Swedish ATGM RBS-56 BILL in Ukraine
RBS-56 BILL in Ukraine. Photo Telegram / BMPD
Since the beginning of last year, foreign partners have been actively transferring anti-tank weapons of various models to the Kyiv regime. The other day it became known about the delivery of another imported sample. In the combat zone, the RBS-56 BILL portable anti-tank missile system, previously produced by the Swedish industry and in service with several armies, was seen.
foreign weapons
A few days ago, a curious photograph appeared on specialized resources and blogs, taken somewhere in Ukraine. On it, an unknown representative of the Ukrainian formations poses with an anti-tank system, received by his unit. In this product, you can easily recognize the Swedish-made RBS-56 BILL complex - the characteristic layout and the machine leave no reason to doubt this. However, it will not be possible to determine the exact modification of the product from a single photo.
The complex was photographed during deployment or immediately before launch. So, the machine is laid out and a transport-launch container with a rocket is fixed on it. A sight-control device is installed on the TPK. Various cables are connected. At the same time, protective devices were not removed from the sight and TPK. Perhaps the calculation did not bother itself and left the removable elements in place.
Thanks to this photo, it is now known that RBS-56 products appeared in Ukraine. Previously, no foreign country has openly announced its intention to supply such anti-tank systems. Broadcast weapons, preparation of calculations, etc. were also carried out in secrecy. As a result, the transfer of the complexes to the Kyiv regime became known only after they were shipped to a unit, probably in a combat zone.
Which country transferred the BILL ATGM to Ukraine is unknown. Such products are in service with several foreign armies, and some of them have already shared their weapons with the Kyiv regime. First of all, Sweden, which developed, produced and used such complexes, is under suspicion.
Swedish calculation of BILL anti-tank systems during exercises. Photo by the Swedish Ministry of Defense
It should be recalled that Sweden expressed its readiness to help Ukraine with anti-tank weapons already at the end of February 2022 - just a few days after the start of the Russian operation. Shortly thereafter, the Swedish army shipped several thousand AT4 anti-tank grenade launchers from its warehouses. Later, a small number of RBS-17 missile systems were delivered, suitable for firing at ground and surface targets.
The RBS-56 BILL product was not mentioned in reports of future deliveries; it is absent in the last the news. This can be explained by the secrecy of supplies or the transfer of weapons by some third country. Perhaps this situation will become clearer in the future. However, the results of the processes are already known - the Kiev regime received a new anti-tank weapon.
Swedish "robot"
A promising ATGM under the designation Robotsystem 56 or BILL (Bofors Infantry Light and Lethal - Bofors infantry, light and deadly) has been developed since the late seventies by the Swedish company Bofors. It was planned to create a new missile system with improved performance, capable of replacing and supplementing the existing grenade launchers of its own production and foreign anti-tank systems. The design was completed in 1982, after which tests and fine-tuning started, which continued until 1985.
In 1988, the Swedish army began to receive and master serial RBS-56 systems. Production for our own army continued until 1996, by which time approx. 15 thousand anti-tank systems. In addition, in the early nineties, Bofors received a large order from Austria. In 1996-97. carried out a similar order from Brazil.
In the mid-nineties, a modernized version of the complex was developed under the designation RBS-56B or BILL 2. While maintaining the basic solutions and components, some elements of the rocket were updated, which improved the main combat characteristics.
The Austrian crew is launching. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Austria
The first serial BILL 2 appeared in the late nineties, and with their help, Sweden began to replace the existing RBS-56 of the first version. Some of the decommissioned systems, along with other weapons, were transferred to Latvia and Estonia. The new RBS-56Bs were sold to Austria and Saudi Arabia.
In the middle of the 57s, Sweden decided to renew its arsenals. There was an order for several thousand new RB-2013 NLAW anti-tank systems. They were received at the beginning of the next decade, and in 56 the existing RBS-2021Bs were removed from service as unnecessary. However, in 2, it became known that the Swedish army was returning the BILL XNUMX to service and ordering an additional batch of such weapons. It is planned to be used until the second half of the twenties, when new generation complexes will enter service.
Thus, since its inception, RBS-56 products of two modifications have been supplied to the armies of several countries, incl. Sweden, Latvia and Estonia. These states have already sent their weapons of various types to Ukraine, and it is obvious that it is one of them that has now transferred BILL products.
