Tactical rocket-helicopter complex 9K73

6
Since the fifties of the last century, the armed forces of the Soviet Union mastered the latest helicopter technology, which could perform transport and some other tasks. In the search for new methods of applying the new rotorcraft, the most original proposals appeared. Among other things, the rocket and helicopter complexes were launched as part of a tactical missile with a launcher and a specially modified transport helicopter. One of the projects of such a system received the designation 9K73.

The 9K73 rocket and helicopter complex was to be the development of the tactical class system 9K72. The base model complex included the P-17 / 8K14 fluid missile and several types of self-propelled launchers. Combat vehicles carrying missiles had the ability to move on roads and rough terrain, but in some cases their mobility and maneuverability were insufficient. Some areas that could in theory be used to locate launch positions were unavailable to self-propelled 9K72 complexes. For this reason, in the early sixties, a proposal appeared concerning a serious change in mobility due to the use of a non-standard vehicle.



Instead of a wheeled or tracked chassis as part of the new missile system, it was proposed to use a military transport helicopter with suitable characteristics. His task was to transport a small-sized launcher and missiles on it. In this case, the missile system could be quickly transferred to the desired area, inaccessible to land equipment. Such opportunities could facilitate the striking of certain remote targets of the enemy, as well as ensure their surprise.

Tactical rocket-helicopter complex 9K73
The 9K73 rocket and helicopter complex is in combat position. Photo Militaryrussia.ru


The development of the first version of the rocket-helicopter complex based on the Luna-M 9K52 system began in the first months of 1961. The result of this work was the Luna-MB complex 9K53. In early February, the 62 of the USSR issued a resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers, according to which a similar system should be developed based on the 9K72 complex with the P-17 rocket. A promising project received the designation 9K73. The technical task required to develop a new version of the rocket called P-17B or 8K114 and a lightweight launcher 9P115. The transport helicopter Mi-6РВК was planned to be borrowed from the already developed Luna-MV project.

To the project 9К73 attracted several organizations of the defense industry. The lead developer was OKB-235 (Votkinsk). The creation of a small size launcher was entrusted to the designers of the GSKB (KBTM) under the leadership of L.T. Bykov. Also, OKB-329, headed by M.L. Milem, who developed the project of a helicopter transporting rocket complex.

The only element of the promising rocket-helicopter complex, which should have been developed from scratch, was a self-propelled launcher. The 9P115 or TLU-01 had several basic requirements. It was supposed to provide transportation of the R-17В rocket in a horizontal position, including transportation to the helicopter, loading into its cargo compartment and unloading. In this case, the movement had to be carried out independently and without the participation of tractors. In addition, the launcher needed to launch the missiles was required to be installed on the 9P115 chassis. Particular attention was paid to the dimensions of the self-propelled machine with a rocket: it had to fit into the dimensions of the cargo compartment of the Mi-6РВК helicopter.

The project 9K73 has developed a new self-propelled launcher with a two-axle chassis, which is equipped with a set of necessary equipment. The 9P115 machine had an elongated frame on which all the necessary units and systems were mounted. Provided its own power plant and hydraulic transmission, providing the ability to move independently. To maneuver, the wheels of one of the axles were driven. It was assumed that after unloading from a helicopter, a self-propelled launcher would be able to independently get to the launch pad and there to make preparations for firing.


Rocket P-17. Photo Militaryrussia.ru


To hold the rocket in the correct position during transportation, as well as for its prelaunch lifting to a vertical position, a special lifting ramp was introduced into the 9P115 equipment. This unit was a frame of complex shape with a set of semicircular lodgements for the rocket body. The ramp could swing on the rear axle with the help of hydraulic drives, and thereby produce a rocket lift. Because of the need to reduce the overall dimensions of the system, the rocket was in the stowed position at the lowest possible height above the chassis. On the sides of it on the sides of the chassis were several volumetric housings needed to accommodate special equipment. Despite the small size, the 9P115 machine had to independently carry out all the operations to prepare the rocket for launch.

In the stern of the chassis on the swinging base was placed starting table with a set of additional devices. All of these units were probably borrowed from the 9P117 wheel launcher and underwent some refinements related to a different chassis design. In the case of a four-axle combat vehicle, the launching table had the ability to rotate in the horizontal plane by 80 ° to the right and left of the starting position. Vertical guidance was absent due to the use of appropriate equipment of the rocket itself. Directly under the tail of the rocket on the launch pad was placed a reflector consisting of two parts and necessary to divert the jet gases away from the machine.

The self-propelled 9P115 launcher had a complete set of different units necessary for independent work on the launch pad. It received a pre-launch service system, a special communication unit, an electrical and hydraulic system, topo-binding devices and rocket equipment control, a spare parts kit, etc. When developing a complex of equipment, developments in previous projects were taken into account, and also some existing assemblies and units were used.

