Robotic complex MTS-15 "Clover" with 122-mm howitzer D-30: advantages and disadvantages, potential and prospects
One of the new features of the forum "Army-2024" became the robotic complex (RTC) MTS-15 "Clover", which includes a robotic tracked chassis equipped with a 122-mm howitzer D-30 with an automatic loading and guidance system.
According to open sources, the RTK MTS-15 crew can control it from a distance of up to 500 meters. The D-30 howitzer is reloaded by an automated loading system with a four-shot magazine.
The time it takes to transfer the MTS-15 system from the marching position to the combat position and back is 30 seconds. The maximum firing range is 15,3 kilometers, and when firing active-reactive projectiles up to 22 kilometers. The carrying capacity of the robotic chassis is 15 tons, the maximum speed is up to 12 kilometers per hour with a cruising range of up to 120 kilometers.
Robotic complex MTS-15 "Clover"
Some Russian experts have suggested that the MTS-15 Klever system will have low survivability due to the low speed of its tracked chassis, which is only 12 kilometers per hour, which is compounded by the small ammunition supply in the robotic magazine, which is only four shells. Indeed, with such a speed of movement, the MTS-15 Klever robotic system will be quickly detected and destroyed if it remains in the same point in the LBS area for any length of time, and the firing range of the D-30 howitzer will not allow it to be far from the LBS.
The author was taught to work with this old lady at the military department several decades ago – then it seemed that her time had long passed, unfortunately, it cannot be said that we were diligent students
This period of time will be determined by the intensity of use of the MTS-15 Klever complex, the conditions of the battlefield - forest, buildings or bare field, as well as the saturation of the area of the terrain where the complex will operate with enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - reconnaissance UAVs, Baba Yaga and FRV-type bomber UAVs.drones.
In addition, such factors as the tactics of using the MTS-15 "Clover" complex, how often the soldiers operating the complex will change its position, camouflage it, and much more will be of great importance.
It is undeniable that the use of the MTS-15 "Clover" type RTK will in any case save the lives of soldiers, which is already very important, but several questions immediately arise.
Firstly, the robotic tracked chassis of the MTS-15 Klever complex will most likely have a limited range, and even if the chassis' fuel reserve is large enough, it will not go far at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour, that is, its purpose is to retreat to reload and change position at the deployment point after each series of four shots, so that it is not covered by a return artillery strike from the enemy.
Secondly, there are concerns that such new and complex technology as robotic chassis will often fail and require complex and expensive maintenance.
Based on the above, it can be assumed that the MTS-15 "Clover" complex should include an important element - a wheeled trailer capable of quickly transporting a robotic tracked chassis with a 122-mm howitzer D-30. In addition to the robotic tracked chassis itself with a 122-mm howitzer D-30, the trailer should accommodate ammunition, as well as a compartment with a crew - operators of the robotic howitzer.
On tracks from wheels
A digression is necessary here.
Earlier in the article “Mobility and cross-country ability: combine the advantages of wheeled and tracked self-propelled artillery systems (SAU)” from July 11, 2023 we talked about the problem of wheeled self-propelled artillery units in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) RF Armed Forces.
The trailer, designed to ensure that tracked self-propelled guns fire from wheels, must be improved – the platform must be strengthened (red), jacks are installed (Blue colour)
As the practice of the SVO has shown, in the conditions of a modern battlefield, mobility is of decisive importance - everything that moves slowly quickly becomes a target for the enemy. It is precisely the wheeled self-propelled guns and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), also placed on a wheeled chassis, that most often manage to avoid counter-battery fire from the enemy. This can be easily verified by the ratio of the number of cases of destruction of tracked Ukrainian self-propelled guns and wheeled self-propelled guns and MLRS, confirmed by photos or video images.
In Russia, wheeled self-propelled guns are just beginning to enter service troops. One of the options for solving this problem, discussed in the above material, is the use of automobile trailers designed for transporting tracked self-propelled guns, but equipped with a power platform and hydraulic stops.
