After the ever-memorable Katyusha, our Armed Forces have always paid special attention to multiple launch rocket systems. This is not surprising: they are relatively cheap, easy to manufacture, but at the same time they are extremely mobile, ensuring the defeat of the enemy’s manpower and material base almost anywhere where military operations are conducted.
One of the most effective representatives of this family was the Tornado system. This MLRS for all the time of its use has proved to be an effective and extremely reliable weapon.
What can the system be used for?
"Tornado" was designed to destroy both enemy manpower and heavily armored rolling stock. Using this system, command centers and communication centers can be destroyed, and minefields can be remotely installed at distances of up to 70 km.
History of creation
In 1961, the Soviet Armed Forces were adopted by the M-21 MLRS, the characteristics of which were not completely satisfied with the Soviet military. Therefore, at the end of the 1970s, the Scientific Research and Production Enterprise “Fusion” conducted scientific research as soon as possible aimed at creating a multiple launch rocket system that would provide more confident target destruction by equipping with powerful shells with a high explosive content.
As a result, in mid-1980, the Smerch project was submitted for consideration by the state expert commission. This MLRS provided the delivery of a projectile at a distance of 70 km. Recall that the requirements of the military then provided for a chassis that provides maneuvering on the ground at a speed of up to 70 km / h (with high traffic).
Production start
The new Smerch rocket launcher met all the stated requirements, had great prospects because of the cheapness of production, and therefore already in 1985 a decree was issued on the start of work on mass production of the system. Already in 1987, the work was completely completed, and the first "Tornadoes" began trial shootings.
At the beginning of next year, the MLRS (taking into account the elimination of some shortcomings and comments) was finally recommended for adoption by the country.
The main characteristics of the prototype
The adopted system fired shells of 200 mm caliber, with a range of effective suppression of the enemy 20/70 km. A huge advantage of high - explosive shells is that their effect was not much inferior to the combat characteristics of the previously adopted "blanks".
So, the range of defeat of the enemy's infantry (!) That is over 1300 meters from the epicenter of a charge explosion. One tracked chassis could carry from 25 to 35 shells.
Characteristics of the adopted system
Despite all the above performance characteristics, military experts were not completely satisfied with the damaging power of the shells. After refinement, the final version of the Smerch MLRS appeared, the TTX of which is given below.
So, the caliber was raised to 300 mm, the projectile weight was increased to 815 kilograms. The explosive charge itself has a mass of more than 250 kilograms. The firing range remained the same (maximum - 90 kilometers). This time, the designers provided for not only the caterpillar (object 123), but also the wheeled chassis, based on the MAZ-543A car.
It should be noted that the MLRS 9k58 “Smerch” is precisely the complex, which includes several structural elements at once.
Key elements
- Chassis 9A52-2 based on MAZ-543A.
- Machine for transporting and loading 9T234-2.
- The shells themselves.
- Automatic fire control and correction system "Vivarium".
- Means for training and training complex operators.
- Automobile complex for topographic study of the terrain 1T12-2M.
- Direction finding system 1B44.
- Equipment for repair and maintenance of material part 9F381.
Expanded TTX
As mentioned above, the 9A52-2 chassis is based on the MAZ-543A, whose wheel formula is 8x8. As for the artillery unit, it consists of sixteen guides, a rotary mechanism with sights and correction devices, as well as electromechanical and hydraulic stabilizing devices.
Guidance and rotation mechanisms can direct shells at an angle of 5-55 degrees. Horizontal guidance - within 30 degrees in each direction. In this, the Tornado reactive system differs in many respects from the same Hurricane, in which the horizontal guidance limit is the same 30 degrees (15 degrees to the side). To make the installation more stable during firing, there are two hydraulic stops in the rear part, manually reset.
The advantage of the complex is the fact that rockets can be transported directly in the guides. Given the fact that the chassis machine is equipped with night vision devices and a high-quality radio station, even night transportation is not particularly difficult.
Guide Information
The guides themselves are made in the form of thick-walled pipes, in the walls of which there is a screw groove, for which at the moment of firing a pin of a reactive charge clings. This pin is an analogue of the rifling in the trunks of small arms, as it sets the required flight vector of the projectile.
The entire set of guides is rigidly fixed on a rectangular cradle. Thanks to the two semi-axes by which it is connected to the upper machine, this base can be accurately aimed at the target with the help of rotary mechanisms.
On a given trajectory, the charge is held with the help of drop-down stabilizers (like RPG shots). The Smerch multiple launch rocket system covers more than 67 hectares at a time!
Most often, firing is from closed positions. It is possible to control fire directly from the operator's cab. The calculation of the complex includes four people in peacetime and six in war. A BM commander, one gunner, and also a driver are appointed. The number of fighters serving the gun varies.