For use by the 9K73 complex, the P-17В rocket was proposed, which was supposed to be a modified version of the base P-17 / 8К14. It was a guided single-stage liquid ballistic missile. The rocket had a cylindrical body of large elongation with a conical head fairing and stabilizers in the tail section. The head of the case was given under the placement of the required type of warhead. Behind her was the hardware bay. The central compartment of the case was given under large fuel tanks of the bearing type. The tail part of the rocket contained the engine and some control systems. The hull and tanks were made of steel and aluminum alloys.


Complex 9K72 in combat position. Wikimedia Commons Photos


In the rear part of the body, a liquid engine 9Д21 was mounted, using the TM-185 kerosene mixture and the AK-27 oxidizer as fuel. Also used starting fuel type "Samin". Depending on some parameters, the engine thrust reached 13,38 tons. The tanks contained up to 822 kg of fuel and up to 2919 kg of oxidizer (at air temperature + 20 ° C). This fuel reserve was enough for the engine to operate for 48-90 s and for passing the active leg of the flight of the required length.

The P-17 missile received an inertial control system necessary to improve the accuracy of hitting the target. To keep the rocket on the desired trajectory, automatic equipment was used that tracks its position in space. On the active part of the flight, it was possible to maneuver with the help of graphite gas rudders located behind the main engine nozzle. The range automatic took into account longitudinal accelerations and determined the moment of engine shutdown, after which the rocket had to continue moving along the required ballistic trajectory.

Several types of combat units were developed for the P-17 ballistic missile. The main was a high-explosive 8F44 weighing 987 kg with the possibility of undermining when in contact with a target or at a certain height above it. There was the possibility of using a special 8FX14 warhead with a charge of 10 CT power. This product had a mass 989 kg and dimensions corresponding to the size of the high-explosive warhead. Other variants of special combat units were also developed. There were several modifications of the chemical head with different combat equipment.

The total length of the P-17 rocket was 11,164 m, the case diameter is 880 mm. The span of the stabilizers was 1,81 m. The starting mass reached 5950 kg, of which up to 3786 kg was the supply of fuel, oxidizer and compressed air. In the first version of the rocket could attack targets at ranges from 50 to 240 km. Later, in the course of some modifications, the maximum range was extended to 300 km. The missiles of the first series had a circular probable deviation at the level of 2 km. In the future, this parameter has been improved by half.


Launcher table launcher 9P117 complex 9K72. Wikimedia Commons Photos


According to the project, the operation of the 9K73 rocket and helicopter complex should have several interesting features related to the main ideas of the project. It was assumed that after installing the rocket, the 9P115 / VPU-01 machine would be able to independently approach the Mi-6РВК helicopter and call in its cargo cabin without additional help. After the rocket complex was secured, the helicopter could take off into the air and head for the indicated platform to carry out the shooting.

The self-propelled launcher had to leave the helicopter under its own power and go to the required starting position. There, the forces of the machine calculation prepared the complex for firing. Despite the smaller dimensions and other characteristic features of the 9P115 installation, the process of preparing the rocket for launch was almost no different from the procedures performed in the case of other self-propelled carriers. Installation of the launch pad was made, on which a rocket was raised using a ramp. Using the available equipment, the location of the launcher was determined and the data for the guidance was calculated, after which data on the required flight range were entered into the automatic system of the rocket, and the starting table was turned to the required angle. Upon completion of the preparation, it was possible to launch using the remote control. After completing the launch, the calculation was supposed to translate the launcher to the stowed position and return to the helicopter for evacuation.

The development of the project of the rocket-helicopter complex 9K73 took about a year. After that, the design organizations handed over the necessary documentation to enterprises that were to start assembling prototypes of new technology. Already in the year 1963 was assembled the first and, according to some, the only prototype of the self-propelled launcher 9P115, suitable for transportation by helicopter. Shortly after the assembly work was completed, this product was sent for testing. In addition, an experimental prototype of the Mi-6РВК helicopter was presented for testing, which had a set of special equipment for working with missile complexes.

During the tests, it was possible to identify some of the shortcomings of the missile complex in its present form, which were quickly resolved. After completions of the system, the 9K73 complex was again checked by testing. Inspections of the launcher on the tracks of the test sites, tests with the rocket, as well as tests using the full complement of the missile system, including the helicopter, took enough time. It took about two years to check, fine-tune and other works.


Scheme of elements of the rocket-helicopter complex. Figure Shirokorad AB "Atomic ram of the twentieth century"


Even at the testing stage, some problems were identified that could not be eliminated with the current level of technology. At the same time, these shortcomings did not prevent the continuation of work on the complex. In 1965, the only sample of the rocket-helicopter complex 9K73 was handed over to the troops for trial operation. The military personnel of the rocket forces and artillery quickly mastered the new equipment and began to check it in conditions of army operation.

In the course of trial operation, some conclusions drawn from the results of previous tests were confirmed. In addition, some not very successful features of the new development were again criticized. An analysis of military feedback allowed the command and industry leadership to draw conclusions about the real prospects of the original complex.

