More and more precise. New ammunition for MLRS "Tornado-G"

MLRS "Tornado-G" in the zone of the Special Operation, January 2023

It became known that the Russian defense industry has completed work on a new line of 122-mm rockets for the Tornado-G multiple launch rocket system. Products of new types have passed all the necessary tests, went into series and are now entering the troops. Such ammunition should improve the firing capabilities of our rocket artillery and may well find application during the Special Operation.

Latest news

On February 13, Izvestia reported on the start of deliveries of a new line of ammunition. Information of this kind was obtained from unnamed sources in the Ministry of Defense. Representatives of the department spoke about the latest successes of the industry and revealed some technical details. At the same time, most of the information is not reported.

According to sources, the industry has created a new line of unguided and corrected rockets in 122 mm caliber, designed for the 9K51M Tornado-G multiple launch rocket system. Their main difference from the previous generation of missiles is the increased range and improved accuracy.

The exact characteristics of the range of the new missiles are not named. According to sources, this parameter significantly exceeds 40 km - the maximum range of existing 122-mm projectiles. The issue of improving accuracy, unfortunately, was not disclosed. How it was resolved and what indicators were obtained is not reported.

Sources of Izvestia said that new types of ammunition have already reached mass production. The deliveries of products to the troops have begun. How the process of rearmament and development of shells is going is unknown. In particular, it is not specified whether they managed to pass the test of practice in the combat zone, or whether such use is still planned.

Perspective development

MLRS 9K51M "Tornado-G" is a deeply modernized version of the widespread system 9K51 "Grad". The project was developed at the turn of the XNUMXs and XNUMXs by the NPO Splav, the Technodinamika company and the Rostec corporation.

The modernization consisted in updating the combat vehicle and introducing new fire control tools. In addition, we have developed a whole line of new ammunition with improved performance. In particular, the 9M521/522 missiles with a range of up to 37-40 km were created and brought to production - twice as much as that of the base family.

A few years ago it became known about the continuation of work on the creation of improved rockets. Later, plans were announced to create a promising long-range high-precision missile. While maintaining the same weight and overall characteristics, she had to get a new engine and a full-fledged control / guidance system. Such ammunition could reach production and enter service over the next few years.

Apparently, in the last news about the successful completion of this project. So, in a closed mode, Splav and Rostec completed all the necessary work, completed the development of new missiles, tested them and brought them to production. Missiles, which existed only in the form of an announcement a few years ago, are now entering the troops.

Extended nomenclature

The upgraded MLRS "Tornado-G" retains full compatibility with the entire range of unguided 122-mm rockets for the old "Grad". At the same time, she can use a new set of ammunition created in recent years. Previously, it was known about the existence of 5-7 promising missiles. The new family, recently brought to production, includes several more samples.

As a direct replacement for the old projectiles, several new unguided rockets have been developed. Products 9M538/539 are equipped with high-explosive fragmentation warheads with a new contact / remote fuse. The firing range remained at the level of 20 km. It also offers a 9M541 projectile with similar ballistic characteristics and a cluster warhead equipped with cumulative fragmentation elements.

During the development of 9M217/218 projectiles, the cluster warhead was retained, and the new engine made it possible to increase the range to 30 km. More advanced products 9M521 / 522 ensure the destruction of targets at distances up to 37-40 km using a single-block high-explosive fragmentation charge.

Advanced projectile 9M538 in section

In recent years, NPO Splav has been working on new projectiles and has reported some details of such projects. First of all, it was planned to create a guided munition with characteristics at the level of 9M521 / 522. It was assumed that the rocket will receive a control system based on satellite and inertial navigation - the type used in the modernization of the Tornado-S MLRS missiles. Together with the missiles, the complex includes a hand-held device for entering target data into the guidance head.

Rockets with such equipment compare favorably with other proposed 122-mm ammunition. With their help, "Tornado-G" can attack not only areal, but also point targets with known coordinates. In addition, it was reported about the possibility of simultaneously attacking several spaced targets with shells of one volley.

