BAE Systems and Russian firepower. Contact points found
The RG41 wheeled armored vehicle from BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa with the TRT-R30 turret installed, which is armed with the wide-spread Russian 30-mm dual-feed 2A42 cannon and a paired 7,62-mm machine gun. Left shooting test of this tower
BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (LSSA) announced that its remote-controlled Tactical Remote Turret (TRT), armed with the widespread Russian 30-mm 2A42 cannon, was successfully shown in the Middle East. The tower also installed western 25-mm and 30-mm guns with double feed, but the Russian weapon It is cheaper, as is its 30x165 mm ammunition, all of which are available from a variety of sources.
The first version of the TRT under the designation TRT-25 was shown in 2010 year on a RG41 8x8 Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicle (WACV) from BAE Systems LSSA and has since been installed on a number of other platforms, either upgraded or new. At the moment, this tower was shown on the RG34 4x4 Multi-Purpose Mine Protected Vehicle vehicle and the latest VAB Mk III 6xXNNXX BTR from Renault Trucks Defense.
TRT-25 Tower on VAB Mk III 6x6 BTR from Renault Trucks Defense
The TRT-25 turret is armed with the tried-and-tested 25-mm Bushmaster II dual-feed cannon from ATK Armament Systems with 260 ready-to-fire shots and a paired 7,62-mm M240 machine gun with 1000 cartridges. Two groups of 76-mm smoke grenade launchers are also installed in the front lower part of the tower. This configuration has now received the designation TRT-B25 (B - Bushmaster). The TRT-25 has electrical actuators that provide horizontal guidance to 360 ° and vertical guidance from -10 ° to 65 °. A sensor set synchronized with it is installed under the weapon unit. This kit may have several options with a different combination of sensors. As a rule, its composition can vary from a single day camera to a more advanced system with a day camera, a thermal camera with a typical detection range of up to 8 km, depending on external conditions, and an eye-safe laser range finder with a maximum range of 10 km and an accuracy of 5 meters . All information from the sensors can be displayed on the display, installed anywhere in the car.
According to BAE Systems, both types of weapons are stabilized to capture targets when the platform is moving and provide a high probability of hitting from the first shot. If necessary, prohibited zones for firing can be programmed in the system, and an automatic tracking device increases the possibilities of dealing with fast-passing targets.
However, the market for armored vehicles is changing, and the tendency to install 30-mm weapons is clearly visible now, as consumers want more long-range weapons and more effective types of ammunition. In this regard, the family of TRT towers has expanded and included towers with weapons of a larger caliber.
All turrets have the same basic design and human-machine interface with an 10,44 inch LCD display and integrated ballistic computer, consistent with the type of weaponry.
Mass market needs
The overall basic design has advantages in terms of logistics and training; its typical combat weight ranges from 900 to 1800 kg, depending on the weapons installed and the ammunition corresponding to it, as well as the required level of protection.
In a larger tower can be installed guns from the company ATK. In this case, the tower with 30-bushmaster Mk44 Bushmaster III with double feed gets the designation TRT-N30 (N-NATO), and with the Russian 2A42 cannon the designation TRT-R30.
The 2A42 cannon is in service with more than 30 countries, it was manufactured in large quantities for widespread BMP-2 and BMD-3 armored vehicles. It was also manufactured under license in many countries and is therefore available from a variety of sources at a much lower price than the Mk44 and, moreover, unlike the ATK systems, it is not subject to the restrictions of the International Trade in Arms ITAR.
BAE Systems LSSA also installed a TRT-R30 turret and tested a Russian paired 7,62-mm PKT machine gun.
According to the company, which only recently confirmed the integration of Russian weapons, these works were carried out in response to the wishes of customers. The turret with this weaponry was shown to an international audience on the iKlwa Combat Vehicle combat vehicle (which is a further development of the Ratel mine-protected conveyor).
The TRT-R30 turret is installed for testing on the iKlwa Combat Vehicle 6x6 armored personnel carrier from BAE Systems LSSA. Dual smoke grenade installations visible in front of the tower
TRT-R30MK with two ATGM 9K113 mounted under the gun Competition
The second TRT-R30 turret was displayed on the RG41 WACV, along with fully stabilized aiming optics. As a result of further developments, the newest version of the TRT-R30 turret with two ATGMs 9K113 installed under the cannon. Competition (NATO designation AT-5 Spandrel) developed by the Tula KBP. A variant of this tower received the designation TRT-R30MK. The rocket with a maximum range of 4 km is controlled by a semi-automatic command guidance system along the line of sight.
Alternatively, the 9M133 Cornet (AT-14 Spriggan) missiles with a tandem cumulative or thermobaric warhead having an increased range of 5,5 km can be installed in the tower. According to BAE Systems LSSA, for customers who prefer non-Russian systems, Ingwe Denwe Dynamics ATGMs with laser-guided can be installed.
At the beginning of 2013, at the IDEX exhibition, the TRT-R30MK turret with ATGM was shown on the back platform of the Tawazun Nimr 6xXNNUMX armored vehicle. In this configuration, the car received the designation Nimr MECV (Multi Role Combat Vehicle - multi-purpose combat vehicle). In this armored car, the shooter, sitting next to the driver, is aiming at the target. Ammunition, including 6 missiles, laid under the tower.
UAE development armored Nimr vehicle with a TRT-R30MK turret mounted on the rear platform and armed with a Russian 30A2 42 dual-feed cannon with a double feed, a PCT 7,62-mm machine gun and a pair of ATGM Competition
Video with my subtitles. Famous military journalist Christopher Foss talks about the Nimr car with the TRT-R30MK turret
This armored car passed the advanced shooting and operational tests in the United Arab Emirates, where the army is already armed with the Cornet missiles mounted on an unprotected platform. BAE Systems has confirmed that the development of the TRT family is complete and contracts for these towers will begin in the fall of 2014.
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