of the Hurricane is the 9M27 rocket in various forms. The exception is 9M51 with a thermobaric warhead. This missile has a smaller mass (256 kg) and a flight range (5-13 km), unlike all other missiles. The 9M27 family has a launch weight of 270-280 kg and a flight range of 10 to 35 km.
For firing at a reduced range, a large or small brake ring is used, which is put on the head of the rocket.
The length of the 9M27 projectile, depending on the modification, ranges from 4800 to 5200 mm, the mass of a high-explosive fragmentation warhead is 100 kg, and a cassette warhead is 90 kg.
The 9M27F high-explosive projectile is designed to destroy everything it lands next to. 52 kg of explosives allow this to be done, so that equipment, buildings, buried command posts, warehouses, bridges - all these are targets for a hurricane mine. It has been proven that very few things can withstand a landmine explosion nearby. Tanks flips, as practice shows.
The 9M27K cluster projectile is sadness and horror for manpower and lightly armored vehicles. The warhead, in addition to the activation charge, contains 24 or 30 fragmentation submunitions of the 9N210 type.
The elements are cylindrical, 263 mm long and 65 mm in diameter. Each element contains 300 grams of explosive inside, which provides the ejection of fragments upon activation.
In addition, the elements have drop-blade stabilizers that ensure a stable flight of the BE up to the moment the fuse is triggered. After the fuse is triggered, the charge scatters 370 damaging fragmentation elements.
Fragments at a distance of 10 m pierce a steel sheet 6 mm thick, and at a distance of 100 m - 2 mm thick.
Cluster shells deserve special attention 9M27K2 and K3designed for remote mining under the Incubator project.
Shell 9M27K2 contains 24 anti-tank mines of the PMT-1 type, weighing 1,5 kg each. The mine contains 1,1 kg of explosive PVV-12S. A volley of one launcher ensures the mining of 150 hectares of terrain. Self-destruction is performed with a delay of 3 to 40 hours.
Shell 9M27KZ contains 312 anti-personnel mines of the PFM type. A petal-shaped pressure mine weighing 80 g contains 40 g of liquid explosive VS-6D. Self-liquidation time from 1 to 40 hours.
Shell 9М59 contains 9 PTM-3 anti-tank mines weighing 4,9 kg each. The weight of explosive mines is 1,8 kg. Self-destruction of mines is carried out after 16-24 hours.
Shell 9M27S "Apricot" with an incendiary warhead, 9M27D "Paragraph" with a propaganda cassette part and 9M27 with chemical elements confidently complete the list of effects on the enemy that the Hurricane can carry out.
Naturally, the times of "Katyusha" are in the past, because the composition of the MLRS "Hurricane" includes many components.
Fighting machine 9P140
It was carried out on the chassis of the ZIL-135LM car with an 8x8 wheel arrangement. An artillery unit was installed on a rotary base, consisting of a package of guides, sights, guidance mechanisms and a system balancing mechanism.
Transport and loading machine 9T452, without which the reloading of the Hurricane looks very unattractive.
Photo: arms-expo.ru
TZM serves to load and unload a combat vehicle in absolutely any conditions, without special preparation of the position. Each TZM carries 16 shells, which it can load into the BM in 15 minutes. The charging process is fully mechanized, at the disposal of the calculation of the TZM there is a crane-beam with grippers, a rammer with an electric drive, a mechanism for mating the axes of the rocket and guides.
Automatic fire control complex 1V126 "Kapustnik-B"
Kapustnik-B consists of:
- a unified fire control point (PUO) 1V153 on the Ural-43203 chassis;
- command and observation post (CNP) 1V152 on the BTR-80 chassis.
The complex provides data processing and target designation for launchers as part of a division or battery.
Vehicle for topographic survey and binding 1T12-2M
The topographic positioner is designed for prompt and early binding of the positions of rocket launchers. It is according to his data that the MLRS stand at the point from which aiming and launch are carried out.
Meteorological complex 1B44
In this composition, the "Hurricane" goes into position for firing. The main type of shooting of the complex is shooting from closed positions.
Calculation of a combat vehicle - 6 people (commander of the calculation, driver, gunner and three calculation numbers). The calculation has a panoramic mechanical sight D726-45 and panorama PG-1M, with the help of which the aiming is carried out.