Stages of development

It is easy to see that the development of the Tornado-G system and its further improvement were actually divided into several stages. As a result of each of them, the MLRS received new opportunities and increased its characteristics. The results of the next such stage of development have already reached the troops and should soon find practical application.

At the first stage, during the development of the main project, the Tornado-G MLRS received new means of navigation and fire control, and improved missiles were also created for it. Then, with the help of new shells, the firing range was doubled. Now we are talking about another increase in range, as well as the introduction of guided weapons.

9M541 - extended range cluster munition

"Tornado-G" with missiles of the new line gets obvious advantages over other systems of 122 mm caliber. Now this MLRS can attack more distant targets or work along the front line from a greater depth. There is also the possibility of pinpoint strikes on specific targets. The relatively low power of a single ammunition is compensated by the possibility of a salvo launch.

In fact, after the next replenishment of the Tornado-G ammunition range, it becomes a universal missile system. Depending on the tasks and the ammunition used, it can perform different functions. It can be used in the old way - as a volley fire system for shooting at squares. In turn, long-range high-precision projectiles make such a MLRS a functional analogue of operational-tactical missile systems.

Obtained and expected results

In the recent past, projects for the modernization of multiple launch rocket systems under the general name "Tornado" made it possible to seriously upgrade domestic rocket artillery and improve its combat qualities. Based on the results of the work carried out, the range and accuracy of firing have improved, which has been repeatedly demonstrated at the training grounds, and now in the course of a real operation.

At the same time, the development of Tornado systems does not stop. For them, new rockets are being developed with improved performance and previously missing capabilities. In particular, new long-range and high-precision projectiles have been created and brought to production in the 122 mm caliber. It can be assumed that in the near future they will be tested on real enemy targets - and the results of such a strike will show the full potential and all the benefits of such a development.

Comments

[Uncle lee]

More and more precise. New ammunition for MLRS "Tornado-G"

And still "Katyusha"!

[Boris55]

Quote from Uncle Lee

And still "Katyusha"

And on wheels, which was invented before our era. Ugliness.

[ramzay21]

This is a disgrace to a country that was once the world leader in MLRS. Look at what MLRS the North Koreans did under the sanctions and what, besides chatter, our embezzlers have done in 30 years.
The year is 2022, we need GUIDED munitions that hit the target accurately and with one shot instead of creating a lunar landscape around the target. One such ammunition is much easier and cheaper to store, transport and load in combat conditions than a hundred unguided ones.
And what about Motovilikha, the largest manufacturer of MLRS, which Chemezov and his organized criminal group bankrupted and sold quite recently? Have they already begun to demolish this enterprise, as a manufacturer and developer of the AFAR MiG-35 radar or not yet?

[Beaver]

Treasurers?)). Our engineers are stupid, and a lot of money is allocated

[Sergei N 58912062]

Quote from Beaver.

Treasurers?)). Our engineers are stupid, and a lot of money is allocated

Well, if you're so smart, then do better. Can you?

[Sergei N 58912062]

ramzay21 in addition to the Tornado-G MLRS guided munitions, cluster, high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric munitions are also needed. Yes, and the maximum range would not hurt to increase.

[bayard]

Quote: ramzay21

In the yard 2022,

Actually, a month and a half like 2023.

Quote: ramzay21

we need GUIDED munitions that hit the target accurately and with one shot instead of creating a lunar landscape around the target.