In this case, the modified automobile trailers could be used not only as a means of transporting tracked SPGs, but also as a platform for firing "from wheels". That is, upon arrival at the destination, the SPG does not leave the trailer, the trailer turns in the direction of departure and lowers the hydraulic stops, then the SPG fires a series of shots at the target, after which the trailer raises the hydraulic stops and quickly leaves the position.
Of course, if necessary, the tracked self-propelled gun can be dismounted, that is, driven off the lowboy and used in normal mode.
So, since the robotic tracked chassis of the MTS-15 "Clover" complex will have a limited range and low speed, which means that a lowboy will be required for its transportation in any case, it can also be equipped with a platform and hydraulic stops for firing from wheels.
Of course, like large self-propelled guns, the MTS-15 "Clover" complex will be able to leave the lowboy and move under its own power depending on the tasks being solved and the tactical situation. In fact, all that is required is to retrofit the automobile lowboy with a platform and hydraulic stops, which is not so difficult and expensive.
However, this is only one possible direction for the development of the MTS-15 Clover complex.
Wheeled chassis
As we have already said above, there are two significant factors:
1) high risk that the robotic chassis will break;
2) tracked chassis do not provide the systems with sufficient mobility to allow them to avoid enemy counter-battery fire, but wheeled chassis provide the necessary mobility.
The above-mentioned option of using a car trailer, additionally equipped with a platform and hydraulic supports, allowing the MTS-15 "Clover" complex to operate from wheels, has a right to exist, but it is still a crutch.
Conventionally, the MTS-15 "Clover" complex can be divided into two components - a robotic tracked chassis and a 122-mm howitzer D-30 with an automatic loading and guidance system.
It is possible that the optimal solution for solving problems in the interests of the Ground Forces (GF) of the RF Armed Forces would be to install a 122 mm D-30 howitzer with an automatic loading and guidance system from the MTS-15 Klever RTK on a wheeled chassis with an armored cabin for the driver and crew, a compartment for storing ammunition, a reinforced platform and hydraulic stops.
Earlier in the article “Towed artillery: new life in the format of wheeled self-propelled guns” from August 30, 2022, we considered the possibility of installing towed artillery mounts on wheeled chassis, and in order to increase the speed of production of such wheeled ersatz self-propelled guns and their delivery to the troops, automation of the firing process was not envisaged. At the moment, there is no information about the development of wheeled ersatz self-propelled guns in Russia and their delivery to the troops, although there is definitely a need for them.
The Russian Armed Forces need something like the Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer "Bogdan" - a lot and quickly
It is possible that the implementation of a wheeled self-propelled gun with the installation of a 122-mm D-30 howitzer with an automatic loading and guidance system will be of interest to the Russian Armed Forces and will be more in demand.
In addition to greater mobility, it is expected that the implementation of a wheeled self-propelled gun with the installation of a 122-mm D-30 howitzer with an automatic loading and guidance system will be less expensive than the MTS-15 Klever complex on a robotic tracked chassis, and will also be easier to operate.
In the future, the number of shells in the automatic loading system can be increased to 6 units, as it is implemented in the Ukrainian wheeled self-propelled gun "Bogdana". This will allow achieving an optimal balance between fire performance and the safe time of the self-propelled gun in a firing position without changing its location.
Finally, the next step could be to replace the 122mm D-30 howitzer with something more modern, such as the 152A2 Msta-B towed 65mm howitzer or the 152A2 Giatsint-B towed 36mm gun.
Conclusions
It is unlikely that the MTS-15 Klever robotic system with a 122 mm D-30 howitzer will be widely used in its current form due to the expected high cost, the risk of failure of the robotic chassis, and the low speed of the robotic tracked chassis, which is about 12 kilometers per hour.
The effectiveness of the MTS-15 "Clover" complex with a 122-mm D-30 howitzer can be increased by adding a low-bed trailer equipped with a reinforced frame and hydraulic stops.
Presumably, the optimal solution for the Ground Forces could be the creation of a wheeled self-propelled gun equipped with a 122-mm D-30 howitzer with an automatic loading and guidance system.
In the future, the solutions used can be projected onto the towed 152-mm howitzer 2A65 "Msta-B" and/or the towed 152-mm gun 2A36 "Giatsint-B".
Information