A bit about shells
It should not be considered that the "Tornado" shells are a banal blasting charge. Currently, more than a dozen of them are already in use, and new types are constantly being developed.
The most commonly used standard high-explosive shell 9M55F. The head part is solid, the weight of the explosive does not exceed 100 kg. They are used to process advanced enemy fortifications, to combat dead infantry and destroy light armored vehicles on the march.
Especially for the destruction of enemy manpower, the 9M55K model was developed. The head of each shell contains 72 separable elements (2 kilograms each) with explosives and destructive elements. Only 10-12 of these charges will be enough to completely destroy the standard motorized infantry company.
On the contrary, specifically for the fight against armored vehicles (including heavy tanks), the 9M55K1 shell was developed. In its head part there are five shells with automatic aiming. If the battle system "Tornado" is used as a "tank hunter", then for the complete destruction of an entire tank company (!) A single salvo of only four vehicles is enough.
Other mechanisms
The rotating part of the machine is the most complex in its structure. Its design includes a rocking chair, rotary, lifting and compensating mechanisms, as well as a manual guidance mechanism and the operator’s workstation guidance. Locking mechanisms are important (including for rocking hydraulics), on which firing accuracy largely depends. The compensation mechanism includes a pair of torsion bars and mounting parts.
In general, the Smerch MLRS, the photo of which is in the article, under catastrophic fire is subjected to catastrophic overloads, so that not only accuracy of shooting, but also the safety of the entire calculation depends on the state of compensatory mechanisms.
In normal mode, a hydroelectric drive is used to guide the guides to the target. If the mechanism fails or is out of order, there is a manual drive. When moving, all rotating parts are blocked by locking blocks. In addition, the rocking gate greatly unloads the entire complex when firing.
The sighting system includes the tried and tested D726-45 sight. The goniometric device is the usual standard weapon panorama PG-1M.
What does the Smerch complex provide?
- Complete security calculation, which provides the ability to conduct both combat and training firing.
- Possibility of single and volley fire. If a salvo is fired, then all the shells go away in 38 seconds. This distinguishes the Smerch rocket artillery from its other counterparts, which take longer to shoot.
- If there is a possibility that the shooting crew will be hit by sniper or harassing enemy fire, then it is possible to control fire from a shelter located at a distance of up to 60 meters from the vehicle.
- More than half of the control components are duplicated. Even if the main elements fail, you can aim at the target and shoot manually.
Other features
Since the complex was adopted relatively recently (in 1987), to date, it is not planned to be discontinued. Moreover, today several programs have been developed to modernize the existing "Tornadoes".
So, it was within the framework of this program that the complex received the Vivarium automatic fire control system, although before that the Kapustnik was installed, which was simultaneously used in the Uragan MLRS.
Traditionally, our designers took care of the impeccable work of all systems in those climatic conditions that can be found throughout the former Soviet Union. So, the system of volley fire "Smerch" can be used at temperatures from -50 to +45 degrees Celsius.
In addition, today the operators of the combat complex have the opportunity to clearly see the target, even if there are no previously issued coordinates or communication with the gunner. The fact is that (in full accordance with the rearmament program until 2020), the equipment of the updated "Tornadoes" works perfectly with the guidance of unmanned aerial vehicles, which are also currently being adopted by our armed forces.
The same applies to other guidance systems that are already in service or are just being developed. So, in combat conditions, operators can use guidance systems "Hurricanes" or "Grad". In general, “Smerch” - MLRS is surprisingly “plastic”, which ensures the incredible breadth of possibilities for its use.
Order of combat use
As in all other cases, the use of this multiple launch rocket system is fully subject to the special provisions of the Charter.
First, the command post of the brigade of MLRS vehicles should receive information about the enemy, as well as the location of his deployment. Based on the information received, calculations are made about the direction of impact. The type of ammunition, the density of fire, and also its adjustment depending on the conditions on the ground are selected. After that, all information is transmitted to the command post of the division that was selected to solve the corresponding combat mission.
After that, the command staff examines the data obtained, correlating it with the available resources. Considering that “Smerch” is a reactive system, its operation requires a fairly open and spacious position, since in a very wooded or mountainous terrain the launch of shells may be unsafe for the operators themselves.
The information is then transferred to the commanders of units that are responsible for hitting the enemy’s positions.
The transmitted data is processed on the computing means of the battery "Smerch" (six machines). Everything happens automatically, as the military has repeatedly found out that such an approach dramatically increases the effectiveness of fire. In addition, the time required to bring the complex into a combat position is reduced hundreds of times.
Immediately after this, unit commanders await orders to open fire on enemy positions.
This is what “Tornado" is. This MLRS proved to be a surprisingly effective and reliable weapon, and therefore stands today in service with dozens of countries in the world. Its modernized options are constantly supplied to our troops today.