So in the article we are talking about just such - corrected shells for MLRS with a caliber of 122 mm. Although in calibers 220 and 300 mm. such shells have also been created and have already been tested in the NWO. The question is their number.
And here's what really pleased - the corrected projectile is in the 122 mm caliber. , because the shells of "Smerch" and "Hurricane" (Tornado-S and U) are quite expensive and apparently not so numerous, yet, but they are needed EXACTLY for counter-battery combat. We had a very serious embarrassment with long-range artillery - "Coalition-S" in the troops and the NO series, the capacities that were supposed to produce them are busy upgrading the "Msta-S" to SM, and there are no guided munitions for the "Malka", and the rate of fire they have a shit...
And it is necessary to conduct a counter-battery fight.
At long distances.
On all fronts and to the full depth of their use, otherwise the "Panzer-2000", "Caesar" and other long-range combatants, including the "Haymars" cannot be obtained. And there are HUNDREDS of them.
"Tornado-S" and "Tornado-U" are not always convenient to use for this - firstly, there are not so many of them yet, and there are not a lot of guided munitions for them, and they are expensive ... but "Tornado-G" for these goals - that's it. Moreover, the range of such a rocket was seriously increased.
Its power (122 mm rockets) is quite enough to destroy any self-propelled guns, MLRS and even a tank. The only question is the type of guidance and the quality of target designation. I dare to suggest that as a guidance system, one from ... the missile of the Hermes complex, which was created, was presented, but ... somehow did not go into the series. while its caliber is approximately or exactly the same - 122 mm. They could not come up with the purpose and scope of such a missile with a range of up to 100 km. ... and now it turned out that such a tool is the best suited for counter-battery combat ... including those very "Haymars". But UAVs are needed that are capable of providing high-quality target designation of detected targets in the near and operational rear.
So it is not yet known what the range of such a guided / corrected missile turned out to be, but the fact that it will be able to hit all the cannon artillery and most of the enemy’s MLRS is for sure. And there should be ENOUGH such missiles.

And I would also very much like the cabin for such a MLRS to be armored.

Quote: ramzay21

Have they already begun to demolish this enterprise, as a manufacturer and developer of the AFAR MiG-35 radar or not yet?

And what happened to the developer of AFAR for the MiG-35?
Or did their radar fail?

[Dimax-nemo]

And the devil knows. It was not possible to interest the Indians in the MiG-35, they are already sick of Rostec, UAC and UEC. The plane was no longer needed, the radar too.

[ramzay21]

And it is necessary to conduct a counter-battery fight.
At long distances.

I can’t argue with you, because no one is a specialist in artillery, but no one uses small-caliber MLRS as a means of counter-battery combat, self-propelled guns and UAVs are much more effective in this. But this is my opinion based on what I heard from the gunners.

And I would also very much like the cabin for such a MLRS to be armored.

You can’t argue with that.

And what happened to the developer of AFAR for the MiG-35?

It closed and the building was demolished in 2020. And this is one of the main reasons for closing the topic of the MiG-35, although it is much cheaper than the Su-35 and would be very useful now. Thanks to Chemezov and his organized criminal group.

Or did their radar fail?

Their radar, like the MiG-35 itself, was more or less completed by 2017. And now we are left without a light fighter at all, and this is nonsense in world practice. And in my opinion this is a crime.

[dart_vader_13]

the Tornado family (G, U, S) is just shooting at the coordinates, that is, accurate, something like Hymars .... so your nonsense is written. Lunar landscapes create ordinary Grads, Tornadoes, Hurricanes

[Oleg Ogorod]

Quote: ramzay21

And what about Motovilikha, the largest manufacturer of MLRS, which Chemezov and his organized criminal group bankrupted and sold quite recently?

Chemezov shifted this enterprise from one caravan to another.
He was handed over to the banker Grigoriev, who owns 75% of a private enterprise (concern) in the structure of Rostec - Technodinamika.
The famous Kalashnikov concern is also a 75% private enterprise. Which until recently nominally belonged to the current Deputy Minister of Defense for the purchase of weapons, Mr. Krivoruchko, and now nominally belongs to a certain former petty lawyer Lushnikov. Behind them is a major Russian oligarch (according to some sources), who prefers not to appear in the media.
By the way, not so long ago, Messrs. Grigoriev and Krivoruchko also bought out the Voronezh concern Constellation and Electrosignal. These are the key enterprises of the defense industry, electronics and systems of the entire army communications.
Many more military-industrial complex enterprises are state-owned. For now. But like this, transferring it sort of as within the framework of one structure, for example, the same Rostec, it becomes almost all private. Rostec has 25% + 1 share blocking the stake, but are bees against honey? It is possible that Rostec will soon get to Roscosmos enterprises. Which many are still purely state-owned. Neither Rogozin nor Borisov are oligarchs, they are just state managers.
Of course, this can be called the consolidation of military-industrial complex enterprises in the hands of loyal associates and associates, a continuation of the early processes of state orders with the Rotenbergs and Timchenko.
Perhaps this is necessary. In the current conditions. But how effective will it be? Taking into account the fact that military equipment and weapons are ordered by those who produce it, or rather own its production ...
And Shoigu's department will only buy what "their" military-industrial complex oligarchs offer. In Russia, there is no competition in the military-industrial complex from the word at all. There is a semblance of the planned economy of the USSR. Strongly constricted. And under capitalism.