In the course of all inspections, the 9K73 complex confirmed the ability to quickly transfer to hard-to-reach areas most suitable for launching missiles at various enemy targets. In addition, the theoretical possibility of using such equipment in the enemy’s rear ranges, which further increased the range of the complex, was not excluded. With all these advantages, the rocket-helicopter complex retained all the positive features of the 9K72 base system with the P-17 / 8K14 rocket.

Nevertheless, the 9K73 complex had some serious drawbacks that did not allow to fully realize the existing advantages, as well as hinder the achievement of the required characteristics. For example, in practice, it was found that the Mi-6РВК helicopter after installing the necessary equipment and with a launcher on board loses its flight range, which reduces the actual range of the rocket-helicopter complex.


Loading the 9P115 launcher with the P-17 rocket into the Mi-6РВК helicopter. Photo Militaryrussia.ru


Several shortcomings of the complex were associated with small dimensions of the self-propelled launcher. The 9P115 machine could not carry the whole complex of necessary navigation and other equipment, which worsened the accuracy of determining its own coordinates with negative consequences for the missile aiming at the target. In addition, reducing the size of the machine led to the fact that it seriously lagged behind in terms of mobility from a full-size self-propelled launcher 9P117.

Another problem of the complex concerned the impossibility of using the full set of all the necessary equipment. For the most accurate target destruction, the battery of the 9K72 complexes needed data on the state of the atmosphere to altitudes of the order of 60 km. Using information about wind parameters at various altitudes, the calculations could make adjustments to the rocket tip and thereby increase the probability of hitting the target. To study the atmosphere, meteorologists of the rocket forces should use weather probes and radar stations of several types. The meteorological battery of the missile brigade prepared a weather bulletin, which was then transmitted to the divisions and batteries.

Acting in remote areas and at a great distance from other units, rocket-helicopter complexes were not able to use data from high-grade meteorological intelligence. The ability to introduce them into the composition of the rocket-helicopter complexes was virtually absent. For this reason, the calculations of the 9K73 complexes could not receive complete data on the state of the atmosphere, which could adversely affect the accuracy of shooting.

Minor design flaws identified during testing and trial operation were almost completely corrected. Nevertheless, a number of characteristic drawbacks remained, and it was impossible to get rid of them. At the same time, irrecoverable flaws did not allow the 9KXNNXX rocket and helicopter complex to be operated with maximum efficiency. Because of this, the new system could not be put into service and put into series.


All elements of the complex 9K73 in the expanded state. Photo Aviaru.rf


According to various sources, the trial operation of a single 9K73 complex as part of the self-propelled 9P115 launcher and Mi-6РВК helicopter continued until the early seventies. Despite its relatively long use, the new system was not considered as a possible means of rearming rocket troops and artillery. The prototype of the complex remained in a single copy. After developing the resource, it was written off as unnecessary and disposed of. Until today, a unique sample of military equipment did not live.

In the first half of the sixties of the last century, two rocket-helicopter complexes were developed in our country, using missiles of existing models. The 9K53 "Luna-MV" and 9K73 systems were tested and then entered into experimental military service, but they never made it to mass production and full-fledged use by the troops. During the checks, it turned out that the original and interesting proposal concerning the transfer of missile complexes by helicopters imposes serious restrictions on various characteristics of the equipment and its design, and, as a result, does not allow to achieve the required results with the existing level of technology development.

The 9K53 and 9K73 rocket and helicopter complexes were the first and last developments in their class. After the unsuccessful completion of two projects, it was decided to abandon the further development of this area. All subsequent domestic tactical missile systems were created without taking into account possible joint operation with helicopters of different classes. This made it possible to develop projects with reasonable restrictions on the size and weight that do not interfere with the achievement of the required combat characteristics.


Based on:
http://bastion-karpenko.narod.ru/
http://airwar.ru/
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/
http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-177.html
Shirokorad A.B. Atomic ram of the twentieth century. - M., Veche, 2005.
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6 comments
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  1. FID
    +1
    25 August 2016 08: 25
    Yes ... Now, in Skolkovo, or in another "grant-eater", someone will undertake the design of such a thing ???? I don't think ...
    1. +3
      25 August 2016 11: 39
      And why is this "grant-eaters" .. There are other "offices" (fortunately) that will do better .. Still, this technique is half a century old, now there are already other systems ..
  2. +1
    25 August 2016 08: 53
    Quote: SSI
    Yes ... Now, in Skolkovo, or in another "grant-eater", someone will undertake the design of such a thing ???? I don't think ...

    And who should take, Pokemon catchers?
    1. 0
      25 August 2016 11: 41
      Pokemon hunters and the street can’t sweep cleanly .. Although I would force them to do this.
  3. 0
    26 August 2016 04: 59
    Because of this complex, the Mi-6 seems to have been cut down ...
  4. 0
    26 August 2016 22: 12
    Very interesting material (others from the author, IMHO, and does not happen!). I read it very carefully, looked through the photos, but I didn’t find one thing - the refueler. On the PU tanks for fuel and oxidizer are not visible. Was the rocket driven in the filled state? I doubt very much ... 2nd helicopter for a tanker? About him, too, somehow not mentioned. Can the author clarify this issue?

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