The launch system provides the possibility of salvo fire with a constant rate (16 missiles are launched at a rate of 0,5 seconds) and a “jerky rate”, when the first 8 missiles are launched at an interval of 0,5 seconds, the rest of the missiles at an interval of 2 seconds. This rate allows you to reduce the amplitude of the oscillations of the machine after the first half of the launches and thereby significantly improve the accuracy of firing.
Topicality
In order to conduct an appropriate assessment of the relevance of the MLRS "Hurricane", we must once again briefly go into history.
During World War II, several countries used MLRS. Pretty cheap and technologically simple weapon. Soviet "Katyushas" and "Andryushas", German "Donkeys", British "Hedgehogs" and "Mattresses", American "Xylophones" and "Calliops" have firmly entered history. True, the Soviet and German MLRS were head and shoulders better than the British and American ones, but here the question is for the engineers.
And, in the absolutely fair opinion of the Soviet command, the MLRS did not lose its relevance even after the war. Moreover, the Chinese "peaceful lumberjacks" from Damansky Island, plus the regiments that went to their aid, were really stunned by the effectiveness of the latest Grads at that time. And in the West, for a long time they did not believe that it was possible to smash the disputed territory together with the invaders with such a simple weapon as an unguided rocket. That is why all sorts of science fiction such as ultra-long-range flamethrowers and laser systems were voiced.
The explanation is outrageously simple: Western experts at one time came to the conclusion that NURS, as a weapon, has become obsolete. Yes, they remained in service with the assault aviation and NAR helicopters, but the ground forces and fleets gradually abandoned the use of "smart" homing tactical and cruise missiles.
If you read the military doctrines of those years, it becomes clear that the main task was considered to be the destruction of heavy equipment and infrastructure of the enemy in the first place, and the manpower was a trailer.
However, the Soviet Union chose a different path. Given the length of the borders and the huge draft army, it was necessary to have effective and easy-to-learn and use weapons. And the military-industrial complex of the USSR was very easy to produce hundreds of inexpensive and easy-to-learn weapons.
Therefore, work on technically not complex, but very effective MLRS in the USSR did not stop, and this at one time gave results. Skeptics chuckled, but Damansky showed that if a properly designed MLRS system is used correctly, then little can compare with it in terms of efficiency.
The defeat of manpower and equipment in the conditions of work on areas in the absence of aviation, the creation of a high density of fire - it turned out that the Soviet system was more correct. And the West rushed to catch up, but ...
But in the late eighties the world was overwhelmed by a series of local wars that continue to this day. And in these wars, the main role is played not by professional armies, but rather by armed crowds of fanatics or bandits. Yes, trained, able to conduct a guerrilla war, but equipped according to the residual principle.
And here, expensive toys in the form of tactical missiles and aircraft fade into the background. "Hit and run" is the basic principle of partisans in local wars. Artillery? Also no, it takes a lot of time to defeat the square, the partisans will not wait.
And here the dawn of the MLRS occurred, capable of putting a sufficient number of shells into a specific square in a minimum time. Or arrange a firestorm on several hectares.
And while some simply bought, and the second made the same "Grad" under license, Soviet designers created the "Hurricane" and "Smerch", essentially a masterpiece of the MLRS. In them, the development of the MLRS idea reached its maximum.
It's hard to catch up. In the United States, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control only managed to create a semblance of a Hurricane eight years later. This is the 230mm MLRS multiple launch rocket system, a very good “answer”, but not without flaws.
The Hurricane is indeed a masterpiece. This was shown by the massive use of this MLRS in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and other conflicts.
The complex is old? Yes, not young. However, already in the USA they showed what follows next, for an unguided rocket. The same MLRS can fire ATACMS missiles at a distance of 80 km. But ATACMS are tactical ballistic missiles launched from MLRS tubes, nothing more. That is, different goals, different cost.
Two ways of development: either MLRS releases a lot of "stupid" NURS into a given square and arranges Armageddon there, or "smart" tactical missiles work, pointwise destroying selected targets.
Tasks are frankly different. And they need to be decided on the basis of expediency. It makes no sense to attack a column on the march with tactical missiles, and to grope for a closed command post or communication center with dozens of NURSs. To each his own, as they say.
And here the "Hurricane" at its work distances is relevant, no matter what. The case when the years do not matter, because the goals for the "Hurricane" are almost the same as half a century ago.
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