[Sergei N 58912062]

Boris55, why are you not satisfied with the Urals?

[Sergei N 58912062]

Unclee Lee "Katyusha" is far from "Tornado-G".

[Ohsetin]

Everything is super! But how many of them have actually arrived and are expected? Or maybe the situation is like with Krasnopol, which has been in the series for a long time?

[Bogalex]

MLRS "Tornado-G" in the zone of the Special Operation, January 2023

This is not a "Tornado-G", this is an ordinary "Grad"

[vvvjak]

Quote: Bogalex

This is not a "Tornado-G", this is an ordinary "Grad"

"Tornalo-G" differs from the usual "Grad" only in the antenna on the roof of the cabin of the "shark fin" type. It's hard to see it from this angle.

[Bogalex]

"Tornalo-G" differs from the usual "Grad" only in the antenna on the roof of the cabin of the "shark fin" type.

No. Below is a BM 2B17M from the MLRS "Tornado-G". Pay attention to the muzzle of the guide package.

[Bogalex]

The second photo shows TOS in general.
And the whole article is a set of illiterate nonsense from unverified sources. If the author is paid for this, woe to employers - you are brazenly and shamelessly fed low-quality hack work.
Sorry if something is wrong.

[wladimirjankov]

a set of illiterate nonsense from unverified sources

Is there even literate nonsense?

[Lelik 56]

Structured, like the king's father.

[Diger]

Quote: Bogalex

The second photo shows TOS in general.
And the whole article is a set of illiterate nonsense from unverified sources. If the author is paid for it,

Quote: wladimirjankov

Is there even literate nonsense?

happens (scientifically, this is Dupre's nonsense of imagination)
there is also dermatozoic delirium

[wladimirjankov]

this parameter significantly exceeds 40 km - the maximum range of existing 122-mm projectiles.

Did this author mix up anything or was he misinformed? Recently I read information from a military acceptance that 40 km is still the maximum range for 122 mm caliber missiles of the tornado-G system. Squeeze "significantly" more out of this caliber, this is a big deal for developers. And bad news for the Caesars, the three axes and the chimeras, this can be stressful. However, it is better to deal with the latter with a tornado -C.

[Sergei N 58912062]

Of course, the Tornado-G MLRS needs to be developed and improved. There is still a lot of work ahead...

[kartantirambler.ru]

And where is "Tornado-S" ??? - Don't hear something - the disgrace of "Tornado-G" is rather weak.

[acetophenone]

Launching uncontrolled 120-mm for tens of kilometers is just digging up the soil. And controlled ... And what, storms and tornadoes are already controlled? Nowhere to put them?

[usm5]

If you look, then Russia never ceases to amaze. With such a scarcity of defense budgets (more than 20 times less than that of NATO) to maintain quite a tolerable parity in conventional weapons and surpass them in strategic ones. And someone else is trying to reproach the Russian leadership for "cutting the budget." On the planet of people, "the budget is being sawed everywhere" and it is being sawed especially fiercely in the USA. Russia is just an innocent girl in this matter compared to the leading Western countries. Do not forget that we "destroyed" our homeland (USSR) in the name of the idea of ​​peaceful coexistence, with the so-called West, because most of us were naive idiots who did not understand the true nature of people. Corruption in the broad sense of the word is a fundamental negative property of human civilization, due to the desire for dominance of economic associations of people with the aim of survival and prosperity. I have already lived quite a bit and realized that the person who accuses everyone of corruption is most prone to it himself. So I wholeheartedly congratulate our engineers and managers of the military-industrial complex on another success and wish them new achievements for the benefit of our country.