Guided rockets for MLRS "Tornado-S" in combat
MLRS "Tornado-S" at the training ground. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The jet plays a significant role in the current Special Operation artillery. Multiple launch rocket systems are responsible for the destruction of area targets of various types at ranges of tens of kilometers. For this purpose, almost the entire spectrum of available rocket projectiles is used, including the latest developments. Thus, when solving some fire tasks, the 9K515 Tornado-S MLRS uses guided missiles increased range and accuracy.
Modern means
According to known data, Russian MLRS, incl. "Tornado-S", began combat work in the first hours of the Special Operation. They were used to destroy various enemy targets and used different ammunition. Probably, guided missiles were also fired, but confirmation of this appeared only a few days later.
In early March, curious photographs were received from the Ukrainian side, taken on the temporarily occupied territory of the DPR. They captured a large fragment of a rocket projectile left after the flight to the target. This object had a conical body with protruding parts, behind which stretched a twisted "tail" of a characteristic type. There was a variety of markings on the case, incl. index 9B706.
Subsequently, new photos of similar objects with the same shape of parts and markings were published several times. The latest materials of this kind appeared just the other day.
Models of guided missiles at the exhibition. Photo Missilery.info
The markings on these fragments make it possible to quite accurately determine what product they were part of. According to open information, under the index GRAU 9B706, a control system unit for 300-mm rockets 9M544 and 9M549 is hidden. Accordingly, the conical assembly of the fragment was the instrument compartment of the rocket, and the bent elongated device was the frame of the cluster warhead.
Thus, to destroy some remote small targets, such as enemy armored vehicles, our rocket artillery uses the most modern ammunition. Due to this, the accuracy and probability of a successful solution of a combat mission is increased, as well as collateral damage is reduced.
major upgrade
Over the past decades, several main types of MLRS have been in service with our army. At the end of the 9s, it was decided to carry out a deep modernization of this technique, aimed at improving technical characteristics and obtaining new opportunities. The modernization program received the general name "Tornado". Update MLRS 58K9 "Smerch" was created under the code "Tornado-S" and received the index 515KXNUMX. The development of this project was carried out at the Splav State Research and Production Enterprise, which had previously created the basic Smerch.
Work on the Tornado-S was completed by the middle of the decade. After all the necessary tests, such a MLRS received a recommendation for production and putting into service. In 2015-16 serial modernization of military equipment was launched, and soon the army received the first systems of a new type. To date, dozens of combat vehicles in a new configuration have been produced and transferred to the troops.
The remains of a rocket at enemy positions, March 2022. Photo by Telegram / ImpNavigator
The Tornado-S project provided for the upgrade of the Smerch combat vehicle by replacing all key equipment. New navigation aids, a computer system and fire control devices were introduced. In addition, within the framework of this project, advanced 9M544 and 9M549 projectiles with improved performance appeared and were put into service. It was reported about the possible development of other ammunition.
Ammunition of a new generation
Products 9M544 and 9M549 are guided missiles for use with the standard Tornado-S launcher. In terms of dimensions and weight, they do not differ from the ammunition of the previous generation: length 7,6 m, caliber 300 mm, weight - about 830 kg. At the same time, the new missiles have a different design and more sophisticated instrumentation, which gives an increase in key characteristics.
Both projectiles are built in a cylindrical body with an ogive nose fairing and a tapered tail section. There are four folding rudders on the head fairing, a curved stabilizer is placed in the tail, which opens in flight. The stabilizer has an original design: its planes are placed on an annular base, which freely rotates around the rocket body. This provides stabilization, but the projectile remains stationary in flight, which allows the use of satellite navigation and simplifies the work of the autopilot.
Under the head fairing of products 9M544 and 9M549 is placed a unified control unit - the same 9B706. It includes inertial and satellite navigation systems, autopilot and rudder drives. Also, the control unit is responsible for the timely operation of the warhead.
Head compartment with markings. Photo Telegram / ImpNavigator
On the side surface of the fairing there is a connector for connecting the 9B706 block to the on-board equipment of the MLRS. Before launch, the fire control system collects various information, calculates all the necessary data and enters them into the missile's control unit. Apparently, the coordinates of the launcher and target are entered, as well as a number of other data.
Both guided projectiles are equipped with cluster warheads. 9M544 carries 552 cumulative fragmentation warheads weighing 240 g each. Such an element pierces 140 mm of homogeneous armor, and also scatters fragments within a radius of several meters. The warhead of the 9M549 projectile carries 72 larger fragmentation submunitions. Due to such variants of the combat load, both missiles can hit various kinds of area targets - manpower, equipment, incl. armored, artillery in positions, stationary objects, etc.
A new missile part with a more efficient solid-propellant engine has been developed for the shells. With its help, the maximum firing range was increased to 120 km. For comparison, the early Smerch missiles flew only 70 km, and in later projects this parameter was increased to 90 km.
Range and accuracy
The Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system with modern projectiles and various auxiliary means responsible for reconnaissance, correction and data transmission is a powerful and effective tool for solving a variety of combat missions. The upgrade made it possible to retain all the positive qualities of the basic Smerch and supplement them with a number of new features.
Projectile 9M544 with cumulative fragmentation elements. Photo Missilery.info
The main feature of the 9M544 and 9M549 missiles should be considered the achieved firing range. It increases the possible kill zone and / or allows you to remain invulnerable to an enemy with shorter range weapons. All this increases both combat effectiveness and crew safety.
Unguided rockets have problems with accuracy. In the Tornado-S project, this issue received a comprehensive solution. So, the launcher has modern navigation tools that allow you to determine your own location with an accuracy of meters. High accuracy is also ensured when calculating data for shooting. Then the rocket control units are included in the work, which are responsible for correcting the trajectory and hitting the target point - again with an accuracy of meters.
Guided missiles 9M544 and 9M549 carry cluster warheads with cumulative fragmentation and fragmentation warheads. In this respect, the new ammunition is similar to the old 9M55K5 and 9M55K. The new control unit allows you to more fully use the potential of such combat equipment.
Earlier it was reported that other 300-mm rockets could be created for Tornado-S. A flight range of up to 200 km is achievable, and other types of warheads can be used. At the same time, control systems and related capabilities will be preserved.
Product 9M549 with a cassette for fragmentation elements. Photo Missilery.info
It should be noted that the 9K515 MLRS retains full compatibility with older types of missiles developed for the original Smerch. Accordingly, it becomes possible to select and use ammunition that best suits a specific combat mission and intended target. MLRS becomes more flexible and efficient in all respects.
Jet Perspectives
Thus, the modernization of the original Smerch and the development of new ammunition made it possible to create an improved and more efficient MLRS with improved technical and combat characteristics. Serial "Tornado-S" enter the army and have a positive effect on the potential and capabilities of the missile forces and artillery. At the same time, it is likely that the development of such MLRS does not stop, and its result will be the next generation of ammunition, even more effective and long-range.
In the meantime, the available range of rockets is being used as part of the Special Operation. Depending on the assigned fire mission, well-mastered old or new guided projectiles of one type or another are used. And in all cases, the necessary combat effectiveness is achieved, and the enemy is deprived of certain objects.
Information