OTRK "Grom-2": Ukrainian prototype in battle
Experimental launcher "Grom-2"
Ukrainian armed formations are still trying to use their remaining ballistic missile systems against the Russian army. The other day they even used a unique model - an experienced operational-tactical complex "Grim-2". The launched missile was promptly detected and destroyed by the Russian air defense. At the same time, the repetition of such an attack, not to mention its success, is unlikely, because. This is hindered by a number of objective factors.
Single Episode
For a long time, the Ukrainian industry tried to create its own operational-tactical complex to replace the existing Soviet-made Tochka-U products. The project "Grim" ("Thunder") in the recent past managed to be brought to field tests, but due to various problems, its further implementation has stalled. As a result, from 2014 to this day, the Kiev regime has been attacking the objects of the republics of Donbass using the old "Points". Trying to get similar weapon foreign production were not successful.
Since the beginning of the Russian Special Operation, Ukrainian officials, the press, etc. several times they recalled the Thunder project. They regretted that they did not have time to bring it to production and use it against the Russian army. Probably, it was on this basis that the corresponding rumors appeared. So, last year, information appeared several times about the presence of the ready-made Grom-2 OTRK in the combat zone and attacks on Russian targets. However, this information has never been confirmed.
On September 30, the Grom-2 complex first appeared in official reports. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the strike and destruction of the shops of the enterprise "Southern Machine-Building Plant" in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. At this site, missiles were assembled for the Tochka-U and Grom-2 complexes.
The next and last time the Ukrainian OTRK was mentioned in the report of the Ministry of Defense of March 30. It was reported that on an unnamed enemy tried to use the "Grom-2". The missile complex was successfully intercepted in flight.
At the moment, this is the first and only known case of the combat use of the Ukrainian OTRK Grom-2. It is very likely that he will be the last. Over the years, the project, which had high hopes, did not progress beyond testing, and in September the main production site was destroyed. All this, at least, does not contribute to the further operation and use of the missile system.
Lost time
The idea of developing our own Ukrainian OTRK to replace the existing Soviet-made equipment arose in the early nineties. For a long time, Ukrainian enterprises have been representing various options for a promising OTRK under different names. However, at that time Ukraine could not create such a project due to financial, organizational and other problems.
Later the situation changed. In 2013, the Pavlograd Chemical Plant and Yuzhmash for the first time presented the Grim project based on available technologies and components. Later, on its basis, an improved Thunder-2 project was completed. In fact, it was a modification of the original OTRK with two missiles on the launcher.
In 2016, for the first time, a built experimental self-propelled launcher of a new type was shown. Then there were reports of the manufacture of a second similar machine. In addition, it became known about the manufacture of a small batch of missiles for testing. The industry expressed its readiness to transfer these products to the armed forces.
At the end of autumn 2016, the first launch of the Grom-2 rocket took place at one of the Ukrainian test sites, and the event was recognized as a success. However, new reports of test launches have not yet been received. Moreover, since 2017-18, slowdowns or even temporary halts have been repeatedly reported. As a result, the Grom-2 OTRK has not yet passed all the tests and is not officially ready for production and delivery to the customer. Moreover, the destruction of Yuzhmash's production facilities virtually eliminates the possibility of completing the work.
Ukraine was initially considered as the customer of the Grom-2 complex. In 2016, it became known that Saudi Arabia was interested in this product. According to Ukrainian media, she paid for part of the work and expected their results. For 2019, they planned to test the Ukrainian OTRK at the Arabian training grounds - but this did not happen.
Desired characteristics
The Grom-2 project proposed the construction of a self-propelled operational-tactical missile system capable of hitting remote ground targets with known coordinates. The performance characteristics and appearance of the complex were determined with an eye on the Soviet Tochka-U and the modern Russian Iskander.
Model rocket "Thunder". Bottom right - engine layout
The Grom-2 OTRK includes a self-propelled launcher, a ground-to-ground ballistic missile, a control center and other means for solving various tasks. The means of the complex can independently move between positions and deploy within a few minutes.
SPU complex "Grim-2" is made on the basis of a special five-axle chassis. On such a machine, an elevating launcher for two containers with missiles, as well as various auxiliary equipment, is placed.
Rocket "Thunder" is made in an elongated body with a conical warhead and tail fins. The starting weight of the product is approx. 3 tons, of which 480 kg falls on the warhead. A new solid-propellant engine was developed for the rocket, which, it was claimed, made it possible to obtain a launch range of up to 500 km.
In the basic configuration, the rocket was equipped with a guidance system based on inertial and satellite navigation. In the future, they promised to develop full-fledged homing heads capable of detecting a target with unknown coordinates. It was proposed to hit the target with the help of a monoblock high-explosive fragmentation or penetrating warhead.
Experienced rocket engine
Practical value
Despite all the efforts and promises of the development organizations, the promising Grim-2 OTRK has not been tested and has not demonstrated its potential. Accordingly, it was not accepted into service and did not enter production. However, recently they tried to use experimental equipment in battle, and it did not cope with its task.
Since Grom-2 has never been tested, its real capabilities and potential remain in question. The tests carried out and the recent attempt at combat use only show that the OTRK is capable of moving between positions and launching missiles. At the same time, the real, and not the declared, characteristics of the rocket remain unknown. Whether the Pavlograd chemical plant succeeded in creating an effective solid fuel and ensuring a high firing range is unknown.
Apparently, the Grom-2 complex received a “regular” ballistic missile flying along a predictable ascending and descending trajectory. Nothing is known about the use of means or methods of breaking through the defense. One way or another, Russian air defense / missile defense, equipped with modern radar and fire weapons, detected an incoming missile and hit it.
If there is every reason to assume that the recent episode of the use of the Grim-2 OTRK will be the first and last. Despite all the promises and plans, the Ukrainian industry was able to produce no more than one or two launchers and a small number of experimental missiles for testing. There may have been further attempts to continue production, but in September 2022, Russian strikes on Yuzhmash effectively stopped them.
Solid propellant tests
A recent launch shows that they managed to take out experimental equipment and missiles for it from the enterprise and now they are even trying to use it. How many launches the assembled missiles will last is a big question. At the same time, replenishment of ammunition is no longer possible. In addition, there is a high probability that the Russian army will find and destroy the experienced Grom and its ammunition, in position, in a camouflaged parking lot or in a storage area. In this case, the work of this OTRK will stop.
Predictable results
Not so long ago, the Ukrainian formations quite actively used the numerous Tochka-U fuel dispensers they had. But the Russian army took the necessary measures, and launches of such missiles became an infrequent occurrence. Moreover, the Kyiv regime now has to put into operation even experimental equipment assembled according to a promising project. This fact confirms the plight of the Kyiv regime and the overall success of Russian measures to demilitarize it.
The product "Grim-2", suddenly taken into operation, faces several problems of various kinds. These are insufficient design perfection and the need for its further refinement, a small amount of equipment and ammunition, as well as the inability to make up for losses. With all this, the Grom missile turned out to be an easy target for Russian air defense / missile defense. It is obvious that the next attempts to use the Grom-2 OTRK, if any, will not justify Ukrainian hopes and will not interfere with demilitarization.
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