Technical features
RBS-56 BILL is a man-portable anti-tank missile system designed to deal with protected mobile objects. The complex includes a rocket in the TPK, a day and night sight / fire control device and a tripod machine. ATGM assembly, ready to fire, weighs 43,5 kg. The length of the container with the rocket is 1,4 m, the weight is 20 kg. The components of the complex are transferred by calculation forces or transported by available transport. Experiments were carried out with the installation of anti-tank systems on self-propelled platforms.
The BILL rocket is made in a cylindrical body with an ogival warhead. Product length - 900 mm, diameter - 150 mm. Weight - 10,9 kg. The head compartment of the rocket contains fuse target sensors, behind them is a solid propellant engine with nozzles on the side surface of the body. Behind the engine is a cumulative warhead, and the tail compartment is given over to control equipment and a coil of wires. There are also two sets of folding planes.
Rocket complex BILL 2. You can see the placement of two blocks of the warhead and the engine. Photo army-technology.com
The rocket exits the TPK with the help of a starting engine, after which the main engine is turned on. The latter accelerates the product to a speed of 250 m/s and burns out in 400 m. After that, the rocket flies due to the accumulated energy. At the same time, the firing range is limited to 2-2,2 km.
ATGM uses a semi-automatic guidance principle. With the help of day / night optics, the operator finds the target and keeps it in sight. Automation tracks the flight of the missile and directs it to the selected target. In this case, the rocket flies at a height of 750 mm above the line of sight. The control device generates commands and transmits them by wire to the rocket.
The missile is equipped with a fuse with a non-contact electromagnetic target sensor. When flying directly over the target, it undermines the warhead. The cumulative warhead is placed at an angle of 30° to the product axis and is constantly directed downwards. The defeat of the armored object is carried out by the so-called. shock core. The exact characteristics of penetration are not specified, but the defeat is made in the upper hemisphere, which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of the application.
In the course of modernization under the BILL 2 project, the missile received two warheads with vertical placement in the nose and in the center of the hull. Several fuses were used - electromagnetic and optical non-contact, as well as contact percussion. They allow the product to work in three modes.
In the first case, the detonation is carried out over the target using optical and electromagnetic fuses, which increases the likelihood of hitting an armored target. Objects without massive metal aggregates are struck from above using only an optical fuse. The third mode uses an impact fuse and provides for a direct hit on the target.
Potential and Threat
Having fallen into the hands of Ukrainian formations, the Swedish RBS-56 (B) BILL missile systems may pose a certain danger to Russian tanks, other armored vehicles and their crews. However, this threat should not be overestimated. What other weapon systems, BILL products of both modifications have both strengths and weaknesses.
Experienced self-propelled ATGM RBS-56 on the MT-LB chassis. Photo army-technology.com
The positive features of RBS-56 products include the relative ease of development, operation and use. Thanks to the wired control system, the complex is protected from interference. Flight to the maximum range takes only a few seconds. The chosen method of hitting the target increases the likelihood of a successful solution to the problem.
The main disadvantage of BILL of both modifications should be considered a relatively short launch range. The missile flies only 2-2,2 km, which reduces the overall effectiveness and increases the risks for the calculation of anti-tank systems. The enemy can notice the launch from an open or camouflaged position and return fire. There is some possibility of breakage or damage to the control wires by a random shrapnel or bullet. When shelling a position, the likelihood of this increases.
It should be recalled that the attack of an armored object from the upper hemisphere no longer guarantees its successful defeat. So, Russian tanks are massively equipped with special lattice "visors" or other protection that can stop or weaken the ammunition as a whole or the "shock core".
Take measures
Thus, the “new” Swedish-made anti-tank systems in service with Ukrainian formations do not pose a fundamental threat to Russian armored vehicles. Protection from them will also not require special efforts and new means or methods that are different from those already used.
Obviously, the RBS-56 BILL products will not change the situation on the fronts. Ukraine has already received thousands of grenade launchers and missile systems of various types from a number of countries, but they have not lived up to expectations. The Russian army, despite all these weapons, continues to advance and carry out the assigned tasks of demilitarizing the enemy.
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